The Self-Set system makes changing jointer blades very quick. And it works on virtually any 6" or 8" jointer. You can switch a set of 3 blades in about 4 minutes. Which means you can get back to work quickly without getting out of your groove.

The 'system' consists of a blade and a carrier. A lot of 6" jointers have two blades on the cutterhead - hence you would need two blades and two carriers. Most 8" jointers seem to have a three blade cutterhead.

The blades are made in Germany, and are high quality, two-sided, disposable HSS blades, just under 1/16" thick and 11/16" wide. There are three holes on the blades.

The carrier is a metal plate about 5/16" thick. It has three tabs (over which the matching holes on the blades fit) and two magnetic tabs that keep the blade from falling off the carrier. On one side of the carrier are two 'positive stops'. Essentially these are little brackets that fit over the top of the cutterhead.

Installing the Self-Set blades on your jointer is a piece of cake. You begin my removing the locking bar that holds the jointer knives in place. Then clean out any debris in the channel - a blast of compressed air does the job nicely.

You then place a blade on a carrier, and slip the unit in the channel on the cutterhead - with the positive stops on the top of the cutterhead. This is what keeps the unit at a precise distance from the top of the cutterhead, and perfectly aligned horizontally. The blades are aligned from the top of the cutterhead, not the bottom of the channel pocket. A word of caution here - the blades are very sharp, and you need to exercise caution when placing them on the carrier.

Re-insert the locking bar and tighten the locking nuts. That's it! You're back to work. When the blades get dull, simply reverse them.

For a system like this I would advise keeping an extra two or three sets of blades in the shop.

The Self-Set system is incredibly efficient, simple to use and economical - a product worth considering for both small and large shops. It's ideal for the serious amateur woodworker who doesn't want to have to deal with the hassles associated with conventional knife setting jigs. For the single person or production shop where efficient use of time is a priority, the Self-Set system will easily pay for itself over the course of year.

The Self-Set system will be available for 15" and 20" planers in May 2007.