Any tips for replacing chopper blades?

[fieldsframing]

I'm putting freshly sharpened blades on my Jyden chopper (it's a bit of an antique) and I always spend what feels like unnecessary time getting the blades aligned just right so that it cuts well. Do any of you have any tips on how to make this job easier?

 

[wpfay]

Not really. I have a vintage Jyden as well, and the process takes a bit of patience. Don't do it often enough to worry about it, and I'm disinclined to attempt to speed up the process with those heavy sharp blades.
I start by putting the blades on using the center bolt only, then rotating them to put in the front and back bolts. Finger tighten everything, and then start fiddling around with the alignment. Once close, I will snug down the bolts with a socket, again tightened by hand with no wrench attached, and tweak the alignment. Then I attach the wrench to the socket and snug each bolt down a little at a time. Happy with results and my fingers are still on the end of my hands.

 

[fieldsframing]

Haha! That's great. I'm kind of partial to my thumbs as well! I didn't think there would be too many new tricks out there other than good old fashioned patience.

 

[Scott Lewis]

I always replace the blades one at a time. That way you have a reference point in the blade that's still attached. There may be some fine tuning, but usually I can get them spot-on the first time.

 

[Prospero]

I use the center bolt first way for fitting. Makes the job safer as much as anything. Center bolt last for removal. It's a good idea to make sure the face of the cutter block (and the back of the blades) is free of any detritus that could interfere with a close fit and make the blades bind against the fixed blades.

 

[Baer Charlton]

Don't try to put blades on when you need to pee.

Don't ask.

- - Stumpy

 

[artfolio]

I am with Scott.

Take off one blade and line up the replacement with the remaining one then take off the other blunt one and align the next sharp blade to the first one. Sometimes needs a bit of fiddling if the replacements are wider or narrower than those they are replacing but usually a 5 - 10 minute job.

Another way of fine-tuning is to use only two studs tightened firmly but not tightly on each blade then you can get minor adjustments by tapping with a block of wood or levering with a screwdriver between the stud and the edge of the recess it fits in.

By the time you have done it a few hundred times it becomes easy.

 

[fieldsframing]

That's awesome guys, thanks for all the advice, it was very helpful!! Especially about peeing first, then changing the blades...