I picked up a 6" jointer at an estate sale. The name plate on the machine was stamped 2002 but, clearly, it had never been out of the box. It was in mint shape and still covered in the shipping cosmoline. I am new to jointers so I'm sure to have a few questions about operations but I currently have one on assembly.

The unit assembled according to the instructions. However, there is an undocumented part which seems intentional but .....? Out of the bottom of the fence there is a 3/16" plastic rod that protrudes about that same dimension. It lands on the out-feed table about 3" beyond the knives. It seems to be there for the purpose of keeping the fence from contacting the tables. There is no mention of it in the manual or on the parts drawings.

Can anyone offer a suggestion as to what this piece of plastic does?

Fred