What Is A Woodworking Jointer Used For |Full Guide 

Do you know that technology has taken over the carpentry world? A woodworking jointer is now used in place of a planer to ease hard work.

Along with the table saw and planer, the jointer is regarded as one of the three most important stock-dressing machines in woodworking. But what precisely is a jointer and how does it operate? When should a professional woodworker use one?

Hence, If I must answer the question; what is a jointer? A woodworking jointer is a carpentry tool used to shape the rough edges of the wood so as to give it a smooth and plane surface.

Therefore, a Woodworking jointer is helpful in making a face of a board or working wood, and the other adjacent edges, flat and square. They are also ideal for smoothing and flattening out cupped boards and wood surfaces, by removing any form of a twist.

When Do I Need A Woodworking Jointer?

A woodworking jointer is one of the first power tools to purchase for a new carpenter’s shop. Yes, it’s that important as it doesn’t just make the work easier but helps perfect a board, making it ready for use.

Jointers are so important with explanations that can’t be overemphasized. In a recent world where hard work doesn’t pay, one needs to restrategize and work smartly instead. 

For some, woodworking jointers aren’t necessary since you can work with your hands to ensure a close to a positive result, but mind you, that would be too much work and perfection would be far-fetched.

Furthermore, If by chance you’re working in a growing work environment with rough lumber, getting a jointer is key. 

This article will guide you on how a woodworking jointer works.

How Does A Woodworking Jointer Work?

The secret behind the function of a woodworking jointer lies in its component which is power packed to ensure the best possible result.

 A woodworking jointer comprises three main parts namely, 

• Infeed Table
• Outfeed Table
• Cutter Head

These three components are very important parts of a woodworking jointer, you don’t utilize one and neglect the other, they work hand in hand to achieve a goal which is to flatten the surfaces and edges of a board.

The infeed and outfeed tables are flat without any form of a twist.

The infeed table was lowered in such a way as to accommodate the cutter head which is a dead flush.

Furthermore, the desired boards are placed on the cutter head in the infeed table, with every inch of movement, the undesired excesses of the board are cupped out removing champs, this way, the board becomes parallel with the outfeed table indicating a flat result.

Kindly note, you can adjust the depth to which you want the board cut by lowering or raising the infeed table to suit your objective.

Most projects require a depth of cut of around 1/16 to 1/8 inch, which is why jointers come in a variety of sizes. The most common jointer is a 6-inch jointer, which means the cutter head is 6 inches long, restricting the maximum board width the machine can accommodate.

The length of the infeed and outfeed tables, known as the bed, also varies; the longer the bed, the wider the reference area and the longer the boards that may be processed by the jointer. A jointer can often handle boards up to twice the length of its bed.

What Are The Common Uses Of A Woodworking Jointer?

The uses of a woodworking jointer cannot be overemphasized and underrated. As a beginner or growing carpenter that comes in contact with rough boards or what have you, a woodworking jointer is designed for you.

 From the introduction of this article, we analyzed the function, uses, and of course how best a jointer works.

But for the benefit of the doubt, and because we find sharing viable and knowledge-based information, I will list five benefits of a jointer and why you should keep them handy, kindly sit with me…

#1. A Jointer Is Used To Make Flat Edges Of A Board 

This is the primary function of a woodworking jointer. It makes the surfaces of wood or what have you smooth and flatten so as to fit into a shape.

#2. Jointers Are Used To Make Wider Boards

This is a technique employed by carpenters or woodworkers to ensure a wider board.

This is achieved by using a woodworking jointer to cup out rough surfaces and edges making these edges fit to be joined end to end and produce a wider join or boards.

#3. Makes Working Easier 

If you’ve ever worked with rough surfaces and lumbers then you will understand this better. Before the idea of a jointer, whether plane jointers or what you call it, flattening woods had been a tug of war, so difficult to achieve a close to a successful result.

Now the story has changed,  you can comfortably use a jointer to do your work and get the best result without sweating profusely.

#4. Makes Working Enjoyable And Faster

How do you feel about making an order online or using a grocery app? Yeah, I know that feeling.

The same goes for using a jointer, you tend to achieve more in the possible minimum time, at your pace, and with energy while having that good feeling of less work.

Kindly read further to know more about a jointer by clicking on this blue link https://pressbooks.bccampus.ca/woodworkingmachinery/ 

#5. Squaring an Edge Of aboard 

Running one edge of the board to the jointer produces a straight and square output.

After you’ve flattened the surface of a board, either by using a planer, you can use a jointer to square one edge of a committee to one face…

#6. Preparation Of Lumber For Lamination 

Aside from using a woodworking jointer for squaring surfaces and edges, jointers are also used in preparing woods, stock lumbers, or boards for edge-glue lamination. There is a good and strategic machining sequence to follow that will produce a tight, well-fitting joint. 

#7. Jointers Are Also Used For Rabbeting 

When you want to cut a rabbet, make sure to keep the workpiece tight to the fence, and lower the infeed table with every pass over the jointer until the desired depth of cut is achieved. If multiple lumbers are to be rabbeted, each of the pieces should be run before adjusting the depth of cut to ensure accuracy and efficiency. 

#8. Recessing And Tampering Of Pieces

Another imaginative use of a jointer is in recessing which is a simple technique just like tempering. You might need smart undivided attention to be able to do this effectively.

A jointer is used to cut a shallow recess in the workpiece. Remember, the use of a jointer is dependent on the imagination of the operator. Therefore creativity should be embraced.

What Are The Precautions while Using A Woodworking Jointer?

Every tool, equipment, and machine used in the industry, household, outlet, or carpentry workshop requires a maximum careful precautionary measure.

These measures over time have been studied by natural observation, manufacturer guides, and harmful repetitive occurrences that pose a threat to the victim.

Therefore, it’s advisable to read through a manufacturer’s guide to examine these downlines or stick to an Instructor’s direction for use…below are simple precautions to look for while using a woodworking jointer.

#1. Cutter Head Precautions

While using a jointer here are some careful measures that directly have to do with the cutter head.

• Do not place your hands about 6″ away from the cutter head while in use or dormant.
• Use a push block to lift the cutter head, do not place your hand directly on the cutter head.
• The work should be fed at a rate that doesn’t reduce the speed of the cutter head.

#2. The Board To Be Worked On

• Always check the depth of cut on the board before commencing to avoid kickbacks 
• Defective stock could break out while working, therefore should not be used.
• Edging of stock less than 20mm wide should be avoided
• Stock shorter than 300mm is not safe to use a jointer.
• The use of push blocks is advised for thin and narrow boards.

#3. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• Do not put on loose-fitting apparel and items of clothing
• Wearing jewelry should be avoided
• Avoid examination gloves as they could be slippery.
• General safety rules should be upheld.
• Operators’ expertise should be encouraged.

Choosing between a jointer and a planer

Jointers and planers are two distinct tools that are frequently used in tandem. Most woodworkers will agree that a jointer and planer are required to get the most out of your raw material. There are additional jointer-planer combos available.

A jointer can flatten and square a board, but it cannot mill a board to a regular thickness or mill it to precise specifications. While a jointer may be used to flatten both faces or all four sides of a piece, this generally results in a tapered board or one that is thicker on one end than the other. A jointer can generate flat edges, but it is not intended to maintain opposing sides parallel.

A planer, often known as a thickness planer, is a thicknesser: It cuts a board to a uniform thickness throughout its length, resulting in a flawlessly flat surface on both sides. A board should have one flat side with a square edge before going through the planer, which is where the jointer comes in. After being joined, the board is passed through the planer with its flat side against the planer bed. The planer then slices the board’s rough top surface, making the second face parallel to the first.

Frequently Asked Questions About Woodworking Jointer

Where Do I Get A Woodworking Jointer?

A woodworking jointer can be purchased from a wood shop just like any other machine. The choice of vendor is yours to make but there are vendors with trademarks of quality sales like Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Wood-Jointer/s?k=Wood+Jointer 

How Much Is A Woodworking Jointer?

The cost of a jointer machine depends on your state of residence, choice of the jointer, and vendors. There’s no fixed price for jointers there are various specifications and types. Although it ranges from $ 198 to $10,000 depending on spec.

Is A Woodworking Jointer Worth It?

Yes of course! A woodworking jointer is worth the investment, it’s a brilliant one at that. In a world where technology and machines have taken over manpower and hard work, you sure need to utilize this equipment to make work easier, faster, and more enjoyable.

Go for a jointer and thank me later.

Conclusion

In summary, this article meticulously answered a lot of questions based on woodworking jointers. Get a woodworking jointer to ensure a stress-free work routine that produces the best results and makes you outstanding and relevant in your field.

Always use correct safety and operation practices while using any piece of machinery.

Nonetheless, jointers can be perfectly safe to use when done correctly, which means using push blocks, accounting for grain direction, tuning up the machine, not wearing loose clothing, and keeping body parts away from the scary sharp knives spinning at thousands of RPMs just in case the wood you’re working on decides to kickback or break.

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References

• https://www.google.com/amp/s/craftswright.com/blog/what-is-a-woodworking-jointer-used-for%3fformat=amp 
• https://www.popularwoodworking.com/techniques/4-things-you-can-do-with-a-jointer/ 
• https://pressbooks.bccampus.ca/woodworkingmachinery/chapter/common-operations-2/ 

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