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Operate the Jointer and Planer

Topic 4 – Operate the Jointer and Planer

The Power Jointer

imageThe Jointers primary purpose is to plane edges and faces of stock. With an infeed and outfeed table, it has the ability to produce flat faces, and square, true edges. It can also be used (less commonly) to produce rabbets, bevels, and chamfers. Jointers are sized according to their blade width, which is commonly 6” or 8”.

The depth of cut is dependent on application and is adjusted by raising and lowering the infeed table. The cutter head is aligned with the outfeed table and remains stationary once it has been properly set up. As the cutterhead remains stationary, the fence must be tilted to produce a bevel or chamfer and moved inwards to produce a rabbet.

When working with rough stock lumber, the jointer is usually the first tool that it is brought to. While the planer is used to produce smooth surfaces, any twists within the board are likely to remain. The jointer is designed to cut out many defects in the lumber including crooks, bows, and twists. After a flat face, and square edge are achieved on the jointer, the workpiece can be planed on the planer and cut to width on the table saw.

Jointer Safety

– Always ensure the guard is in working order and returns after the workpiece has passed through
– Hold the workpiece firmly but do not place too much pressure on the workpiece when jointing an edge as it may tip over
– Use push blocks when completing a cut
– Do not joint short or thin pieces
– Do not place fingers on the following edge of the work piece
– Avoid jointing overly knotted lumber

Power Thickness Planer

The thickness planer is used to machine lumber to specific thicknesses and product two flat, parallel faces. While the depth of stock accepted varies from planer to planer, the size of the planer is determined by the width of the cutter head.

Parts of the Planer

imageThe planer consists of a table which, depending on the design, may be stationary or raised and lowered in relation to the motor (in some planers, the motor is adjusted for height). As the work piece is entered into the machine, an infeed roller automatically pulls the material in past the cutter head at a consistent speed. Behind the cutter head is an outfeed roller and pressure bar which helps ensure that the piece remains flat and produces a consistent cut as it is completed. Much like the jointer outfeed table, the outfeed roller is set to the same height at the cutter head and should not vary from its position (see figure 64 right).

Operating the Planer

– Prior to starting the machine, lower the table and remove any shavings or chips of wood from the table and rollers
– Ensure dust collection is in working order and connected properly
– Stand to the side when placing material in the machine
– Check the material for loose knots which could come free during cutting and damage the machine or injure the operator
– Ensure there is enough room behind the machine to plane long stock
– Plane a maximum of 1/8” per pass
– Ensure there is a flat and “true” surface to rest on the table during cutting
– If there is a jam, turn off the machine, lower the table (or raise the motor) and remove the work piece.

License

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Carpentry Refresher Program Manual Copyright © by Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies-Trades and Industrial is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

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