THE JOINTER
The jointer is mainly used to dress a single face or edge of a rough sawn, crooked or distorted board as the first stage of straightening or dressing timber. The second stage of the straightening or dressing process relies on the use of another machine, the thickness planer.
Basically, the jointer consists of a rotating cutter head with two or three blades which are fixed between two adjustable height tables. This assembly is mounted on a stand which usually encloses the motor.
The work piece is pushed along the first table (called the infeed table), across the rotating cutter head and then onto the second table
(called the outfeed table). The outfeed table is set to the same height as the tip of the blades in the cutting head when they are at their highest position during rotation while the infeed table is set lower than the cutter tips. This determines the amount of material to be removed from the work piece. The jointer is equipped with a fence that is usually set at 90 degrees to the tables, but it can also be set on an angle to facilitate machining a square or angled edge onto the work piece.
The cutter head is guarded by a cover designed to swing aside as the work piece passes over the cutter. The guard automatically returns to its place as the work piece leaves the cutting zone.
Basically, the jointer consists of a rotating cutter head with two or three blades which are fixed between two adjustable height tables. This assembly is mounted on a stand which usually encloses the motor.
The work piece is pushed along the first table (called the infeed table), across the rotating cutter head and then onto the second table
(called the outfeed table). The outfeed table is set to the same height as the tip of the blades in the cutting head when they are at their highest position during rotation while the infeed table is set lower than the cutter tips. This determines the amount of material to be removed from the work piece. The jointer is equipped with a fence that is usually set at 90 degrees to the tables, but it can also be set on an angle to facilitate machining a square or angled edge onto the work piece.
The cutter head is guarded by a cover designed to swing aside as the work piece passes over the cutter. The guard automatically returns to its place as the work piece leaves the cutting zone.
MAIN PARTS OF THE JOINTER
SAFETY PROCEDURES
- Wear safety glasses or goggles, or a face shield (with safety glasses or goggles).
- Check the board for foreign objects – such as nails or rocks.
- Never joint stock containing loose or unsound knots.
- Make sure stock is at least 12” long and ½” thick.
- Make sure the swing guard pushes beside the stock as it passes over the cutting heads and returns against the fence after the stock is removed.
- Do not change depth of cut without permission. Depth of cut should be set to 1/16th or less.
- Always use a push stick and/or push block. Never let a finger come with in 10 cm (4") of blade when running.
- Always push the work well beyond the blade when finishing a cut so the guard closes back over the blade.
- Never let go of your wood part way through a cut.
- Maintain an adequate amount of downward and forward force with push blocks as the knife blades on a revolving cutting head can take the stock from your hands.
- If the board jams while jointing, DO NOT EVER pull back on the front of the board.
- Before investigating any jammed pieces shut the power off and lock it out.
- Turn the jointer off immediately if it does not sound right or if slivers of wood catch between the blade and table.
AT ALL TIMES – IF IN DOUBT, SEE YOUR INSTRUCTOR