Woodworking: Setting Up and Using Jointers & Planers

Jointers and planers are similar, but not identical. Each machine has a different function, but both machines are extremely useful when it comes to creating precisely machined boards in your shop.

Additionally, buying your lumber rough sawn and doing you own jointing and planing can save you a lot of money!

In broad strokes, jointers are the perfect tool for flattening faces and creating edges that are smooth, straight and square. Planers provide two parallel faces, and guarantee that every board you machine is exactly the same thickness.

This course, brought to you in conjunction with Woodworkers Guild of America, will help you double check your machines to make sure they’re correctly set up. This includes knife changes on both the jointer and planer, with techniques provided for perfectly setting the jointer knives. You’ll learn how to lubricate and maintain your jointer and planer for optimum performance. You’ll also learn:

• How to read wood grain for proper feed direction to avoid tear out

• Tricks for getting the jointer fence perfectly square

• Low tech tips for setting jointer knives

• Jointer and planer safety

• What materials can and can’t be jointed and planed

• How to eliminate jointer snipe

• Safe and proper techniques for face jointing

• Using the jointer to cut rabbets

• Jointing tapers

• Leveling planer infeed and outfeed tables

• How to reduce or eliminate planer snipe

• Planing extremely thin stock

• Using your planer to clean up sawn edges

This course will help make sure you get the most out of your jointer and planer by helping you properly set the machines, and safely use them to their full potential.