what does a jointer do in woodworking

What does a jointer do for woodworking? A jointer is an essential woodworking machine. If you make a lot of custom furniture this is probably one of the most important tools in your arsenal. Get my complete guide on what a jointer does, how it is used, and why its needed

What is a jointer, and what does it do? A jointer is a tool that helps prepare lumber by producing two parallel faces or straight edges on the ends of boards or other lumber. Other names for this tool include a jointer plane and a jointer cutter. The typical function of a jointer is to straighten edges, but it can also be used as a thickness planer by adjusting the blades to cut more aggressively.

Section: Why is a jointer needed?

First, the basics: A jointer flattens and straightens one face of a board while simultaneously squaring an adjacent edge. The woodworker then uses this edge to rip the board to any final width needed. Jointers are available in 6", 8", and 12" widths, with 12" being the most common.

The first step in making a board flat and straight is to plane a face of the board flat. This is done on the surface planer (or thickness planer), which is capable of removing any high spots or undulations, resulting in a perfectly flat surface, but it cannot make that surface perfectly straight! It is possible for the face of a board to be completely flat but still not be straight; it may bow up or down in either direction, resulting in what is referred to as "crowning."

Section: What does a jointer do?

One of the most frustrating things in woodworking is having a board that is not straight or flat. There are times when you just can’t avoid this. A jointer comes in handy for those times.

A jointer, also known as a planer, is a stationary machine with a rotating cutter head and an infeed table that is designed to make the edge of a board straight and smooth. The infeed table and outfeed table are set parallel to each other, and the difference between the two is equal to the width of the cutter head. This ensures that both sides of your board are cut at the same angle, making it perfectly straight and smooth.

After jointing your board with a jointer, you can run it through a thickness planer to make it flat on both sides.

Section: How does the jointer work?

A jointer is used to join two pieces of wood together. Wood can be joined by gluing them together or by bolting the two pieces together. In the case of gluing the wood, a flat surface is necessary for the glue to adhere properly. This is where a jointer comes into play.

A jointer creates flat surfaces on rough cut lumber for the purpose of making glue joints. This is necessary because lumber that comes from the mill has warped edges or has a cupped face (the edges are higher than the center). You need to flatten these surfaces before you can glue them together.

Section: Use of a Jointer

A jointer's purpose is to flatten one face of a piece of wood and square up one side edge at 90 degrees to that face. Once this is done, you can then run the other face along the table and make it parallel to the first face. Likewise, you can run the second edge along the fence and make it perpendicular to the first edge.

While you can do most jointing operations with a hand plane or belt sander, jointers are much faster. Plus, you can achieve much better results than with either of those tools.

Section: How to Use a Jointer

In many ways, the jointer and planer are used in similar situations. The difference between the two tools is that while a planer will take material off both sides of your wood, a jointer only takes material off one side at a time. In other words, if you want to create something that is perfectly square from all sides using just these two machines, you will have to run your stock through both machines twice.

Section: Steps on How to Use a Jointer

A jointer is a woodworking machine that flattens and squares one face of a board or produces an accurate edge joint. It also has the ability to cut bevels and rabbets, chamfers and other decorative effects, and the ability to correct slight twisting or bowing in stock (as long as it isn't very severe).

A Jointer is used for preparing rough lumber for use in furniture making, cabinet making, flooring, etc.

Takeaway: You now know what the jointer does and how to use it.

A jointer is a woodworking tool that is used to create flat surfaces on a board. A woodworker will usually use a jointer before using a thickness planer. This allows the woodworker to make one face of the board flat and square so that it can be run through the thickness planer to make the board the correct thickness.

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Conclusion

When you understand how the functions of a jointer work, and when you know why those functions are needed, you will have a much better understanding of your tools and how to use them. This knowledge will improve your skills as a carpenter or cabinet maker. So knowing what a jointer does is important in helping it fulfill its purpose and function. I hope this article helped in that regard!