Surfacing, Beveling, Taper Cuts, Cutting a Rabbet

SURFACING

Surfacing is identical to the jointing operation except for the position of the workpiece. For surfacing, the major flat surface of the workpiece is placed on the infeed table of the jointer with the narrow edge of the workpiece against the fence, as shown in Fig. 63. The workpiece is moved from the infeed table, across the cutterhead to the outfeed table establishing a flat surface on the workpiece

ALWAYS USE PUSH BLOCKS WHEN PERFORMING SURFACING OPERATIONS AND NEVER PASS YOUR HANDS DIRECTLY OVER THE CUTTERHEAD.

MAXIMUM DEPTH OF CUT SHOULD NOT BE MORE THAN 1/8" IN ONE PASS.

BEVELING

To cut a bevel, lock the fence at the required angle and run the work across the knives while keeping the work firmly against the fence and tables. Several passes may be necessary to arrive at the desired result. When the angle is small, there is little difference whether the fence is tilted to the right or left. However, at greater angles approaching 45 degrees, it is increasingly difficult to hold the work properly when the fence is tilted to the right. The advantage of the double-tilting fence is appreciated under such conditions. When tilted to the left, the fence forms a V-shape with the tables, as shown in Fig. 64, and the work is easily pressed into the pocket while passing it across the knives. If the bevel is laid out on the piece in such direction that this involves cutting against the grain, it will be better to tilt the fence to the right.

Fig. 63

Fig. 64

TAPER CUTS

One of the most useful jointer operations is cutting an edge to a taper. This method can be used on a wide variety of work. Tapered legs of furniture are a common example. Instead of laying the piece on the infeed table, lower the forward end of the work onto the outfeed table. Do this very carefully, as the piece will span the knives, and they will take a “bite” from the work with a tendency to kick back unless the piece is firmly held. Now push the work forward as in ordinary jointing. The effect is to surface off all the stock in front of the knives, to increasing depth, leaving a tapered surface. The ridge left by the knives when starting the taper may be removed by taking a very light cut according to the regular method for jointing, with the infeed table raised to its usual position. Practice is required in this operation, and the beginner is advised to make trial cuts on waste material. Taper cuts over part of the length and a number of other special operations can easily be done by the experienced craftsman.

CUTTING A RABBET

When making a rabbet cut, as shown in Fig. 65, the cutter- head guard must be removed.

AFTER THE RABBET CUT IS COMPLETED,

BE CERTAIN GUARD IS REPLACED.

1.Adjust the fence so that the distance between the end of the knives and the fence is equal to the width of the rabbet.

2.Lower the infeed table an amount equal to the depth of the rabbet. If the rabbet is quite deep, it may be necessary to cut it in two or more passes. In that event, the table is lowered an amount equal to about half the depth of the rabbet for the first pass, then lowered again

to proper depth to complete the cut.

Fig. 65