Taper Cuts
A useful jointer operation is cutting an edge to a taper. The 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 plane 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 taper operations, 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 as the operator gains experience.
Rabbeting
A rabbet cut requires removal of the cutter guard. Use extreme caution and keep hands clear of cutterhead. Always replace guard immediately after rabbeting operation is completed.
A rabbet is a groove cut along the edge of a board. The width and thickness of the wood to be rabbeted depends upon the width and length of the rabbet. However, never rabbet a piece of wood less than 12" long. Use push blocks to rabbet cut whenever possible.
4.Disconnect machine from power source.
5.Set fence for the desired width of the rabbet.
6.Check the width of the rabbet by measuring the distance from the end of a knife in the cutterhead to the fence.
7.Lower infeed table 1/32" at a time and make successive cuts until the desired depth of rabbet has been obtained. See Figure 33. NOTE: It is easier and safer to take a series of shallow cuts.
When rabbeting long pieces, follow the same procedure as for surfacing long pieces (page 19).
Figure 33
21