PLANING OR SURFACING
Planing or surfacing is identical to the jointing operation except for the position of the workpiece. For planing, 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, a shown in Fig. 67. 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 planing oper- ations and never pass your hands directly over the cutterhead. Maximum depth of cut should not be more than 1/8" in one pass.
Fig. 67
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
When tilted to the left, the fence forms a
TAPER CUTS
Fig. 68
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 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 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. 69, the cutterhead 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. Maximum depth of cut when rabbeting with this jointer is 1/2 inch.
Fig. 69