OPERATION
The following directions will give the beginner a start on jointer operations. Use scrap pieces of lumber to check settings and to get the feel of the operations before attempting regular work.
THE KNIVES ON THE JOINTER WILL NOT WEAR EVENLY BY FEEDING THE WOOD THROUGH THE SAME SPOT ON THE TABLE EVERY TIME. FEED THE WOOD THROUGH THE JOINTER AT DIFFERENT SPOTS ON THE TABLE WHEN POSSIBLE, TO HELP ELIMINATE UNEVEN WEAR OF THE KNIVES.
ALWAYS USE CUTTERHEAD GUARD AND KEEP HANDS AWAY FROM CUTTERHEAD. ALWAYS USE PUSH BLOCKS WHENEVER POSSIBLE. NEVER MAKE JOINTING AND PLANING CUTS DEEPER THAN 1/8" IN ONE PASS.
PLACEMENT OF HANDS DURING FEEDING
At the start of the cut, the left hand holds the work firmly against the infeed table and fence, while the right hand pushes the work toward the knives. After the cut is un- derway, the new surface rests firmly on the outfeed table as shown in Fig. 61. The left hand should then be moved to the work on the outfeed table, at the same time maintaining flat contact with the fence. The right hand presses the work forward, and before the right hand reaches the cutterhead, it should be moved to the work on the outfeed table.
NEVER PASS HANDS DIRECTLY OVER THE CUTTERHEAD.
JOINTING AN EDGE
This is the most common operation for the jointer, these cuts are made to square an edge of a workpiece. Set the guide fence square with the table. Depth of cut should be the minimum required to obtain a straight edge. Hold the best face of the piece firmly against the fence throughout the feed as shown in Fig. 62.
MAXIMUM DEPTH OF CUT SHOULD NOT BE MORE THAN 1/8" IN ONE PASS.
DO NOT PERFORM JOINTING OPERATIONS ON MATERIAL SHORTER THAN 10 INCHES, NARROWER THAN 3/4 INCH, OR LESS THAN 1/2 INCH THICK (REFER TO FIG. 63).
Fig. 61
Fig. 62
Fig. 63
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