Stock Inspection and
Requirements
Here are some rules to follow when choos- ing and jointing stock:
•Jointing and surface planing WITH the grain produces a better finish and is safer for the operator. Cutting with the grain is described as feeding the stock on the jointer so the grain points down and toward you as viewed on the edge of the stock (Figure 29).
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Figure 29. Illustration showing correct and incorrect grain alignment with cutterhead.
Note: If the grain changes direction along the edge of the board, decrease the cutting depth and make additional passes.
•DO NOT joint or surface plane stock that contains large or loose knots. Injury to the operator or damage to the workpiece can occur if the knots become dislodged during the cutting operation.
•DO NOT joint or surface plane against the grain direction. Cutting against the grain increases the likelihood of stock kickback, as well as tear-out on the workpiece.
•Remove foreign objects from the stock. Make sure that any stock you process with the jointer is clean and free of any dirt, nails, staples, tiny rocks or any other foreign objects that may damage the jointer blades.
•Only process natural wood fiber through your jointer. Never joint MDF, particle board, plywood, laminates or other synthetically made materials.
•Make sure all stock is sufficiently dried before jointing. Wood with a moisture con- tent over 20% will cause unnecessary wear on the knives and poor cutting results.
•Make sure your workpiece exceeds the minimum dimension requirements (Figures 31 & 30) before edge jointing or surface planing, or it may break or kick back during the operation!
10" Min.
1" Min.
1⁄2" Min.
Figure 30. Illustration showing the minimum
workpiece dimensions for edge jointing.
10" Min.
1⁄2" Min.
1" Min.
