Surfacing
The purpose of planing on a jointer is to produce one flat surface. The other side can then be milled to precise, final dimensions on a thickness planer resulting in a board that is smooth and flat on both sides and each side parallel to the other.
If the wood to be jointed is cupped or bowed, place the concave side down, and take light cuts until the surface is flat.
Use push blocks to help insure against hands coming in contact with cutterhead in the event of a kickback.
Never surface pieces shorter than 12 inches or thinner than 3/8 inch without the use of a special work holding fixture.
Never surface pieces thinner than 3 inches without the use of a push block.
On stock longer than 12 inches use two push blocks (Figure 37).
Figure 37
With narrow stock use the type push block shown in Figure 38.
When the stock is longer than twice the length of the infeed and outfeed tables, another helper or support table must be used to support the stock.
Figure 38
Jointing
Jointing (or edging) is the process of creating a finished, flat edge surface that is suitable for joinery or finishing. It is also a necessary step prior to ripping stock to width on a table saw.
Never edge a board that is less than 3 inches wide, less than 1/4 inch thick, or 12 inches long, without using a push block.
When edging wood wider than 3 inches, lap the fingers over the top of the wood, extending them back over the fence such that they will act as a stop for the hands in the event of a kickback.
Position the fence (move forward) to expose only the amount of cutterhead required.
When workpiece is twice the length of the jointer infeed or outfeed table use an infeed or outfeed support.
To edge:
1.Make sure the fence is set to 90°. Double check it with a square.
2.Inspect stock for soundness and grain direction (Refer to Direction of Grain on page 23).
3.If the board is bowed (curved), place the concave edge down on the infeed table.
4.Set the infeed table for a cut of approximately 1/16 inch.
5.Hold the stock firmly against the fence and table, feed the stock slowly and evenly over the cutterhead.
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