Jointer
Use push blocks, suitable stock and shallow cuts to keep hands clear of the cutterhead while establishing a flat face or straight edge.
Flat faces and straight edges: Category 3 in the woods lab
Flat faces and straight edges: Category 3 in the woods lab
A jointer establishes a flat face or a straight edge at a set angle to an adjacent face. It does not by itself make opposite faces parallel. See Milling Rough Lumber Square for the sequence and Choosing a Woodworking Machine for machine selection.
Category 3 in the Woods / Construction lab. Follow category permission and supervision requirements. Complete Equipment Operating Procedure and Personal Protective Equipment; see Machine Hazards and Housekeeping for guarding and isolation.
Before starting: check the stock, guard and depth of cut; Checklist
Before starting: check the stock, guard and depth of cut
In our labs:
- Check for nails, screws, loose knots, splits and other defects. Do not feed wood containing metal; ask the instructor about defective or unstable stock.
- Use stock at least 1/4 inch thick and 10 inches long. These minimums do not make an otherwise unstable setup acceptable.
- Set the infeed table for no more than 1/16 inch removal per pass, with the machine isolated for setup.
- Check that the swinging cutterhead guard covers the cutter and returns freely. Do not use a setup that defeats it.
- Plan the feed with the grain, with a cupped face concave-side down so the board does not roll. Have the instructor check stock that will not sit stably.
- Have push blocks ready. Turn on dust collection and open the machine's collection gate before cutting.
Keep hands 4 inches away and transfer pressure with push blocks
Keep hands 4 inches away and transfer pressure with push blocks
In our labs, keep hands at least 4 inches from the cutterhead and never pass hands over it. Do not hook fingers around the end or side of the board. Use push blocks or the trained push-assist device; plan hand transfers before starting.
- Stand to the side of the board near the cutter, not behind its feed line. Start the jointer and wait for full speed.
- Feed with slight, even pressure against the table and fence. Keep the board stable rather than forcing it flat.
- Once the leading portion has passed the cutter by more than the 4-inch margin, use the push block to apply downward pressure on the outfeed side. Transfer hands without passing them over the cutterhead.
- Complete the pass while maintaining control and clearance. Let the guard return over the cutter before lifting the board away.
If the board kicks back or control is lost: stop the jointer
If the board kicks back or control is lost: stop the jointer
The cutter can throw a board opposite the feed direction. Do not chase it or reach toward the cutter. Stop the jointer from a safe position and notify the instructor before another pass.
If injured, move clear and follow Lab Conduct and Emergencies. Wait for the cutterhead to stop before cleanup, then complete Equipment Operating Procedure.