New (probably) SS 520 Owner Questions?

[algale]

IMHO a jointer is designed for 'edge planing'. One typically does not 'join' faces!]

Yes you can use the jointer to flatten the face of a board. BUT it's KNOT the correct tool to use.

Since when is face jointing unusual or a jointer not a correct tool for flattening the face of a board?

Every explanation I have ever seen for jointer technique says to use the jointer to flatten a face on the board to use as a reference surface against the jointer fence when jointing the edge.

[jerm]

Awesome everyone, thanks for the great information! I'll have much to pour over for sure before this Saturday

And yes I'd read about not adjusting the speed while it's not running (something jams or something?) I'll have to find corrective actions on that just in case I accidentally do it myself

[jerm]

Since when is face jointing unusual or a jointer not a correct tool for flattening the face of a board?

Every explanation I have ever seen for jointer technique says to use the jointer to flatten a face on the board to use as a reference surface against the jointer fence when jointing the edge.

Yeah I'd be interested in knowing another answer also - everything I've read says if you need to flatten a face, you use a jointer unless you just don't have one, then flip it and joint the edge to get yourself to 90 on a face/edge, then rip the other edge and then plane the remaining face. Sometimes I guess if you're lucky with the grain you can actually joint both edges(?)

The other methods I've seen are with a jointer hand plane (I don't have one, but I've got a 14" jack plane that'll do smaller boards but it's lots of work!) or using a planer sled.

Is there another way I don't know about?

[JPG]

The earlier jointers did not have that lip. A ledge can be added however if you are not averse to drilling a couple of holes to attach it!;)

SS also makes a table support for mortising that can be used for the end support.

[JPG]

Yeah I'd be interested in knowing another answer also - everything I've read says if you need to flatten a face, you use a jointer unless you just don't have one, then flip it and joint the edge to get yourself to 90 on a face/edge, then rip the other edge and then plane the remaining face. Sometimes I guess if you're lucky with the grain you can actually joint both edges(?)

The other methods I've seen are with a jointer hand plane (I don't have one, but I've got a 14" jack plane that'll do smaller boards but it's lots of work!) or using a planer sled.

Is there another way I don't know about?

I think that common 'advice' is a result of power tools being 'de rigueur' and hand tools being 'old fashioned'.

The sequence I would use would be to 'flatten' one face, joint one edge using the flattened face against the jointer fence, flatten the second face(a thickness planner is quite appropriate), Rip the second edge(if needed), then joint the second edge. This allows proper board feed for jointing the edges paying attention to grain orientation.

Yes hand tools require work to operate!:D

[jerm]

I think that common 'advice' is a result of power tools being 'de rigueur' and hand tools being 'old fashioned'.

The sequence I would use would be to 'flatten' one face, joint one edge using the flattened face against the jointer fence, flatten the second face(a thickness planner is quite appropriate), Rip the second edge(if needed), then joint the second edge. This allows proper board feed for jointing the edges paying attention to grain orientation.

Yes hand tools require work to operate!:D

Yeah makes sense I guess, and maybe it's my inexperience talking, but I frankly I find it a lot of "grunt" work planing a face by hand! I probably need more practice (and to resharpen my plane) but it was quite the experience to say the least jointing about 10 boards, and I'm still not quite there yet...I don't know if I'm going to afford a jointer plane after I buy this SS (I promised my wife it's the last tool for a while...famous last words!)

Also, and again this is a question from someone very inexperienced, but if one was going to plane two faces of a board by hand already, why use an electric jointer at all? Why not just joint both edges with the jointer plane?

Thanks for the discussion and the links so far - I'm learning a lot from all this and not meaning to start a huge debate - tools all have their place.

In fact, I first started thinking I would do *everything* by hand (pull saw, dovetail saw, chisels, plane) but I'm finding everything has its place - I don't want to take forever in the milling process, but once things are mostly milled, I really enjoy the hand tools.

[JPG]

Yeah makes sense I guess, and maybe it's my inexperience talking, but I frankly I find it a lot of "grunt" work planing a face by hand! I probably need more practice (and to resharpen my plane) but it was quite the experience to say the least jointing about 10 boards, and I'm still not quite there yet...I don't know if I'm going to afford a jointer plane after I buy this SS (I promised my wife it's the last tool for a while...famous last words!)

Also, and again this is a question from someone very inexperienced, but if one was going to plane two faces of a board by hand already, why use an electric jointer at all? Why not just joint both edges with the jointer plane?

Thanks for the discussion and the links so far - I'm learning a lot from all this and not meaning to start a huge debate - tools all have their place.

In fact, I first started thinking I would do *everything* by hand (pull saw, dovetail saw, chisels, plane) but I'm finding everything has its place - I don't want to take forever in the milling process, but once things are mostly milled, I really enjoy the hand tools.

1) Because as you noticed, hand tools involve work.

2) Because 'hand' jointer planes are not in most home shops.

3) 'Electric' jointers are more commonly found in home shops.

A lot of jointers were included as a deal sweetener at demos in years back so most SS owners have one.

Wonder how cum Farmer has not jumped in on this. He has a fet . . uh . . um . . that is . . strong opinions regarding this especially for removing wind!;)

[JPG]

This to me is a 'jointer plane'.