SteveMaryland wrote
So I guess the ideal "3 machine" combo is: router sled + planer + table saw. Forget the jointer. Stumpy's video makes this point.
I'll just put in a quick good word for the SS jointer here.
A long time ago I learned the acronym FEET as a way to keep track of how to mill a board. The first F is for Face...flatten one face and mark it as a reference surface. As has been discussed, there are many ways to get this first step done. Hand plane and winding sticks was the "go to" method for centuries, which still works, but router sleds, (btw, Steve, those "set screws" are a clever way to hold the stock in your sled ) planer sleds etc as already discussed can get the job done. The chosen method depends on the size of the work piece and/or how many pieces need to be milled.
The next letter, E, is for Edge. With the flattened reference face against its fence, the jointer makes short work of getting an edge at 90 degrees. Even a narrow jointer like the SS one works great for this. For long stock you may need to add shop-made extensions, but this little jointer is a great tool for getting that first true edge.
On to the next E...and this is where I differ by one step from Stumpy...I take the stock to the tablesaw to get the second true edge and the finished width. This is easily done with the flat reference fence on the table and the true edge against the fence. Cutting the piece to the finished width minimizes work for the planer. Finally, the T, for thickness, which is accomplished by the planer. Or hand plane if you are old school.
