Lacking a jointer, I devised this improvised radial-arm-saw setup to joint the thick oak boards I used in two butcher-block tabletops. First rip a thin board the exact thickness of the saw kerf of the blade you’re using. Tack the thin board to the saw fence behind the blade. Bring the blade up against the fence and adjust so that the blade and the piece you’ve added to the rear fence are flush. If your setup is accurate, your fence is long and straight and your blade has 60 or more carbide teeth, you should get perfectly jointed edges ready to be glued up. Using variations on this fence, you can joint on the table saw and router table as well.

Dale Snyder, Duluth, Minn.

Fine Woodworking Magazine, February 1982 No. 32

Fine Woodworking Recommended Products

Starrett 12-in. combination square

This accurate, robust, well-machined, easy-to-read combo square is as great as ever.

Buy at Amazon

MicroJig Matchfit dovetail clamps

These unique clamps have angled tips that hold templates and fences in place without getting in the way.

Buy at Amazon

Incra Miter 1000HD

One of many extremely accurate Incra miter gauges, this model offers 180-degree adjustment to 1/10 of a degree, and a long, straight fence with a telescoping stop system.

Buy at Amazon