I’m looking for tips to improve my jointer tecnique. Most of the time when I joint stock on my jointer, I get a slight snipe on the end. I’ve adjusted the outfeed table and determined that it’s me. Every so often, I’ll get a board that’s perfect. Only problem is, I can’t figure out what I’m doing right. I try to transfer pressure to the outfeed table once 1/2-2/3 of the board has passed the cutter, but it doesn’t always produce the desired result. I’ve noticed that the boards that come out perfect tend to be the larger, wider boards. I try to slow down for the last few inches so I can make sure I’m putting the correct pressure on the outfeed table and sometims that works and sometimes it doesn’t. The weird thing is that I can “feel” the snipe happening. It almost feels like the board is rising up on the cutterhead and then falling down for the last inch. Any sage advice is greatly appreciated.
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Replies
What brand and model tool is this.
It sounds as if there may be a little flex in the outfeed bed when there is a lot of wood hanging off of the end. That would help explain it not happening when you have large boards.
Then adding a fair amount of pressure near the cutter my cause a little flex back the other way that may not have been expected when you set the knife height, if you know you got it right when you set them.
With the machine off, take a long straight edge, piece of lumber, the length of the machine, if you like. Then clamp it to the end of the outfeed bed, with the infeed bed a little lower. Have someone push down on the end of the bed, and see if the far end raises up with the extra pressure. Maybe try lifting that end to watch for slop also.
Without knowing your machine, I will simply state, that some of the smaller stationary tools are just a little limber, where they need to be stiff.
The Jointer is a Delta 8" DJ-20. The infeed bed is 44". The outfeed bed is 32"
Snipe like you are describing is usually a sign that the outfeed table is still slightly low. Also you should be transferring pressure to the outfeed side as soon as you have 10 inches or so of the board past the cutter.
John White
John.. By the way, I love your bench!
Anyway, I do not have many problems with my so called junk Ridgid jointer,, Works for me!
I have never tried it.. BUT.. A serious question.. I 'think' and has always got me in ALOT of trouble. Have you any ideas on feather boards for a jointer table? OK so I think strange!
Feather boards wouldn't be practical or needed on a jointer. If the jointer is properly set up and has sharp blades, the stock is easily controlled with just hand pressure and there is virtually no chance of kickback. Also to use feather boards, the edge opposite the one being machined would have to be parallel to the edge being cut, which often isn't the case when working with rough sawn, and the narrowing width of the stock would require resetting the feather boards after each pass or two.John W.
Thank you!What I thought but had to ask!
Quickstep
Try a good waxing with Johnsons paste wax. If the jointer is properly adjusted and the blades are sharp you should get good results taking 1/16th or less cuts.
Until you gain some experinece on it, the jointer can be one of the more frustrating woodworking machines to use. It looks so simple but as you are finding out, technique is critical.
See the link below for a "basics" article I have (HEAVILY viewed) that looks at the core aspects of using a jointer, including photos and video. Then, be realistic in what you are expecting from a jointer and practice....that really is the shortcut!
http://www.newwoodworker.com/basic/usejntr.html
Tom Hintz
Because there is always more to learn!
is rising up on the cutterhead and then falling down for the last inch.
Sort of funnin' you but not really.. Make the 'sticks' two inches longer? And cut of the scrap?
"Make the 'sticks' two inches longer? And cut of the scrap?"
Oh, that's exactly what I do, I just feel like I shouldn't have to and in the summer, I don't need the kindling......
I'm no expert but it really does sound like your outfeed is low or your knifes are set too high.
As to technique, as soon as I've got enough leverage to apply all my pressure on outfeed, I'm on it, just past the knives. But I'd really check my level comparison between outfeed table and knife height.
"I'm no expert but it really does sound like your outfeed is low or your knifes are set too high."
I thought so too, but I then realized that I can get snipe free cuts; I just can't figure out what I'm doing to make that happen.
You said you get good results with long boards. Stands to reason. The weight on the long end acts enough to rise the board ever so slightly so as to eliminate the end snipe.
The vast majority of people press downward too hard when running a jointer. Snug the board to the fence and apply very light downward pressure on the out-feed side. Let the jointer cutterhead "find" the natural irregularities - don't introduce distortion with too much pressure.
We had a kid who was running the jointer and his arms were quivering after about an hour's work. He was practically doing handstands on the lumber. Beside his being exhausted, the boards weren't particularly straight.
Edited 3/25/2008 1:41 pm ET by BossCrunk
I suggest you check out Jointer and Planer Secrets by Hendrik Varju at http://www.passionforwood.com/dvds.htm.
I bought this last fall and can't say enough good things about this DVD. It is 4 1/2 hours long focusing exclusively on milling lumber using jointer and planer. It is folksy at times however, worth the time spent given all the nuggets you get out of it. I am sure I would have "eventually" learned all those things myself however, it has considerable flattened by learning curve. Highly recommended.
LB
I'm not sure I could stand the excitement of 4 1/2 hours of video on a joiner.
Totally understandable however, it is amazing how much one learns on the critical yet simple step on milling your own lumber. It is almost like having your own private tutorial. To each his own; for my needs it was great. Saved my countless hours of frustration not to mention countless board feet of lumber.
Cheers,
LB
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