Replies

1. 
   KiddervilleAcres | May 21, 2008 10:44pm | #1

   I'm assuming that you're dealing with long boards, in excess of 6'.  Face joining long boards have always been problematic for me but I have found the problem to be more with my technique than with the joiner.

   On long boards I use a hand over hand technique placing the downward pressure about 10" past the front edge of the outfeed table all the while trying to maintain a steady feed rate.  It takes practice like everything else having to do with wood.

   Generally had very few problems with snipe either on the planer or the joiner but I rarely deal with really long boards.  You mention that you have the same problem with both face and edge joining so I'm inclined to think it has more to do with technique than the machine itself.

   Perhaps those more knowledgeable/experienced with joiners will chime in so we both can learn more.

   Regards,

   Bob @ Kidderville Acres

   A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!

2. 
   joinerswork | May 21, 2008 11:39pm | #2

   don,

   Outfeed table too low is one cause of snipe.  Or blade(s) too high, another way of looking at it. A straightedge placed on the outfeed table, overhanging the cutterhead, should just tip the blades as you rotate them thru by hand (UNPLUG the machine first).  If one or more blades is high enough to lift the straightedge significantly, that's the problem.  If they all are too high, then raising the outfeed table just a bit is the solution; only one or two blades too high, needs to be re-set in the head so all are alike in projection, then set table height.

   Ray

3. 
   colebearanimals | May 21, 2008 11:40pm | #3

    

         Your outfeed table may be too low. There's been lots of discussions here regarding jointer setup. A quick search will turn up plenty of info.

                                                                      Paul

4. 
   RickL | May 21, 2008 11:44pm | #4

   Unplug the machine for less excitement.

   Snipe is caused by the outfeed table being lower than top dead canter of your knives. If the outfeed table is adjustable raise it slightly until the snipe disappears. If you go to far by just a few thousandths then you will find a different problem of the outfeed table being too high which will cause the jointer to taper the board. You will find the cut starts out fine, but as you get to the end of the board it won't cut at all. Go back and drop the outfeed table until you have snipe and raise it very slightly until the snipe is gone and it doesn't leave a taper. It takes practice to get a feel. You can also test it with a small stick or ruler.  Hang the rule over the outfeed table so it's just over the center othe cutterhead.The knife should pull the ruler from the outfeed table about 1/8". If it doesn't pull the rule at all, then the outfeed table is too high. If it drags it more than 1/4" then there's your cause of snipe.

   If you can't adjust the outfeed table then you adjust the knives. You can also do this with a cheap dial indicator from Enco

   
   

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   Edited 5/21/2008 4:45 pm ET by RickL