Replies

1. 
   JohnWW | Jan 13, 2006 03:10am | #1

   David:

   Passing both faces of a board over a jointer won't give you the same result as passing one face over a jointer and then finishing the second face with a planer. 

   If both faces are prepared on a jointer, they will both be flat, but they won't necessarily be parallel with each other, especially if the stock started out with some warpage.  The finished piece could be tapered crosswise like a clapboard, or be shaped like a long wedge, with one end being thicker than the other, or, most likely, some combination of the two. 

   Using a planer to finish the second face of a board that has had the first face flattened on a jointer will create a board that is flat on both faces and is also even in thickness across both its width and length.

   The alternative question to yours is "What would happen if you finished both faces of a board only with a thickness planer?"

   In the second case the board would end up with an even thickness but it would still have most of whatever twists or bows that were in the board before you started.

   This article in the site's archives will give you a clearer explanation of the difference between a jointer and a planer and why both are needed to prep stock for furniture work: http://www.taunton.com/FWN/ToolGuide/ToolGuidePDF.aspx?id=2822 

   John White

   
   

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   Edited 1/12/2006 7:15 pm ET by JohnWW

2. 
   loucarabasi | Jan 19, 2006 01:27pm | #2

   Dave, purchase the thickness planer first. You can allways straight edge boards on the table saw. (make a staight edge jig for this) you can allways hand plane to smooth out after the cut is made.

   -Lou