In order to undertake fine woodworking projects, craftspeople require their stock to be as flat, square, and consistent as feasible. These particular pieces necessitate precise measurements and markings, and any edges that are not square or sections that differ in thickness can result in ruining the entire project.
By employing a jointer and planer, one can attain precise measurements similar to those produced by machines. However, it is important to understand the functions of each tool. Discover the distinctions between a jointer and planer in this comprehensive comparison.
Jointer and Planer Differences
A jointer creates one flat surface on a board at a time
For many novice DIYers, the question may arise, “What is the purpose of a jointer?” Referred to as a jointer planer or benchtop jointer, a wood jointer is a lengthy, level instrument equipped with two wings (one capable of adjustment and the other not), a cylindrical blade, and a fence. Its primary function is to flatten a single surface on a board.
By adjusting the feed section of the jointer, the user can remove a thin layer of wood when passing the board over the spinning blade. With repeated jointer passes, more wood will be removed until the surface becomes a flat, consistent plane.
Using the same method as described above, the user can register this flat, consistent side of the object against the fence and then pass an adjacent side over the spinning blade.
After achieving two perfectly flat sides that are perfectly square to each other, the woodworker can proceed by aligning the square corner against a table saw fence. By doing so, they can remove the opposite edge from the board, resulting in three sides that are flat, square, and parallel to each other.
However, when considering the fourth side, it is worth noting that a jointer can flatten it to some extent. Nonetheless, it cannot ensure a uniform thickness throughout the board’s entire length, which can only be achieved by using a thickness planer.
The main purpose of a jointer
If you believe that the lumber you recently bought from the nearby lumberyard is straight and square, serious woodworkers engaged in significant projects will still want to verify its accuracy.
Utilizing a jointer ensures that they can achieve a certain outcome – boards that effortlessly fuse together, devoid of any gaps, thereby forming a flawlessly even and smooth surface, suitable for their new dining room table. The ultimate objective is to obtain flat surfaces for the tabletop or desktop, a goal that jointers facilitate in accomplishing.
A planer is used to create boards of uniform thickness
Newcomers to woodworking may have the same question as they do with jointers, which is, “What is the purpose of a planer?” A planer, also referred to as a thickness planer or benchtop planer, is a tool that allows for the adjustment of board thickness.
These tools are equipped with a flat bed at the bottom which allows for the boards to be passed over it. Additionally, there is a set of rollers that securely hold the board flat against the bed. Furthermore, there is a set of blades that are precisely parallel to the flat bed and remove small fragments of wood during each pass.
By repeatedly passing through the planer, the top side of the board will eventually become parallel to the bottom side, thereby achieving a uniform thickness from one side to the other and from end to end. Additionally, woodworkers have the option to feed multiple boards through the planer to ensure that they all have the same thickness, thus ensuring consistent outcomes.
Thickness planers have some limitations. Without a homemade jig, they are unable to produce square corners. Furthermore, it is not possible to pass thinner stock through the planer with accuracy if it is on edge. Nonetheless, if a board already has three flat and square sides, a planer can be used to complete the task and conveniently ascertain the board’s thickness.
The main purpose of a planer
By turning the board over and running it through the planer again, the result is a smooth and uniform flat surface on the board, which creates parallel surfaces. As a result of using the jointer and planer together, you achieve the combined effect.
- Straight and perfectly square edges that join lumber together smoothly and without gaps; and,
- Parallel surfaces on the lumber so that when joined are flat, smooth, and level.
If you’re considering getting a new work surface, such as a tabletop or desktop, or some new storage units like shelves, or even upgrading your workshop with a new benchtop, you have the option of choosing a benchtop planer instead of a floor model planer to save some money.
Are There Such Things As A Planer/Jointer Combo
Yes, in fact, there are multi-purpose machines available that use a single cutter head to complete various tasks and can be adjusted accordingly to suit your project requirements.
Can You Use A Planer As A Jointer
In the wood planer or jointer discussion, the cleverness of many talented woodworkers is evident as they consistently find solutions to compensate for their limited tools or low quality wood.
Yes, there are limitations, mainly determined by the size of your planer. This includes the width of the bed and cutting knife, as well as the thickness of wood that can be processed in the chamber. Rather than providing a verbal explanation, we have a video showcasing the intelligence/skill involved and the constraints. We suggest watching it as it is informative.
What Is Better – Jointer Or Planer
The jointer vs. planer question has a simple answer: it relies on various factors. What is the project? What kind of wood are you using? Is it directly from the sawmill or sourced from a reputable lumber yard?
Many serious woodworkers believe that a planer can help you achieve more, irrespective of the type of projects you undertake. Moreover, there are alternative options for the functions performed by a jointer, and an imaginative serious woodworker’s home workshop already possesses a power tool for that specific purpose.
Jointers and planers are best used together for fine woodworking projects
In order for woodworkers to achieve optimal outcomes, they must utilize jointers and planers together. While a jointer is capable of flattening and squaring a board in ways that a planer cannot, the planer is the exclusive tool for efficiently reducing board thickness or guaranteeing parallel opposing planes.
By using these two tools (in addition to a table saw), woodworkers have the ability to mill their own stock, resulting in superior consistency and accuracy compared to any pre-made materials obtained from a lumberyard or home center.
