NEW! Faster Search Option

Jointer Puzzled

Jointer Puzzled (post #166081)

71Atlas on Mon, 03/28/2011 - 18:21

Joinery

I have jointed two 6" wide oak boards that are 44" long. When I butt them together I get a 0.013 gap in the middle. I have jointed both three times each. Still I get a 0.013 gap.

I don't know what I am overlooking that might cause the problem. Any suggestions?

Mike

Rather than cover every (post #166081, reply #1 of 4)

by hammer1 in reply to 71Atlas [original] on Tue, 03/29/2011 - 07:21

Rather than cover every possibility, why don't you tell us exactly how you have set up the jointer and exactly how you are running the stock over it, since both set up and operation are keys to using the machine and getting correct results.

Beat it to fit / Paint it to match

I must have been trying to (post #166081, reply #2 of 4)

by 71Atlas in reply to hammer1 [original] on Tue, 03/29/2011 - 09:09

I must have been trying to take too small of a cut. I changed from 1/64 to 3/64 depth of cut and I got the boards to match within 0.004 which will close up when I put a calmp on the boards.

Still learning how to use my jointer.

Mike

There is always resistance (post #166081, reply #3 of 4)

by hammer1 in reply to 71Atlas [original] on Tue, 03/29/2011 - 11:11

There is always resistance when wood meets blade. It's not obvious most of the time but shallow settings on the jointer can be. The lumber rides up and gets flailed by the very tips of the blades, leading to more passes, blades dull, things get worse. Feeding technique is also very important. You take baby steps along with the board and transfer your pressure to the outfeed table only, usually about 1/3 of the length of the board. You are really looking for the cut to have enough contact to the outfeed to serve as a reference for the rest of the length. The outfeed table should be set slightly lower than the tips of the blades, just a fine hair, < 0.0001" and it may need readjusting after some use. Set up and run correctly, a resonably sharp jointer should leave no gaps on a 4' long board. Too fast a feed and you see scallop marks.

Beat it to fit / Paint it to match

If you alternate which (post #166081, reply #4 of 4)

by Triton21 in reply to 71Atlas [original] on Fri, 04/01/2011 - 03:34

If you alternate which surface of the boards is against the fence, this problem is totally negated. Lay the pieces on the bench the way they will go together and mark a face side on each one. On the first board, hold the marked face against the fence and on the second one hold the marked face away from the fence. In this way the two jointed angles are complementary and can only result in a dead flat glue up.