Can You Use A Thickness Planer As A Jointer
When it comes to woodworking, having the right tools is essential for achieving professional results. Two of the most common tools that woodworkers use are the thickness planer and the jointer. While they serve slightly different purposes, many people wonder if they can be used interchangeably.
A thickness planer is primarily used to plane down the thickness of a piece of wood, ensuring a consistent thickness across its entire surface. On the other hand, a jointer is designed to flatten the face of the wood, making it smooth and ready for further processing. While they may appear to have similar functions, they work in different ways and achieve different results.
Typically, a jointer is used first to flatten one face of the board and create a straight edge. Then, a thickness planer is used to plane down the opposite face to the desired thickness. This two-step process allows for greater control and precision when working with wood. However, in some cases, it may be possible to use a thickness planer as a jointer.
Using a thickness planer as a jointer involves a technique called “sled planing.” This technique requires attaching a sled to the piece of wood being planed. The sled acts as a guide, keeping the wood stable and flat as it is passed through the planer. While not as precise as using a dedicated jointer, sled planing can be a viable option for smaller projects or when a jointer is not available.
Understanding the Differences
While both thickness planers and jointers are used in woodworking, they serve different purposes and have distinct features. Understanding these differences is essential to determine whether a thickness planer can be used as a jointer.
Thickness Planer
A thickness planer is a woodworking machine designed to take rough lumber and make it thinner and more even. It consists of a table and a cutter head with multiple rotating blades. The wood is fed through the machine, and the blades remove material from the surface, resulting in a smooth and uniform thickness.
However, the primary function of a thickness planer is not to create flat edges or surfaces. It is primarily used to achieve a consistent thickness throughout a piece of wood or to create parallel faces. The blades in a thickness planer are not designed to remove material at an angle, which is necessary for jointing.
Jointer
A jointer, on the other hand, is specifically used to straighten, flatten, and square the edges of a piece of wood. It consists of a flat table and a cutter head with rotating blades. The wood is pushed against the fence and over the blades, which removes material and creates a straight edge. The jointer is particularly useful when joining pieces of wood together with tight-fitting joints, such as in cabinetry or furniture making.
The cutter head in a jointer is set at an angle, allowing it to remove material not only from the surface but also from the edge to create a perfectly flat and straight edge. This angled cut promotes accurate and precise jointing.
Can a Thickness Planer be Used as a Jointer?
While it is possible to use a thickness planer to flatten one face of a board, it cannot fully replace a jointer. A jointer is specifically designed to produce perfectly flat and straight edges, which a thickness planer cannot achieve. The blades in a thickness planer are not angled and cannot remove material from the surface and the edge simultaneously.
If you only have a thickness planer and need to flatten the surface of a board, you can use a sled or a router to accomplish the task. However, for precise jointing of edges, a jointer is the ideal tool.
In conclusion, while a thickness planer and a jointer may share some similarities in terms of their design and function, they serve different purposes in the woodworking process. Using a thickness planer as a jointer is not recommended, as it can lead to incorrect angles and unsatisfactory jointing results. It is always best to use the right tool for the job to ensure the highest quality and accuracy in your woodworking projects.
Pros and Cons
Using a thickness planer as a jointer can offer several benefits, but it also comes with a few drawbacks. Here are some of the pros and cons to consider:
Pros:
1. Space and cost-saving: If you already own a thickness planer, using it as a jointer can save you space and money since you won’t need to invest in a separate jointer machine.
2. Versatility: A thickness planer can handle a wider range of materials and sizes compared to a jointer. This means you can use it for different woodworking projects without limitations.
3. Time-saving: Using a thickness planer as a jointer can help you save time, especially if you have a large volume of boards to flatten. It can handle more material at once, reducing the overall processing time.
Cons:
1. Limited functionality: While a thickness planer can be used to flatten one face of a board, it cannot create a straight reference edge like a jointer. This can be a limitation when working on projects that require precise edge jointing.
2. Potential snipe: Snipe, which refers to a dip or rise at the beginning or end of a board, is a common issue with thickness planers. Without proper adjustments and techniques, you may experience snipe, resulting in uneven boards.
3. Additional setup: Using a thickness planer as a jointer requires additional setup and adjustments. You’ll need to set up infeed and outfeed supports to prevent the board from sagging or tipping during the planing process.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Space and cost-saving | Limited functionality |
| Versatility | Potential snipe |
| Time-saving | Additional setup |
Questions and answers
What is a thickness planer?
A thickness planer is a woodworking tool used to smooth the surface of a board and to remove a specified amount of material to achieve a desired thickness.
What is a jointer used for?
A jointer is a woodworking tool used to create a flat and straight surface on the edge of a board.
Can you use a thickness planer as a jointer?
While it is possible to use a thickness planer as a jointer in certain situations, it is not recommended. The two tools serve different purposes and have different capabilities. It is best to use a dedicated jointer for creating flat edges on boards.
Why is it not recommended to use a thickness planer as a jointer?
Using a thickness planer as a jointer can be dangerous and can result in poor quality work. A jointer is specifically designed to create flat edges on boards, while a thickness planer is designed to smooth the surface of a board. The two tools have different mechanisms and using a thickness planer as a jointer can damage the tool and produce inconsistent results.
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