CAUTION: Never pass your hands directly over the cutting head
and always use support blocks to feed the workpiece when
possible. The hand on the outfeed table presses the workpiece
down so that the new edged surface makes perfect contact with
the table.
The hand on the infeed table (usually the right hand) should not
exert pressure on the workpiece, but simply advance it toward
the cutting head. Both hands should exert pressure to keep the
workpiece in contact with the fence.
IMPORTANT: Do not perform edging operations on material less
than 10" long, 3/4" narrow or 1/2" thick, Fig. 52.
OUTFEED
TABLE
Fig. 50
Fig. 51
Fig. 52
1/2"
MINIMUM
3/8" MAXIMUM
PLANNING OPERATION
Planning or smoothing is identical to the edging operation except
for the position of the workpiece on the jointer. For planning the
largest flat surface of the workpiece is installed on the jointer
infeed table with the narrow edge of the workpiece against the
support fence, as shown in Fig. 58. The workpiece is passed from
the infeed table through the cutting head to the outfeed table
producing a smooth surface on the workpiece. Always use support
blocks when performing a planning operation and never pass your
hands directly over the cutterhead.
BEVELING
To make a bevel cut, secure the support fence at the required
angle and slide the workpiece through the blades while holding it
firmly against the support fence and tables. Several passes may
16
WORK
FEEDING TABLE
BLADE
10" MINIMUM
be necessary to obtain the desired result. When the angle is small,
there is little difference between whether the fence is turned in
or out, however, at large angles approaching 45°, there is increased
difficulty in holding the workpiece properly when the fence is
turned out. The advantage of the support slide being able to rotate
in both directions is appreciated under these conditions.
When turned inward, the fence forms a "V" figure with the tables
and the workpiece slides more easily through the pocket and blades
as shown in Fig. 53. If the bevel is taken out of the workpiece in a
direction that involves cutting against the grain of the wood, it
will be better to turn the fence outward.
Fig. 53
NARROWING CUTS
One of the most useful applications of the jointer is to cut an edge
to narrow it. The method that can be used varies according to the
job. Narrow furniture legs are a common example of this
application.
Instead of putting the workpiece on the infeed table, slide the end
of the workpiece onto the outfeed table, do this carefully, as the
workpiece contacts the blades, they will make a small cut to the
workpiece with the tendency to kickback unless the workpiece is
held firmly. Now push the workpiece forward as in ordinary edging.
The effect is to flatten all the material in front of the blades to
increase the depth, leaving a narrow surface.
The left edge caused by the knives when starting the narrowing
cut can be eliminated by making a slight cut according to the
regular method for edging, with the feed table raised to its usual
position or by sanding it down.
Practice is required to perform this operation and it is advisable
for the beginner to make trial cuts in scrap material before
performing the work. Taper cuts along a workpiece and numerous
other special operations can be easily performed by an experienced
worker.
SLOT CUTTING
When cutting a slot, as shown in Fig. 54, the cutting head guard
must be removed. AFTER THE SLOT CUTTING IS COMPLETED, MAKE
SURE THE GUARD IS INSTALLED BACK IN PLACE.