Shopmade Jointer #1: The Plan

Armand,
I think it will be alright for the feed tablet but secure a different lock somewhere on those two tapers aside from the adjusting screw. The downward movement or weight might cause the tapers to slide downwards.
Good design! Maybe you can use the scissor jack for the car for adjusting feed table as another option.\

-- Bert

For insights—here is how LJ Rand uses his scissors jack.

-- Bert

This is going to be an interesting and ambitious build to watch Armand!!
Good Luck, and keep us apprised of your progress!!

-- Mike in Concord, NH---Unpleasant tasks are simply worthy challenges to improve skills.

Bert, yes downward movement is very possible and your input is very much appreciated. The jack is now plan B if the adjusting screw (i’ll be using screw tail vise ) won’t prevent the downward push.

-- My Master is Mankind's Greatest Carpenter.

way to go armand

will keep looking
interesting

-- david - only thru kindness can this world be whole . If we don't succeed we run the risk of failure. Dan Quayle

Very interesting. I do not see any problem with the wedges. After all the slope is only very slight. In any case if it becomes an issue a locking system could be incorporated on both sides. Furthermore, the surfaces that contact (upper and lower) of the wedges can be lined with some metal or hard plastic to insure its flatness. The wood alone may develop some depressions after a time. On the whole I think it’s a brilliant idea. Keep it up. I’ll look forward to its completion.

-- Ed "Real happiness is one that you share."

I’m guessing you are tackling this to save money. What is your projected cost vs. cost of a used wide jointer?

-- Backer boards, stop blocks, build oversized, and never buy a hand plane--

If the screw tail vise has two follower rods? (I am not sure of the correct term) one on each side of the
screw to keep the force equal on both of the wedges, it might work, otherwise, you will have to carefully
measure, adjust and lock each wedge to keep the feed table parallel with the cutting blades. Looks like a
great idea, but then anything that I can build so I can play with it in the workshop looks like a great idea to
me, and some of them even work. EMVarona’s idea of lining the wedges is a good one. Thank you for
sharing.

-- As ever, Gus-the 74 yr young apprentice carpenter

Ed, thanks for believing the wedges will work. The ridgidness of the screw tail vise will provide enough support and prevent the upper wedges to slide down. The cutting depth of a jointer is also seldomly adjusted during each use unless you are planing a huge plank so lining the wedges will just be another option during the build.

@rance:
someone from California offered me his used Craftsman 8” jointer for us$750 + shipping $250 = $1000.
The Ryobi Thicknesser only costs $150 here plus other materials of $50 = $200, 1/5 of the above price for a used jointer. I am not ready yet to spend that much.

-- My Master is Mankind's Greatest Carpenter.

@Bluepine

I think you meant preventing the upper wedges to drift sideways will keep the pressure spread on the connected upper wedges, i have something in mind to do this. I’ll take into considerations too your options during the build. Thanks.

-- My Master is Mankind's Greatest Carpenter.

im fascinated by homemade tools. yours looks to be an interesting project. the guy on woodgears did a wonderful job on his.

-- Got Wood?

Have you read the book Making and Modifying Machines? http://www.amazon.com/Making-Modifying-Machines-Fine-Woodworking/dp/0918804434
It has a few drawings of a shop made jointer.

-- Scott Smith, Southern Illinois

I now have the thicknessers, one will be used as my regular thicknesser and the other one is for the jointer and will start tearing it down in the next couple of days.

-- My Master is Mankind's Greatest Carpenter.