LumberJocks Woodworking Forum banner

jointer snipe

7K views 23 replies 16 participants last post by  shelly_b 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
I am having some trouble with my jointer. I don't know if it's me, the machine, or normal. Every time I edge joint a board I get snipe at the end. Is this normal? I have a DJ20 I got used from CL and have not adjusted the tables at all. Thanks!
 
#3 ·
I would at least check those tables. :) Just moving such heavy pieces of machinery can necessitate some tweaking afterward. That being said…. when I got my jointer it was brand new. I adjusted it per the manual and tried some jointing. It was pretty bad. I thought, "what's WRONG with this thing?". Rechecked everything. Tried again. .....awful…

Turns out it wasn't the machine at all. It was me. Once I improved my technique, I had perfect results. I practiced by taking very small amounts off at a time. marking the edge, doing it again. Until I finally tweaked the OPERATOR into correctness (is that a word?)
 
#6 ·
I always lift the end of the board a bit as it comes out of the planer. This eliminates the snipe. Getting the correct amount of lift requires some trial and error to find the right amount. Another solution is to use a longer board under the one you are planing. You can use a little double sided tape to stick them together if you find slippage to be a problem.
 
#7 ·
I have to agree with Charlie a bit on this one: A lot of the problems I have with my jointer is due to the technique of using the machine - It's not easy - takes practice and coordination

Look online for some instructional resources
 
#8 · (Edited by Moderator)
Sometimes I get a little snipe and most of the time I don't. Technique is definitely a factor. I know it's not the machine because I never touch the settings once it's set up after a knife sharpening. One theory I have is that the profile of the unjointed edge as it passes over the infeed might be a factor, especially on a shorter board. In those instances a second pass seems to eliminate the snipe. Just my experience and I may be talking out of my hat.
 
#11 · (Edited by Moderator)
Check to insure that the out feed table isn't sagging at the end and the infeed is parallel.
Technique is, or can be, a factor. Take light cuts. Keep pressure on the board near the infeed side of the cutter until the cutter is a bit past 1/2 the board's length. Then, switch to pressure on the out feed end. Takes a little practice.
If the piece is bowed, start in the middle of the bow arc where the cutters don't reach wood. Run it through, cutting just one end. Then turn it around, again start at the arc of the bow, and joint the other end. May take a couple passes on each end, but you'll know when the cutters hit the (used to be) arc.
If all else fails, as with planing, consider starting with an over length piece and cutting off the snipe.
 
#12 ·
I agree that technique is a large part and there is a definite learning curve with a Jointer, but more often than not, snipe on a jointer is caused by the outfeed table being too low.
 
#14 · (Edited by Moderator)
Try to make sure that after you feed the board into the jointer and have enough room in front of the blades
you transfer some feed weight to the front of the board, and then after it passes the halfway mark transfer
all of your weight to the outfeed table. Some good push pads with soft grip material might help make this
easier. Not sure if this is the real correct way, but it does work for me. Just grab some pieces of scrap pine
or other wood and practice until you get it right. Keep having fun in the shop. I have used a power feeder
on a big 8" jointer to joint some hard maple for a work bench, but other than that, I have just used the above
method.
 
#21 ·
Had the same problem with my new 8 inch jointer. Found the out fee table to be off slightly with a real straight edge. Once adjusted problem went away instantly. At first I couldnt find the problem until I got a percision straight edge.

Good luck.
 
#23 ·
Shelly I have the same jointer.Make sure infeed and outfeed tables are co-planer which is to say even to each other.You do need a very good straight edge to make these checks,on grizzlies web site they have an excellent video of how to set up jointer for the g0490x which is the same jointer as ours check it out.My jointer has no snipe at all,you bought yourself a very good jointer.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top