I dont know what the heck I am doing wrong! At first I was having problems with these longs linear bumps and scratches in my boards. I was told that it was from a nick in the blades. So I bought new blades. I think the new blades are worse off than my old ones (which were’nt really old). Marks all over the place.
This morning I put pencil lines across the board I was running through the jointer. Well, after I ran the board through I checked to make sure the knives were cutting properly. Half of the pencil lines were still there! So I went on the web to watch some videos about adjusting the knives. I adjusted them with a jig similar to a jointer pal. I ran another board through the jointer and no again only half of the board was being jointed.
What am I doing wrong? This is so frustrating. Are jointers usually this much of a pain in the butt, or is it just me? Anyone know what I can do to fix my problems
If the board you are trying to join is cupped or twisted you will need quite a few passes.Is the fence 90* to the table? Double check that.Are you joining the face or edge?
-- They just don't get my chub on.-Bertha on modern handplanes
check your outfeed table hieght it should be the same hieght of the knives at the top of thier arc then check the knives wit a straight edge to the out feed table to make sure they are all the same hieght then raise both tables above the knives and check thier level they should be in line wit each other then reset the the out feed table to the same hight as the knives and set the in feed table to cut a 1/16 and run a 2x on eger without contacting the fence and check your cuts if its bumoy one of your knives is to high if its not cutting then your infeed table is not inline wit your outfeed then knives
As Brandon said, you may have to run the face over the jointer several times before it is flat and you have removed all of the pencil lines. If you are using a board that is already flat on that face, then there is something wrong going on.
When flattening a face, you should not put pressure against the fence. You are trying to make the face flat, not perpendicular to the edge against the fence. I usually skew the board slightly so that at most one point is contacting the fence, unless that is not possible because of the length and width of the board..
-- "Too much hurry ruins the body. I'll sit easy … fan the spark" - I. Anderson
The two tables must be parallel. The outfeed side must be even with the height of the knives that must also be installed in a straight and true alignment with the tables. Not really complicated. Just frustrating and nearly useless until you get those things right.
-- "The way to make a small fortune in woodworking- start with a large one"
Crank your in feed table up to just above the blades. Assuming your blades are set dead even with the out feed, the two tables should now be even. To check, lay a long straight edge across both….from in feed front edge to out feed back edge. Slide the straight edge from the fence towards you, pushing the guard away. Keep looking for space under the straight edge. If you see ANY variance between the tables, one or both tables need adjusting.
-- Gene 'The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.' G. K. Chesterton
The outfeed table is the same height as the knives. When i say that half of the board not being joing, I mean split down the middle, left and right. Not front and back. I know that it will take a few passes before the whole board will be jointed, but I ran the board through at least 10 times and half of the board was still not jointed
A jointer is a very simple machine, however, using it properly is not as simple. I do not recommend using an industrial tool with out some professional assistance or direction for safety and to get the desired results. The purpose of a jointer is to true one side of a board. That means to render it straight on one edge in order to rip or process it in some way while running it against a fence. It’s purpose is not to give that edge a perfectly smooth finish because it usually won’t, especially if you run against the grain. For a smooth edge you’ll need to sand it, perhaps with an edge sander.
Do you mean the entire right side of the board along the length is not being cut while the left (or vise-versa) is- like your blades are only working on the one half? Perhaps the blades are not leveled, one end is lower than the other. A jointer is a VITAL tool, so don’t give up- you’ll figure it out!
-- It's the best woodworking show since the invention of wood... New episodes Wednesdays at: http://www.stumpynubs.com
To answer your main question, Yes, absolutely ! A giant PITA !
That said, once you get the hang of it, after going through multiple setups, knive replacments, redoing it all over again and then, finally, getting the technique part closer to the truth, they’re great.
Hang in there, use something soft to experiment with and refine technique
well, I lowered the infeed table and that seemed to work a bit, but the jointer just didnt sound right, like it was ready to bog down and the board that i jointed wasnt all that smooth.
Woodworking Skill Share Your woodworking skills are displayed for several lifetimes in each project. Have you had to compromise your project...
8791
Woodturning On the lathe, by the lathe: do you have questions? frustrations? tips? This forum is for all the woodturners out there.
221
Woodcarving Relief, 3D, chip-carving, whittling; carving knives, chisels, pocket-knives, power tools. If you are a carver or want...
28
Scrollsawing Intarsia, fretwork, intricate design cutting and more! This forum is for scrollsawers: share your tips, ask questions...
61
Joinery Have a question? a tip/strategy to share? a challenge, perhaps? Share your "joinery" discussion here.
79
Finishing The finish, whether paint, wax, stain, or something else, can make or break a project. What are your tips and questio...
1530
Designing Woodworking Projects Looking for information on designing your projects? Having difficulties reading project plans? Looking for help with ...
3547
Power Tools, Hardware and Accessories Are you unsure of which tools, or hardware, you need, or which brands to buy? Investing in tools and hardware can be ...
15769
Hand Tools Wood, your hand tools, you and a little know-how. Share your questions, tips and strategies for the use and maintenan...
2034
Jigs & Fixtures Using a jig is like having a couple extra hands helping out. Show us your jigs, share your tips, strategies and, of c...
495
Wood & Lumber Different wood requires different woodworking strategies - from cutting to finishing. Share your tips and challenges ...
2838
Safety in the Woodworking Shop Before you pick up those woodworking tools, take the time to ensure your safety in the shop! Eyes, ears, fingers, and...
808
Focus on the Workspace Are you looking for or do you have tips to share regarding the workshop? Storage, equipment placement, efficiency, an...
901
Sweating for Bucks Through Woodworking If you are selling your work, then you have entered a woodworking dimension with added complexity and stress. If you...
766
Woodworking Trade & Swap All of us are holding onto treasure in our shops, that we either don't need, don't want, or could part with if presen...
2740
LumberJocks.com Site Feedback Connect with the Website Gurus and tell us what you are thinking, suggestions, problems, functionality issues, and so...
1547
Coffee Lounge Need a break from all the standing and wood dust? Chat with your Forum Friends about their projects, their life, thei...
6157
DISCLAIMER: Any posts on LJ are posted by individuals acting in their own right and do not necessarily reflect the views of LJ. LJ will not be held liable for the actions of any user.
