Jointer vs. Planer: Understanding the Differences and Uses

Introduction

Woodworking is an art form that requires precision, attention to detail, and the right tools. Among the essential tools in a woodworker’s arsenal are the jointer and the planer. These two machines play critical roles in the process of transforming rough lumber into smooth, flat, and dimensionally accurate pieces of wood that are ready for assembly.

In this guide, we will delve into the functions, uses, and differences between jointers and planers. Understanding the distinct capabilities of each tool is essential for any woodworker aiming to achieve professional results in their projects.

Whether you’re a seasoned woodworker looking to enhance your understanding of these tools or a beginner seeking guidance on which machine to invest in, this comparison will provide valuable insights into the unique roles that jointers and planers play in woodworking. By the end of this guide, you’ll have a clearer understanding of when to use each tool and how they can work together to elevate your woodworking craftsmanship.

Jointer: Functionality and Uses

A jointer is a woodworking machine designed to flatten, straighten, and square the edges of rough lumber, making them smooth and straight. Here’s an overview of its functionality and common uses:

1. Flattening: One of the primary functions of a jointer is to flatten one face of a board. When lumber is initially cut, it often has irregularities, twists, and warping. The jointer’s rotating cutter head and infeed/outfeed tables allow woodworkers to pass the board over the cutter head, removing high spots and creating a flat surface.
2. Straightening: In addition to flattening, jointers are used to straighten the edges of boards. By running the board along the jointer’s fence while simultaneously flattening one face, woodworkers can create a straight edge that is perpendicular to the flattened face.
3. Squaring: Jointers are also crucial for squaring up lumber. By flattening one face and straightening one edge, woodworkers can then use the jointed face and edge as reference surfaces for further milling operations, ensuring that subsequent cuts are accurate and square.
4. Creating Edge Joints: Jointers are commonly used to create edge joints, where two boards are joined together along their edges to form a wider panel. By creating straight, flat, and square edges, the jointer facilitates tight and seamless edge-to-edge connections, essential for projects such as tabletops, panels, and cabinetry.
5. Chamfering and Beveling: While the primary function of a jointer is to flatten and straighten edges, it can also be used to create chamfers and bevels by adjusting the angle of the fence. This versatility allows woodworkers to add decorative or functional details to their projects.

Overall, the jointer is an indispensable tool for preparing rough lumber, ensuring that boards are flat, straight, and square before further machining and assembly. Its precision and versatility make it a cornerstone of woodworking shops, enabling woodworkers to achieve professional results in their projects.

Planer: Functionality and Uses

A planer is a woodworking machine designed to reduce the thickness of boards consistently and accurately, producing smooth and uniform surfaces. Here’s an overview of its functionality and common uses:

1. Thicknessing: The primary function of a planer is to reduce the thickness of rough lumber to a desired dimension. Woodworkers feed the board into the planer, and the machine’s rotating cutter head removes material from the top surface, gradually reducing the thickness until the desired thickness is achieved.
2. Surface Smoothing: In addition to thicknessing, planers are used to produce smooth and even surfaces on boards. The rotating cutter head, combined with the feed rollers and bed, ensures that the entire surface of the board is cut uniformly, resulting in a flat and smooth finish.
3. Dimensional Accuracy: Planers are essential for ensuring that boards have consistent thickness throughout their length. This dimensional accuracy is crucial for woodworking projects where precise measurements are required, such as furniture making and cabinetry.
4. Parallel Surfaces: Planers are capable of producing parallel surfaces on boards, which is important for joinery and assembly. By feeding the board through the planer multiple times, woodworkers can achieve two parallel surfaces that are perfectly parallel to each other, facilitating strong and precise joinery.
5. Stock Preparation: Planers are often used in conjunction with jointers to prepare rough lumber for further machining and assembly. After flattening and squaring the faces and edges with a jointer, woodworkers use a planer to achieve a consistent thickness throughout the board, ensuring uniformity and stability in the final project.
6. Surface Finishing: While planers primarily focus on thicknessing and surfacing, they can also produce a smooth finish on the top surface of the board. By adjusting the depth of cut and feed rate, woodworkers can achieve different surface finishes, ranging from rough to fine.

Overall, the planer is a versatile and indispensable tool in woodworking shops, allowing woodworkers to efficiently and accurately thickness boards, produce smooth surfaces, and achieve dimensional accuracy in their projects. Its ability to streamline the stock preparation process makes it an essential component of any woodworking operation.

Differences Between Jointer and Planer

1. Functionality:
   • Jointer: Primarily used for flattening, straightening, and squaring the faces and edges of rough lumber. It is essential for preparing boards by creating flat reference surfaces for further machining.
   • Planer: Primarily used for reducing the thickness of boards uniformly and producing smooth surfaces. It focuses on dimensioning lumber to achieve consistent thickness throughout.
2. Cutting Action:
   • Jointer: Utilizes rotating cutter heads equipped with knives to remove material from the surface of the wood as it passes over the machine’s bed.
   • Planer: Utilizes rotating cutter heads equipped with knives to remove material from the top surface of the wood as it passes through the machine.
3. Orientation of Workpiece:
   • Jointer: Workpiece is placed flat on the machine’s bed, with one face resting against the bed and one edge guided along the fence.
   • Planer: Workpiece is fed horizontally into the machine, with one face placed against the bed and the opposite face facing upward to be planed.
4. Resulting Surfaces:
   • Jointer: Produces flat, smooth faces and straight, square edges on boards, making them suitable for edge joints and subsequent assembly.
   • Planer: Produces uniform thickness throughout the length of the board and smooth, parallel surfaces on both faces, ensuring consistency and accuracy in dimensions.
5. Primary Purpose:
   • Jointer: Essential for initial stock preparation, creating reference surfaces for further machining operations such as edge jointing, ripping, or surface planing.
   • Planer: Essential for dimensioning lumber to achieve desired thickness, producing uniform surfaces, and ensuring dimensional accuracy in woodworking projects.
6. Versatility:
   • Jointer: Primarily used for edge jointing and face flattening but can also be used to create bevels and chamfers on edges.
   • Planer: Primarily used for thicknessing but can also produce smooth surface finishes and be used for flattening wide panels by removing material from one side.

Understanding these key differences is crucial for woodworkers when selecting the appropriate tool for specific woodworking tasks and workflows. While both jointers and planers are essential in a woodworking shop, their distinct functionalities and capabilities cater to different aspects of the stock preparation process.

Jointer vs. Planer: Pros and Cons

Jointer:

Pros:

1. Surface Preparation: Ideal for flattening and smoothing the faces of rough lumber, creating reference surfaces for subsequent machining operations.
2. Edge Straightening: Essential for producing straight and square edges on boards, facilitating tight and seamless edge joints.
3. Versatility: Can be used to create bevels and chamfers on edges, adding decorative or functional details to woodworking projects.
4. Precision: Provides precise control over material removal, allowing woodworkers to achieve accurate dimensions and angles.

Cons:

1. Limited Functionality: Primarily focused on surface flattening and edge straightening, with less capability for thicknessing.
2. Requires Skill: Operating a jointer requires skill and technique to achieve optimal results, especially when dealing with highly figured or irregularly shaped wood.
3. Size Limitations: Jointers typically have limited width capacities, making them less suitable for processing wide boards or panels.
4. Additional Steps: Often requires additional steps such as edge jointing and face flattening before final dimensioning with a planer.

Planer:

Pros:

1. Thicknessing: Primary function is reducing the thickness of boards uniformly, ensuring consistent dimensions throughout the length of the stock.
2. Surface Smoothing: Produces smooth and parallel surfaces on both faces of the board, enhancing the overall finish and appearance of woodworking projects.
3. Efficiency: Allows for efficient stock preparation by quickly and accurately dimensioning lumber to the desired thickness.
4. Versatility: Can be used to flatten wide panels by removing material from one side, expanding its utility beyond thicknessing.

Cons:

1. Limited to Thicknessing: While excellent for reducing thickness, planers have limited capability for surface flattening and edge straightening compared to jointers.
2. Tear-out: Depending on the wood species and grain orientation, planers may produce tear-out or chip-out, requiring additional sanding or finishing steps.
3. Material Constraints: Planers are generally limited to processing flat stock and may struggle with highly figured or irregularly shaped wood.
4. Safety Concerns: Due to the high-speed rotating cutter heads, planers require strict adherence to safety protocols to prevent accidents or injuries.

Understanding the pros and cons of jointers and planers is essential for woodworkers to make informed decisions about which tool to use for specific woodworking tasks. While both machines are indispensable in a woodworking shop, their strengths and limitations dictate their suitability for different aspects of the stock preparation process.

When to Use a Jointer vs. a Planer

Knowing when to use a jointer versus a planer is crucial for efficient and effective woodworking. Here’s a guide to help determine when to use each tool:

Use a Jointer When:

1. Surface Flattening: You need to flatten one or both faces of rough lumber to create reference surfaces for further machining operations.
2. Edge Straightening: You need to straighten and square the edges of boards to achieve tight and seamless edge joints for panels or tabletops.
3. Face Jointing: You want to ensure that boards have flat and smooth faces before proceeding with other woodworking operations.
4. Chamfering or Beveling: You need to create chamfers or bevels on edges for decorative or functional purposes, such as easing sharp edges.
5. Initial Stock Preparation: You are starting with rough lumber and need to prepare it by flattening faces and straightening edges before final dimensioning.

Use a Planer When:

1. Thicknessing: You need to reduce the thickness of boards uniformly to achieve consistent dimensions throughout the length of the stock.
2. Surface Smoothing: You need to produce smooth and parallel surfaces on both faces of the board for a clean and professional finish.
3. Dimensional Accuracy: You need to ensure that boards have consistent thickness for joinery, assembly, or fitting into specific dimensions.
4. Stock Dimensioning: You need to prepare stock to a specific thickness for a project, such as creating uniform components for furniture or cabinetry.
5. Efficiency: You need to streamline the stock preparation process by quickly and accurately dimensioning lumber to the desired thickness.

In many cases, both a jointer and a planer are used in conjunction to prepare lumber for woodworking projects effectively. The jointer is typically used first to flatten faces and straighten edges, while the planer is used afterward to achieve consistent thickness throughout the stock. Understanding the unique capabilities of each tool and their roles in the stock preparation process will help you determine when to use a jointer versus a planer for your woodworking tasks.

Jointer and Planer: Working Together

In woodworking, the jointer and planer are often used together in a complementary workflow to prepare rough lumber for projects. Here’s how they work together:

1. Initial Preparation with the Jointer:
   • The jointer is typically used first in the stock preparation process.
   • Rough lumber is passed through the jointer to flatten one face and straighten one edge.
   • The flattened face serves as a reference surface for subsequent machining operations, ensuring dimensional accuracy and consistency.
2. Edge Jointing with the Jointer:
   • After flattening one face, the jointer is used to straighten and square the edges of the board.
   • This creates precise and straight edges that are essential for edge joints in panels, tabletops, or other assemblies.
3. Thicknessing with the Planer:
   • Once one face and one edge of the board are flattened and straightened, the board is then fed through the planer.
   • The planer reduces the thickness of the board uniformly, producing smooth and parallel surfaces on both faces.
   • This process ensures consistent thickness throughout the length of the stock, meeting the required dimensions for the project.
4. Final Finishing and Assembly:
   • After thicknessing, the boards may require additional sanding or finishing to achieve the desired surface quality.
   • The prepared stock is then ready for joinery, assembly, or further machining operations, such as ripping, cross-cutting, or shaping.

By working together, the jointer and planer streamline the stock preparation process, allowing woodworkers to achieve flat, straight, and dimensionally accurate lumber for their projects efficiently. The jointer establishes reference surfaces and straight edges, while the planer ensures uniform thickness and smooth surfaces, resulting in high-quality woodworking outcomes. Integrating these two machines into a cohesive workflow maximizes efficiency and accuracy in the woodworking shop.

Maintenance and Safety

Maintenance:

1. Regular Cleaning: Keep the machines clean by removing sawdust, chips, and debris from the tables, fences, and cutter heads after each use. Use compressed air or a brush to remove buildup in hard-to-reach areas.
2. Lubrication: Lubricate moving parts, such as the cutter head bearings, feed rollers, and elevation mechanisms, according to the manufacturer’s recommendations to ensure smooth operation.
3. Blade Inspection and Replacement: Regularly inspect the blades or knives for signs of wear, dullness, or damage. Replace them as needed to maintain optimal cutting performance and safety.
4. Alignment Checks: Periodically check and adjust the alignment of the tables, fences, and cutter heads to ensure they are parallel and perpendicular to each other, maintaining accuracy in machining operations.
5. Belt Tension: Check the tension of drive belts and chains and adjust them as necessary to prevent slipping and ensure consistent power transmission.
6. Electrical Components: Inspect electrical components, cords, and plugs for any signs of damage or wear. Replace damaged parts and ensure proper grounding to prevent electrical hazards.

Safety:

1. Read the Manual: Familiarize yourself with the manufacturer’s instructions and safety guidelines provided in the user manual for each machine.
2. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Always wear appropriate PPE, including safety glasses, hearing protection, and, when necessary, dust masks or respirators to protect against dust and debris.
3. Secure Workpieces: Securely clamp or hold workpieces in place using appropriate fixtures or techniques to prevent movement or kickback during machining.
4. Feed Direction: Feed workpieces into the machines against the rotation of the cutter heads to prevent kickback and ensure smooth cutting action.
5. Avoid Overloading: Do not exceed the maximum cutting capacities of the machines or attempt to force feed oversized or irregularly shaped stock, as this can lead to accidents or damage to the machines.
6. Keep Hands Clear: Keep your hands and fingers clear of the cutting areas and moving parts of the machines at all times. Use push sticks, push blocks, or other tools to feed and control workpieces.
7. Disconnect Power: Before performing any maintenance or adjustments, ensure that the machines are switched off and unplugged from the power source to prevent accidental startup.

By following proper maintenance procedures and observing safety precautions, woodworkers can ensure the safe and efficient operation of jointers and planers in their woodworking shops, minimizing the risk of accidents and maintaining the longevity of the machines.

Jointer vs. Planer FAQS

What is the main purpose of a jointer?

A jointer is primarily used to flatten the face of a board and create a straight edge. It ensures that one side of the board is perfectly flat and one edge is straight, providing a reference surface for further woodworking processes.

What is the primary function of a planer?

A planer is designed to achieve consistent thickness across the entire width and length of a board. It reduces the thickness of the board to a uniform dimension while maintaining the flatness achieved by the jointer.

Can a jointer be used to achieve uniform thickness?

No, a jointer is not designed to achieve uniform thickness. Its main function is to flatten one face and create a straight edge. While it can help mitigate slight variations in thickness, it’s not suitable for achieving consistent thickness across the entire board.

Can a planer flatten a board?

While a planer can remove some irregularities from the surface of a board, it’s not as effective as a jointer at flattening surfaces. Planers are primarily used to achieve consistent thickness.

In what sequence should I use a jointer and a planer?

The typical sequence is to use the jointer first and then the planer. Start by flattening one face and creating a straight edge using the jointer. Once you have a reference surface, use the planer to achieve uniform thickness across the entire board.

Are jointers and planers interchangeable?

No, jointers and planers are not interchangeable. They serve different purposes in the woodworking process. Jointers are used to flatten and straighten one face and one edge, while planers are used to achieve uniform thickness.

Can I use a jointer or planer for other materials besides wood?

While jointers and planers are designed for woodworking, they can potentially be used on some other materials that share similar characteristics, such as certain plastics or soft metals. However, they are optimized for woodworking and may not provide the best results on other materials.

Do I need both a jointer and a planer in my workshop?

Having both tools is ideal for efficient woodworking, especially if you work with rough lumber. A jointer helps you create flat surfaces and straight edges, while a planer ensures uniform thickness. However, the necessity depends on your projects and preferences.

Can I achieve the same results using hand tools instead of jointers and planers?

While it’s possible to achieve similar results using hand tools like hand planes and chisels, jointers and planers significantly speed up the process and provide greater accuracy, especially when dealing with larger pieces of lumber.

Can I rent jointers and planers if I don’t want to purchase them?

Yes, many woodworking supply stores or tool rental shops offer jointers and planers for rent. This can be a cost-effective solution if you only need these tools for specific projects.

Conclusion

In conclusion, a jointer and a planer are two indispensable tools in woodworking, each serving a unique purpose. The jointer excels at flattening faces and creating straight edges, while the planer focuses on achieving uniform thickness across the entirety of the board. Woodworkers often use both machines in tandem to transform rough lumber into precisely dimensioned pieces ready for intricate woodworking projects. By understanding the distinct roles these machines play, woodworking enthusiasts can enhance the quality and precision of their craftsmanship.