Is a jointer plane necessary?

Most woodworkers know that you need both a planer and a jointer to get the most out of rough lumber (at least for power tool users). The jointer is used to flatten one face and square up one edge and the planer is then used to make the second face flat and parallel to the first.

Can you use a jack plane for jointing?

I have found that a truly flat jack plane can joint just about anything straight and most long planes such as cast metal jointers are actually rarely flat.

What is the difference between a jack plane and a jointer plane?

Jack plane: The typical setup is to configure this tool so it does a great job of removing material, a passable job of straightening the wood and a terrible job of preparing it for finishing. Jointer plane: Its typical job is to straighten the wood; it does OK at removing material and preparing it for finishing.

What do you use a No 6 plane for?

Sized midway between a Jack and a Jointer, the No. 6 Fore Plane is designed to further true the surface after the Jack has sized it. Its length enables it to skim off high spots as it bridges low spots, delivering a leveled surface ready for the smoothing plane.

Will a planer fix cupped boards?

It is difficult to flatten a cupped board with a thickness planer because the downward pressure of the feed rolls will press out much of the cup, thereby not allowing the planer knives to flatten the board. As it emerges from the planer, it simply springs back to its original cup.

What is the difference between a smooth plane and a jack plane?

a) The blade is sharp whereas the jack’s blade has dulled. This means you don’t have to stop to sharpen. b) The blade is cambered in the smoother though there’s no reason one wouldn’t use a cambered blade in the jack in this situation. c) Who wouldn’t want an excuse to own another plane?

How long of a jointer plane do I need?

A 24”-long plane is good for wood that is 48” long – and 48”-long boards are typical in furniture-making. Like your straightedge, your jointer plane is your guarantee that a surface is flat. The difference is that the jointer plane can make a surface flatter.

Can you smooth with a jack plane?

Set it up with a minutely cambered iron and take a light shaving and you can use the jack as a long-ish smoothing plane.

What is a No 7 plane used for?

In a traditional shop, the No. 7 is the most common size of jointer plane. It is used for shooting the long edges of boards to form them into a wider panel. And it is used for dressing the faces of boards to make accurate surfaces for joinery.

Can you plane a warped board?

In order to flatten a warped, twisted, or cupped board, a common approach is to first use a jointer to create one perfectly flat face. Then you run the board through a thickness planer with the flat face downward, and the planer makes the top face parallel to the bottom.