94 - Jointer & Planer, Exactly How to Use Them, What They Are, What They Do, Why You Might Need Both

Jointer and Planer, Exactly How to Use Them, What They Are, What They Do, and Why You Might Need Both
Having lumber that is flat and square with parallel faces & sides makes any woodworking project go so much easier. This really is the secret to good woodworking. If you have to fight your lumber, it’s very difficult to produce quality pieces.
The jointer and planer are the magic tools that will give you perfectly flat & square lumber. But, you MUST know how to use them. There is a specific sequence to using them to produce the required results.
Unfortunately there are a lot of misinformation out there as to the proper way to use a jointer. With this video I will attempt to explain the proper use of the jointer and the planer, and explain why things must be done in a certain order, and show that the jointer alone is insufficient.
One thing to consider, if you have a jointer & planer, a much bigger market of wood opens up to you. You can buy rough sawn lumber. You can buy lumber cheaper if you flatten & square it yourself. And of course, you can even turn some branches or logs into lumber since you can now do your own milling.
Here is a link to some of the tools I used in the video… I’m also including a couple of jointers and planers that I’ve used in the past that I like.
Tools:
Grizzly Jointer - amzn.to/3j09TAk
Grizzly Planer - amzn.to/3x2v20l
Microjig Grr-Ripper Table Saw Pushblock - amzn.to/3XQ7I1y
Woodpeckers Mini Square - amzn.to/3lhxOfw
Dewalt 9ft Pocket Tape Measure - amzn.to/3HzzqZf
Push Block Set - amzn.to/3DvgyJX
Grizzly Cabinet Table Saw - amzn.to/3wXwzo1
Machinist Engineer Solid Square - amzn.to/3l22Mb2
DEWALT Planer amzn.to/3KyDKLE
Cutech 6-Inch Spiral Cutterhead Jointer amzn.to/3IVtGev
Cutech 12-1/2-Inch Spiral Cutterhead Planer amzn.to/3IVew8T
Materials:
Acetone - amzn.to/3JuEWPq
BOESHIELD T-9 Rust & Corrosion Protection amzn.to/3kudKXc
Boeshield RustFree Rust and Stain Remover, 8 oz amzn.to/3Ivi7sU
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Link to the KFW Community Woodworking group. Share pictures of your work & get help if needed. Join our Community Page. Woodworkers helping other woodworkers. Share advice, get project ideas. Free tips. Insider information. Get the best deals on lumber & tools: / kingsfinewoodworkingco...
Help support us through Patreon: / kingsfinewoodworking
Purchase plans on our website: kingsfinewoodw...
Please like and share our videos. Thank You!
We love teaching the world to do woodworking.

[@mackulous]

Best tutorial for planer and jointer use I've seen.

[@markschwochow2336]

Informative but my biggest take away is you and your young daughter working together. My two children are grown now and have a life independent of me, but we have times of working together, the joy for me of sharing and hopefully imparting some useful knowledge whether wood working or working together, priceless.

[@cormacoriordankg]

Clear, concise, very helpful and blessedly devoid of the hype and terrible music that so many of your colleagues use. You have an excellent voice and speech delivery for this work. There is a very friendly and encouraging tone to your recording. Thank you.

[@KingsFineWoodworking]

Thank you for such a kind note.

[@chriscianci317]

This is the best explanation I’ve ever seen for explaining jointer planer worker.Thank you for being so complete Best to you and your family

[@conniesmock5199]

I was going to comment the same thing. I've watched many videos but this one explained everything I was still confused about as I am a beginner. Thank you!!

[@MrManoj27]

Same thing, what i was about to comment.

[@pupitre1984]

Best instructional video on the difference between jointer and planer. So straight forward that anyone without any wood working knowledge can understand. Thanks.

[@scottrep1645]

I've been trying to understand jointing vs planing for quite some time now. Most explanations have left me more confused. In this video you did a fantastic job of explaining the differences. I thank you. 😊👍

[@patrickmeers8966]

😊😮po

[@kevinmyers2532]

Thank you. Great video. I just got my first jointer and planer and this video was full of good information.

[@klg642002]

You are such an amazingly detailed and patient teacher. I can not thank you enough for your time and dedication to your trade.

[@KingsFineWoodworking]

Thank you. That’s very kind of you to say.

[@tomyj.4164]

This is the best video I have ever seen about jointing the wood in the KZbin. Well done keep up the good work 👏

[@meh-hair-Vaughn]

As a beginner woodworker, I find your videos extremely valuable! Thank you so much for making them. Cheers!

[@joelynch1059]

This is the best jointer/planer video ever. Thanks! I get it finally!

[@fransiscoalvarezinski6293]

I just bought my 1st Jointer and Planer. Your video affirmed what I knew and taught me how to square up board conditions I was unsure how to process. Thanks. Great presentation BTW.

[@davegenco5589]

Great job breaking it down to the basics, this is the shop class I did not take in school!

[@1Sopy]

Thanks

[@KingsFineWoodworking]

Thank you ❤️

[@striperseeker]

Thanks! Best video I've seen on using a jointer and planer.

[@Engineering_Science]

By far the best explanation on the most important subject of all woodworking, thanks.

[@joefabel1]

This has been the best and clearest explanation I’ve found online. Thanks and Cheers

[@christopherjcaras6769]

I took shop class in high school 20 years ago and forgot all this and now I wish I could have continued. This is such a great refresher.

[@Schillerm82]

As others have noted, this is by far the best video on the planer vs jointer subject. The general idea was in my head but the detail you provided with markings made the last AHA moments happen. Thank you!

[@KingsFineWoodworking]

Thank you. It was kind of you to take the time to write a note.

[@MaciaWidzew1910]

great great great video !! BEST TUTORIAL I HAD EVER see about this topic!! Regards from Poland my friend !!

[@petewoodhead52]

Thank you, very well done and easy to follow. I'm a hobbyist and I do have both a jointer and a planner. Thanks to this I think I finally have a much better understanding of how to use them.

[@lynnhallett2564]

Excellent video. You have answered a number of problems I have been experiencing using my jointer. Thanks.

[@LivingTheLifeRetired]

I am new to woodworking and this is the best video I’ve seen. Thank you.

[@jxg151]

Best video out of the dozens that I have watched...Finally, I comprehend the "Why?"

[@mrjohnson9704]

Fantastic video. Thanks for taking the time to make this.

[@gregprice1019]

This is an excellent distillation of how to mill wood. As usual you’ve made the fundamental principles clear and easy to remember. Thanks for continuing to educate!

[@walterfigueroa2425]

Thank you 🙏🏼Your tutorials are always welcomed.

[@BBBILLY86]

TY for this clear and easy to follow video. Helped me quickly understand the basics and need of each machine.

[@RaymondToms]

Fantastic video thank you. I have the machines, but got the sequence wrong! How do you finish off the final sawn side?

[@Avinash-nt6pv]

Amazing👏👏👏🙏🙏🙏 you made work easy for so many. Thank you

[@randalschmidt3668]

excellent! I am new to woodworking and this was a god send thank you!

[@ekgravesrn]

excellent teaching. My jointer scares me for some reason, but now i am ready to tackle it. First time.

[@katherinemorris6480]

I spent today trying to use a jointer, and now I know why it was not working for me. Thanks James, I really like your videos, and you FB community. Continue with more great work.

[@joshuaanderson2379]

Fantastic introduction to these two tools!

[@srileo]

Superb explanation and demonstration. Well done! I can’t believe i paid money to take a class on this and didn’t understand this concept as well as you demonstrated B

[@dwighthapeman6590]

What an excellent, complete instructional video. Thank you for posting.

[@backpacker3421]

Personally, my sequences is to joint one edge and one face, so I have two flat square surfaces, then I use the table saw to make the other edge parallel and square, and the planer to make the other face parallel and square. One advantage to this method as well is that you also have rapid, easy, and accurate control over the dimensions.

[@cferrara1125]

I joint one flat surface. Then plane the other side with the planer. Then back to the jointer for one edge. I am able to joint the edge from either side noting the grain of the wood. No tear out this way. I Then finish the other side on the table saw, or my radial arm. This method was presented by Bill Wilson Fine Woodworking. Really made sense to me. And works.

[@munenefelix5071]

Thanks for the detailed lesson.

[@paulbeaudry8506]

best video ive ever seen on the subject

[@johnwooding4448]

James, thank you so much. I have watched so many videos on this and yours is the only one that 'works' for me. FWIW I think you are a born educator! :-)

[@christringrove3448]

Very informative and easy to follow thanks mate

[@davideldridge204]

Best explanation I've seen yet. Thanks!

[@jeromelittle7075]

Thank you, that was a great explanation of jointers, planers and table saws

[@finnhewes]

Wow great explanation, just what I was looking for. Thank you!

[@seanmeyer4599]

I very much appreciated the depth of knowledge that this video provided. Thank you for putting the time in for us to learn.

[@jfalken86]

Wonderful example and explanation. Thanks for clarifying this!

[@dennisg11348]

Thank you very much! Excellent presentation and so very informative.

[@jscholten8987]

You are an excellent instructor so clear and thorough, thank you.

[@billhandymanbill2775]

Excellent video. I now have a better understanding of each tool and how to use them properly!

[@kenstaring6257]

James, you have a real talent in breaking things down so that are easy to understand. Thank you.

[@VitorMadeira]

+1

[@MrManoj27]

Excellent explanation. After searching a lot about to understand a jointer and planer, this video was damn helpful. Your application of showing different kinds of irregular wood pieces was way very helpful in understanding the machines and where they can be applied. You are a good teacher. Thank you for a wonderful video.

[@jeevesme]

Thank you. I just bought a jointer and planer and this helps out a lot.

[@QuadDoc]

Another GREAT one James. I didn't realize how much I missed your videos. Thank you for showing these defect and the reason for each tool. Every time I thought to myself "Oh I hope he explains about...", you had already started to explain it more in depth. I love how thorough and cerebral you are with your teaching! You must be a JOY as a professor to have! Can't wait for the next video now! Lol

[@josephgraham1065]

Very Educational video for a newbie like me... Thanks so much for taking the time to do this.

[@e.dbogan6266]

Thank you James for a very informative video. You have answered many of my questions. Keep bringing the videos and we'll watch them.

[@michaell7877]

Great vid James. I enjoyed all aspects of this.

[@fernandobassani8873]

Hi James, your videos excellent and your explanations very clear, despite not having such a good command of English to understand all your comments, I recommend making your videos translated into Spanish, as Wood Whisperer does, that will bring you a larger audience to your channel and subscribers

[@JoshuaBookey]

You are such a great teacher. I learned a lot from your demonstrations. Now I just need the money to buy these machines

[@paulocruz8585]

This is the first explanation I see about the use and importance of these two machines. excellent and thank you so much for sharing. THANKS!!

[@fieldengineering3735]

Good instruction and well presented. Keep them coming.

[@keithhaycraft3765]

I find interesting the differences in terms etween the US where you are & Australia where I live. What you termed bow, I call spring, your crook is my bow & what you call thickness, I call width. Apart from that, a very informative video, thank you for sharing.

[@configuremakeinstall]

This was super helpful, as a novice I always thought I could get away with a jointer/tablesaw. Your examples were top notch, I understand why I need a planer. I also just finished your pirate chest, my son loves it! Keep your awesome content coming, I look forward to all your posts.

[@outlawstar96]

You can get away without the jointer... Planer + Sled & Shims for face jointing. Table Saw + Jointing sled for edge jointing. The jointer just does it better with less setup and jigs

[@sandboxaperture7013]

This video is fantastic. It very clearly explains jointing and planing, which is often just skipped/skimmed over in other videos. Thank you for this. I'm definitely going to be using the pencil scribble technique on all four sides of my wood pieces in the future.

[@robertochavez1393]

Outstanding video! Thank you for the useful information.

[@Btrembz54]

Excellent video- super informative!!

[@tanglongyuwen5750]

Thank you so much for all examples and the details!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@stevenwood8805]

As always a great video James! Well done again.

[@robertorosales2022]

It totally help me understand better these two tools, thanks for the good work.

[@miketabar2327]

Very indepth explanation James. What a great resource for beginner woodworkers. 👍👍👍👍

[@porthose2002]

Completely agree. It's never been completely clear to me how to use these two tools together properly and this video cleared that confusion up. Thanks, James!

[@healing2gether]

What a great video to help me get into woodworking, just purchased an old Conestoga 6” jointer and I am loving playing with it so far! You’ve got a new Subscriber! Thanks, Adam

[@carpincho_muebles]

Master Class! 🔥 Thank You So Much!

[@OutoftheWoodwork]

Fantastic video, James! I ordered that Boeshield so fast once I saw you use it that I almost knocked my coffee over! There is a huge problem in the Nashville, Tennessee area, where I live, with humidity and rusting machine surfaces.

[@totallynotabot151]

I have tried lots of different products on my table saw and even though it's not very humid here I still had tons of rust issues. Boeshield completely fixed that.

[@samfalvo6466]

Very well done, One of the best videos I have seen!

[@LuisPerez-hj6pt]

Now that is an instructional video! Thanks for sharing 👍👍

[@professorb7054]

Thank you so much for the valuable points you shared.

[@rogerhedge1657]

Thank you Mr. King. I really needed this video to understand the Jointer. I'm new to woodworking and inherited a 4 1/4 Craftsman Jointer from my brother. I continually am having "snipe" issues with it.

[@kstewart3657]

Excellent instructional video. Thank you. 👍

[@joecarney4268]

Great video, James. I’m a beginner at this stuff and your explanations and demonstrations are really helpful. Thanks.

[@rryybass]

VERY GOOD INFORMATIVE VIDEO, THANK YOU

[@johnklein4558]

Thank you James! Great video that answered a bunch of questions. Keep making these! Please!

[@ronbishop4057]

Very well explained, thank you

[@smithsoncreationshandcraft5770]

Excellent video James!!! The explanation of why you can’t just joint the 4 edges was great!! I learned even more which I love and the Boeshield Rust Free I need to get some! I’m actually actively looking for other products to try for rust and do a review videos on 😁😁

[@KingsFineWoodworking]

Thanks! And man that Boeshield stuff was awesome!! I went around and started cleaning all my cast iron back to new! Haha

[@smithsoncreationshandcraft5770]

King's Fine Woodworking awesome!! I’ll definitely have to try it out then!!!

[@68HC060]

Boeshield Rust Free really looks like a good product. I've used both tomato ketchup (a bottle of too old Heinz!) and vinegar; tomato ketchup seems to work twice as fast as the vinegar (and you don't have to "throw away food" if you use tomato ketchup).

[@OwassoYankeyGardenRailway]

This is awesome. I have a small Delta jointer, and I need to use it more. I did learn to taper table legs with it, but I need a review if I ever make a table again with tapered legs.

[@kamac1980]

You do such a great job of explaining these workshop tools

[@RedethMusic]

This was a long video. But I tell you what it is definitely the best and clearest explanation of how to use both jointer and planer I have ever seen. Perfect situational explanations that are very likely to happen with anyone learning how to fix the problem. Great job! 👍 honestly don't care how long the video was. The knowledge I got off the video was way better then all the others combined.

[@KingsFineWoodworking]

I appreciate that!

[@louieavi]

I had to deduct what the joiner does as it wasnt "really" explained. Seems to me if you can get 1 to 2 side straight, the planer can do the rest. Also in a DYI instance, the table saw can be used in place of a joiner (I would have loved a comment on this as I could be wrong). This video helped alot.

[@stevenkofoed1698]

Great video for us beginners to understand the whys and hows of wood prep. Thanks so much for your time.

[@adrianperalta7192]

Gracias! a tu video, maestro experto (nivel dios!). Estoy aprendiendo las cosas de carpintería, enseñanza perfecto y útil

[@edcrego396]

Thank you when you need to change blade,s on planer or jointer could you do a video on that

[@patmash]

Fantastic explanation of tools usage. Thank you.

[@johnfisher4910]

Thanks, James. That was a very good refresher on wood orientation for me.

[@bijan4727]

Hi this was an awesome, excellent, and very educational presentation. I have been looking all over for this level of elucidated and elaborative training. I am a DIY , should I get a jointer with carbide or non carbide ? I was thinking of either a Craftsman or Wahdu. Please advise. I appreciate one more time.

[@yves6268]

Thank you very mutch from France.

[@rva11]

Great explanation. Thank you.

[@thehawkc]

Thanks , as a beginner that was a great, simple explanation of those tools.

[@atlas227428]

i really enjoyed the video. It was very simple in its explanation . The one explanation i didn't quite get was jointing the twisted wood. not sure how you can keep the wood flat as you're running it thru the jointer. Everything else was great. thanks for sharing !!!

[@e.dbogan6266]

I really enjoy your videos. This video was very instructive and I'm glad you included this in your collection. Keep it up. Thanks!

[@murraycod1965]

Thanks for the video! The first machine used is a jointer/planer and the second is a thicknesser. Grain direction is important in using both machines. God bless!

[@leehaelters6182]

I find the term “jointer/planer” to be antique and a little confusing, since there are many combination planer/jointers available. Thicknesser is pretty self descriptive, agreed!

[@dama8616]

Love watching artists at work, passing on their skill. Love all your videos and have subscribed.

[@IntentionalGains]

Great video James. This explained a lot more for me in terms of the jointer machine, and the supplemental details on maintenance of the cast iron and the type of cutting blades were useful too. Hopefully, I'll be able to buy one of those bad boys one day soon! Till then, jointer plane for this guy. Thanks!