How to Turn Your Planer Into a Jointer

My website: woodspirit.net/
Link to tools I use: woodspirit.net/products-i-use/ I needed to square up some stock without a jointer. I was able to create a jig to turn my planer into a jointer.

[@SpriteHide]

We recently lumbered a 36" maple, a 36" white ash, and a 32" pecan. After drying, we tried planing with a Rigid (Home Depot) 13" planer with 2 HSS knives kzbin.infoUgkxIzvvTi3_Qc8JnVdYYRJCvuoDC4QjTzeL . This job was clearly too much for that machine. The pecan was particularly difficult, due to heavy mineral deposits, and a sharp pair of HSS knives would be consumed by a mere 3 boards. We were also having lots of problems from chip bruising, due to poor dust collection. The shavings came off like straw and jammed in the 4" hose.We bought the DW735 simply to be able to run carbide blades, which worked brilliantly for the pecan. However, we found it to be a much, MUCH nicer machine. It was far more rigid than the "Rigid" planer, and far more accurate as well. But what I liked most about it was the dust feed. This machine has its own blower, which shreds the "straw" like shavings as they come off the cutting head and helps boost the shavings into the dust collection system. No more clogs! It's also nicely sealed so that the internals stay quite clean. This is just a well tempered machine that's a delight to use. It literally cut the labor in half. Just another example of getting what you pay for.

[@markielinhart]

Great hack, the simplest solutions are often the best! 👏🇦🇺✌️

[@jasondoust4935]

Thank you from Australia! That's a pretty agricultural solution, but I mean that in the nicest way. You've made a simple solution to a vexing problem and it can be knocked up pretty quickly. Izzy Swan level clever! Narrower sections can be jacked up inside the jig with strips of plywood if required as well. I'm definitely building this (and may even sell my jointer!)

[@michaelklein496]

As an amateur with woodworker, i typically feel overpowered with the entire arrangement kzbin.infoUgkxrYREG3-7f1Aqk9ams3ZESRNzGnfdUtyQ . Be that as it may, this arrangements drove me through with much clarity and effortlessness woodplans. Works i now work like a genius. That is great!

[@ccook31]

Excellent solution. I get it that if all you have is a table saw, all your solutions involve a table saw... but this is so much safer and precise.

[@gershonperry5952]

I like the extension that you made for the planer.

[@Visper84]

Excellent video. I have seen plenty of planer sled videos but, I hadn't thought about the case where you want to make a piece 90 degrees to your other planed face.

[@williwakas]

I love the robins singing in the background

[@tomx63]

Thanks for posting, Mark. I really like the front and back extensions for the planer.

[@alanendel1582]

What a great idea! Thanks for sharing. I was dreading buying a joiner. I will still probably get one, but this will help me in the interim.

[@juanperales7814]

Great job! I’m going to have to try this on my next project. I’m making a coffee table but don’t have a jointer! Thanks for sharing the video!

[@BinleyClan]

Great tip! Thank you! I have a small 4" jointer and it's good to know the planer can be used as an alternate! I love DeWalt's DW735 planer, I haven't broken mine in yet but this looks like a great way to test it out.

[@DarkHorseWoodworking]

That is a great concept. I liked the idea of having the rail at an angle. Nice work!

[@nah3186]

I've always wanted a jointer but could never justify the expense for my home projects. I was lucky enough to pick up a DW735 at a local auction for a fraction of the MSRP. I just recently used it for the first time and learned a lot, lol. Both those planer jigs are a must if you don't have a jointer and want flat/true/square stock. This is a great solution, thanks for sharing it has saved me a lot of time, frustration and heartache...much appreciated.

[@johnchausow4857]

Best method I've found yet. Thank you so much for sharing this, it's really quite brilliant

[@randallshular5362]

I really like that idea. Thanks for sharing.

[@ChinJazz]

Mark, great idea! I just got a DW734 and mostly make guitars. Since I don’t have a jointer this came at a good time. Thank you! I also like your planer table for addressing snipe. I’ll see if I can model off of yours but try to make it mobile since I’m limited on space. Cheers!

[@matthewrhoades5156]

Great video. Ingenious solution with the planer. Really, really helpful!

[@Creator_Nater]

I really like the industriousness, cleverness, and PRACTICALITY of this! So sick of some videos with ultra hybridized, sort of out of reach approaches to these shop hacks. Good job!

[@ecaff9515]

Excellent Idea. Thank you a thousand times. I thought i needed to machines you just showed me how to turn my planer into a jointer for small jobs.

[@domenicsaporito]

Love it. Thanks. Just got my thicknesser and already faced this issue. Appreciate you taking the time to make this video. Dom :)

[@chetlund4465]

Great idea ! Thank you for the ingenious yet simple solution to the problem.

[@JohnWaclawski]

Brilliant, Mark!!! Thanks for the excellent explanation. Especially of why you angled it.

[@selsyn73]

Thanks for sharing these great tips. I love solutions that save money! Making this sled is now on my list.

[@dcoppola421]

Nice to see you innovating. Sometime I just hand plane the edges if there aren’t too many and keeps me active!

[@RonMarshallrone]

Cool outfeed table! Nice job.

[@aquovadjustfakie6418]

You just saved me about 400$ so thank you very much

[@richardmadsen115]

Thanks Mark, I have a jointer but like this solution even better.

[@JkCanvas]

Excellent tip and thank you for the video. I was wondering how I could make my material square without a planer. Now I know.

[@shaver5959]

An elegantly simple and effective solution, well done and thanks for sharing.

[@fellovergen]

Love the sound of the birds in the background

[@pikubird]

Jon Fell robins make for an entertaining bird with their song during summer

[@webosm6494]

I normally use the tablesaw for that, but i can see the advantages as it gives you more control and it is also safer. Good idea!

[@nguyenhoangjimmy123]

I’m definitely gonna use your idea!!!! Thanks for posting your video and keeping it posted.

[@stryker2764]

Great jig, good explanation, thanks for the video, nicely done!

[@jameshuntley428]

I am new to woodworking and this is exactly what I needed to learn. Thank you so much!

[@Dontlookification]

I have a 4 foot metal measuring stick that I tape to my already flat piece and rip it on the table saw. Gets perfect joints every time.

[@Crooks103]

Good idea to run the rails through on the angle, nice touch. Great presentation.

[@GaryJimenez]

So simple yet so effective. I have watched other videos tackling the same problem but the solutions were overly complicated. Thanks for the video!

[@chrisbolton7303]

Loved this - great, practical, simple (and the best idea's usually are) solution. Thanks for the tip....

[@ecaff9515]

Excellent video and process. Thank you for sharing.

[@alexthompson3005]

Great idea - thanks for sharing.

[@ecaff9515]

Excellent process. Thank you for sharing.

[@kevinhunold8122]

Great idea. I love the planer sled too and was going to make one but was always thinking about how I was going to do the edges of my boards. Here's my answer thank you very much

[@davidmorgan4738]

Very helpful! Also, I like the way you used the diagonal to cause less wear on the blades in a single spot.

[@pinballrobbie]

Also means he will get a cleaner cut on more difficult grained timbers

[@FirearmTutorials]

Yea that was genius!

[@gfldodge]

Nice

[@InthebasementMrNome]

Reduces snipe also

[@cbw1953]

Perfect, exactly what I need to do. I have a good planner but no jointer. Thanks for the instruction.

[@TheSib]

Excellent idea! Thank you for making and posting this video! I love KZbin and it’s “how-to” video makers!

[@FiddlerOnTheRoof2024]

Thank you, Mark. I think your sled design is solid.

[@pavnambiar7414]

Hi Mark. Watched your video. Built the sled the next day and got my first piece of dressed timber...clearly new to this game. I had been wrestling with the need to buy more tools to get that third flat, square side for weeks. Love your work. Big thanks from Down Under

[@protect.your.digits.creations]

That's a Great jig , I will definitely use your idea ... Thank you

[@michael.schuler]

Good sled. Another benefit of the skew angle at which the work piece meets the cutterhead is a shearing cut which reduces tearout.

[@travism.oakland9279]

Liking the handy work on the stand!

[@Normal1855]

Great idea. I was trying to square a 4x4 up. I planed the one edge, then I ripped the edge with the table saw. I need to build one of these.

[@usedcarsokinawa]

Awesome! I never heard of the planer sled, I will build one tomorrow. And I will start using the planer as a jointer! Thank you. It will really be a benefit with my small shop.

[@IdRatherMakeItMyself-Net]

Glad you liked it.

[@williamfreeh9598]

great tip. thank you. i just purchased a dewalt thickness planer and i need to learn how to properly use it. guys like you are a big help in my doing that.

[@JW-kt5ls]

Excellent idea! Thanks for sharing.

[@1029pb]

I love how elegantly simple your solution is, goes right back to the basic fundamentals of good carpentry using flat or plum references to continue forward to make 90° stock thanks

[@johnstarkie9948]

Plumb.

[@skewedmaker]

Creative solution. I look forward to trying it out.

[@daveb7999]

Nice solution with materials already in the shop. I don't believe I've met a jig that I didn't admire, they're all so very helpful. I want to replace the top of my otherwise sturdy bench. I have a number of pieces of large pallet material (maple ~ 2"x4"x6'). They are all a bit twisted, so a sled such as yours is exactly what I need to make. I'll place them on edge, glue them up and run all-thread rod through them for a very hearty bench top. Thanks for the ideas.

[@philtyers2372]

That's a great idea. Very helpful for new woodworkers.

[@ronbishop4057]

I'm also trying to decide between a jointer and a planar. This simple and easy method helps. Thank you!

[@NorthwestCraftsman]

Wow! Awesome ingenuity, thanks for sharing!

[@edlauren9434]

Very simple and elegant solution!

[@DaveLightsracingstories]

Very nifty idea. I like my jointer but for someone who hasn't got one this is a great idea. Thanks for the video

[@MANJITSINGH-ko2oi]

thank u so much for a simple solution now I can get a planer.

[@josevelez7539]

Thanks for the video! Simple solution to a complicated problem since many of us don’t have a jointer in the garage shop.

[@evilbillity]

Thank You!!! I have had a new planer for over a year , still in the box because I don't have my jointer yet. It's coming out of the box today!!

[@johnr.b.murray3417]

Excellent and simple demo to achieve the desired results. Good work.

[@woodscrew5612]

Very cool idea! I always like when people do more with what they have. Just subscribed!

[@hjboots]

Excellant jig, it will make getting a straight edge alot easier. You explained it very well and i will be using your method on my next project. Thank you

[@pawelsokolowski]

Thanks for the tip. I have just ordered DW733 and had second thoughts, but this video has just added a cool feature to it.

[@inspiringbuilds]

Good tips for any wood worker or DIY'er that doesn't have or can't afford a jointer! Subscribed!

[@barrykerr7540]

Very helpful and practical set-up. Thank you.

[@dirtywashedupsparkle]

Very smart - was just looking at planer and jointer vids and thinking there must be a way to get a planer to do the job of a jointer somehow. And using the angle so the whole width is used was something I hadn't thought of, well done.

[@anandkkpr]

Great idea, excellent stuff. Thank you for sharing!

[@porthose2002]

Pretty clever. Thanks for posting!

[@C_L_Thomas]

Awesome jig!

[@usmcramirez]

I like that table you made for that planer!

[@TeamProsperity]

Yeah that’s a good idea! Nicely done. A word on running through at an angle, when planing if you can, run the board at an angle as this will help to prevent snipe.

[@gonzalosanchez1137]

Congratulations, you did a very good example and taught to the world another way to do a job.

[@mattnelson9123]

Elegant solution friend. Previously I have been sledding to get two parallel sides and then ripping on the tablesaw to get the perpendicular sides squared off but that usually means more sanding; this way might save some finishing. Great work!

[@kennethpierce7304]

Great idea. I sure would like to follow you around and pick your brain about woodworking. I’m sure I could learn a lot. Thanks for the videos.

[@k.b.woodworker3250]

Very well thought out jig, and I like the materials you used. As others have mentioned, you could do the second side on the table saw, but since you just need to do another pass through the planer, and you're standing right there, this seems easier. Also if you have a wimpy contractor's saw (like me), but a nice planer, this is still better. It might give a cleaner cut with no blade marks. Looks like this may help control snipe on the planer, too.

[@Skippy0330]

just a note, i've had this planer for awhile, if you're getting snipe on this unit, its because of your own doing.

[@benjamess3194]

I'm new to woodworking and just five minutes ago ordered the same planer your using. I will have to wait for a joiner when the budget allows but I can easily make a planer sled like yours until them. thanks for a really good video.

[@Yahoomediaclub]

Really great Jig ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️👍

[@ChatBot1337]

Ive been using the tip from izzy swan a few years back regarding jointing the narrow edges. Using a narrow piece of ply against the fence of a tablesaw, put your workpiece on top of that, clamp it in some way, then the workpiece is more or less floating in space with the plywood providing reference to the fence. For clamping I use a strip on top of the ply with a couple of toggle clamps to hold the work. Great vid. I love all the tips I can get.

[@crankytrails3503]

Cool fixture, I'll have to try it out!

[@wangofree]

Brilliant idea Mark. Thanks for posting. :-)

[@adamfleisch]

I will be using your method! Thanks for posting this video. BTW I like how your planer is set up!

[@DaveCSX]

You just saved me some cash on going out to buy a new joiunter. Good video, I'll be watching for more.

[@twsbrl2xlldmoney355]

Dave we are going to need to delete your comment . It goes against our comment section rules . And upon further review we are going to have to block you

[@EllisDesignandTradeCo]

Wow man, now that is a really helpful tutorial! I also have a planer and not a jointer. I like the method of not having to drill into the wood to secure it. Normally I would screw a piece of metal to the wood and run it on the table saw but the planer would be a much cleaner and easier method! Thank you for sharing this knowledge.

[@sureshot311]

This is ingenious. I love it. Thank you.

[@WeGoWalk]

Excellent idea! I particularly liked how you utilized the full width of the planer blades by offsetting the stock at a diagonal.

[@starseeddeluxe]

Do bear in mind, you'll get pretty significant blade marks if you run wood in on an angle, if you aren't using spiral "helical" carbide cutter heads. I have an old Delta planer, and I've found that sliding the boards through on an angle actually stops the snipe by 99%, but it leaves fine blade marks along the wood because it's cutting against the grain slightly, because the grain is no longer parallel to the direction of cutting. The blade marks are not an issue though, because they are very fine.

[@HIKETOGRAPHER]

Dang dude, that is brilliant! Thanks for educating us!

[@psatm]

Really great video, thanks so much for posting!

[@ScottSmith-kz9nq]

Hello Sir, just saw your video and I'm at this exact stage in a project. I just got my planer from a gentleman on Letgo. After a bit of cleaning and rust removal I now have a DW734 in working order for $50.00 and a new belt. Thank you for taking the time to make this video. Good Day!

[@stefanw5894]

Scott Smith your gonna love the 734. I have had mine for a couple years and it works great. Such a smooth finish with that 3 blade head. I just did a cherry tabletop for some doll furniture and no need to do a final sand as the top came out silky smooth

[@pch4287]

beautiful idea.Congratulations

[@MD-yq4vr]

Good video. I’ve tried these tricks but to no avail. I then bought a jointer…….best day of my life!!! No more messing with jigs.

[@wocketman1629]

That is a great idea! Thanks for making this video!

[@guyfisher2050]

Excellent idea! I really like it. Do you have a video showing how you build the workbench for the planer with the infeed​ and outfeed extensions?

[@stgray35]

simple but effective idea, nice job.