How to successfully 'Joint' boards to make wide panels without a Jointer

[@dwalsh3469]

An even better method (in my opinion) that works with the table saw (and is dead simple with a track saw) is to stack the two boards and run them over / under the saw. The blade angle no longer matters. After the single cut, just fold the top board over and you have, by definition, a perfectly complimentary pair of edges to glue. No need to faff around with making sure your blade is orthogonal to the work. Only one cut per pair of boards. Works with boards that are not straight / flat.

[@Rob-Eckert]

A similar idea can work with the table saw. Just have to flip the complimentary board to get the mating edge cut to the same angle.

[@dwalsh3469]

i agree - that is pretty much exactly what I said. 😀

[@dougiewalls]

Was just about to comment the same thing

[@denisoriordan6739]

I had an essay typed in as well, but it was more about trusting a factory edge to be straight. 😂

[@adeh503]

That's the way I also do it

[@marlinstudio.]

Nice video, well explained. The only thing I do differently on the table saw is cut the finished face up on one board and finish face down on the adjoining board. This means if your saw blade is not 100% vertical the joint will still be tight.

[@maxximumb]

I do something similar but I added a rail under the jig to ride in the mitre slot. This does away with the need for a fence and doesn't limit the width of the board to be jointed. Another great video. Thanks for sharing.

[@santinho212]

I agree that is the most safe accurate and simple jig and plus you can also do tapered rips

[@shawnr771]

Nice work. For those of us who have problems keeping the jig up against the fence. Adding a guide rail to match the groove on the table saw would help. A good source of guide rails is old miter gauges for table saws.

[@LeonWiddicombe]

Another great video as usual! 3rd option is using the tracksaw, and if they are quite close you can push them together and cut a single kerb blade down the middle! Should match perfectly

[@EmptyGlass99]

Glad it's not just me who gets wound up by sticky labels!

[@mphillips24]

Don’t get me started on sticky labels on fruit. Grrrrr.

[@H01m3s]

Isn’t this done on purpose to stop people swapping labels within the shop and getting a cheaper price?

[@shanemacgowan1957]

Weres the knife on the dim saw ?

[@smashyrashy]

​@@H01m3sthat does make sense

[@simonholmes275]

Lighter fluid works a treat, too.

[@ashleydarby3652]

Something my Dad taught me (he was a master joiner) - when you're joining the boards and you've cut them on the table saw, flip the alternating ones because you'll compensate for any deviation from 90* and absorb it. Similar to the comment below

[@philclennell]

A few of these jigs in a DIY workshop soon clogs it up - I've learned the hard way! Once you've made a half-decent one, it's very hard to throw it out!

[@welshrambler1893]

Another method is to clamp the two boards to the bench with a 4mm to5mm gap between the two edges to be jointed. Then run a router with a 6mm cutter down the gap. Regards Keith

[@StCreed]

That is actually very smart. I'm going to use that, having no table saw.

[@compunurse]

I’ve seen both of these techniques elsewhere. However, yours was the most lucid and clear exclamation. Thank you. I also like the drunken lines on the table saw jig.

[@augustwest8559]

If someone wanted to or has access to Rough sawn wood. I recommend investing in a jointer. Unless you want to spend valuable shop time making silly jig and fixtures. Nothing prepares wood for planing or ripping faster and more accurately then a jointer. Removing twist from your stock is very important to creating flat panels plus a lot more.

[@jsaurman]

3:51 If you don't want to cut those clampholding grooves, you can just stick down your board to the sled with double sided tape, hot melt glue, or the old "blue tape and super glue trick". Another way to clamp it down would be just screwing a series of small wood blocks down with a drywall screw to act as clamps.

[@alant84]

Something worth pointing out: you should never use these methods on BOTH sides of the board, only on one side. After you joint the board and have one straight edge, you should put that edge against the table saw fence and cut the other edge that way. Doing this will ensure that the second edge is parallel to the first, in addition to being straight. If you try to joint both sides individually they may not be parallel.

[@b3arwithm3]

But having both edges parallel isn't a requirement for joining boards. Sometimes it's not needed.

[@BibBinkerton]

If anyone is following this video and making a sled with tracks that are not parallel to the blade, make sure that your tracks stop well before the edge of the board on the blade side. It would be really easy to position your clamps so that they extend into the path of the saw blade if you leave the tracks open on that side.

[@barryroberts6470]

Hi Stewart, i ran into the same problem a few years ago and so i went the easier route of buying a Bench Top Jointer from Rutlands, i have seen the same said Jointer on Rutlands website lately and let me tell you one thing, i'm really glad that i bought one a few years ago as i nearly fell off my chair when i saw how much it costs now. So, if i didn't have a Bench Top Jointer i 100% would have done it the way that you have shown so thank you for showing me how it's done. Take Care and Stay Safe, Barry (the Wirral)

[@spongefactory]

£140 doesn't seem too bad (in the sale now)

[@craigchristensen6082]

Two ways to joint a board simply and well explained. Thanks

[@andyc972]

Cheers Stuart, useful practical advice as usual from yourself, presented in a clear yet entertaining manner - always worth watching !

[@amwartwork]

I made a straight edge jig using t tracks and t clamps. So worth the effort

[@b3arwithm3]

As a quick hack, you can put a long straight edge on the table saw fence and run your boards thru. It should be long enough so that the board is always fully in contact with the straight edge.

[@dougsaunders8109]

Looks like you have buying you timber at B&Q looking at those edges. 😁 Another way of joining is with a track saw butt the joints a up. Cut down the joint. If the board is terrible, gap bigger than the blade thickness, repeat cut. Perfect joint. Just keep your boards in order as joined you don’t even need the blade at 90 degrees 👍🏻

[@DessieTots]

That’s me, I’m one of those amateur woodworkers that goes round in circles. But good to know it’s not just me. 😊

[@across8339]

A really useful video Stuart, I was considering a jointer but I don't have the space and know it will only get used rarely. These techniques work for me.

[@alexcocco5733]

i have joined the boades with the track saw it has made edge jointing easy a couple cuts and you havematching edges.

[@lmcsquaredgreendale3223]

Thank you for a great tip. I've been pricing jointers and they are large and expensive. Both of your solutions are effective but I have to say that I love the table saw jig better. I haven't created a jig for my router mostly due to space limitations but one piece of plywood and clamps can easily be stored on the wall with a few brackets and that makes better use of my limited space so I like it best. I've subscribed to your channel and look forward to going through your past videos and new videos as well.

[@themuzzuk]

The Patreon version of this video is very funny!

[@GOVAUS1]

Love the jig. Bravo!

[@martinsvensson6884]

A very quick way to do it, although not optimal, is to put a long steel/alu profile between the board and the fence. It only works though if you have 2 points on the side of the board that will make it a steady "concave" shape against the profile and not convex.

[@rpan5441]

Wonderful indeed. Such is possible thru an experienced diy. 👍

[@projectrebuild908]

Great video. I love current tool having multiple functions

[@chrisofspec]

this is most awesome idea ever

[@Zaftiguous]

This was really helpful…thank you!

[@johnchincotta1qwdb15]

Hi Stuart,another very informative video ,with nice DIY techniques.

[@chris-edward2264]

The method I prefer is to stick a straightedge slightly overhung on the edge that will go against the fence using double-sided tape. If I was going to do this a lot, then I might use your first method.

[@KevinCoop1]

If you use a #4 or larger hand plane, you can usually get a straight edge easily. If you put the bottoms together with the edges as even as you can in a vice, joint edge up, and plane both boards at the same time, you again can get them straight fairly easy. And they are not required to be exactly 90 degrees. Just fold them open and the two planed edges will match at whatever angle they are.

[@WorBlux]

Up to twice of the length of the plane reliably, if you have a straightedge you trust you can use it check and to correct deviations as you proceed. .

[@longjohn6269]

I am that person who purchased a jointer to gather dust in the corner, its a great tool Metabo HC260C but like you say not a good use of floorspace/money. Sadly can't help myself buying tools, seems like an addiction.

[@garulusglandarius6126]

Excellent as always Stuart, thank you 👍

[@geoffreycoan]

Stuart, nice tips thank you. Do you realise you’ve invented the Microjig Matchfit clamping system, only without the proprietary clamps? A third option to joint the boards is to use an electric planer clamped on its side and run the boards alongside it. Even if the planer isn’t 90 degrees to the surface as long as you joint one board facing up and the other facing down they will align perfectly. There’s videos of people making a jig to hold the electric planer as well

[@james9789]

That reminds me to get some B12 thanks for the tips

[@scottmclean4237]

The offset angles is a clever idea . Good design indeed

[@rogertaylor8615]

Nice job

[@awantamta]

Great methods

[@TheWardagh]

Really enjoyed the video and don’t mean this to be a negative comment but if you have a track saw why not just run that along the edge instead of making the jig? Then you could run that cut edge along your table saw fence if needed. Anyway, thank you as always!

[@unemployedrocketsurgeon1124]

Thanks, good advise. But better IMHO would be investing in a track saw with a nice long rail, you’ll wonder how you ever worked without one & it won’t gather any dust that’s for sure.

[@kevincooper6537]

I just use a 4ft Sprit level flush along the Guide fence and push the panel through ALONG with the spirit Level, and there you have your straight edge, then just repeat with the opposite side of the panel.

[@Quaker521]

Great ideas and a great video. Thanks.

[@patrick_jouno]

is there away of flatten the top of a board without a thicknesser, lov ethe videos.

[@inn0x]

Problem: Need to make a couple of perfectly straight cuts. Solution: Make a jig. Process: Make a dozen of perfectly straight cuts.

[@loganmedia1142]

The grooves don't actually have to be exactly straight.

[@seanbeacher2904]

Great jig. I’ve bought the makita clamps shown in the vid but my dovetail router bit is the incorrect size for the clamps (arggghhhh!). What’s the right size dovetail router bit please?

[@johndavies6246]

You got to love subtitles!! 8.44 - 8.49 "....and I put in my straight cutter which is just about deep enough to be able to cut my balls, which are just under a one inch!!!!" 😆What are they doing on the table - haven't you heard of Health and Safety!! One of the best so far!!

[@michaeldehart648]

Awesome! Thank you for sharing.

[@jessejameson154]

Good ole B and Q plywood 👍

[@shrimpinpat]

I just use eucalyptus hard board. It's really thin and then use double sided woodworking tape to hold my board to that and run it though. Sketchier but it works, and on a jobsite saw you wont lose much depth..

[@RetinaDesign]

Thanks for this Stuart. Don't suppose you can remember where you got the clamps from. I've only ever seen Axminster versions before, not the ones you are using at about 06:39 onwards in the video? Cheers.

[@noldwolf1]

What kind and what size router bit are you using to make the planer jig?

[@5yearshed]

Helpful tips thanks

[@1987pagey]

Don't forget to them safety specs 👍

[@LS-uv9gg]

I would just lay a square on top of the wood "close enough" by eye first within the dimensions of the crooked board, then simply clamp a straight edged guide, cut it with a circular saw, then use that now known straight cut to reference a 90* cross cut for the ends.

[@travellingjournalist966]

I don’t have a table saw so could I use a track saw to straighten the edge

[@tjo911]

BRAVO !!!

[@geraldrees7846]

I want to make a box to go in the garden, so im not fussed about the finish. Could I just pin the board onto a straight edge, and do it that way?

[@xav6427]

just use a track saw, or circular saw with a guide(long level or something)

[@loganmedia1142]

Big hassle to set it up every time. Much quicker with a jig like this. Track saws are also very expensive.

[@TGRacing]

Hi Stuart. Really useful (as ever). Please can you tell me what router bit you've used and what type of track saw clamps ? Thanks.

[@thekontza]

These look similar to MicroJig's Matchfit system, but I guess Stuart's clamps are cheaper than MicroJig's.

[@loganmedia1142]

The first one he tried looks like a Makita track clamp. Festool makes a similar one. They're both cheaper than the Microjig model. I don't know if there is any benefit to the Microjig option. The trigger clamps he actually used when cutting the straight edge could be anything.

[@CB27]

I need to join two boards together but I don't have a table saw nor a table router. What are my options?

[@Elfin4]

How many DIY'ers have a table saw and table router? Where was the saw guard and push stick?

[@loganmedia1142]

You only need something to push the wood if your hands are going to be near the blade otherwise. It would be completely silly to try to use a push stick with a huge board.

[@davewright9312]

And EVERYONE takes off the blade guard

[@Habibulla.M]

Nice jig

[@norfolkhall]

Could you please fix that table saw down. its wobbling all over the place at 2:40

[@shanemacgowan1957]

Weres the guard on the spindle?

[@deanoh6414]

Freehand mains powered router and that metal straight edge. Or blow 150 on Screwfix track saw...which will get used again. Done and off down the boozer.

[@mdeflyer]

What about making a diy track saw guide?

[@Traitorman..Proverbs26.11]

I put two boards next to each other, then ran a router straight down the middle.

[@seamusboden]

Great video Stuart. Can you tell me is that an Evolution table you are using and is that the standard fence that comes with it? Also you used a clamp down straight edge. I have neither of these tools atm and have seen so many bad comments about the evolution saw, but yours seems accurate and not too noisey

[@artyonehundred]

I have the same model, it comes with the fence that was used plus an adjustable mitre jig. Note that the bit of the table to the left of the blade can also slide (once you release it) so there is no need for the mitre jig to slide in the slot.

[@ukexbreakdownman]

what i want to know is how did they create the first straght edge lol

[@YuriBez2023]

One downvote. Must be from the sales accounts manager of a company that sells jointers.

[@woodworksbygrampies1284]

👍🏼

[@CygnusTX]

Your reason for not wanting a jointer is exactly the same thought that I had. If I can do what I need without an expensive piece of rarely used equipment, why buy that piece of equipment?

[@tlbfarm4473]

That shaky table saw would drive me crazy. :(

[@tunnel7]

Safety glasses would be nice

[@neilarmitage6632]

Track saw

[@RFC3514]

Or you can just clamp a straight edge to the board and run the router against it. One rectangular aluminium bar (or tube), a couple of good clamps, no need for a jig. Or a track saw, of course.

[@neilmckie2768]

Those bloody stickers - they even put them on the face of 'finished' architrave/mouldings.

[@JohnSnow-vf8jo]

I thought the object of the vid, was to show how to join the boards together. My bad.

[@garvielloken3929]

Nooice!

[@svetozaratanasov9155]

This method reqire too much material, time and tools just to straiten two boards. Even if you cut one side free handedly as long as you have a fairly straight line, when you pushed against the fence it will cut the other side straight. If the fence is not long enough you could put a 4' or 6' level or a straight age, board whatever will do job.

[@johnlratcliffe]

Call that a plane?

[@tisdale36]

Millimeter? What's a millimeter?

[@simonmiddleton2990]

Or just a straight peace of timber with double sided tape, taped to the wobbly board to run along the fence , same principle but much quicker .

[@patbassman8251]

In the UK we call it a Thickness planer , Yanks call it a Jointer , let me guess you call a Pillor Drill a Drill press .

[@hallamster11]

Cos we’ve all got a table saw😂

[@artsteadman2230]

the label industry, like every other, has continuously been hit with massive raw material price increases. Still to this day with more on the immediate horizon. Thus the use of old formulas for using the so called 'wrong'' glue which was & remains permanent glue - not the preferred EXPENSIVE removable glue

[@danielgrabske3545]

Jointers outlived there usefulness , more way to skin a cat.

[@shanemacgowan1957]

Why didn’t you just plain the edge ?

[@Eggosj]

Doublesided tape?

[@loganmedia1142]

Pain in the ass to get off the wood afterwards. At least the types I can buy are.

[@valborchardt3596]

Thank you for your advice Stuart and moaning minnie wants to know why you arent wearing safety glasses while cutting wood?? Take care

[@d.k.1394]

No safety glasses....no circular saw blade cover?

[@ocoro174]

1:04💀yes

[@Zacharythorsen]

Jesus Christ died for all of our sins. He died the death we all deserved. He was the perfect one who never sinned once, but he loved us so much he decided to die for us so our sins would be paid for and we can enter the Kingdom of Heaven before God the Father blamelessly. He is the living son of God who wants to know us and have a personal relationship with us. No matter what you have done no matter how far gone you think you are Jesus can and will save you. All you have to do is confess with your mouth and believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is your Lord and Savior. Believe that he died on the cross for your sins and had a bodily resurrection 3 days later. We cannot be saved by our works but by faith in Christ alone. Repent and turn to Christ. You will have joy, happiness, love, and peace beyond understanding.

[@craigbeas6111]

Thanks after using so many big tools I'd get the joiner sorry 😢

[@JustinMurray170fin]

Have you seen the price of jointers - don't buy the cheap ones, I made that mistake. You can make a perfect joiner-jig using just the table saw. I used T-track channelled in via table saw - simple, quicker, longer-lasting more accurate than this method.

[@jamesfarrer5087]

I’m almost certain you used jointer just to trigger us British folk - it’s a planer 😂 P.S put your guard back on your table saw!

[@martinodriscoll5158]

Should be wearing safety glasses and gloves..Great tip all the same

[@giol.8220]

Never wear gloves at rotating machines!

[@mohammadfallah.rasoulnejad5379]

So most DIYers have a table saw in their hands? dude. you could have done the same thing with a straight edge a hand router an some flush cutting bit on it with some double sided tape. as simple as that.