| Re: Jointer on CL
I have a similar old iron benchtop jointer. For edge joining small boards, it is perfect. For surfacing the face of narrow stock or the edges of longer stock, it is okay. but not optimal. What makes it non optimal is that you may have to change hand positions on the board if it isn't short and that is hard to do while keeping it flat and not slowing the feed rate or you may sometimes have one hand on the board at a point where it is off the table which is also tricky. Let me explain by example - if I want to edge an 18" board, I can hold it at the center with one hand on the other edge and feed it smoothly and evenly across the joiner - I can do it to a second board and they will glue up perfectly. Now imagine a 4' board - I would start with both hands on it, but I could only push down hard with my left to start with because the right is off the table and then as the board travels across the table I transfer more downward force to the right, trying to keep speed even and never teetering it. It is very doable, but the success rate is not as high. Just the slightest little twitch that seems insignificant and there is light showing between the boards.
Most of what I do is small and I don't have much room, so I am pretty pleased with mine. I like the old small iron benchtops better thatn the new aluminum ones with the blender motors. The price is right. If the tool fits what you do, it is probably a good deal. | 
09-01-2009, 09:50 AM
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