20
Fig. 63
Fig. 64
Fig. 65
SURFACING
Surfacing is identical to the jointing operation except for
the position of the workpiece. For surfacing, the major flat
surface of the workpiece is placed on the infeed table of
the jointer with the narrow edge of the workpiece against
the fence, as shown in Fig. 63. The workpiece is
moved from the infeed table, across the cutterhead to the
outfeed table establishing a flat surface on the workpiece
ALWAYS USE PUSH BLOCKS WHEN
PERFORMING SURFACING OPERATIONS AND NEVER
PASS YOUR HANDS DIRECTLY OVER THE
CUTTERHEAD.
MAXIMUM DEPTH OF CUT SHOULD
NOT BE MORE THAN 1/8" IN ONE PASS.
To cut a bevel, lock the fence at the required angle and
run the work across the knives while keeping the work
firmly against the fence and tables. Several passes may
be necessary to arrive at the desired result. When the
angle is small, there is little difference whether the fence
is tilted to the right or left. However, at greater angles
approaching 45 degrees, it is increasingly difficult to
hold the work properly when the fence is tilted to the
right. The advantage of the double-tilting fence is
appreciated under such conditions. When tilted to the
left, the fence forms a V-shape with the tables, as shown
in Fig. 64, and the work is easily pressed into the pocket
while passing it across the knives. If the bevel is laid out
on the piece in such direction that this involves cutting
against the grain, it will be better to tilt the fence to the
right.
TAPER CUTS
One of the most useful jointer operations is cutting an edge to a taper. This method can be used on a wide variety of
work. Tapered legs of furniture are a common example. Instead of laying the piece on the infeed table, lower the
forward end of the work onto the outfeed table. Do this very carefully, as the piece will span the knives, and they will
take a “bite” from the work with a tendency to kick back unless the piece is firmly held. Now push the work forward
as in ordinary jointing. The effect is to surface off all the stock in front of the knives, to increasing depth, leaving a
tapered surface. The ridge left by the knives when starting the taper may be removed by taking a very light cut
according to the regular method for jointing, with the infeed table raised to its usual position. Practice is required in this
operation, and the beginner is advised to make trial cuts on waste material. Taper cuts over part of the length and a
number of other special operations can easily be done by the experienced craftsman.
CUTTING A RABBET
When making a rabbet cut, as shown in Fig. 65, the cutter-
head guard must be removed.
AFTER THE RABBET CUT IS COMPLETED,
BE CERTAIN GUARD IS REPLACED
.
1.
Adjust the fence so that the distance between the
end of the knives and the fence is equal to the width of
the rabbet.
2.
Lower the infeed table an amount equal to the depth
of the rabbet. If the rabbet is quite deep, it may be
necessary to cut it in two or more passes. In that event,
the table is lowered an amount equal to about half the
depth of the rabbet for the first pass, then lowered again
to proper depth to complete the cut.
BEVELING
