I wish I had never learned this. Now I want a jointer. I don't even have a shop yet

This is probably the most thorough tutorial I've seen on using a jointer... not only did you discuss what it does but you also discussed the biggest question in most people's mind about the relationship of planers to jointers. And to top it all you included proper technique. A+

Great lesson! I'm blown away at the effort given to properly explain the purpose and use of these tools. Thank You

I'm here because 24 hours ago I had a 30 second conversation about a jointer with my phone in my shirt pocket. Surprise surprise, it appeared in my suggested videos.

Thank you! I've often seen people use both tools and I wondered why. Your video makes it as clear as can be. Well done!

Thank you for this great explanation. Jointer always seemed pointless to me if planers exist. You really set me straight!

Great video. I recently bought a jointer and had a hard time getting the boards flat. But now I know it's because I was applying too much pressure. Thank you!

He was very right about the jointer being the "therapist", if you will, of the shop tools. You CAN get by without one, but the building process is much more enjoyable when you have one. For whatever reason it seems to be one of the later tools I see a lot of woodworkers purchase when in reality, it should be one of the first. Considering the vast majority of wood is in "rough" form (it's very expensive otherwise) it becomes important to "true" up one side as that becomes your reference. Any imperfections in that initial reference side will manifest as ANGER throughout the rest of the project.

There is something I'd like to add to Matthews excellent video. One of the key things when learning to use a jointer is understanding the sounds of the process. It's very difficult to explain in words, but sound tells you a heck of a lot. For example, if you're getting tear out as a result of reversing grain in a board, or because you're taking too much material in one pass, you can hear it. That also tells you if you're planing with the grain (correct) or against (almost always incorrect). When dealing with a board which is bowed, curved lengthways, as Matthew is in the video, the sound the planer makes will tell you if you're removing the bow or not. With a bowed board, you'll hear the planer knives engaging as the front portion of the board crosses the cutter block, it will then disengage for a time and the sound will change, before re-engaging the tail end, where the sound changes back again. If you had been applying too much pressure, then the sound would have remained consistent throughout. With practice, you can learn to match the sound with what the knives are actually cutting and where. If you really want to see the results and practice, you can spread chalk on the face of the timber being planed, then it's easy to see what material is being removed each pass. It's really quite cool to see. A little tip: Never apply pressure to the board directly above the cutter block. There is no situation where this is correct technique. Take light passes of less than 1mm a time, rarely is it a good idea to go above this if you want a decent finish. A jointer is a tool like any other and takes a lot of practice to use well. It's quite a dangerous tool so do triple check your setup and keep the blade guard in the right location. You really dont want a planer knife flying at you at 300 mph as you'll end up with no head, which isn't ideal.

Before today, and getting here from the Jamie Perkins accident, I didn't even know a jointer existed. But I enjoyed this video so much I subscribed. This guy is so natural I just gotta see what else he's got.

Hey Matt, this is a wonderful video. You took the time for each "what happens when" scenario to explain each instance of what is going on. I really appreciate the effort and patience it took in order to put this video together and has helped me understand a fundamental of craftsmanship that has escaped me for some time.

Love your candidness and to the point style. Quite refreshing in a KZfaq world filled with polish and fluff.

Fantastic explanation! Been interested in wood working since I was watching New Yankee Workshop with my dad as a child, and I never could understand why one would need a jointer if they had a thickness planer. People would always say... one makes things flat, while the other just makes it thinner. I always thought... "Well, okay. But... how?" Now I understand perfectly! Of course! A planner just pinches the board in one narrow area as it pulls it through. A jointer lets the board ride more softly over spinning knives. So the jointer shaves off wood where the board is higher or lower. The thickness planner just shaves off X amount of wood, all along the board, maintaining the same warped profile... warped or flat. Thanks Matt! You really have no idea how awesome your explanation was.

Did you know that in the UK a jointer is called a planer and a planer is called a thicknesser? The infeed and outfeed table of a jointer aren't coplanar, or in the _same plane,_ they form _parallel planes._ To be the same plane they'd have to be the same height. A jillion years ago we couldn't use any of the power tools in junior high (middle school), until we were able to make a board square on all sides and flat with hand tools. I think it might help people understand the power tools. We were kids and everybody got it pretty quickly, so it isn't that hard. The people that got it quicker helped the ones that struggled more. Sometimes another student might have a different way of explaining from the teacher that another kid might click with.

Of the hundreds of videos I have watched on woodworking, this has been the most helpful. Thank you!!! :)

Sweet!. Watching this made me feel like being in school again. About the 2 planes of the jointer. They are parrallel. Few important notes: You only flaten and square 1 angle/corner on the jointer. (jointer -> planer -> table saw) You always check the grain of the wood. Just like a handplaner, you don't go across or against the grain. (Sometimes you have no choice though...) And you want the hollow side of the board (when cupped) on the jointer surface. Otherwise it won't get flat (and square). Subbed!

Very good, clear explanation. The micro camera placed inside the machines was a great idea. Despite seeing several other vids that attempted to explain jointers, now for the first time, I understand how they work.

I want to THANK YOU for this explanation! As a beginner woodworker, I have watched endless videos about woodworking and NOBODY has pointed this out so far. This has helped me immensely!

Matt. I really enjoyed your video on the Jointer. It was very well presented and easy to follow. Your explanations were well thought out, and very informative. I am in the process of building my dream shop on paper and a Jointer will most certainly be on my list of wood working machines to have in my shop. Looking forward to watching more of your videos and increasing my knowledge about wood working. Respectfully Maurice Pettiford Budapest Hungary.

I have a Rockwell Delta from the late 40's that I just repaired. Proud day in my life. Most important machine in my shop. Nice vid.

Matt...As a newbie to woodworking I want to thank you for clarifying the difference between a jointer and a planer! I really liked how you explained everything.

This is an excellent video! I had the exact question that you answered which is : "what is it about the mechanics of a planer that prevents it from creating a flat surface" and you were able to answer it by describing the mechanics behind both the jointer and planer as well as demonstrating it by running warped wood through both the planer and jointer. Thank you very much!

FYI: On any jointer larger than 6", I think you're required to write "U.S.S. " on the side.

This is the absolute best video I have found explaining this stuff. I am new to woodworking but not using tools in general, but the jointer/planer thing confused me and this video went above and beyond breaking everything down. I appreciate it.

II'm new to wood working, and I ran bowed wood through the planer and to my surprise, it didn't come out flat. I'm getting a jointer now.

Another thing is if you don't use a jointer on a warped board,then send it through a non shop planer you'll get significantly more board snipe on the ends,from Hercules to Dewalt the small ones don't have the ability to hold the majority of the board flat so it will lift on and off of the ends as they pass through

Thank you, I have asked this very question and you have answered it perfectly

I know this video is years old but I still want to put up a note of appreciation. 44 years ago I took high school wood shop from cranky old Ed Matilla. My dad was a finish carpenter and cabinet maker and Mr Matilla knew my dad. Cranky ol Matilla would never explain ANYTHING but he was darn good at screaming “You start with the jointer!” At the 2nd why, he threw a board. “Ask your dad” was the most I could get from him. Sorry Ed, my dad’s dying of cancer, we don’t talk much. All these years, I kinda knew but not really. Now I know because of you. All these guys want to give you crap about coplanar - I knew what you meant. And now I know what and why about a jointer, too. Thank you. You are a much better teacher than cranky old Ed Matilla ever was.

Nice demo with a great explanation Matt!

Okay, beginner here, and I need a jointer now. Had no idea what these were used for, but I would always find myself thinking out loud, “I wish every piece of stock I purchased was just completely square and flat, it would save me sooooooooooooo much time, money, sweat, and tears” as I worked on a project, and now I have the answer. Thanks you so much.

The Ask Matt videos are turning into a good "woodworking 101" series. Great work.

Thanks Matt, best video I have ever seen on Jointer and Plainer. I have been woodworking for 20 plus years, learning through trial and error. Probably the first few years I made lots of mistakes trying to figure out my problems with Plainer. Then I bought myself a Jointer and you are absolutely right, what a joy to work with flat and square lumber. I have referenced your video to many of my fellow woodworker who are just beginning. Thanks again.

Simple explanations, very informative ...Great job Matt .

I am a beginner and found this video very informative. Little ray of sunshine through the window and the birds singing made me happy. Its cold and cloudy at my house today.

this was a super informative video,on why to use a jointer,and planer..in the proper sequance,etc..very easy to understand in his explanation,and it made every aspect easy to understand..excellent video; wish i would of watched this video before..makes all the other videos,a waste of time..this guy is a great teacher of basic wood working skills

I'm new to cabinet and furniture making and I like to do a lot of research before jumping into something. While investigating planers, I kept coming across jointer/planers. Wasn't sure what they did versus a planer, whether they did the same things or something completely different. This video enlightened me a lot. Fifteen minutes well spent.

This isn't news for me but i wish i had this to watch when it was! You did an excellent job, the two glue ups especially tells the tale! I actually ran that experiment many times when i was starting out!!!! lol

I can't properly express how helpful it is that you really really go into detail about the mechanics of the process. It's really helpful for demonstrations over the internet where I cant see and feel the stock like you can in person.

The infeed and outfeed tables are only considered parallel. Two parallel surfaces are not coplanar (do not share the same plane) when they are offset in height, they only share an angular orientation.

Hey Matthew. I'm really happy to see your video and wanted to say thank you. I've been taking woodwork courses for the past 4 months. Lately I've been surfing video to see if I could spot mistakes in their woodworking video and yours is (IMO) perfect. I really appreciate that you take time to explain everything and the why of it. My teacher did the same and now I'm starting to build furniture with high quality build. Jointer is the key to all this. Thx again for your, in detail, explanation.

As I’m working on my table I’m swearing and wishing I had one of these! The jointer would make everything go so smoothly.

Matt, it is good to see people your age who know how to work wood. I am third generation on my Pop's side of the family, and at least 5th generation on my Mom's side in woodworking. I have a nephew who is getting into the business now because of me. I'm pushing 62, and I don't ever want to stop doing this type of work! It is so satisfying to see pieces I turn out in my shop getting great compliments on the workmanship. But the real reason I do this work is because I love it. I can see that you do too, just from the way you talk about it!

Thank you Dmitri Martin!

Thank you! As personality profiles go I'm a "thinker" it helps me so much to understand the "why" and the "how."

The jointer's outfeed and infeed beds are in parallel planes. This is true geometrically because planes have infinite extents. They are not the same plane. Minor grammatical quibble. Adjusting these beds to being "co planar" so to speak, or the two planes to be parallel is a nightmare as we know. It should be made easier. Good explanation of the difference between the two machines and developing the inferences we need in order to understand how to use the two machines. In fact the two planes of a jointer are NOT coplanar mathematically. I don't care if the company making them says so. I don't care if 10,000 expert woodworkers say they are. They are not mathematicians. The infeed and outfeed are (normally) in two distinct non intersecting planes. Coplanarity is a word. It just does not apply to jointers.

i just pulled up this video to figure out what a jointer was, as I just recently heard of one for the first time, and expected to watch just a part of your video. Ended up watching the whole thing, paying more attention than I intended, and you earned another sub. Nice work.

the surfaces on jointer are not actually coplanar, they're simply parallel.

I just scored a vintage jointer on OfferUp! This was extremely helpful. After watching some restoration videos, this was helpful to see what is the most important aspects to focus on.

You'd think it would be the other way around. That a planer would make a perfectly flat plane, and a jointer would make a parallel surface that could be easily joined.

Really great explanation and demo. You would make an amazing teacher, you seem so calm, your words are well thought out, and you obviously have great knowledge on the subject!

"They're in in the same plane. That's what that means." Awesome videos!

As a beginner woodworker I have learned a lot from you. You make this hobby so much easier to understand and enjoy. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

Exactly what I needed to know. Thank you

as someone getting his feet wet with carpentry and looking at all the essential equipment carpenters use... your video has cleared up a lot of question marks. I really appreciate this video greatly. Thank you very much. (I was planning on buying these expensive machines while not entirely sure why besides experienced carpenters saying they use these machines almost daily...)

Thanks Matt, very helpful to me!

as a new woodworker working with reclaimed pallet wood, this is very helpful. I was under the impression that a planer would do the same thing as the joiner. I tried squaring off the sides of some boards, but apparently I followed the bow of them. I managed to use another trick from stubby nubs to help square them off better. Now waiting for my planer to arrive so I can get some consistency there.

Coplanarity coercion of compatible woods for cohesive copulation to a single board.

WOW! I am rebuilding a house and learning as I go. I watch a lot of wood working videos to learn all I can. I have even decided to build a wood shop in my backyard after my house is done. I have to say that this was the best video I have seen. Super informative, thank you.

these videos get millions of views, because people have an internal need to make and build stuff, instead of screwing off all day on facebook

Holy crap. I have been waisting wood due to excessive pressure for many years now. Things video is gold for me. Thank you this information.

"Hey wife . . . I was just watching this youtube video and it looks like I'm gonna need to buy another tool. It'll probably cost about a month's worth of income, but it will make nice smooth boards. Just saying." "Hey hubbie . . . yer gonna have to deal with crooked projects. Just saying."

This is a really excellent tutorial video. After many years of woodworking, a whole bunch of my lingering questions have been answered. Matt really knows his stuff and presents the information in a really direct, informal manner. Excellent, excellent!

The same “level” perhaps? Because you’re a craftsman you like precision

This is the best, the clearest, and most straightforward answer to jointer vs planer with clear demonstrations I have seen. Thank you! Demystified...

A lot of great information on joiners Matt!

Hey. Great vid. I was trying to find out what a jointer is FOR, and you did an excellent job of explaining it. Thanks.

Co planarity... Lol. Parallel my friend. Parallel

This was by FAR, the best video explanation I have seen. Very well done!

Great as always!

EXCELLENT UPLOAD, ITS AMAZING TO THINK HOW MANY WEEKEND JOINERS, CARPENTERS AND FURNITURE MAKERS THERE ARE AND MOST DONT KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THE DIFFERENCE IS BETWEEN THE JOINTER AND PLANER.

Hey Matthew Cremona Love the vids and your work, dont have a jointer myself but looking into handtools. Just wanted to help out your definition at 4:00 about "Coplanar" (meaning in the exact same plane). I believe the 2 tables of a jointer are parallel but not coplanar. the difference is the few mm for blade (cutting) depth. Does that make sense? or am i off on how jointers work? Thanks for sharing so generously and love how you generous and humble you are. Thanks again!

Dude. That was awesome. I almost bought a planer today for 400. I didn't know the difference and you explained it perfect. Thankyou for the video and info. Very helpful and appreciated.

4:12 planes are parallel, but not coplanar. There are not two planes, if they are coplanar.

Thank you for the video!! Wish I would have found this sooner, I've been debating for a few months now on what to get first, planer or joiner! Just starting my woodworking career off, but on a limited budget so this helps not only to explain things but to give me direction. Thank you!!!

The guy who gave you the thumbs down thinks you jointer is too small. Lol great vid

One thing I didn't really think about initially after working with rough cut lumber is it doesn't take too long to change shape after you plane and joint. You want to use it rather soon afterwards

I Care!

Matthew, there is another jointer. It's a simple edge with a saw that will cut into the board. You set the boards together and press so the saw cuts into the edge of the board to place a wafer into then you make sure that you have the cut from the sawblade in both boards in the same way. Place glue in the holes and stick the wafer or biscuit in the hole. Then glue the other board the same way and press it into the other board to bring a marriage to the boards so they become one.

I don't think they're the same plane, just on parallel planes, right?

I bought a Rigid jointer in 2002. I'm sure glad I did. Making 9 Craftsman pieces of furniture taught me the value of my jointer. Mathematics is the essence of flattening a board. Trying to explain mathematical perspectives to non-mathematical people is like talking to a wall. In my shop the planner/jointer is also the 1st stop for all furniture woods.

When did Demetri Martin get his own woodworking show?

Thanks for explaining this so a newbie like me can understand it.

+BAdBrAd I bought it new from Grizzly

The tip about how not to use the jointer like a planer and press hard through the cut was most valuable to me. Definitely improved my understanding of this tool.

They're not in the same plane. They're parallel.

I went through a similar thing with my mitre saw yesterday. Wasn’t cutting square or at 90*, I hadn’t noticed until I was using oak. A few minutes of adjusting made all the difference to the work and the enjoyment.😊👍🏻 Do you ever go back to hand planing your timber, there is even more enjoyment doing that then with a power tool. I’m new to your channel so if you have posted a video like that I haven’t seen it yet.

Just bought a table saw and realized the wood wasn't perfectly straight after cutting. The wife is not going to go for a jointer and planar. sigh...

I have been watching woodworking videos for about two years now. This is the first time I’ve ever seen one of your videos. You really need to step up advertising or something. So far your videos are very helpful and amazing I wish I would’ve found you two years ago.

Why demonstrate when ten thousand words will do.

Matt, Best video I saw on the jointer and your explanations of the difference between thickness planer and jointer were very clear and informative, even for a novice. I bought a thickness planer recently and now am sold on the urgency to get a jointer as well for the new shop.

I like how you show the results of doing it wrong before showing us how to do it right. Thumbs up

Also very important is noting (if it isn't obvious) that you ALWAYS put any bow up (as you did) when running a timber through a jointer to avoid the possibility of the piece rocking and undoing any flattening that you have achieved.

Loved hearing you describe a jointer in terms of being in plane, which is why we call a jointer a planer in the UK, you also said the planer gets material to a thickness which is why we call it a thicknesser :)

Great video and well explained. I think increasingly though hobbyists are choosing to use MFC, Plywood or MDF to build furniture. None of those materials require a jointer or planer. Many of the Ikea hacks posted on the Internet were done with nothing more than a drill and a circular saw. Working with solid hardwoods is great. But in many countries it is very expensive to buy.

My gawd you're a fantastic teacher.

Excellent video. I learned this in Jr. High shop class, but fewer and fewer woodworkers have had that luxury now. What I did learn is three different techniques to get by without one.

after watching numerous videos on the topic, yours was the only one that made any sense to me! great job with all the do's and don'ts and the footage inside the planer!

Your video is a perfect explanation and demonstration about a jointer. I've got all my questions about a jointer answered now. Thanks a lot!

Awesome, I've been watching woodworking videos for months and this is the first time that I fully understand the workings and purpose of a jointer, thank you!

Good clarity on what a Jointer & Planer were designed to perform on the board.Thank You!