Hey everyone! I've got a bit of a beginner's question here. I'm contemplating getting a jointer plane, but I'm curious—couldn't most types of planes be utilized as a jointer? I understand that many of them might not have a long enough body or sole, but they all have flat surfaces and blades. I feel like I might be missing something important, so I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts! Thanks!
1 Answer
Great question! In theory, you can use any plane for jointing, but there are some key differences. For example, a longer sole gives you a better reference to ensure flatness. If your plane is too short, like a #4, it'll just follow the dips and bumps instead of correcting them. For jointing longer boards, a plane like a #7 or #8 is really helpful because it can handle those longer lengths without as much fuss. Just something to keep in mind!
That's interesting! How do you decide when a board is "really long"?