Hey everyone, I need some advice on jointing a couple of wide boards. I have two 9-inch wide boards that are about 6 feet long, but my jointer only has an 8-inch width. I know it's not safe to operate without a blade guard, but I'm curious about the actual risk if I remove it while working on these boards. If I'm super careful, is it feasible to take off the guard, joint both boards, and then put the guard back on? Or is that just inviting disaster? By the way, I'm using a spiral cutter head, which might make a difference.
3 Answers
You can definitely do it, but just be mindful. The boards will cover the cutter head while you're jointing, so it’s reasonably safe as long as you maintain control over the material while it's on the jointer.
You get the risks involved, so that’s on you. Just keep in mind that taking off the guard does come with its dangers.
It shouldn’t be too risky as the board will cover the blade, making the guard less effective during the jointing. Just remember, you can only make one pass, so make sure it’s a deep enough one to get the job done!