Home > Techniques, Tools and Schools > Dimensioning without a Jointer

Dimensioning without a Jointer

Since moving a couple of years ago I never took the time to reassemble my jointer, perhaps not having the space, but in reality I have not needed it. For the last year I have reached for my Stanley #7 and flattened one side and then used my planer to finish the opposite side.

This month however I tried something totally different that I know several of you have done for wider boards. I built a Planer sled out of 3/4 plywood and a piece of scrap that was about 48” long and 11” wide. The lower board is made out of two pieces of plywood glued together to make it as rigid as possible. The smaller I assembled to handle shorter pieces.

Next I cut several wedges and placed the board I wanted to Joint on the sled and used the wedges to level it. Next I send it through the planer to flatten one side, then flip it over and now I have both sides flat and parallel. Works like a charm!

  1. James Merritt
    January 5, 2022 at 8:50 pm

    I do something similar but I use hot glue under the board to hold it steady. Check out http://www.jpthien.com/ps.htm

  2. Joe
    January 6, 2022 at 10:16 am

    I don’t have a jointer or planar at the moment. Thicknessing by hand is harder work than I’d care for. My first approach is going to be getting a bandsaw. I could see my next step being exactly what you are doing with the sled. Do you hot glue the wood in place on the first pass in addition to the wedges? Just curious how hard/firm you need to have the wedges stay in place.

    • January 6, 2022 at 10:25 am

      Depends on what I’m planing. If a wedge or two works and it’s stable I go for it. If it’s not as stable I hot glue. I think hot glue and wedges are the better way until you get a sense of what to do. BTW I had a planer long before a bandsaw, I don’t mind sawing by hand or planing in most cases but I don’t have time to plane more than I have to.

  1. October 8, 2022 at 12:10 pm

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