Thread: Planer

They are 2 different machines, the Jet is a jointer - this will make wood flat and square an edge. The DeWalt is a thicknesser - this will take the wood that has been over the jointer and plane it to a desired size

If you put a bent or twisted board through the planer it will come out a uniform thickness but still bent or twisted. So the idea is to use the jointer to make one side flat. Having created a flat face you can then use the planer to bring the board to the required uniform thickness.

An alternative to using the jointer is to attach the board firmly, so it can't rock, to a flat sled before passing it through the planar. The sled acts as the required flat face.

I don't have a jointer because of the cost and space. For many renovation type jobs where I'm using milled timber it is flat enough as bought for my purposes. When I make furniture starting with rough sawn planks I fix the boards to a sled with hot melt glue. It is more awkward but given my rate of output it doesn't happen very often.

Thanks, guys!

And if you do want the thicknesser why not get the latest model the De Walt 735 and not the 734. I can attest that the 735 is a good thicknesser.

SB