Jointers

Jointers flatten one face and square an adjoining edge — the first step in turning rough, cupped, or twisted lumber into flat, straight stock. Before a board can be glued, ripped true, or planed to thickness, it needs one reference face and one square edge, and that's exactly what a jointer delivers. Pair it with a planer and you can dimension any rough board into flat, square, four-sided stock.

Sizing a Jointer

Bed width and length drive both the boards you can flatten and how accurately you can do it. Longer beds support longer stock for a truer face.

• Cutterhead width: The widest board face you can flatten in one pass.
• Bed length: Longer infeed and outfeed tables flatten long boards more accurately.
• Fence: A solid, square-locking fence sets reliable 90-degree edges.

Straight vs. Helical Cutterheads

Straight-knife heads are proven and economical; helical heads with carbide inserts run quieter and cut figured grain with less tearout.

• Straight knives: Lower cost and a clean cut in straight-grained stock.
• Helical and spiral: Rotatable carbide inserts, less tearout, and quieter operation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a jointer if I already have a planer?

Yes — a planer makes faces parallel but won't remove cup or twist. The jointer creates the flat reference face a planer needs to work from.

What jointer width should I buy?

Match cutterhead width to the boards you flatten most; wider beds cost more but handle broader stock without a second pass.

Can I flatten wide boards on a narrow jointer?

You can face-joint boards wider than the bed with extra technique, but a wider jointer makes it far simpler and more accurate.

Every jointer ships free to the lower 48 and is backed by our price match guarantee. Call or text 331-272-5655 and we'll help you match cutterhead width, bed length, and power to the stock you dimension.