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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchFor an ordinarily bowed board, put its concave edge down on the jointer table, keep the stock controlled against the fence, and take measured passes until you have a straight reference edge. If the bow is severe, shorten the board where practical or rough-cut close to a marked straight line before jointing. A jointer makes one edge straight; it does not automatically make the opposite edge parallel.
Choose a method before you switch on the jointer
Check the bow, the board’s useful finished dimensions, and your jointer’s capacity and manual. The appropriate route depends on whether the stock can be shortened, whether it is within the machine’s safe limits, and how much material you can afford to remove.
| Situation | Reasonable route | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Moderate bow and stock within the jointer’s limits | Concave edge down; take controlled passes. | Direct, but the board must stay supported against the fence and table. Shop Fox jointer manual |
| Severe bow on usable long stock | Progressive passes from each end toward the center, followed by full-length passes. | Can preserve length, but requires careful setup and has method-specific length limits. WOOD Magazine WOOD Magazine |
| Board can be shortened | Crosscut into shorter useful sections, then joint each section. | Shorter pieces may have less bow and can be easier to machine. WOOD Magazine |
| Stock is too long or too bowed for staged jointing | Mark a straight line and rough-cut near it with a circular saw or jigsaw, then joint. | Removes more material and calls for accurate layout. WOOD Magazine |
| Stock is short, thin, or narrow | Consider hand-planing instead of feeding it through a power jointer. | Slower, but avoids putting unsuitable stock through a cutter head. Hand-planing guidance |
Set up and check the board
- Inspect for bow, cup, twist, loose knots, and other defects; decide which edge preserves the most useful material. In some cases, the convex edge may be the better edge to retain, so layout and rough-cutting may take priority over the usual concave-edge-down approach. WOOD Magazine
- For quite bowed or cupped stock, cut to the smallest useful size while retaining enough machining allowance. This can conserve width and thickness. BCcampus
- Check that the fence is secure and square as required for the job, and that the outfeed table aligns correctly with the knives. Incorrect outfeed height can cause tapering, snipe, or a sudden drop into the cutter head. BCcampus
- Use the guards and push blocks specified by the jointer’s manual. Keep hands clear of the cutter head, maintain a stable stance, and keep the board supported against the fence and table. OSHA CCOHS Shop Fox jointer manual
Joint a moderately bowed edge
- Place the board with its concave edge down. The Shop Fox manual says stock must be edge-jointed on its concave side. Shop Fox jointer manual
- Hold the board securely against the fence and table, using push blocks and the machine’s guards. Feed it in a controlled manner; do not rush or force it through.
- Take shallow passes, checking progress between passes. CCOHS advises against cuts deeper than 1/16 inch in one pass; follow the particular machine manual if it specifies a stricter limit. CCOHS
- Continue until the edge is straight enough to serve as a reference. Check it with a straightedge rather than assuming a single pass has removed the bow.
Feed direction also affects surface quality. WOOD Magazine recommends reading the grain and feeding so it runs downhill away from the cutter head to reduce tearout. It describes a 1/32-inch finishing pass and slowing the feed if grain direction is irregular. These are recommendations for its described technique, not universal machine settings; follow your jointer manual. WOOD Magazine
Handle a severe bow without removing unnecessary stock
Shorten the board when practical
WOOD Magazine uses about 1/2 inch of bow as a point to consider shortening stock or using a more involved method. Shorter sections may have less bow and preserve more usable material. Its example of a board with 3/4 inch of bow is to make three pieces, each with about 1/4 inch of bow. These are examples from that article, not universal cut-off rules. WOOD Magazine
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#1 Best Overall
- Spiral cutterhead system utilizes 12 staggered HSS blades for an ultra fine finish
- Features a spacious 30-by-6-inch table
- Remove 0 to 1/8 of an inch of material with each pass
- Adjustable 19-3/4 by 4-1/4-inch fence bevels up to 45 degrees
Use progressive passes on long stock within the method’s limits
For long stock that remains bowed, WOOD Magazine describes a staged approach: begin with a 1/16-inch cut, repeatedly joint one end so the straightened section advances toward the center, then repeat from the other end until the cuts nearly meet. Once the overall bow is reduced to less than 1/8 inch, make one or two full-length passes. Its article cautions against this method on boards longer than 6 feet with a 6-inch jointer or 8 feet with an 8-inch jointer. Treat these as limits for that method, not permission to exceed your machine’s capacity. WOOD Magazine WOOD Magazine
Rough-cut when the board is beyond the method’s reach
If the stock is too long for staged jointing, or is short but still bowed by 1/2 inch or more, mark a straight line with a straightedge or chalk line and rough-cut near it with a portable circular saw or jigsaw. Leave enough material to joint the edge smooth. Then use the jointer for controlled finishing passes. WOOD Magazine
Rank #2
- Spiral Cutterhead - Cutterhead with 6 rows that holds staggered tungsten carbide inserts for a smooth finish. The design of the cutterhead along with the use of in-house made inserts make cuts with the lowest amp draw compared to others.
- Two-sided Inserts - Two-sided inserts sit in perfect alignment to the spiral cutterhead. Non-cutting edge designed to prevent insert from skewing while planing. The precision is superior to 4-sided inserts.
- Powerful 12-amp Motor - 20% boost! Large 12 amp motor, the most powerful compared to other benchtop jointers on the market. Highly effective in making aggressive cuts.
- Adjustable Large 24" x 6" Cast Iron Fence - Features quick stops at 90° and 135° for versatile cutting angles.
- Taller (8½") Fence Enhancement Brackets - Taller Fence Enhancement Brackets Designed For Cast Iron Fence For Increased Stabilization. (Patented in Taiwan.)
Safety limits and common problems
- Do not joint undersized stock. CCOHS lists minimum dimensions for edge jointing of 12 inches long, 3/4 inch wide, and 1/4 inch thick. Check the machine manual for its limits, which may be more restrictive. CCOHS
- Keep hands away from the cutter head. The Shop Fox manual says to keep hands at least 4 inches from it and move hands over it rather than across it. Use the guards and push blocks required by the machine. Shop Fox jointer manual
- Avoid loose clothing and jewelry. CCOHS warns that they can catch in moving parts. CCOHS
- Investigate tapering, snipe, or abrupt movement. Check outfeed-table alignment and feed control; a misaligned table can cause these problems, while fast or uncontrolled feeding can increase machine marks and the risk of kickback or loss of control. BCcampus
- Stop if the board cannot be controlled. Do not try to overcome excessive bow, inadequate support, or unsafe dimensions with a deeper cut or faster feed. OSHA describes cutter-head contact and kickback as serious jointer hazards; use effective guarding and safe work practices. OSHA
Make the opposite edge parallel
After jointing, you have one straight reference edge, not two parallel edges. Use that reference against a table-saw fence or another suitable sizing method to straighten the opposite edge parallel to it. The Shop Fox manual identifies the convex edge as the one that can then be straightened on a table saw. Shop Fox jointer manual
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Variable speed: range of 6,000 to 11,000 RPM allows the user to select the right speed for the size and hardness of material
- Easy replacement and knife adjustments: two-knife cutter head with Jackscrew knife leveling arrangement allows for easy replacement and adjustment of knives
- Accurate cutting: center-mounted fence gives needed support throughout the cut for accurate edge jointing
- Hard and soft woods: heavy duty 10 Amp motor provides power for hard and soft woods
- Support and accuracy: 4-1/4-in center mounted fence for support and accuracy
Rank #4
- Spiral Cutterhead - Cutterhead with 6 rows that holds staggered tungsten carbide inserts for a smooth finish. The design of the cutterhead along with the use of in-house made inserts make cuts with the lowest amp draw compared to others.
- Two-sided Inserts - Two-sided inserts sit in perfect alignment to the spiral cutterhead. Non-cutting edge designed to prevent insert from skewing while planing. The precision is superior to 4-sided inserts.
- Powerful 12-amp Motor - 20% boost! Large 12 amp motor, the most powerful compared to other benchtop jointers on the market. Highly effective in making aggressive cuts.
- Adjustable 24" long aluminum Fence - Features quick stops at 90° and 135° for versatile cutting angles.
- Fence Enhancement Brackets - Fence enhancement brackets stabilize both ends of the fence for a flawless cut. (Patented in Taiwan.)
Rank #3
- Spiral Cutterhead - Cutterhead with 6 rows that holds staggered tungsten carbide inserts for a smooth finish. The design of the cutterhead along with the use of in-house made inserts make cuts with the lowest amp draw compared to others.
- Two-sided Inserts - Two-sided inserts sit in perfect alignment to the spiral cutterhead. Non-cutting edge designed to prevent insert from skewing while planing. The precision is superior to 4-sided inserts.
- Adjustable 24" long aluminum Fence - Features quick stops at 90° and 135° for versatile cutting angles.
- Fence Enhancement Brackets - Fence enhancement brackets stabilize both ends of the fence for a flawless cut. (Patented in Taiwan.)
- Elevation Control - Say goodbye to table inconsistencies with the additional guide post. Parallel tables translate to straight cuts at any different depth.
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