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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteA woodworking jointer flattens one face of a board or straightens an edge. It does not make both faces parallel: for uniform thickness, use the flattened face as a reference in a thickness planer. A jointer can be useful when a project requires accurately prepared solid lumber, but whether a powered machine belongs in a home shop depends on the stock, available space, and amount of work.
What a jointer does
A jointer removes high spots from a board to create a flat face, or trims an edge straight and square to a face. Those surfaces provide reliable references for later milling and assembly. The Oregon State University Jointer Training explains the machine’s purpose and basic operation.
A jointer is not a thickness planer. Joint one face first, then place that reference face against the planer bed; the planer can make the opposite face parallel and bring the board to a consistent thickness. Running a warped board through a thickness planer without first establishing a flat reference face can leave the original warp in place. Fine Woodworking describes this jointer-to-planer workflow in How to Master the Jointer.
How the machine works
The main parts
- Infeed table: The lower table where the board starts. Its height relative to the cutterhead determines the cut depth.
- Cutterhead and knives: The rotating assembly removes material as the board passes over it.
- Outfeed table: The receiving table supports the newly cut surface. The knives must be set to the correct height relative to it.
- Fence: Guides the board and helps keep an edge square to a face.
- Cutter guard: Covers the exposed cutterhead area when the workpiece is not passing over it.
Woodcraft’s How Does a Jointer Work? describes the knife-to-table relationship: at top dead center, the knives should be level with the outfeed table. Setup and adjustment procedures vary by machine, so follow its manual rather than treating that description as a substitute for model-specific instructions.
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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
What happens during a pass
The board rests on the infeed table and moves across the rotating cutterhead onto the outfeed table, with the fence guiding it. Material is removed from the underside as the board passes the knives. The outfeed table supports the newly cut surface, so alignment matters: incorrect setup can prevent the machine from producing the intended flat face or straight edge.
When a jointer is useful—and when it may not be
A jointer is useful when you need to flatten rough or warped lumber, straighten an edge, or prepare a reliable reference surface for further milling. For construction or woodworking projects using already-flat, dimensioned material, it may not add enough value to justify its shop space and setup. It also does not replace a thickness planer when the goal is two parallel faces at a consistent thickness.
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.)
Before choosing equipment, consider the width of stock you handle, typical board length and bed length, footprint and storage, fence stability and adjustment, cutterhead and knife setup, dust collection, and whether powered throughput matters. A jointer-planer combination is another possible route where space is tight, but its configuration and capabilities are machine-specific. Manual stock preparation with a jointer hand plane is an option for some projects; it trades powered speed for hand work.
How to use a jointer more safely
A jointer’s cutterhead can cause severe injury. The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety advises: “Read the owner’s manual carefully.” Its Woodworking Machines – Jointers and Planers fact sheet was last revised July 2, 2019, and confirmed current March 10, 2025.
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.
- Read the manual and inspect the setup. Check knife condition and adjustment, and secure the fence and guard as directed for your machine. Set the cut depth and minimum stock size according to that manual.
- Choose sound stock. Do not process material with loose knots, splits, defects, or foreign objects that could catch or be thrown.
- Use suitable push blocks. Use double-handed hold-down push blocks to control the board while keeping hands away from the cutterhead. Keep the cutter guard in place; do not pass hands near or over the cutters. The Delta Jointer Manual hosted by Boston University warns, “NEVER PASS HANDS DIRECTLY OVER THE CUTTERHEAD,” and says, “ALWAYS USE CUTTERHEAD GUARD, PUSH BLOCKS, AND KEEP HANDS AWAY FROM CUTTERHEAD.” See the Delta Jointer Manual.
- Keep each cut within guidance. CCOHS recommends not removing more than 0.3 cm (1/16 inch) in one pass. Treat this as CCOHS guidance, not a universal machine limit; consult your jointer’s manual for its cut-depth and minimum-stock requirements.
- Plan support for long boards. Provide stable support so the stock stays controlled through the cut. For the machine covered by its manual, Powermatic specifies an assistant or support table for stock longer than twice the combined infeed and outfeed table length. That threshold is model-manual guidance, not a rule for every jointer; see the Powermatic Operating Instructions and Parts Manual.
- Manage dust safely. Use appropriate dust collection and follow the machine’s procedures. CCOHS advises against removing dust by hand or with compressed air.
Shop planning and equipment choices
If a jointer fits your work, compare machines by the stock width they accept, bed length, footprint, fence adjustment and stability, cutterhead and knife setup, and dust-collection needs. Match capacity to the lumber you actually prepare rather than assuming a larger machine is automatically the better choice. A woodworking jointer, a jointer-planer combination, or double-handed jointer push blocks address different needs; no single option is necessary for every shop.
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.)
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