The basic starting point in order to flatten and then square your woodpieces , is the power jointer and if you do the job with care , you’ll get a perfect flatten and square face and edge of your board .
The flattening and squareness is a column woodworking process , in order to create perfect and correct wood plans .
Check the entire post for the power jointer and more info , in HERE .
Yes , you can do the job with hand tools , but it’s way more easy with a power jointer , a thicknes planer and finally with a table saw for dimensioning .
I’ll give you some power jointer suggestions , having in mind the machines i’ve used in several workshops of my carpenter friends and have experience . Mostly small ( 6″ & 8″ ) ones .
As you may imagine it’s impossible to know all the power machines outhere .
The WEN 10-Amp 6-Inch Spiral Benchtop Jointer .
This 6″ jointer is a very fine beginning for all woodworkers , because even if it isn’t a fully portable one , it can be . It isn’t very heavy( 36 pounds) and you can move it very easily with a little help .
It has a 12 HSS cutting heads i its spiral head for smooth cuts and it has the “correct” power for smooth cutting .
It’s cutting aluminum table is 30“x6” dimensions and you adjust the fence bevels up to 45o . If you also wax maybe this aluminum table you’ll be more scratch ready .
It’s very well built for its money , it’s in the 200$ – 300$ area and your squaring – flattening won’t have any theme .
I think it’s a “golden balance” between a hobbyist and a more advanced carpenter .
Make your final price checkings and buy it from Amazon in here .
The JET 6-Inch Benchtop Jointer, Helical Head, 1Ph 115V .
I cannot leave outside this JET jointer and even if it has a way higher price ( around to 1000$) , i remind you that this is a helical power jointer .
It isn’t a portable “forbitten” jointer even if it’s a benchtop one as the previous one . It’s in the same pound area of 70 pounds .
The quality is very good with heavy duty cast iron and the general metallurgy remind this constantly .
It has 14 carbide blades a fully adjustable fence and it’s designed to throw away the dust and chips while you’re working with it .
It’s a 1HP powered and it isn’t a noisy machine and the smoothing it makes to the wooden boards are very top . This is one of the helical head advantages .
It surely worths every penny and it’ll upgrade your wood crafts for sure .
Go to Amazon for final checkings and purchase it in here .
If you’re a more professional carpenter , you make more demanding projects and you want a jointer “beast” , this Powermatic 15″ , 502 pounds machine , with helical cutterhead and a very powerful motor of 3HP , is a truly “beast” .
It costs a little above the 4000$ and for a 15″ jointer the price is very good , if you imagine that most of the 12″ , cost between the 4000$ – 7000$ .
Of course all the top features are included : helical cutterhead , cast iron tables , extension tables , V – shaped belts for max ower , 2 – speed gearbox , heavy -duty construction , 3HP , et.c .
Take a big breath , make the big decision and go to Amazon to get it in here .
The complete list of the power jointers on Amazon are in here .
Keep woodworking and give perfect flatness and squareness to your precious wood .