Terminology confusion - planer, thicknesser, jointer

[LarryS.]

Hi,

Can someone give an idiots guide (aimed at me) which tells me the difference between :

a planer

a thicknesser

a jointer

Also as I am outiftting a new workshop do I need one, all or none of them (just at the start of a woodworking hobby) ?

cheers


paul

 

[Steve Maskery]

Depends where you are!

In the UK:
Get a board flat on a planer, then get it to thickness on a thicknesser.
Many of us have combo machines which flip from one mode to the other.

In the US
Get a board flat on a jointer, then get it to thickness on a planer.

The machines are the same, the names aren't.

This is a planer in the UK and a jointer in the US:

This is a thicknesser in the UK and a planer in the US:

This is a planer/ thicknesser in the UK and a jointer/planer in the US:

HTH
Steve

 

[LarryS.]

Ah !

That clears up some of the confusion, however....

I'm assuming a planer gets a board flat by shaving material off. If a thicknesser gets something to thickness by doing the same thing then how are they different (is it something to do with the side they plane or does a thicknesser do both sides ?)

also are they essential tools to have (i intend to make domestic things likes wardrobes, tables)

 

[Steve Maskery]

A thicknesser get a board to an even thickness, but it will not make it flat. If it is bowed, cupped or sprung before it goes in, it will still be bowed, cupped or sprung when it comes out. The planer gets one face flate first.

It's difficult (though not impossible if you have the right hand-tools and lots of time) to make furniture without both.

S

 

[LarryS.]

Steve,

Thanks for the info thats excellent,

does that mean that a planer shaves the underside of a plank and a thicknesser shaves the top (using a bottom base to press down against) ?

 

[tnimble]

Steve,

Thanks for the info thats excellent,

does that mean that a planer shaves the underside of a plank and a thicknesser shaves the top (using a bottom base to press down against) ?

You've got it!

 

[Steve Maskery]

Yes.

 

[Anonymous]

Also as I am outiftting a new workshop do I need one, all or none of them (just at the start of a woodworking hobby) ?

If you are just starting the hobby, then you don't need any of them.

Try making a few things and and see how you get on and buy tools as you find the need.

Most woodyards will plane and thickness boards for you for a small extra charge. Eventually, this will be too limiting, but in the early days (10 years for me), you don't need a planer/thicknessser/jointer - but they are useful :wink:

 

[Shultzy]

Hi Paul, I agree with Tony, you don't "need" a planer /thicknesser when starting woodwork. I have had woodwork a my main hobby for nearly 40 years and never owned one. My workshop was at the back of the garage and I only worked with sheet material and used par timber from the local timber yard. Only buy when you can justify the cost and you feel confident in using it. Having said that I've just purchased one as a retirement "present" as I hope to make some real furniture.

 

[Digit]

Hi Paul, I agree with Tony, you don't "need" a planer /thicknesser

True! But having spent a good part of my youth planing hardwoods by hand they ain't half handy! :lol:
I remember a few years ago one of the mags I used to buy had letter after letter in it with people arguing the pros and cons of 'true' wood work, ie. by hand, as against Norm's preference for an electric pencil.
I had no time for the debate. The old boys I worked with from school would have leapt at the chance of losing some of the slog!
It's supposed to be hobby, scrub planing out cupping, bowing etc isn't much fun!

 

[woodbloke]

Also as I am outiftting a new workshop do I need one, all or none of them (just at the start of a woodworking hobby) ?

If you are just starting the hobby, then you don't need any of them.

Try making a few things and and see how you get on and buy tools as you find the need.

Most woodyards will plane and thickness boards for you for a small extra charge. Eventually, this will be too limiting, but in the early days (10 years for me), you don't need a planer/thicknesser/jointer - but they are useful :wink:

Agree with Tony's and others comments...you don't actually need a P/ T but having one takes all the 'slog' out preparing material and enables you to concentrate on the more enjoyable aspects at the bench - Rob