Jointing with a Table Saw
You can joint with a Table Saw if you don’t have a jointer. Using only a straightedge and a table saw you can get a square flat edge on your lumber. I saw this on Instagram from April Wilkerson @wilker_dos. This works great. I don’t have a jointer or a jointing jig. Jointing with a table saw is not always perfect but it is much better than anything else I have tried so far. Since making this video I have found that I don’t need to use the tape at all when jointing lumber. I had a jointer on the top of my to-buy list for a long time. But after learning about this table saw tip, it is on the backburner. I still do not have a jointer because jointing lumber with a table saw like this works well for me for the things I am building. This is a great alternative to no jointer. Jointing jigs can be built to do similar things, but this works well too.
All you need is a 48″ level like this: https://amzn.to/2YHmPuR
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ive tried this a few times but my cuts come out ‘wobbly’ i only have a very small fence, i think maybe theres some movement in my table so i’m gonna try re-enforcing the table my tablesaw is attached to.
No doubt this is a good technique, but DUDE! You picked the worst camera angle you could have used! I can’t see a thing!
Good video! Thanks!
That looks nice
Freaking genius!!!
👍🏽
Genius
That tells me nothing except for how to make a hoard straight. How do I joint it?
This looks a lot easier than trying to make a jig like the other videos.
Love this! I kept saying “There HAS to be a way to joint these boards without a jointer or planer. Thanks so much for sharing, Matt.
OAN: Your personality is so reserved in these older videos & are a complete contrast (other than how nice you are) to your more recent videos & lives. So glad you kept making videos and became comfortable, which allowed us to see & get to know the amazing person you are & sharing Mrs. 731 with us. Thanks again! ❤️❤️❤️
I am in the middle of making a tabletop out of 2x6s. My boards are each 5 foot long. I was actually about to do what you suggested. The tape is a great idea that I didn’t think of. Glad to see that this using-a-level technique works, so thanks for the video.
I found another technique that also worked pretty well, so I’ll share that here. (Feel free to use this in another video, if it works for you, too).
What I did was to number all the boards to keep them sorted and to note which flat side is the top. I started with board 1 and ran through the outside edge, then flipped it facedown to run the second edge. Then, I ran through 1 & 2 together to take off the opposing edge of 2 (faces down). Then I flipped board 2 over to jointer its inside edge. I repeated this process for 2/3, 3/4, etc.
I may have gotten lucky that the outside edge of board 1 was straight. It seems, though, that once you get a single straight edge, then this technique guarantees that all the remaining edges will also be straight.
With your level technique to get the first edge square, the 2-board technique would be even better.
the issue for me is, my table saw is a cheap Ryobi, the blade is runout, wobbling. does not give clear cut.
SIMPLE. Great idea. Awesome!!!! Thanks!
Little confused, what’s the difference between using the level compared to using just the fence? Is it because the level is more precise?
What do you do if the board is longer than your straight edge? Thanks for the video.
I have a jointer. But this looks like a good first step prior to using the jointer – reduce stress on jointer blades
what kind of camera did you use on your first video
Thanks (very much) for this tip, Matt!!! I managed to make it slightly more complex by using double stick tape between my boaard and my level, but it worked really, really well. Wish I’d known about this years ago while stuggling to get straight cuts…….
Been watching your videos a long time and somehow missed this one. Came in really handy today. Thanks for all the tips!
Wish YouTube have more then like and dislike. This is a wow
Ok just to be clear I havnt had my coffee yet but, I’m having a hard time wrapping my head around this one. Wouldn’t running the board against the fence do the same thing? If your fence is as straight as a level is why would you need a level? Have you tried just cutting a board against the fence to see how straight it came out? Other than adding the width of a level I don’t see how this helps. Am I just off my rocker here? I don’t get it!?.:)
Smart idea 💡 just what a needed
All the videos of yours ive seen have been recent until this one. I have to say you have gotten so much better at filming, lol. In this one we couldn’t even see the saw blade, lrt alone what you were cutting! Nice idea but I have about 50 boards I’m joining to make shelves for a ladder shelf unit for my daughter. This would take too long. I’ll keep searching. Thanks.
Nice hack!!! Getting myself a level now!
I put screws in the ends to hold it instead of the tape. Worked great… Also tried another one I saw on your channel with the fence clamps…
WTF!!! I CANT BELIEVE IT’S THAT EASY!!!!!!!!! THANK YOU MATT!! YOU’RE MY NEW HERO!!!!!!!
You saved my day, thanks!
Good idea, thanks
Man I’ve never seen anyone push anything through a table saw that way. For me to control what I’m pushing through I have to be behind pushing away. If it works for you it’s OK with me.
thank you for this!
Mate, that’s genius! I’m on it. And I don’t give a monkeys if someone else posted it! I heard it here first! and you are THE MAN! With a firm handshake, and with greetings from the UK, to you and yours, from me and mine. Tom
What I’ve done for a bit more precise joints, is glue the joints after getting in the ballpark with a process similar to yours. Then cut right down where the joints are glued. You won’t be able to tell its 2 boards
Brilliant 👍
Great demo on the tip. I will be using your tip. Thank you.
Does this work on boards that have edges that stick out or more curved boards? Thank you for this video!
Why does this work?
I just seen this on a previous site, it is genius!! I never thought of using my level, this is much easier than making one of those table saw jigs but I will make one of those also and compare the results.
Great tip, I don’t have room left for a dedicated jointer so this really helped
How doesn’t the tape on the straight edge not affect a straight run against the fence?
Nice, Hail State!
the best yet…thanks !!
Perfect..i will try it
Great idea💡
I’ve tried it, worked really well even on dewalt’s 7485 50cm fence when jointing ~140cm boards 😀
Fantastic and so simple for the sides, what do you do for the ends?
Fantastic idea!!
Check out my table saw tips and tricks video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOq5S6tZWdA
Sorry I’m a little confused I’m new to this whole thing. Why are you using a level when your tablesaw has that flat edge on the right side already built-in
I was on the verge of buying all the hardware for a joining sled … no need now. I’ve just tried this and it worked fantastically. It’s almost laughably simple but hugely effective. Thanks for sharing it.
Just got a 72” level at harbor freight for $12.99