Can I ?

[Lori Kleinberg]

Can I / should I joint the edge of more than 1 (1/2") wide board at the same time safely.
I am using a 6" jointer and have about 20 7" squares that I would like (need) to joint for boxes for gifts.

[Jesse Cloud]

Hey Lori,
I'm guessing that the boards are already face jointed and you are edge jointing to get a square corner....

In that case, it would probably be safe, but not very accurate.

Next thing, and you probably won't want to hear this... is that 1/2 stock isn't very stable and it probably won't stay square long. I would only mill as much as I planned to join in the next day or so. If you mill a big batch and leave it sitting in the shop, I suspect it will not be square for long - even in dry Tucson .

Good luck!
Jess

[glenn bradley]

Not sure I'm getting the question Lori. If you mean can you joint a surface wider than 1/2", definitely. I routinely joint 4 - 5" wide boards as part of my squaring efforts. If your asking; can you stack three or four 1/2" thick panels and joint them at the same time I would say . . . not safely. Even if I clamped three 1/2" by 4" x 24" boards together to run them through on edge simultaneously, I would expect poor results. Bear in mind that I really need to substitute the technocal aspect to make up for my natural lack of ability. Others more skilled may have different opinions.

[Alan DuBoff]

Can I / should I joint the edge of more than 1 (1/2") wide board at the same time safely.
I am using a 6" jointer and have about 20 7" squares that I would like (need) to joint for boxes for gifts.

I do it all the time with a hand plane (old Stanley No 8), it's VERY safe, AFAICT! The blade is only 2 5/8" wide though, so there is a limitation on the number of boards one does at the same time. Clamp 'em good so they don't move. I did 3 pine boards once as a test, but would probably tend to stick to 2. With 2 you have the advantage of getting a complimentary edge to glue up with each other.

I'm sure some do it on a power jointer, but I don't. The reason I don't is that too many things could distract me, like the boards sliding, or similar, that could cause me to loose concentration on what I want to focus on, the cutting edge and the wood, and keeping my hands away from there.

[Lori Kleinberg]

Thanks all. I will stick to one at a time. I was thinking maybe
I should move the fence in and out to even wear? It seems
I am alsways using just the back edge.

[Jeff Fritzson]

Lori,

it is great that you are asking but because you are asking if something is safe, you pretty much answered it yourself. Anytime I am working and I question the safety of what I am about to do, I rethink it and find another way. If I do proceed it is because I added safety to what I was doing. I guess that counts for "another way."

Trying to rush or expedite is one of the top reasons why people get hurt. I am not saying being efficient is wrong, just be safe out there.

Regards,
Jeff

[glenn bradley]

move the fence in and out to even wear? It seems
I am alsways using just the back edge.

I don't know if its logical but I do that. If nothing else it makes me feel like I'm sharing the wear on the knives.

[Corey Hallagan]

Thanks all. I will stick to one at a time. I was thinking maybe
I should move the fence in and out to even wear? It seems
I am alsways using just the back edge.

That would be a good idea as well Lori.

Corey

[Jim A. Smith]

7" long pieces? Be careful

[Per Swenson]

Can you?

Yes you can.

1/4 mdf for illustration purpose's.

Per

[Andy Hoyt]

When I have to edge join thin boards I'll often lean the fence over and run the boards through to get a wider mating glueable surface. Only works if the boards are very well secured to one another. And there's an orientation trick to this as well.

[Marion Rood]

I agree with Jim. 7" is shorter than what I would want to run on my power jointer.

[David Rose]

Lori,

Are these already cut to 7" long? If not, run the longer boards through first then cut them. A jointer really operates from contact with the outfeed table more than anything for it's accuracy. You would have little contact there before the cut was complete. I would expect a less than truly straight cut much of the time, if I did that. A bit of error in feeding would be exagerated.

David

Can I / should I joint the edge of more than 1 (1/2") wide board at the same time safely.
I am using a 6" jointer and have about 20 7" squares that I would like (need) to joint for boxes for gifts.

[Howie French]

I agree with 7" being a bit short. I never had a scare with my jointer until
the time I tried running a small piece through. WOW ! the kick-back
was very scary, I will never try that again.

Howie

[Mike Null]

Don't even think about it.

If you make a good template, square and to size you can safely use your router table and a pattern bit to do the planing.

But if I'm concerned about the safety of something with these tools then I just don't do it.