[mrlabradog]

Hi, I'm relatively new here, but have logged on from time to time just to lurk and learn.
My question is this: I plan to build some lap steels from a piece of 7" - 8/4 mahogany and want to use the main board as the body and neck, but glue wings onto it in order to make it a bit wider and to allow me to cut it into more of a guitar shape. Do I need to joint the pieces before gluing up or will my table saw give me a clean enough cut to do this? Should I run the grain all the same direction, or reverse it from the body?
As you can see, I know nothing, but I want to learn and certainly appreciate any help or advice.

[bclark6716]

To get a tight glue joint, you will need to use a jointer on your wood. There are saw blade manufactures that claim to give a cut siutable for jointing, but i have not had any sucess. Just take the time to make a good joint and you will be happier with the result.

Brian

[mrlabradog]

I figured as much, but just wanted to hear it from someone else. I'm trying to justify buying a jointer. What's out there in the "under a grand" category that is worth owning? I'd like to find a really nice used one, but I'm not sure I'd recognize whether it was in good shape or not. Any suggestions?

[luthier]

Some better quality table saws with high quality blades will provide you with a good surface to join together, at least that is what I've read about in some wood mags. Personally I've never seen a saw cut good enough to do it to obtain a really nice joint.
I recommend a jointer as well. When jointing, you want to run the board over the cutters so that the grain is running down hill toward the infeed table. If the grain is running uphill, you end up with tear out.
Marty

[luthier]

and sometimes no matter how you look at the board, you can't avoid a bit of tear out. Joint slowly and keep your fingers away from the knives. I think the jointer is responsible for a majority of wood shop injuries.
Marty

[luthier]

If you are new to all this, make sure you use a push block and push stick, and eyewear. If you have a woodworking dealer nearby, maybe you could get some one on one instructions.
Marty

[LexLuthier]

If you have a CNC with a vac table, you can use it to joint the glue surfaces.
Just suck the boards down and machine the glue surface with a sharp end mill. This works great and you don't need another piece of manual equipment.

[mrlabradog]

Well, I'm not entirely new to working with wood, but most of the stuff I've did up until now consisted of "home remodeling" type work. Just basic carpentry skills, I guess.
I've got a decent table saw, but after some experimental cuts to test the quality of the surfaces and the glue joints I could expect to get, I wasn't completely satisfied.
I've got the "go ahead" from the wife for a jointer at this point, convinced her it was the perfect Fathers Day present, now I just need to decide on one.
Alan

[mrlabradog]

I thought a CNC machine would be way out of the price range of a hobbyist like me? Even if I could justify the price, could I ever learn to program it?
Alan

[Mcgyver]

I'm trying to justify buying a jointer. What's out there in the "under a grand" category that is worth owning? ?

lots!

http://www.garrettwade.com/shopping/...oductID=102816

unless this is production, tough to justify a jointer for cleaning up a few edges for gluing. once upon a time all wood working was done with hand tools; it is neither black magic or that difficult once you make you mind up to do it. edge planing straight and square is a basic skill - but in fairness, to succeed you'll need a good woodworking vice and knowledge of how to put a proper edge on the plane blade. as for a buying a jointer, you could get some good used stuff for a grand, depends how heavy duty you want to go....imo the more you tend toward industrial tools the less disappointed you'll be.

[bclark6716]

you can get a good jointer for around $500.00. Go to Grizzly.com, rockler.com, or woodcraft.com.

Brian

[ger21]

In his first post he talked about 7" wide boards. Grizzly is having a sale on 8" jointers. $750 delivered. Good 8" jointers are quite expensive.

http://www.grizzly.com/products/G0586

[low_48]

If you just want to edge joint look at this rig.
http://www.rbiwoodtools.com/buyjointability.html
It was invented here in Central IL and then sold to rbi. It would not be that difficult to build one of these yourself. It works on the principle that you machine one board and side a of the fixture and the other board on side b. Even if the guide of the fixture has a bow, each cut compliments the other and you get a perfect joint.

[mrlabradog]

How do the Grizzly's compare to Delta or Jet, quality wise?

[luthier]

I think many people would agree that Jet and Delta are a notch above grizzly in quality. I have a bunch of Jet and Delta stuff at work. I ordered grizzly belt sanders and they wouldn't sand anything flat. I've heard of people taking their grizzly stuff apart and doing filing and adjusting to make them work correctly. You shouldn't have to do that in my opinion. You get what you pay for is true with tools and machines.

[ger21]

How do the Grizzly's compare to Delta or Jet, quality wise?

It get's pretty good reviews at amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/cus...ustomerReviews

All my tools are Delta, and a Jet 6" jointer. When I upgrade to an 8" jointer someday, I'll seriously consider the Grizzly. But I've never seen a Grizzly tool in person.

[mrlabradog]

I've never owned a Grizzly product, but they do seem to get sub-par reviews in woodworking magazines. I have several Delta tools and a Jet band saw that have always seemed to perform flawlessly, but was curious as to what other's opinions were. I have heard some disparaging remarks on some of the newer Delta stuff that is made offshore. I'll probably go the used route if possible.
Alan

[low_48]

All Delta has been made off shore for years now. It comes from the same factory that makes Jet and Grizzly. At the big IWF show in Atlanta last year I asked a Powermatic sales guy why I wanted to pay $600 more for an industrial sander from them compared to a Grizzly. He told me they pay for the premium castings and have the better quality control. I looked at both closely and bought the Grizzly. I had to fasten a linkage back on that had come loose in shipping, but that was all. Works great. I also have 2 Grizzly dust collectors, a Grizzly thickness sander, and that big oscillating belt sander. I think they have great customer service and would not hesitate buying from them time and time again. When Delta shut down the Tupelo Mississippi plant I lost all loyalty to them. They had also been making their jointers in Brazil (Invicta machinery)for years before that. You might also look at the General line from Canada. They also get some really good reviews in the magazines. Watch out for those magazine reviews!! The tool companies really treat those guys nicely. If not free tools, big advertising contracts are in jepordy with a bad review. I worked at a magazine for 3 years, I know. Look for someone else that has the tool you are looking at for a better review.

[ZipSnipe]

Don,t forget to check your local http://www.bargaintraderonline.com/adsearch.html
Search For Bargains
look up your state, then catagory" for the home/tools"
I love my jointer it makes wood nice and straight however like someone else said it is scary not a tool to be not paying attention while operating.

[jabguit]

I think many people would agree that Jet and Delta are a notch above grizzly in quality. I have a bunch of Jet and Delta stuff at work. I ordered grizzly belt sanders and they wouldn't sand anything flat. I've heard of people taking their grizzly stuff apart and doing filing and adjusting to make them work correctly. You shouldn't have to do that in my opinion. You get what you pay for is true with tools and machines.

Grizzly has come a long way in the past decade. Their stuff is as good or better than Delta and in some cases Jet. These machines are all made with parts cast in the same factories in China or Taiwan. What it comes down to in differences are the motors and controls and customer service, and whether or not you like Grizzly's colors! Grizzly is at the top when it comes to customer service, from my experiences.