Max length for jointing on a 6" jointer

[jussi]

What do you think the maximum length you can joint on a 6" jointer and still get good results. I have a Ridgid and I think the bed on my is 55" long.

[sweensdv]

Without any extra infeed/outfeed tables for support I'd say 8'.

[SARGE..g-47]

You have approximately 2" of support on both sides of the cutter-head and I would go no more than 6' on a 6" jointer with no additional support if you are surface planing. Any thing over I would add a Ridgid flip-top stands carefully adjusted and added to each end for additional support. I have done 12' on a 6" before I upgraded to a 8" with 84" beds but over 10' I use two Ridgid flip-tops on each end. And you can probably get away with a few extra if just edge jointing.

I suggest you try a scrap board to see what you fell comfortable with and observe the results..

Good luck...

[LarryG]

One rule of thumb is 2x the length of the jointer's tables. Another is 2.5x to 3.0x that length, but I think that assumes additional support on both the infeed and outfeed side. Like Sarge I have done this but it's a handful.

If you have the same 6" Ridgid jointer that I own (and I only know of one, gray vs orange paint notwithstanding), the tables are more like 45" long, not 55". I have gotten satisfactory results jointing 8' boards, a length that roughly complies with the aformentioned 2x rule. Six- and seven-foot-long boards are a lot easier, though.

[jussi]

Thanks for the input guys. Larry you're probably right about the bed lenth. I thought it was 45 as well but it said 55 on the site. I need to joint some 2x4's to use as a level base to make my torsion box assembly table ala David Marks. I think he used an 8" jointer when he did his and was wondering if I could do the same with my smaller jointer.

[JR]

I think he used an 8" jointer when he did his and was wondering if I could do the same with my smaller jointer.

Have you seen that thing Marks has? It looks like the deck of an aircraft carrier!

I'm positive you'll be able to soldier on with your Ridgid. A number of of people here have made torsion boxes with similar tools to yours, so you'll be able to get plenty of help.

Good luck
JR

[Mr__Bill]

I need to joint some 2x4's to use as a level base to make my torsion box assembly table ala David Marks.

I jointed mine on the table saw. Screwed on a straight edge of plywood to follow the fence.

Theoretically, with enough passes, skill and patience there is no maximum length of what can be jointed on that 6" jointer. Reality is another matter.



Bill

[footprintsinconc]

i did 10' 2x4s on my ridgid jointer for the base on my work bench. i had added a support like sarge suggested.

[LCHIEN]

I would say about 8' is about what to be able to do successfully.

[jussi]

Have you seen that thing Marks has? It looks like the deck of an aircraft carrier!


JR

Yah I remember seeing that behemoth but I thought he had a smaller one as well. It's too bad the DIY network stopped showing his shows. As well as all the other ww shows.


Thanks for the help guys. I'll hopefully get started this weekend.

[LarryG]

David Marks has his 16" aircraft carrier, and a 6" model that is either the one Harbor Freight sells or a very very very close relative.

Actually, those are what he had during the WoodWorks years. A more recent video I saw from the Wood Whisperer indicated that DJM has added on to his shop and augmented his tooling since those days.