Replies

1. 
   Tao | Feb 21, 2005 08:18pm | #1

   Jointer is the machine you use for straightening lumber, called, I believe, an overhand planer in Britain.

   The term joiner usually refers to plate joiners or biscuit joiners.

   Michael R

    

2. 
   datachanel | Feb 21, 2005 08:51pm | #2

   Joiner can also be another term for cabinetmaker I believe.

   Datachanel

   Doing things the hard way

1. 
   alfie | Feb 22, 2005 12:26am | #3

   Some time back I was researching Jointers and made an interesting discovery. In Europe what we call a Jointer is called a Planer. This makes sense to me because the purpose of the tool is to turn the surface being worked on in to a plane (using the geometry definition of that term, with all due respect to LN). This is applicable whether it is an edge or a face of the board. Further, what we call a Planer is called a Thicknesser. This too makes sense to me because that is indeed what we achieve with the tool.

   I continue to call a Jointer a Jointer (I know which side of the Atlantic ocean I live) until some one convinces me differently, and every so often one or the other person does try. Meanwhile, glad you asked the question JohnT8, for I too would like to hear other folks' take on this.

3. 
   user-247493 | Feb 22, 2005 12:37am | #4

   I think a joiner uses a jointer to make joints by joining pieces of wood.  okay?

1. 
   joinerswork | Feb 22, 2005 01:02am | #5

   Jim,

   that's the way I do it.

   Ray

2. 
   AlanWS | Feb 22, 2005 01:03am | #6

   Are you saying that no joiner would be caught dead using a joiner?

1. 
   BArnold | Feb 22, 2005 02:39pm | #10

   "Are  you saying that no joiner would be caught dead using a joiner?"

   ...depends on the gender of the other joiner...

   :')

   Bill Arnold - Custom Woodcrafting Click Here if you're interested in a good,inexpensive website host.

   Food for Thought: The Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.

4. 
   billballeza | Feb 22, 2005 01:24am | #7

   When you hear people refer to a "joiner" they are talking about a jointer. 

   I have carpenter acquaintances (not necessarily woodworkers) who routinely make this error.

   I also know a couple of woodworkers who call a jointer a joiner.. and, interestingly enough, they don't have one, having come to the conclusion long ago (mistakenly in my opinion) that a planer is sufficient to make the faces of a board parallel to one another.

   Me? I've never been a joiner. But I was a bit of a "jointer" back in the '60s. ;)

1. 
   mudman | Feb 22, 2005 08:02am | #8

   You guys crack me up.

   Mike

   A former jointer, now a joiner.please excuse my spelling.

2. 
   joinerswork | Feb 22, 2005 05:06pm | #14

   bill,

   Here in Va, it's typical for folks to just leave the "t" out.  Joy'ner.  They know how it's spelled, just too ornery to say the "t".  Like taking your lumber to the "kil' " to get it dried. Then they lean it up "ag'in' " the wall.  Nex' ta tha chimbley.  Set  'n a cheer by tha far an' look at it.  Ain't it pearty?

   Cheers,

   Ray

1. 
   billballeza | Feb 22, 2005 11:56pm | #15

   'el I be.

2. 
   mvac | Feb 23, 2005 05:07am | #17

   Ray,

   I'm up in NOVA, in Vienna. Sounds like you're farther west or south, right?

   Let me know,Mitch

   "I'm always humbled by how much I DON'T know..."

1. 
   joinerswork | Feb 23, 2005 04:41pm | #18

   mvac,

   Vienna, huh?  Are you a member of the NOVA woodworker group that meets in the Woodcraft store?

   I'm ratcheer in the Shenandoah Valley, near Harrisonburg.  My brother used to live in Sterling, and I just made a del'y trip to Clifton. Gotta love that traffic!   You have my deepest sympathy. ;-)

   Regards,

   Ray

1. 
   mvac | Feb 23, 2005 07:20pm | #19

   Ray,

   Your sympathy is appreciated. Believe it or not, I actually tried to buy the Woodcraft franchise in Springfield last year. Went to WV to meet the franchisor and everything. But I was something like 4th in line, and after talking to many of the owners while doing my due diligence, I'm glad it didn't happen. That said, they know me down there, and that's always good from a service standpoint. But I'm not part of the Woodworkers Club. Too bad you're not up this way; I'd love to have a group of folks I could get together with to talk about WW, learn from each other, and just shoot the breeze. C'est la vie.

   Have fun in the Valley, you lucky dog,Mitch

   "I'm always humbled by how much I DON'T know..."

5. 
   RMillard | Feb 22, 2005 01:33pm | #9

   My understanding is that a jointer ( with a T) is a tool, whereas a joiner ( without the T) is person who does interior trim. This latter term has fallen out of use, although when I was in the union I believe it was called the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners. I associate it with the craftsman who did intricate interior trim such as wainscoting, doors, and built ins.
   Rob Millard

6. 
   sailalex | Feb 22, 2005 03:24pm | #11

   Boy, this thread has been enlightening!

1. 
   mvac | Feb 22, 2005 03:30pm | #12

   I say we all join together in a rousing rendition of "Kumbaya"...Mitch

   "I'm always humbled by how much I DON'T know..."

1. 
   sailalex | Feb 22, 2005 03:45pm | #13

   Kumbaya, my Lord, Kumbaya...........

1. 
   mvac | Feb 23, 2005 05:06am | #16

   "Kumbaya, my Lord, Kumbaya..........."

   Now all we need is the campfire and some marshmallows...Mitch

   "I'm always humbled by how much I DON'T know..."