Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
Wood tearout is one of the most frustrating problems when using a jointer, but it's usually not the machine's fault. A lot of times, it comes down to knowing how wood fibers interact with the cutterhead.
In this episode of Make Things Simplified, we’ll run through why jointer tearout happens and walk through three simple ways to reduce it. Using close-up footage, microscope views, animations, and real shop demonstrations, we'll take a look at how grain direction effects the cut, why lighter passes a lot of times make cleaner surfaces, and how improving the slicing action can make a REAL noticeable difference.
In this video we’ll talk about:
• Why grain direction is the biggest cause of jointer tearout
• How to quickly identify grain direction using the "rag trick"
• Why reversing a board often stops tearout• How lighter depth of cut settings can reduce damaged fibers
• Why sharp knives make cleaner cuts
• When feeding stock at an angle can improve the slicing action• Why a mist of water can sometimes help difficult grain• As well as safety options when skewing stock with the jointer
It doesn’t matter if you're using a benchtop jointer, cabinet jointer, straight knives, or a helical cutterhead, these techniques can help you get cleaner cuts with less sanding, scraping, and anoyance afterward.
The goal isn't just to give you a few tricks, but to help you understand why they work, so you can make better decisions whenever tearout shows up in your shop.
Did this work for you? Ways to help support his channel!
Buy me a beverage! → buymeacoffee.com/makethings ←
Become a patron! → patreon.com/makethings ←
Like step by step projects? Check out the second channel! → @makethingswithrob
Huge thank you to my patrons that keep this thing going!
*MAKER TEAM*
Michelle B
Keith Current
Rich Lightfoot
Tutor the Barbarian
Aubrey G.
Nukebert
Sam W.
Aaron Knows DIY
G. Salazar
David B.
Marc B.
Richard B.
Ben. K
Bill Patterson
D. Lundman
Make Things
#MakeThings
Wood tearout is one of the most frustrating problems when using a jointer, but it's usually not the machine's fault. A lot of times, it comes down to knowing how wood fibers interact with the cutterhead.
In this episode of Make Things Simplified, we’ll run through why jointer tearout happens and walk through three simple ways to reduce it. Using close-up footage, microscope views, animations, and real shop demonstrations, we'll take a look at how grain direction effects the cut, why lighter passes a lot of times make cleaner surfaces, and how improving the slicing action can make a REAL noticeable difference.
In this video we’ll talk about:
• Why grain direction is the biggest cause of jointer tearout
• How to quickly identify grain direction using the "rag trick"
• Why reversing a board often stops tearout• How lighter depth of cut settings can reduce damaged fibers
• Why sharp knives make cleaner cuts
• When feeding stock at an angle can improve the slicing action• Why a mist of water can sometimes help difficult grain• As well as safety options when skewing stock with the jointer
It doesn’t matter if you're using a benchtop jointer, cabinet jointer, straight knives, or a helical cutterhead, these techniques can help you get cleaner cuts with less sanding, scraping, and anoyance afterward.
The goal isn't just to give you a few tricks, but to help you understand why they work, so you can make better decisions whenever tearout shows up in your shop.
Did this work for you? Ways to help support his channel!
Buy me a beverage! → buymeacoffee.com/makethings ←
Become a patron! → patreon.com/makethings ←
Like step by step projects? Check out the second channel! → @makethingswithrob
Huge thank you to my patrons that keep this thing going!
*MAKER TEAM*
Michelle B
Keith Current
Rich Lightfoot
Tutor the Barbarian
Aubrey G.
Nukebert
Sam W.
Aaron Knows DIY
G. Salazar
David B.
Marc B.
Richard B.
Ben. K
Bill Patterson
D. Lundman
Make Things
#MakeThings
