This machine, shown in Fig. 103, is also known as a jointer. It is used to cut the face or edge of a board to a plane surface, to chamfer corners, to gain, check, plow, match, etc. Board edges and parts of patterns are cut true in this machine to enable them to fit closely together for gluing. This machine does the work of a man with a hand plane, and is best adapted to small work which may be easily lifted and handled.

The machine consists essentially of a base, on which is mounted two flat tables B and C, one slightly higher than the other, a cutter head H, and a "fence" D which serves as a guide for the work.

Either table may be raised or lowered a small amount to regulate the cut of the knives carried by the cutter head, and may be moved horizontally to or from the cutter head to give ample clearance for the knives and for shavings. The work to be planed is pushed along on the table by hand over the rapidly revolving cutter head, the two knives of which are set to take equal depths of cut from the under surface of the wood. The cutter head consists of a steel cylinder slotted for holding the two long knives which are held in place by small screws.

Many forms of grooves may be cut by setting in one of the knife slots a knife with its edge of the required contour.