Making a $3000 Tool from Spare Parts and Scrap Wood - Full Build 

My 9 Project Plan Bundle (LIMITED TIME): ibuildit.ca/blog/the-9-plan-bundle/ I made this jointer using the cutter head from my old, broken thickness planer and scrap plywood. The other parts were salvaged or I had them already. I originally bought the motor to build a new table saw, but used it for this instead. I did have an old pump motor that would have been powerful enough, but it spun the wrong way and was too difficult to reverse. I had the steel for the infeed and outfeed tables for several years, again bought to build a new table saw. This video is compilation of 11 videos I made while building the jointer 5 years ago. It took me several months to finish, and those videos are spread out over that time. The jointer has been working problem-free since I built it and gets used regularly. Here's a playlist for those original videos, if you want more details: ru-vid.com/group/PLkBNR47uEZ7QkKEuPrgF0i63mNDhVT0re

Welcome back John!

So so happy to see your channel back up and running!!!!!! 🥰

I put a Byrd Shelix on my Powermatic P100 12" planer 10 years ago. Hung onto the original head and finally got around to making it into a jointer this year after using an old Beaver 6" jointer forever. Bought a couple pillow block bearings at Grainger, used a 1 1/2 hp induction motor I had laying around. Made pretty much what you made but used Mathias Wandell's parallelogram idea for the infeed. Made the tables to the width of the pillow blocks which allowed me to just use a couple of hanger bolts in the outfeed table for fixing the fence in place. If need be, I can skew the fence for a shearing cut like the old Yates jointers. Works great and fairly quiet. Oh yeah, for the tables I just yellow glued up 3/4" mdf using my flat workbench and about 20 12" pavers to weight it down overnight. After they were dimensioned, I used two coats of epoxy, sanding between and sanded the final coat with 220. Then buffed with wax and finally talcum powder. I can always add metal later if need be.

What I appreciate about your design method is you don't get stuck making decisions. You just go for it. Respect!!

I have a shelix head in my old Ridgid planer and a motor on my HF blower. I have the plywood and hard maple. Hell, I even have the steel. I think having a 13” helical head jointer in my hobby shop would be serious overkill. So I’m obviously gonna try to build it.

I am mesmerized, inspired, intimidated, baffled and a hundred other things all at once. Amazing work!!!!

I need something just like this... I've been thinking about buying a 12" jointer and cutting the infeed and outfeed tables down because I don't need the length. The longest board I need it for is about 24" long. This one looks about perfect for the boards I deal with. This looks great!

Watching every one of your videos, I am amazed at your craftsmanship, ingenious solutions and overall competence. It is a pleasure and an honour you share that with us. Thanks a lot.

Your works are always distinguished by good thoughtfulness and excellent execution. I always use your ideas as a visual aid to creativity. I wish you creative success. Your fan. Good luck!

Wauw! But! Don't let John's use of "basic" (low-cost material) and basic tools fool you, as he makes it looks SO easy, but damn, there are SO many decisions in this build, so many details here that need to be very close to 100 percent precise to make this machine work. His work and mindset, not "just" in this project, but so many of his projects here on youtube, tell me, it's not about the cost of materials, woodworking skills, creativity, or ingenuity, but all of it combined with the ability to see 5-10 or even more steps ahead, and the ability to solve potential problems long before they could become a problem. When all this happens, let's just say: "I love it when a plan comes together". John Heisz and Izzy Swan, they are some of the very best examples of woodworkers who have all this. Who can think "out of the box" and show us a glimpse of the endless opportunities, when you combine all I've mentioned above, and we see things done, and they actually work, in a new way - and that is where inspiration comes from. Inspiration to make things with your own hands!! Sure, it's a lot cheaper and easier to spend a few minutes ordering a clamp from China or a closet from Ikea delivered right to our front door. But the satisfaction of saving money and work time will only last a short time. Right until the moment you use them and they brake, as cheap items almost never are built to be used. Guys and girls ❤ Let's go out to our shop, shed, or where ever we can work, and make some things. Let's screw up, try again, make new mistakes, and learn from them, get it rights, and make it clear, crystal clear, we not only love it when a plan comes together, but we can actually do it. By ourselves!! With our own hands! With love / Pia

I enjoyed traveling back in time to see this built. The music really added to it. I also enjoyed the ambiance music. I don't think this was the first you've used it. Fantastic editing and great video. Thank you!

Wishing there were more amazing folks like you, John.

I must say I'm always impressed by your ingenuity to create real good working machines mostly from wood with the least amount of complexity. This jointer is no exception

Looks like a nice finished upgrade to your broken item

I bought your plans and started building the deck chair! Thanks John!

Hands down, my favorite RU-vid woodworker. Your videos have been so much help to me. Keep on keeping on.

Thank you, John Heisz. Your videos and projects are always awesome.

I'm always amazed by people who build their own tools.

your level of ingenuity blows my mind. A lot like izzy swan.

I look forward to the day I have the knowhow and courage to do a project like this. Not to mention the tools! 😀

Wow! Just thought: He didn't make a jointer, did he? Love every single handbuilt wooden tool of yours!

I have watched a lot of DIY tool videos. . . and this one is a home run! Well done John, well done!

Man I hit those plans hard and fast. I was planning to buy the 7 plan bundle already, but this gave me urgency :)

Thank you for the bundle John!! Bought them right after the video. This build really has my attention. I have an old craftsman planer I can pull the spindle out of. Just need to grab a motor and I’ll be set to start building!! Been a subscriber for quite a while. Enjoy all your stuff. Cheers🍻

Good morning John

This is a man who has placed his faith in wood.

Unfortunately, I missed the deal, but that's okay. I think I'm happy paying full price to better help support the channel and your efforts. Thanks for your videos, they are awesome!

Your project is exceptional, and you serve as an even greater inspiration to new woodworkers. Thanks for sharing ;)

Really impressed with this build. Came out amazing.

I bought the bundle and I am very pleased with the quality of the plans and instructions. Thank you

This is a great way to recycle a cheap and/or broken planer. Great build. Thanks for sharing!

A great build, I have cheap thickness machine myself, and this build is ideal. Used your updated fence on my old site table saw, fixed the problem I had. Pity this does not allow pictures.

nice. I feel like I need to find an old planer and some baltic birch.

I love how when a tool breaks, for anyone else would be a disaster. But for you, it's an opportunity to build a better tool. It truly makes me think twice about situations when I feel it's bad, and say, "What would John make?"

This man could build a city if he wanted to. All this skill compiled into one individual.

I enjoyed the build the first time, and this time, but seeing the old shop arrangement is very interesting. That's one thing I have always liked about your work, if you don't like it, or have a better idea, you change it. If it happens again, it changes again. Keep up the good work.

Awesome work John.... At the time mark 11:15 or so, as you demonstrate the plner/joiner in action, I thought about a hopper under the machine with a wedged bottom that could draw the chips out..

Midnight sunday where?? A time zone or UTC+/- would be helpful, in addition to the date, for those of us watching from other time zones and not immediately after you release the video. Just a friendly hint!

I've just ordered a second hand Dewalt DW735 cutter head (complete with blades and clamps), and intend building a 13" jointer/thicknesser with it. Al I need to do it take your design and add in a thicknesser section ... simple! Once again, thanks for a fantastic video showing your thought processes and build ... much appreciated.

Wow. This was a great offer for your bundle of plans. I am just now (Monday evening at 6:05pm) seeing this offer appear in my RU-vid feed, and of course, the offer was only valid through Sunday evening. So, Dang It! I miss out!!!!

welcome back

Great Stuff as always! I'm gonna build this one! You are the King but might I humbly suggest.. "D&D Synchro Power Belts" They come in ALL sizes. :)

Wow! What can you not do? You have a genius mind. Wow!

if only i had the cutter head! i just made a little bench top jointer from my electric plane. it has taken me < 1 week to want to flatten something wider than it.

Got your plans. Love them. Gonna be a busy winter!

That's very impressive, John! Keep up the good work! I enjoy your woodworking videos...

Nice work, John!

This is just amazing. What a great build!

As a mechanic, and a machinist Every red flag, blinking light, and alarm buzzer in the back of my mind was going crazy, and all the voices were screaming NO! But I'm really glad it works, and with a little therapy, and a free weekend, I might try this when my planner dies one day. Cool build, thank you.

Love it! My only comment is that you built a nice looking guide and then ran a live edge against it instead of the cut edge lol

John: I’m semi-retiring Also John: lol look at me make a bespoke jointer out of scraps

You are a mad scientist! I love this so much

Never commented before, but I should make it an habit. Really happy to see you back!

Tried to watch yuour playlist, but it seems to be jacked up. the first and second video played fine, but the 3rd would play about 2 seconds then try to start over, but went into the twilight zone....the 4th video same thing. got frustrated and did not try the rest.

Nice. Thanks John.

Now that's nice and simple really loving that

You got your channels back! I was really rooting for you!

Nice build! Are you going to try and add a guard? You said you got lucky with the fence - do you see a need to add adjustment for the fence angle or will it stay put?

What a great build. I’m impressed with the results and how you kept the build straight forward.

Excellent thought processing and what, maybe green paint.

JOHN You LEGEND!

I watched the original set of build vids when you built the jointer, the compilation came out nicely - I actually thought you had snuck in a quite build of an even bigger jointer at first - from the title - and yes, that jointer has run very nicely for you all this time Keep doing what you do !

Wow. Just wow

Oh my goodness that was sweet! How satisfying it must have felt when you completed this ans started joining boards with it.

I don`t know where you can get a 12" jointer for 3 grand but still a tonne of money. This thing is awesome!!

He's back!!!👍

Wow.... very nice! You make it look easy (I know it isn't). Thanks for another great video.

I can get down with the rereleasing of old content. I think it would be cool to add a short section at the end reviewing it. This would have a been a 5 year review on how it's holding up and what you may have done since then or maybe modified

Wow. Very nice! Great build and I really like all your home made clamps too.

beautiful I indeed spent a lot for my cast iron 12 inch jointer

I thought time was money? Amazing work ….

Another great idea, well thought and constructed

You do so much with so little. Really amazing!

Beautiful work as always. Thanks for sharing.

Great build. Glad to have you back

Very nice simple design.. I really enjoy your use of construction adhesive lol.. I think you emphasize the use to troll Matthias lol. I think you two need to do a shootout again together love both your channels true wood workers! Thanks again for your content! PS The plan bundle is awesome for a guy like me on a budget!

What a great job ! Next step: the vacum system and it will be perfect !

That's an awesome build!

This is a really impressive build.

Love all your videos, especially your equipment build videos..

I was about to comment about your hair length in the middle of the video. Boom, your hair was changed next minute. LOL

awesome build 👍, thanks

That’s awesome! I’ve always pondered something similar for flattening large slabs, instead of a router sled. An upside down planer sled thingamajig. But no way I’ve got the know how to make it, or if it can even be done lol.

Nice Rush t-shirt.

You and your work is amazing! Thanks for all the gerat videos!

That was insane. You are amazing…

Figured I could get long planer type utility by building longer sleds to hold boards square as they pass through my bench thickness planer - that only has about 12" of flat surface underneath?

Thanks for sharing those tips and the make!

Is it cold in August in your shop? I missed out on your discounted project deal. Don't really watch youtube that much on the weekends to have caught this...;(

Some of that wood you called plywood looked more like chipboard???

you keep pulling out veneered particle board and calling it plywood. Am I missing some important detail?

Turned out great. Nice job 😊

Coolest tool ever

Fantastic work, John! Really amazing machine! 😃 There's only one thing left to do: a way to connect the dust collector! 😂 Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

I'm getting a "page not found error" when I click the link for the set of 9 plans. Is it just me? thanks

But we need to know...was it HULK HEISZ who did the outdoor work at 6:25 ??!?!? I miss that guy.

Missed you John!

Hey John, what did fail in the original jointer to force you to build your own one? You salvaged the electric motor so I guess it might have been something else but there is not much else apart from some belts that can fail in a jointer, did you just want to show off your amazing building skills?

Very nice build and you made it seem effortless to construct. Nothing like the sound of a sharp cutter-head biting into wood. I was curious though, why the adjuster for the outfeed table, generally its the height of the top of the cutter blade and thats it. My craftsman doesnt have sort of adjustment except for the infeed table which is all I need.