Electrical Safety Advice for Jointers and Planers

Jointers and planers usage and safety

Jointers and planers are distinct but complementary woodworking machines designed to flatten and dimension rough timber. But working with them carries a particular set of safety risks.

A jointer creates a perfectly flat face and a square edge (flattening or straightening) while a planer creates a consistent thickness, making the opposite face parallel to the first.

Electric jointers tend to be either biscuit (or plate) jointers which use a small, saw-like blade to cut elliptical slots in wood, into which wooden "biscuits" and glue are inserted, or domino jointers which create mortise-and-tenon joints using a spiral cutting motion.

Planers smooth, shape, and reduce the thickness of wood, with electric models being mainly handheld or benchtop types. Handheld models can be cabled or cordless and are ideal for on-site work and chamfering, while benchtop models offer high-precision, repetitive surfacing.

Some machines combine both functions in one unit, often with the jointer on top and the planer underneath, or by switching settings. But these are mainly for commercial use.

Key points

All jointers and planers (or their chargers) must be fitted with a UK 3-pin plug and fuse.
Whichever type you choose, avoid buying second-hand.
Check the tool for any damage and to ensure the blades are in good working order before using it.
Wear a dust mask, safety glasses and hearing protection, and don’t wear loose clothing or jewellery.
Unplug a jointer or planer when not in use or when doing maintenance on it.

Buying a jointer or planer

Whichever you choose, buy from a reputable retailer rather than a third-party seller online, as it may not have passed all the necessary safety checks.
Avoid buying second-hand jointers or planers as you won’t know their history and they may not meet the latest safety standards.
Most models come with a rotatable dust nozzle or dust bag to connect to a vacuum cleaner for a cleaner work environment. Safety features include anti-restart functions, spindle locks for easy blade changes, and safety switches.
Register your jointer or planer so you can be contacted easily if there is a safety recall. It’s also much easier to return a faulty product or order a repair if it’s registered.

Using a jointer or planer safely

Before you start, carefully read the manufacturer’s instructions and follow them.
Check your appliance has a UK 3-pin plug. If it doesn’t, don’t try to use a UK travel adaptor as your jointer or planer may not meet UK safety standards. Get in touch with the retailer and ask for their advice.
Make sure the cable is long enough to easily reach the area you’re working in. If it isn’t, plug the jointer or planer into an extension lead or fully unwound cable reel to extend your reach safely.
Keep pets and children away from the area you’re working in.
Check the jointer or planer for any signs of damage or a chewed cable and don’t use it if you spot anything suspicious.
Regularly (and carefully) inspect the blades on your jointer and planer to ensure they’re sharp enough and in good working order.
Always check that the jointer or planer is switched off before you plug it in.
Wear a dust mask, safety glasses and hearing protection when using a jointer or planer, and don’t wear loose clothing or jewellery that could get caught in the mechanism.
Remove any dirt, nails, screws and staples from old wood before attempting to joint or plane it.
Always use push pads and push sticks when using your jointer to ensure your hands are kept well clear of the cutter head.
Ensure the fence on the jointer is square to the table (a machinists’ square or digital angle gauge can help here) and that the workpiece is pressed firmly against it.
Never try to joint a board which is less than one-quarter of an inch thick.
Going against the grain when using a planer can cause tearout. Avoid this by feeding the wood in smooth side forward.
Always unplug the tool when it’s not in use or before doing any maintenance on it. Store it in a cool, dry indoor place.
If you notice a burning smell or any unusual noises, switch the tool off immediately and contact the retailer and/or manufacturer.
An RCD (residual current device) in your consumer unit (fusebox) protects you from electric shocks should there be a fault with the jointer or planer. If you don’t have RCD protection, use an RCD plug on the socket where the tool is plugged in.
For a cordless planer or jointer, only charge the battery using the original charger or a replacement charger obtained from the manufacturer or reputable retailer.
Charge it in a safe place on a stable surface and disconnect batteries once they are charged. Don’t leave it charging overnight as this could be a fire risk.
If there are unusual odours, sparks, smoke, swelling, cracks, or any form of damage, stop using the battery immediately and make sure it is unplugged from the charger.
If you need a replacement or additional battery, or if your current battery no longer holds a charge, buy directly from the original manufacturer.
Don’t use batteries from other manufacturers or battery adapters, as these may pose safety risks.

ALWAYS

Do plenty of research first before buying.
Buy a known and trusted brand from a reputable retailer.
Register your jointer or planer with the manufacturer.
Feed the wood in smooth side forward, not against the grain.
Use push pads and push sticks to keep hands away from the cutter head.

AVOID

Buying second-hand joniters or planers or from third-party sellers online.
Using the jointer or planer if you spot any signs of damage.
Leaving the tool plugged in after use or when doing maintenance on it.
Trying to joint a board which is less than one-quarter of an inch thick.
Charging a planer or jointer overnight.

Stay safe with electrical products

Check plugs and sockets

Don't ignore burn marks, ‘arcing’ (buzzing or crackling) sounds, fuses blowing, circuit-breakers tripping, or if it feels hot to touch.

Unplug and contact the retailer, manufacturer, or a qualified repair technician.

Protect with an RCD

An RCD (residual current device) in your consumer unit (fusebox) protects you from electric shocks if a product is faulty.

If you don’t have RCD protection, use an RCD plug on the socket where the product is plugged in.

Fit smoke and heat alarms

Ensure there is at least one smoke or heat alarm per floor in your property. Fit enough alarms to cover all areas where a fire could start.

Test alarms at least once a month. Replace them every ten years or when the replace by date is reached.

Additional info

Electric jointers and planers are the kind of heavy-duty tools you only find in the workroom of someone who’s really into their DIY.

But both are much quicker and less hard work to use than manual types. And the two machines together are the gateway to serious woodworking.

Selected FAQs

If you’re unsure about an appliance or product, you’re not alone. These FAQs bring together expert advice and answers to the questions people ask us most, so you can feel more confident at home.

View all consumer faqs

When does a periodic inspection need to be carried out?

It is recommended that periodic inspection and testing is carried out at the following times:

for tenanted properties, every 5 years or at each change of occupancy, whichever is sooner
at least every 10 years for an owner-occupied home
at least every 5 years for a business

The Landlords and Tenant Act 1985 requires landlords of properties with short leases to keep the electrical wiring in repair and in proper working order. We recommend landlords arrange for periodic inspection and testing to be carried out by a registered electrician at the relevant intervals shown above.

Periodic inspection and testing of the electrics should be carried out more frequently on the places and premises listed here:

3 years for a caravan
1 year for a swimming pool

Who should carry out a periodic inspection?

Periodic inspection and testing should be carried out only by electrically competent persons, such as registered electricians.

My electrician told me that they were registered; however I now believe that they are not, as they have not given me a certificate. What should I do?

First, you need to find out whether the electrician you used is actually registered. To do this, contact the operator of the scheme they have claimed to be part of, and they will tell you whether this is the case. If they are registered, the scheme operator can guide you through their complaints procedure.

If you find out the electrician misled you and is not registered, you should report this to your local Trading Standards Department as they are breaking the law. We would also recommend that you get an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) carried out on your home; this will assess any work that has been undertaken and will act as sufficient documentation to certify that work. This needs to be carried out by a registered electrician and unfortunately will be an added cost for you.

Has your electrical product been recalled?

Electrical products are recalled more regularly than you might think, but the response rate to a recall is often worryingly low. This means there are potentially millions of recalled electrical items still in UK homes.

Check your appliances

Jointers and planers