Acoustic Guitar Construction

Thanks. Turns out I'm not as spry as I used to be, dangit.

Question - I've not used a jointer before, and reading the manual I came across this:

"DO NOT perform jointing operations on material shorter than 10 inches, narrower than 3/4 inch or less than 1/2" thick."

If that is the case, how to joint the two halves of a top, which are way narrower than 3/4 inch?

Is the warning being way too cautious?

Thanks.

"DO NOT perform jointing operations on material shorter than 10 inches, narrower than 3/4 inch or less than 1/2" thick."

This sentence was probably written by a committee of lawyers. However, when I worked construction, many of the trim carpenters were missing the last joint on one of their thumbs, from pushing a small piece of wood through and down against the blades of their jointer, then slipping at the wrong time. When jointing weird pieces of wood, it is wise to first make an equally weird push stick that puts pressure down on the piece as well as forward. Thumbs are too valuable to waste on such a simple task.

Once you get going with that jointer, you will find many situations where it is useful, if not "necessary". I predict you will love the one you now have. 6.5 inches is a nice size.

Ok, thank you. The jointing of thin wood backs and tops, then, though much thinner than the lawyer-recommended 3/4" minimum, should be safe as long as good sense and concentration prevail.

Worked fine without any further set-up. Jointed a few boards, planed another couple, works just fine. Where has this been my whole life? :-)

A question - realistically, is the jointer suitable for squaring up headblocks and things of that size, or is that 10" length the lawyers came up with a good guideline? What would you NOT do on a jointer in our 'hobby/craft'?

Thanks

Has nothing to do with lawyers - its geometry of cutter head opening. Table heights, push block design all are related to how a short piece of material is processed safely. Squaring a five inch head block will most certainly cause an exciting event with luck no digits will be lost.

I make/square blanks of multiple components and simply cut to length

That's what I'll do too. I need to keep digits.