By: Jacob Stoecken
If you’re just getting into woodworking like I am, you’ve probably run into the same challenge: dealing with boards that are warped, cupped, or have rough, uneven edges. That’s where a jointer becomes a game-changer. In this post, I’m sharing my experience using the Woodstarter 6-Inch Benchtop Jointer with 15 Amp Motor as a complete beginner who had never used a jointer before.
This video (which will be posted soon and linked here) and blog post aren’t sponsored. Woodstarter did send me this jointer for free to review, but they didn’t pay me to write about it, and didn’t get to see any of this before I published it. Everything you’ll read here is 100% my honest opinion: the good, the bad, and the beginner mistakes.
First Impressions & Unboxing
Right out of the box, the jointer felt sturdy and well-built. It’s compact enough to fit on a standard workbench, but it doesn’t feel cheap or underpowered, which is often a concern with benchtop jointers.
Here’s what came in the box:
- The jointer itself, with a built-in cutter head guard
- Adjustable fence (90-135°)
- Preinstalled depth adjustment knob
- Dust port
- Adjustment wrench
- User manual (not pictured)
Everything was packed securely and felt thoughtfully designed for a small-shop environment. I had a few minor problems with the user manual when setting up the machine, but I feel like with enough common sense, you can figure it out. (I’m also working with Woodstarter to get those changes made for future user manuals!)
And here’s how it looks all set up:
Getting Set Up (and Staying Safe)
Before even plugging the machine in, I spent some time getting everything dialed in, and this step was definitely worth it.
Making Sure the Cutter Blades Are Square
Although the blades come preinstalled and leveled from the factory, and the box was adequately packaged, it can still move around during shipment. For that reason, it’s a good idea to make sure that your blades are completely level with the outfeed table.
With the machine unplugged, I used my trusty machinist square to ensure that the blades of the cutter just barely tapped the square when it was sitting flush with the outfeed table. I didn’t have to make any adjustments, but there are instructions in the user manual in case you do need to make adjustments, or when you install new blades.
Squaring the Fence
The fence is adjustable and can be locked using the included wrench to tighten the two bolts on the back of the fence, but I planned to do standard 90-degree edge jointing. I used a calibrated machinist square to make sure the fence was perfectly perpendicular to the tables, then locked it down firmly. With the fence being adjustable, it is probably good practice to check each time you use the jointer to ensure that the fence is still square.
Although the fence can tilt from 90 to 135 degrees, I honestly don’t see myself using that feature very much. There are other tools, like a table saw or router table, that are much better suited for putting a consistent bevel on the edge of a board. But if anyone reading this has a good use for the angled fence on a jointer, I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Waxing the Tables
Here’s a tip I picked up from watching other experienced woodworkers on YouTube: I applied a thin coat of paste wax to both the infeed and outfeed tables. This small step made a big difference compared to the first test cut I ran through after I initially got it set up. The wax reduced friction significantly and helped the wood glide smoothly during cuts.
I just rubbed on a small amount of paste wax, let it dry for about 10 minutes, and buffed it out with a clean cloth. The board moved noticeably more easily after that.
Safety First
As a beginner, I’m hyper-aware of safety, and this tool demands it. I was actually kind of nervous the first time I took this out of the box because, other than a thickness planer in shop class, I had never used anything like a jointer before. The cutter head spins fast and can remove a lot of material quickly, including flesh if you’re not careful. Here’s how I stayed safe:
- I wore safety goggles and ear protection throughout
- I used push blocks for every pass, no exceptions
- I made sure the guard was functioning properly and covering the cutter head
- I double-checked that the depth of cut was set to about 1/32", enough to clean the edge but not too aggressive
Once everything was squared, waxed, and safe, I was ready to try jointing for the first time.
What Does a Jointer Do?
A jointer’s job is to create a flat, straight edge or face on a board. It’s not a planer, and it’s not meant to make everything a perfect thickness. It’s all about creating flat and square reference surfaces.
For this first test, I took a scrap piece of pine from our local high school’s old bleachers, which had also been painted matte black at some point. It looked reasonably flat, but I figured the painted edge would be a good way to show how the planer was working. My goal was to clean that up and create a perfectly flat face I could later reference on a thickness planer (which I do not own yet).
After joining the face and edge, the next step in the standard woodworking workflow is to run the board through a planer with the jointed face down. This creates a second face that is both flat and perfectly parallel to the first one. Then, you can take the board to a table saw and rip the final edge using the jointed edge against the fence of the table saw. This gives you a fully squared-up piece of lumber with two flat faces and two straight edges.
Using the Woodstarter Jointer for the First Time
I’ll be honest, flipping the switch and hearing the cutter head spin up was intimidating. But once I got into the rhythm, it felt more approachable than I expected.
The depth adjustment goes up to ⅛ inch, but from what I gathered from watching other videos of using a jointer, you probably want to stay closer to 1/16” or even 1/32” to reduce the possibility of the motor getting bogged down or getting an uneven cut.
On the first pass, I didn’t apply pressure correctly and ended up lifting slightly at the end, which caused a bit of a taper. After that, I slowed down, made some adjustments to how I was standing and where I was applying pressure, and took a second pass. That one was noticeably better.
By the third and fourth passes, I was starting to feel much more comfortable. I focused on keeping steady downward pressure as the board moved across the infeed, then shifted that pressure to the outfeed as soon as enough of the board was supported. I wasn’t rushing, and the feed felt smooth thanks to the paste wax. Each pass removed just a little material, and the edge was getting straighter and cleaner each time.
After a few more light passes, I had a board that was perfectly flat along the jointed face and square along the edge. The cut was clean, the board sat flat on my workbench, and I finally understood why woodworkers always say a jointer is essential for precision work.
Lastly, I tried setting the adjustable fence at a 135° angle just to see how it worked. Frankly, the board did not feel very secure, like it was going to slide away from the fence on the table and ruin the perfect 45° angle. I will probably not use that feature much moving forward, unless someone can give me a very compelling reason to do so. I feel a table saw set at a bevel or even a router could accomplish the same thing much more efficiently and safely.
The only problem in my workflow? I don’t own a thickness planer yet. So while I had a beautiful flat face and one square edge, I couldn’t continue to the next steps of planing the opposite face or ripping the other edge. For now, the board looks great, but it’ll have to wait until I can finish the milling process. (Hint hint, Woodstarter...)
My Only Mistake (So Far)
When I first got the jointer set up, I was itching to take it for a spin before I started working on this blog and accompanying video. I found a piece of 2x4 in my scrap bin and got to work sending it through a few times.
However, I couldn’t figure out why my board had a pencil-tip-sized ridge running through the middle of the board. It was almost as if the blade wasn’t completely flat, or like someone had put a nail through the jointer and chipped the blade. Then I realized…
Thankfully, Woodstarter offers replacement blades, which I will have to order at some point, but for now, the ridge is small enough that I can probably sand it out. I think this is called a “rookie move” in the woodworking world, and all things considered, it’s a pretty cheap mistake.
My Results & Key Takeaways
After my test cuts, I checked the board’s edge with a square and a straightedge, and it was spot on. I could not see any daylight peeking between the square and my two freshly joined sides. More importantly, I now had a reference edge I could safely rip on the table saw or glue up with another board.
Key Things I Learned:
- Paste wax is your friend. It makes feeding the board so much smoother
- Push blocks give you control and safety. Always use them. The first test I made with a scrap 2x4, I did not have push blocks, and it made me feel extremely uneasy
- Setup is everything. A square fence and light depth setting make all the difference. Although the jointer has a max depth of ⅛ inch, I would not feel comfortable taking off that much material at one time. Slow and steady wins the race
- Watch your pressure. Shift from putting pressure on the infeed to the outfeed side with your push blocks without tipping the board
- Don’t expect perfection right away. Take light cuts, go slow, and check your results often
- Work with the grain. I got cleaner cuts when I paid attention to grain direction
Is It a Good Tool for Beginners?
I am a beginner, and I thought it was a good tool. So yes, as long as you respect it and take your time, the Woodstarter 6-Inch Benchtop Jointer with 15 Amp Motor is probably perfect for new woodworkers who want to step up the quality of their builds. It fits in a small shop, runs smoothly, and is easy to adjust once you understand the basics.
Would I recommend it to other beginners? Absolutely, especially if you're tired of fighting with cupped and warped boards or want to move on from making projects with dimensional lumber and pocket hole joints.
Final Thoughts
Using a jointer for the first time was a milestone in my woodworking journey. It opened up new possibilities and made me realize how much cleaner and more accurate my builds can be with properly prepped lumber.
If you’re thinking about getting a jointer or just starting to learn woodworking, I hope this post helped you understand what to expect and how to get the most out of it right away.
Questions? Let’s Learn Together
Got questions about jointers, tool setup, or anything woodworking-related? Drop a comment below. I’m learning as I go, and I’d love to hear what tools you're trying or what projects you're working on next.
