"Edwin Pawlowski" wrote in message
news:AC0le.1332$Qd3.1177@trndny01...

I would think that ideally one
would have a jointer width that matches their planner width.

Not needed in real life. Have you been to the wood store? How many 12"
boards do you see compared to 6" and less? Sure wider is better, but not
all that practical.


Hardwoods are normally harvested at about 14-16" size in the US, because
they aren't laying down as much wood as they used to, generally have picked
up enough damage up top to let in various fungi and such to start hollowing
the heart and weakening the tree. They're like old men, full of
infirmities.

They are then sawed for grade, which is a different criterion - greater bf
of clear stock - than through-and-through, which, due to grading standards,
would have more lower-grade boards.

If you have a local sawyer, you can go for width/thicknesses you want, and
cut either side of knots. I had a lot of 5/4 maple done to fit quarto and
octavo size books, and those knots at the back of the shelf bother no one.