Should I be checking the jointer before I use it? I thought I was supposed to do it afterwards. None of this is mine as I just created a little dust. 
And also, at what point does this become a problem and what kind of problem would it create? I’m just curious.
Thank you for being excellent and cleaning up after someone else.
Generally, I check before I use it so that it doesn’t cause a backup or clog. It’s just harder to clean up your mess when done. I’ll do a check and clean out of the dust collection of the biggest offenders this morning.
The Felder should also be checked before using the woodshop or as taught in the class call out and ask if anyone checked the Felder. People not checking the Felder before using a machine while it’s full is an ongoing issue and creates so much suction it crushes the filters.
Excess buildup could cause friction which could possibly start a fire. Piles of combustible materials should be kept at a minimum. It would be best practice to check all tools and equipment before use to prevent damage (tool/project) or injury.
There may be other thoughts on this, but I don’t necessarily think I need to check it before using it. If I see shavings flying out from the cutter head, that’s a good clue that someone has forgotten to open the blast gate. I do teach in my class how to open the door, as you have done, and pull the shavings out toward the dust hose. It’s an easy fix, and it does happen now and then.
It becomes a problem when it gets so stopped up that the machine can’t do what it’s supposed to do. Typically, it just makes a mess around both planers that someone else has to clean up.
Saying all that, we can’t expect everyone to remember every time to open blast gates and reset tools to previous settings, so it’s a pretty good idea to check any machine before using it just to see how the one before me has left it. But I don’t even do that every time.
This has been a problem for as long as we’ve had the thing. The Felder purchase was, in part, supposed to solve the suction/CFM/flow issues we had in woodshop with some of the more chip-n-dust producing tools, planer and jointer being the main culprits (w/table and miter saws close behind).
There was discussion at the time with replacing the access panel to jointer with an appropriately designed piece of clear plexiglass (or similar), held on by some of those Kryptonian-strong magnets. This would make visually checking much easier, as well as getting in and out for cleaning.
It still seems like a good idea to me.
I have noticed that it clogs when there is alot of chips coming off a board per second - either by taking a big bite or pushing fast. Small bites, go slow and it never clogs (at least for me). Hard to quantify what “a lot” is but something in the neighborhood of taking more than 1/16" and pushing an 8’ board across in 5 seconds.
Use air hose in the slot next to the cutter head at the front of the machine (make sure the cutter head is not spinning) to clear the chips. I keep an eye on the dust hose - if I don’t see anything going by - it’s clogged. Small chips flying out the top is also a good indicator.
