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Biscuit Jointer

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Steve

01-09-2001 20:14:15

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I am building cabinets and I am thinking of buying a biscuit jointer to use. One I checked on was a craftsman from Sears. I've never used one before but it looks like it would work better and quicker than trying to cut out fits with a router. Has anyone else got one they use and if so can tell me how good they are. I have seen conversion kits for routers and 4 1/2' grinders but I think I would should buy the actuall bisciut jointer. What is a good one to buy also.I am trying to stay within 100 dollars. Thanks Steve

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rem

01-22-2001 18:45:20

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Re: Biscuit Jointer in reply to Steve , 01-09-2001 20:14:15

Hi,
I went with Makita after study of much research on biscuit jointers Reason: It has a rubber face that stays in place quite easily and does not slip around when you are pushing on the body to make the cut. I have had good luck and have used it a bunch.
Good Luck,

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Tools

01-11-2001 09:21:08

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Re: Biscuit Jointer in reply to Steve , 01-09-2001 20:14:15

Niether dowels or biscuits add strength when glueing up panels. They are (usually) in the middle of the joint. When you bend the board, the top is stressed, the bottom compressed, the middle sees NIETHER. On right angle joints, the added glueing area adds some strength, not the fact it's a dowel or biscuit.

Generally speaking, the advantage to biscuits is alignment when glueing up and the fact they are WAY EASIER to install than dowels.

By far, the best biscuit joiners have rack and pinion height adjustment (fence stays parallel to blade when adjusting. And the fence folds flat for face jointing (don't have to remove it to plunge right in the middle of a board). Lamello was first with this stuff, but EXPENSIVE. DeWalt was next, and reasonably priced. Now, several companies have these features (even Sears! and I agree, they make pretty good mechanics tools but MISERABLE woodworking tools. Although my mid 50's Parks 94 planer has a Craftsman lable on it, ah, the good ol days - I digress).

Good luck

Mike

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Johnny

01-10-2001 17:48:34

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Re: Biscuit Jointer in reply to Steve , 01-09-2001 20:14:15

Steve, What are you going to use the biscuit joiner for? My dad and myself run a small cabinet shop that he started in 1971 and we have yet to find a need for one. When we glue up door panels we run them across the table saw using a 80 tooth carbide blade and glue up using pipe clamps, if you feel the need you can run them on the jointer but the saw blade does not close up the grain like the jointer does and you get a stronger joint. The important thing is to get a straight line and use a professional glue. After you buy the biscuit jointer do a test, glue up a panel using it and one without and then break the board at the joint to see how they compare, let me know the results, I make my living doing this and believe me Norm's paycheck don't come from builders, it comes from tool companies. Johnny

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big fred

01-11-2001 07:00:30

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Re: Re: Biscuit Jointer in reply to Johnny, 01-10-2001 17:48:34

I got a lot of respect for a good cabinet maker, but a biscuit joiner is a heck of a tool for the rest of us. In fact, a lot of tools and materials out there today make it possible for wood butchers like myself to turn out work that is pretty good. Wish I had the wherewithall and training to learn to do it the "ole fashioned way", but since I don't I really appreciate the tools we have available today. Besides if I didn't spend my money on tools I'd probably spend it on my wife ;o)

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VaTom

01-11-2001 07:40:18

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Re: Re: Re: Biscuit Jointer in reply to big fred, 01-11-2001 07:00:30

I DO have the "wherewithall and training" and have done it "the ole fashioned way". I've also owned a Lamello for 20+ years. Best use is NOT gluing up panels. Woodworking, like most endeavers, has many paths. Carcase construction is the most widely used function of biscuits. I've done a lot of coopering and wouldn't ever go without my biscuits. The accomplished woodworkers I've known who tried a biscuit joiner had only one complaint. It was so easy it was like cheating! I don't HAVE to have a jointer as I own, and know how to use, a plane. Economics should be the reason for acquiring a new tool in a commercial operation. One truism goes "if you're already doing the work, you're paying for the tool. You just don't have it yet." I know guys who use biscuits for door frame construction and are getting away with it. I much prefer mortise and tenon. Just a matter of trying out a new concept and deciding what application it might have for you. Last time I looked the folks at Fine Woodworking were doing side-by-side tool testing. Major difference I'm aware of is the lack of angle adjustment on the cheaper versions. And that's not a drawback to a good many users. One caution, all biscuit brands are not the same. Happy joining!

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Johnny

01-11-2001 14:47:41

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Re: Re: Re: Re: Biscuit Jointer in reply to VaTom, 01-11-2001 07:40:18

VaTom, wouldn't you know it I found a brand new biscuit joiner at my mother in laws, once belonged to my father in law(now deceased). I am always willing to learn something new, so how do you use the biscuits in case construction? Are there any web sites that would have some good uses for this tool? Johnny

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Johnny

01-10-2001 17:48:11

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Re: Biscuit Jointer in reply to Steve , 01-09-2001 20:14:15

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Steve

01-10-2001 17:19:32

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Re: Biscuit Jointer in reply to Steve , 01-09-2001 20:14:15

Thanks to everyone for the advice. Now I know I want one. I'll check on the porter cable or Dewalt brands. Thanks Steve

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Steve

01-10-2001 05:54:19

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Re: Biscuit Jointer in reply to Steve , 01-09-2001 20:14:15

I bought a Porter Cable top of the line and it is great. A little over $200 though. You won't need anything as fancy for sometimes use. Stay away from router conversions, not worth the hassle of setup time. Likewise, I no longer purchase Sears power tools. They are all right for homeowner, but that's it. Once you do biscuits, your dowel jigs will rust up from lack of use!

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big fred

01-10-2001 06:45:18

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Re: Re: Biscuit Jointer in reply to Steve, 01-10-2001 05:54:19

I have the older Porter Cable with the vertical motor, about $150 or so. I am very happy with it, and it is almost, but not quite, impossible to cut a chunk out of the end of your index finger with it.

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F14

01-10-2001 06:56:01

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Re: Re: Re: Biscuit Jointer in reply to big fred, 01-10-2001 06:45:18

I take it you found a way? ":^)

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Paul J. Decker

01-10-2001 03:27:23

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Re: Biscuit Jointer in reply to Steve , 01-09-2001 20:14:15

I also have a DeWalt. It is probably more in the neighborhood of $150 but at the time it was the only one with the features it has. Biscuits are FAR superior to dowels both in the places where they'll fit and in their holding power. I don't buy Craftsman power tools anymore because many times the parts lists won't allow you to buy internal motor parts. I prefer name likes DeWalt, Bosch, Porter Cable and Milwaukee. The Jap brands may be good too but I figure we send enough of our money over there for electronics which no one else seems to make.

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F14

01-10-2001 05:31:35

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Re: Re: Biscuit Jointer in reply to Paul J. Decker, 01-10-2001 03:27:23

I got to thinking about that, and you're right, I seem to recall it being in the $135-$150 range, but worth it.

I've had occasion to order repair parts for DeWalt tools, a power cord for my angle grinder (old age and hard use) and a foot for my jig saw (operator stupidity, dropped it). Parts are readily available, and surprizingly inexpensive.

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F14

01-10-2001 03:20:49

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Re: Biscuit Jointer in reply to Steve , 01-09-2001 20:14:15

I had a converter for a router to use it as a biscuit joiner. Okay, but not great.

I bought a DeWalt biscuit joiner. Don't recall the price, but it was in the neighborhood of $100, maybe a tad over. I'm very happy with it, and once you've used one, you'll never go back to dowels!

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