Freud JS102 Biscuit Joiner System

[Jon The Buddha]

Being a bit of a newbie, I don't know if this is really a great deal, but it sure as heck beats my local home centers.

Freud JS102 Biscuit Joiner System with Tilting Fence and Dust Bag... sale price only shows if you add it to your cart. It ended up being $83.99. With free shipping option and using the 10% off code the total shipped ends up being $75.59

Here's the link. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...lance&n=228013

[Stormbringer]

Ugh. I was a few minutes away from pulling the trigger on the O'Malley when I spotted this link. The price difference is only about $8.

O'Malley = $59 + $5 shipping
Freud = $73 free shipping.

I was glad to read the couple favorable reviews about the O'Malley on this site but thought that being able to pick up a name brand model that regularly sells at $120 for $73 was someting to consider. The reviewers on Amazon complain often about the freud's fence and the adjustment procedures but the bulk of these are from 2003 and earlier. I'm wondering if Freud has addressed this issue.

For those that have the O'Malley, how do you adjust and lock the fence? Are there infinite settings or just 45 and 90?

Opinions/ Comments?

BTW, this plate joiner will not see daily use...maybe bi-monthly.

Thanks,
Greg

[Jon The Buddha]

Ugh. I was a few minutes away from pulling the trigger on the O'Malley when I spotted this link.

Sorry about that!!!

[just4funsies]

I just popped for the PC Model 557. Buncha bux, but got HD to take a HF 20off coupon, and PC has a $30 rebate right now. Final cost $130, but the PC does so many things better than cheaper models, and the reviews are outstanding. What sold me was that it also comes with a 2" cutter, for using those little "FF" sized biscuits. Great for picture frame joinery and face framing.

[Stormbringer]

What sold me was that it also comes with a 2" cutter, for using those little "FF" sized biscuits. Great for picture frame joinery and face framing.

I was thinking of solving that issue with one of the smaller biscuit/slot cutters from MLCS (see pic below)

Although intrigued by the Porter Cable (i think the Makita is a superior beast right behind the Lamello) I can't score your deal. No HF around for 300 miles and the $200 minus $30 MIR (I hate MIR btw) puts it at $187 with tax. The O'Malley (or Freud) for $69-ish plus the face frame -picture frame biscuit/slot cutter from MLCS ($27) put me at $96.

Don't get me wrong. I am a firm believer in "Buy an expensive tool cry once, buy a cheap tool cry many times" philosophy. I almost always buy all quality stuff, but for something that won't see much action that can be had at a discount that still produces quality......

[Jeffrey Schronce]

I dont' have a lot of faith in my ability to use the MLCS bits with my router to create those tiny 45 degree joints that I can do with PC 557 without a problem. The 557 is really awesome. Having tested the 557 , the Dewalt and the Makita I think the Makita is a very distant 3rd. The Dewalt is much closer to the 557.

[lcm1947]

Well according to Fine Homebuilding & Fine Woodworking's 2005 Tool Guide the Lamello Top 20S came in for best overall with the Makita and Virutex right behind it. The Porter-Cable 557 was rated Best Value but it's slot alignment was only rated "Good". So only Lamello, Makita and Virutex alignment was rated excellent in regards to slot alignment. They went on to say that the DeWalt's slot alignment fell to fair when they used it's fence but then they state that DeWalt's fence was sturdy? I don't understand that but that's what the article stated and I read it several times thinking I had misread it. Freud's JS102 & JS100 slot alignment was rated "Good" as was Craftsman 27730 and Jepson 7204. They also stated that the fences on both Freud models had a tendency to slip under moderate downward pressure and the fence on the Virutex flexed and felt flimsy. But then they say the Lamelo, PC, Dewalt and Craftsman ( who is manufactured by DeWalt for Sears ) had sturdy fences. The last thing I'll mention is they stated that the PC has an auxiliary handle mounted to the guide system rather then to the motor making it easier to hold the joiner tight to the workpiece.

[Stormbringer]

Well according to Fine Homebuilding & Fine Woodworking's 2005 Tool Guide the Lamello Top 20S came in for best overall with the Makita and Virutex right behind it. The Porter-Cable 557 was rated Best Value but it's slot alignment was only rated "Good". So only Lamello, Makita and Virutex alignment was rated excellent

I rated the Makita right behind the Lamello based on personal experience. The Amazon reviews and the Fine Homebuilding article seem to lean the same way. To each their own...as long as your happy with what you got and you like the results. Hey, what do I know, although I like the Makita best I bought the Porter-Cable the other day (deal way too good to pass up). No need for those mlcs slot cutters now.

Take care all,
Greg

[Jeffrey Schronce]

Well according to Fine Homebuilding & Fine Woodworking's 2005 Tool Guide the Lamello Top 20S came in for best overall with the Makita and Virutex right behind it. The Porter-Cable 557 was rated Best Value but it's slot alignment was only rated "Good".

Please note I am not trying to argue with anyone and I agree to each his own, however FWW completely changes their story in 2006.

2006 Fine Homebuilding & Fine Woodworking Tool Guide Ranks : 20S, C2, 557, DW682K, Makita 3901, in that order. The article states that "the fence is the most important part". In the Makita review they state "the fence is difficult to read". PC review "the versatile fence reaches 135 degrees and is easy to adjust to angels over 90 degrees".

Additionally, I wonder how the 557 is rated "Best Value" in 2005 when you are stating that higher marks were given to the cheaper Makita. If the Makita is better and cheaper it should have been the "Best Value"!

Man these editors are nuts!!!!

[lcm1947]

I enjoy reading reviews but it seems I never end up buying what they consider the best performers for one reason or another. I too am considering a plate joiner and am leaning to wards the PC but am looking at the DeWalt also. The DeWalt may not be rated the best but I've not ever been disappointed in any of their tools yet so still considering it.

[Stormbringer]

I too am considering a plate joiner and am leaning to wards the PC but am looking at the DeWalt also.

Sounds like a perfect opportunity to take advantage of the Borgs 30 day return policy.


Jeff, I agree. I've read some reviews where I swear the writer is on the take. I feel the Makita is better because of it's dust collection (didn't clog on me) it's fence (no plastic here) and it's overall build (feels stronger to me). The PC I picked up last week has been great too!

Take care,
Greg

[ejs1097]

I enjoy reading reviews but it seems I never end up buying what they consider the best performers for one reason or another. I too am considering a plate joiner and am leaning to wards the PC but am looking at the DeWalt also. The DeWalt may not be rated the best but I've not ever been disappointed in any of their tools yet so still considering it.

I've used the DeWalt several times and found it very capable, easy to use, and the fence worked as it suppose to.

[lcm1947]

Sometimes I think maybe people down pay the DeWalt products for what reason I don't know but it just seems that way to me. I may just get the DeWalt to try it out hoping it's up to my expectations. I really feel bad when I have to return something even though it's their policy that's why I only buy if pretty darn sure it's what I want.