which biscuits

[poolhound]

I am just about to start experimenting with using biscuit joints. Are there any guidelines that suggest which size to use for which application or how many one needs for a give joint etc?

Any and all advise and comments welcome.

Jon

[bigsteel15]

#20 is the most common for 3/4" stock or ply.
Depending on the unit you have, you may be limited to only #20, #10, #0.
There are a few books on this, but your manual should give some basic guidelines.
Others will probably have a more detailed answer.

[jhelfer]

I'm no biscuiting expert, but in the half-dozen or so times I've biscuit joined stuff, I've always used #20.

[vaking]

#20 is the most common. I believe #0, #10 and #20 - all have the same thickness since they are made with the same cutter. Smaller buscuits need a different cutter and they are really small. Even the biggets #20 will not go through 3/4" stock. If you are installing shelves into less than 3/4" stock you will need to go for smaller biscuits. I believe recommended spacing is about 12" between biscuits with 4" to nearest edge.

[LCHIEN]

I think the choice of #20, 10, or 0 depends upon the application and particularly upon
1) is the material deep enough to handle the biscuit cut depth e.g. maybe you are using it to attache a hardwood edge to a plywood shelf. The biscuit depth into the edging must be less than the width of the edging. You'd use #0, probably
2) If joining rail and stile type face frames or similar end to edge construction, then the width of the slot and whether it fits the end of the board being joined is important. Even the #0 is too small and will exceed the with of a 1x2 being used, so then you would go to Face-fram sized biscuits.
Other than that, use the big ones.

[bigsteel15]

[QUOTE=vakingI believe recommended spacing is about 12" between biscuits with 4" to nearest edge.[/QUOTE]

My PC instructions say 2" from edge and 3-6" central spacing.
I think they just want you to use more biscuits, as 3" is pretty close.
I use about 4-5" on anything 2 ft and under and around 6" on longer pieces.
I still qualify as a newbie though.

[RayintheUK]

PM sent

Ray.

[JimD]

I agree with Loring's comments but I think they can be simplified to use the biggest biscuit that will fit (considering both thickness and width of the piece). In addition, if the wood is over an inch thick, and/or you are replacing a mortise and tenon joint (not glueing up a large panel but joining two pieces at right angles to each other) consider using two biscuits. This can be either two slots in parallel to each other or one double wide slot filled with two biscuits. I have read that some jointers come with a special plate you can put under the tool to make the double wide slot (it is the thickness of the biscuit). The advantages of a dual biscuit is greater surface area (especially if it is two slots) and greater shear strength.

Jim

[drumpriest]

I use mostly #20, because I also run with the "bigger is better" biscuit crowd. I've used #10 a bunch for 1/2" stock, and #0 recently for my latest jewelry box project.

[poolhound]

can you cut biscuits down?

I am looking to make up a face frame probably from 1x2 so that means I need to joint ~1 3/4. I belive there are FF biscuits but cant find any locally. Can you just trim down the edges of a #20?

Jon

[RayintheUK]

I belive there are FF biscuits but cant find any locally.

Here's some on-line. It's not a size that would be carried by anything other than specialised outlets, I'd guess.

Given the dimensions of your face frame, pocket screws might be easier and probably just as effective.

Ray.

[Jeffrey Schronce]

Can you just trim down the edges of a #20?

Jon

I'm going to save a bunch of words and theories on this one . . . . .

No.

[poolhound]

I'm going to save a bunch of words and theories on this one . . . . .

No.

Very clear and to the point - LOL

[LarryG]

You said you've looked locally, but here where I live the Porter-Cable FF biscuits like Ray linked to are sold by Home Depot. Maybe Lowe's too; can't remember. At HD they're in the power tool section, on the bottom shelf below the router and plate joiner displays (a logical location in its way, but not the first place I'd think to look).

[LCHIEN]

I am looking to make up a face frame probably from 1x2 so that means I need to joint ~1 3/4. I belive there are FF biscuits but cant find any locally. Can you just trim down the edges of a #20?

Jon

sure you can cut 'em down but what are you going to do with the wide slot showing?

FF biscuits also require a special, smaller cutter.