Dry Fitting Biscuit Joinery

[jackellis]

I feel a little silly for asking about this but since I've already messed up two projects...

I'm using biscuits to assemble three cabinets that measure 4' x 2 ' x 15". In the past, I've had to literally force pieces together and in some cases, the parts were not aligned as perfectly as I had hoped. When I try to dry fit with the biscuits in place, some get stuck and have to be removed pretty forcefully, meaning they have to be destroyed. I know biscuits are relatively cheap, but I'm cheaper.

I suppose I could use smaller biscuits for dry fits, or I could make a few for dry fits that are extra dry or that are a tad smaller. Any other tricks of the trade that might be helpful?

[dbhost]

I'm no expert, but I think a biscuit should be a relatively easy slip fit, maybe having to wiggle the pieces together kind of thing. It sounds like your biscuit slots are too small for some reason, or you got your hands on some non standard biscuits... Just out of curiosity what kind of joiner and biscuits are you using?

[jackellis]

O'Malley joiner, Bosch biscuits. I'd be very surprised if the cutter on the O'Malley was a non-standard size.

It appears the biscuits swell slightly once they're out of their storage container.

[x00018]

It appears the biscuits swell slightly once they're out of their storage container.


Biscuits do swell with moisture. I always keep mine in zip lock bags to keep them dry.

[LCHIEN]

after dry fitting, i usually cannot remove the biscuit by hand, I have to grab the stuck half with a pair of pliers to remove.
DEwalt joiner, P-C biscuits

[Richard in Smithville]

It appears the biscuits swell slightly once they're out of their storage container.

What's the humidity like there? Are the biscuits kept in a dry environment? Try baking some at a low heat in the oven for a short time to make sure there is not any moisture in there.( Microwave can work too but I'm not sure how long to nuke em for.)

[cgallery]

You can apparently microwave biscuits to reduce moisture. I've also heard of baking them. May wanna google it.

[poolhound]

When you open various electronic items you will find the little packs of silica. I keep these and pop one into my storage containers for biscuits and dowels.

[cgallery]

When you open various electronic items you will find the little packs of silica. I keep these and pop one into my storage containers for biscuits and dowels.

I thought we were supposed to break those open and mix 'em w/ the cheap gin?

[poolhound]

I thought we were supposed to break those open and mix 'em w/ the cheap gin?

Yup but you should use them cold out of the freezer

[SARGE..g-47]

I don't use biscuits at all at this point but.. when I did try it several years ago I came to a conclussion. The hole the cutter makes is a given dimension. What I found is that biscuits aren't as I tried several brands. I often found PC's had variance inside one plastic can.

By fix was to simply make my own to fit the hole with a piston fit like a tenon does in an M & T. I did conclude that in the long run.. it was easier just to go back to M & T's for me so... I did just that.

[just started]

You could make a set of 'trial assembly' biscuits from hard wood or hardboard and size them exactly to the slot your cutter makes, and then just use them for your dry fit. Just remember to put them all away before the glue comes out.

[atgcpaul]

after dry fitting, i usually cannot remove the biscuit by hand, I have to grab the stuck half with a pair of pliers to remove.
DEwalt joiner, P-C biscuits

Ditto for me AND I'm using P-C biscuits with a P-C joiner. It doesn't happen
for every single biscuit but enough that I keep a pair of pliers handy. I also
keep my mallet handy to knock them in during glue-up.

I've begun tossing in desiccant bags into the biscuit bottle with limited
success. Not too many have broken using pliers, though.

[gjat]

I had noticed that recently when using old Porter Cable and new Freud buiscuits. I guess over time humidity swelled the PC's up. They weren't getting so stuck I came close to breaking them with pliers, but it was enough to screw with fine alignment. What I did was take two stacks of our 4 buiscuits with some wood pads and squeezed them down in my vice. I just prepped a bunch in advance.

[Gator95]

when I used biscuits, they were a loose slip fit. could easily take them out by hand. just tight enough in so that they don't fall out if you turn the board biscuit side down.

used a Ryobi Biscuit Joiner and PC biscuits.

don't use biscuits much anymore.