Biscuit joiner - what to look for

[SARGE..g-47]

Thanks for all the assist, Phil and Uncle Cracker. I may consider selling the DW if I can find a used or reconditioned PC with the FF cutter-head. Or.. I have th option of using the Whiteside that Phil used if it gets down and dirty on those narrower faces.

Mostly what I do is large carcass, solid stock furniture, but get calls from family and my wife's friends for these sort of things. I have no trouble just saying No and apologizing for being too busy. My lovely lady has no trouble just saying Yes, so somewhere in there a median has to be met.

Thanks again guys for the informative assist...

[garymuto]

Like any tool (tablesaw for example) it is the motor and fence.
I picked the P-C 557 and really like it

[LCHIEN]

good quality fence. Stable so it won't shift on you. easy to adjust, and able to work at different angles when the need arises.

[LinuxRandal]

good quality fence. Stable so it won't shift on you. easy to adjust, and able to work at different angles when the need arises.

Isn't the angles that it works, one of the main differences between the PC and the DeWalt/Makita's that run close?

I picked up the PC on the Lowe's closeout last? year (found out about it here). Was more then you all got them for (high rent area's are where my local Lowe's are), but I figured since last year was my best year (financially), I would get it while I could. Still haven't used it (house projects, not fine WW yet).

I did look at cheaper (both inexpensive, available, and poorer made) ones, of which, several used cheap plastic fences (I thought would crack too easily).

[SARGE..g-47]

I don't think that is the difference LR.. The Dewalt fence angles also and I would suspect the Makita does even though I have never paid attention to it.

I believe the biggest difference is that the PC 557 will handle FF biscuits with the extra FF blade with it and a FF setting. The PC also has a setting for #6 biscuits.. Simplex.. etc. 6 in all I do believe.

I have a Dewalt I am going to put up for sale in just a moment in classified. It was an excellent BC IMO for the limited amount of time I have used one. It just doesn't have the capability to handle the FF's which I do have the occasional need for.

[lakkdainen]

Thanks to all for the info. After looking at several in person, I ended up with the Porter Cable. All the ones in the $100ish range - Ryobi, etc, just looked cheap compared to the $200ish range. Out of those, Porter Cable won me because of the FF biscuit capability.