Biscuit joiner

[Cochese]

I have been reluctant in the past to use a joiner because my work wasn't always accurate. Now that I'm refining my techniques I tried the biscuits again and I was fairly pleased with the results.

The problem I have is that I have the HF joiner. I generally give the benefit of doubt to a lot of what HF sells, but this is one I can't recommend. The fence won't keep height, and another design flaw (which it might share with others) is that there's not a good way to stabilize the tool when plunging it. The Ryobi/Craftsman models have a handle on the fence, and the PC 557 the handle stays stationary. On this, the handle and the motor make the plunge and it's easy to rock it.

Now why I made this thread is to ask advice on what to do. I could try and replace the fence with some aluminum angle, but I'm not sure how effective this would be. The other option is to replace it. The Ryobi/Craftsman has decent reviews, but the PC 557 seems to be the Cadillac. HD is clearing them out at $165, but that's still a lot of coin to spend when there are other priorities. I need a bandsaw fence, the dust collector and of course a bunch of wood is coming up for purchase very soon.

So, hot rod the HF, or cut my losses and invest in the better tool? If I couldn't sell the HF, I would probably mount it in a permanent jig.

[cwsmith]

I can't offer any advice on the HF. I've seen it in the store only, but I have to say that I'm not impressed... at least compared to the Ridgid.

However, I started using a biscuit joiner over a year ago. Not a lot of money around here and I bought a Ryobi which I've come to really like and it does a great job for me.

With regard to jointing an edge, I've found that my BT31001 and a Ridgid 50-tooth T3 Titanium blade works great and gives me a glueable edge. So far I've only joined "pine" for the library and it's several window seats and cabinet but the joints are invisible, which I believe is one of the objectives.

You can of course, "joint" on the router table too, by shimming the outfeed fence. I use a Rockler router table top and their two-piece fence system. I have used that for jointing only a couple of times though as the BT31001 does the job for me.

I hope this helps,

CWS

[cabinetman]

I've got a DeWalt, that I used when I first got it, and it has set pins on the fence to keep it from moving. I don't use it anymore, and it sits on a shelf right next to my Kreg PH jig...don't use that anymore either.

Biscuits don't insure alignment, and are intended to help keep parts from pulling apart. They offer no axial strength. They can weaken the joint area. They can expand and show a bump in the face of the material.

If I need to install a biscuit, I will make it a spline instead from cross grain wood, or plywood. Many joints, as in glued up lengths can just be jointed (or a good saw cut), glued and clamped.

.

[pelligrini]

The other option is to replace it. The Ryobi/Craftsman has decent reviews, but the PC 557 seems to be the Cadillac. HD is clearing them out at $165, but that's still a lot of coin to spend when there are other priorities. I need a bandsaw fence, the dust collector and of course a bunch of wood is coming up for purchase very soon.

So, hot rod the HF, or cut my losses and invest in the better tool? If I couldn't sell the HF, I would probably mount it in a permanent jig.

You really ought to consider if how much you'll be using the tool. If it's going to be for a lot of projects a new purchase would be in order. If it's just for a handful, I wouldn't waste the money.

I bought an inexpensive Ryobi from HD several years ago. It is OK, but not the best tool I've used. I don't use it very often either. Most of the time, I forget I even have a biscuit jointer. There are a lot of other ways to put things together. I'd much prefer a good dowel jig.

[jeepman71]

I have the Freud, altho it is not the PC557 it has a decent fence and has produced quite a few slots for me. The slots are a little snug for the Porter Cable bicuits but a quick drag across a slip of 120 fixes that problem. I think these can be had for a little less money that the PC557.

Jim

[JimD]

Most reviews I've read rank the Lamillo the best, then the PC, then the DeWalt and then the rest. I have an old Skil model that is not sold anymore. The fence is plastic and not good. The instructions that came with it recommended making up blocks of varying thickness to set the fence with. I did that and it works well. The fence will hold a setting it just can't be depended on to go up and down parallel with the blade. I find the blocks useful for other things too. I have them varying by 1/16th from 1/4 inch to 1 1/4 inch thickness. I don't know if that would help the HF but I thought I would mention it. I'd like to have a PC but so far the Skil does what I need.

I like C'man but I think he is a little extra negative about biscuits. They do not make a great joint but I have chairs and a table made with them that are still working fine. Wood magazine tested various joints and biscuits came out surprisingly weak (at least to me, probably not C'man). They do not ensure good alignment in a glueup but they avoid really bad alignment. Like most alternatives, I think they have their place. On a big glue up like the top of a dresser, I will throw in some biscuits, for instance. I'm not looking for more strength - the glue is strong enough - I am looking for a way to get the wood together before the glue sets up. If things go smoothly, I may beat things into a little better alignment. If they do not, I have something I can use (but more sanding is required). I wouldn't use them for chairs at this point but I still sit on chairs I made with biscuits (I use mortise and tenon now).

Jim

[pelligrini]

I don't think they add much to a joint for strength either. Like Jim mentioned, their biggest uses are to aid alignment and speed up production. I think cauls ensure better alignment. I'm sure I could find a lot better uses for $165 other than a biscuit jointer.

[toolguy1000]

i have a dewalt joiner and i always reference edges against a very flat surface, like a bench or TS, to ensure alignment. that works much better than relying on the fence, where the alignment can be affected by both the accuracy of the fence and any miunute dimensional differences in the material. i'd try the HF again and don't bother with the fence. BTW, my dewalt was CL buy @ around $80-90. when i have to use biscuits, it works very well.

[Knottscott]

I'd do nothing. The more woodworking I do, the less I see a need for biscuits...if and when I do see a need, I use a router to cut the slot. I had a very good DW joiner that I sold a few years ago and haven't missed.

[Lonnie in Orlando]

I bought the PC biscuit joiner a few years ago because of its good features. Like others have noted, I found that I can live without it. I've used it one time ... with "tiny biscuits" to lock the corner of this banding around my fireplace.


But it is a really good biscuit joiner - if I every need to use it.

Regarding a bandsaw fence: I know that I'm starting to bore you guys with my posts about my $2 bandsaw fence. Maybe you can use it and put the savings toward a DC, wood, or that elusive PC biscuit jointer!

Click on this pic for a slideshow of my bandsaw fence. Although there are a number of pics with the resaw fence attached, I usually use it without. Locks in place front and back. Easily adjustable for drift. Fast and cheap to build. Still use the fence. Wouldn't make any changes.


Woodworker's Journal tip

- Lonnie

[Pappy]

I have the previous model from PC (556?) that I bought when Sam's still sold tools. About a year ago I bought a PC 557 off C/L for the face frame biscuit capability and more easily adjustable fence.

If you are interested in the 556 for $50, PM me and we can work out something.

[Cochese]

I'd like to say I appreciate each and every one of your points. They were well made and gave me something to think about.

Pappy, I appreciate the offer, but the reason I wanted to upgrade to the 557 (really, that was my first choice) was for the same reason you did. I think unless I get an even better deal on a 557 I will stand pat.

Lonnie, that is a very interesting design. I think I already have everything I need to make that, and might give it a shot. It took me awhile of staring at it to figure out how it worked. Now that I do, I could see a couple of different ways of doing it if I got creative, which I don't have time to do right now.

I'll try and see if I can make what I have a bit more accurate, while not investing too much money. More than about $30, I might as well use that toward the 557.

[Lonnie in Orlando]

FYI - the WWJ tip incorrectly says that the 1/8" shim raises the fence above the level of the BS table. The shim actually lowers the "Tee" below the top of the table so that the "Tee" doesn't catch on the workpiece.

Good luck wth the upgrades to your joiner.

- Lonnie