Joiner Evaluation

If the tool that you buy holds up against the checklist below, you've got something you can work with. When biscuit slots are not parallel to the face of work, flush-fitting joints are impossible. The first criteria to check are the blade to base relationship- it should be absolutely parallel. Take two pieces of scrap about 10 inches long. Mark the back as if to edge join them in two places. With the good faces clamped down on the bench top, plunge cut for #20 biscuits by simply resting the machine on the bench top and aligning to the index marks. This is the benchtop reference method of use. The resultant joint when fitted with biscuits should be nearly perfect in alignment of the face side. To form a 90- degree joint the complementary wall is simply held vertical against a stop and the plunge cut made- this method eliminates maladjusted fences and shaky hands. If it fails the test, return the machine, no user adjustment is possible.

If it passes the benchtop test but is unpredictable in freehand use, the fence needs more careful adjustment - however, the fence is not needed at all for the most common biscuit joinery tasks since the benchtop reference method is the superior technique.

Now some rules of thumb: With the proliferation of biscuits by other than the original manufacturer, where a little slip was desired, it should take thumb pressure or a light mallet tap to install the biscuit; it should not free-fall from the slot when turned upside down. This is an ideal however, and real world says you may get some play due to varying biscuit thickness and shaky plunge cuts. Biscuit swell usually negates this effect. Test: wet the biscuit, install it and let sit for 15 minutes. If you've got a good interface fit, you should need pliers to extract the biscuit from the slot, and it probably won't come out in one piece. Once the glue has been applied to the slot, it is advisable to spread it with a tool to ensure a complete wetting of the wall surfaces to ensure optimum adhesion.

If in doubt about strength always use the largest size for the work, however the smallest (#0) is amazingly useful for 50% or more of typical joinery tasks. The #20 is usually the main plate, but I would again use the #0 if I were to deeply profile an edge reveal or shelf lip with an ogee or cove, etc. My bigger concern would be biscuit exposure.

Every machine has a fine adjust for plunge depth. I like to set mine using the #20 index because all others will then be calibrated likewise. I set the depth for about a plus 1/16" total recess in the work (see tool graphic above); simply insert the biscuit, scribe with a pencil, rotate the biscuit, re- insert and scribe again. The resultant gap is then read. The slot length for a #20 biscuit is about 2-5/8" long. Typically this setting gives a lateral joint adjustment of about 1/8", suitable for most work.

Biscuit joinery is a method of assembly that has the following attributes: alignment, strength, adjustability, and ease of fabrication. These combined factors are more useful to woodworkers than any other single system, thus a systemic viewpoint is important to derive the full benefit of the method; in this instance, the product is far greater than the sum of its parts. You may use fewer biscuits if you've got a face or edge grain joint, because this is an optimum glue situation. Use more if you're dealing with end grain or a miter. Always remember however: no glue, fastener or technique will ever be a substitute for poor joinery- careful preparation is all!

Top

No.....Yes

So tell me, do you find this information useful?

_{Why Your
Remarks Are Important}

Home