A woodworking biscuit joiner is one of the most important tools in any woodworking workshop. Using a biscuit joiner is the easiest way to fit pieces of wood together. To create a strong joint, you will need to insert small wafers of wood called biscuits, and then glue them into the slots.

If you are interested in woodworking, there are several key terms that you will need to understand. Some of the key terms include edge jointing, butt joints, biscuits and miter joints.

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Biscuits

Biscuits are thin, football-shaped slices of wood, made of compressed beech wood. You can glue a biscuit into a slot in one edge of a board, and then into a corresponding slot in the adjoining board. Biscuits are particularly useful in cabinet construction or for gluing a few individual boards to make a tabletop.

I recommend: Read through detailed information on biscuits at wiseGEEK, an online information resource.

Edge jointing

Edge jointing is a type of joint in which the surfaces of the two parts that you need to join are parallel to one another and a joint is made at their common edges.

I recommend: WoodworkDetails.com, an online woodworking information resource, publishes detailed information on edge jointing.

Miter joints

To form a corner at an angle of 90 degrees, you will need to join two parts that are beveled at 45 degrees. This joint is called a miter or miter joint.

I recommend: You can browse through Sawdust Making 101 for detailed information on miter joints. Integrated Publishing, an online resource, publishes information on miter joints.

T-joints

In a T-joint, two metal parts are perpendicular to each other, forming the shape of the letter T. You can use T-joints for making simple doors and frames.

I recommend: Refer to the American Furniture Design Co. for more information on T-joints.

Butt joints

A butt joint is a joinery technique in which you can join two pieces of wood by butting them together. The butt joint is the simplest joint to make, since it merely involves cutting pieces of wood to the appropriate length and butting them together. It is also the weakest because, unless you use some form of reinforcement, it relies upon glue alone to hold it together.

I recommend: Read through Fine Woodworking, a magazine that provides an informative article on butt joints. Additionally, Toolingu.com provides a definition of the term.

Box joints

When you cut a set of complementary rectangular cuts in two pieces of wood and glue them together, it creates a box joint (also known as a finger joint or comb joint).

I recommend: Inside Woodworking, an online woodworking magazine, provides information on box joints. You can also refer to BeeSource.Com (PDF) for an informative article on box joints and their usage.

Not every biscuit joiner tool, also known as a biscuit jointer, biscuit plate jointer and biscuit plate joiner, is created equal. Some biscuit joiners are more for the amateur woodworker, while other biscuit joiners are a heavy-duty biscuit joiner, meant for professional use.

While all claim you can use them for biscuit joinery, the degree to which they are successful varies. When looking for a woodworking biscuit joiner, review your options and save a little money when you buy a reconditioned biscuit joiner. When looking for the product that meets your specific needs, consider these options:

1. Look for a biscuit joiner that meets your needs as well as your budget.

2. Choose a biscuit joiner that is capable of performing the tasks required of it.

3. Consider the kind of use (and abuse) the biscuit joiner will receive on the job.

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Explore an entry level biscuit joiner

Entry level biscuit joiners have motors that range from 3.5 amps to 6.5 amps. Each biscuit joiner is capable of cutting #0, #10 and #20 slots, as well as having an adjustable fence with positive detents at 0 degrees, 45 degrees and 90 degrees. Each is capable of angles at 0 degrees, 90 degrees and 135 degrees, and come with carry cases or bags.

I recommend: The models of biscuit joiners that fell in to the entry-level category were the Craftsman 6.0 amp plate joiner from Sears, the Avanti JS104K biscuit joiner from Freud Tools, and the Woodhaven 966 Biscuit Master.

Opt for a professional grade biscuit joiner

Choose a professional grade biscuit joiner for a professional setting. Look for biscuit joiners that received a professional grade rating for the optimal performance.

I recommend: The DeWalt Heavy-Duty Plate Jointer DW682K comes as a kit that includes a carbide biscuit joiner blade, vacuum adapter, dust bag, a Torx key, a wrench as well as a heavy-duty box. It is capable of cutting the usual slots and the M biscuit. The Porter-Cable Deluxe Plate Jointer 557 kit comes with a 2-inch and 4-inch blade, dust bag, an Allen wrench, a chip deflector and the case. It is capable of cutting the usual slots, as well as FF, Simplex, Duplex, and Max (#6) biscuits. The Makita Plate Joiner Model 3901 comes as a kit with a carbide tipped blade, an angle guide, a dust bag, a lock nut wrench, a set plate, inner flange, and lock nut and the case.

Look for a premier biscuit joiner

Choose premier biscuit joiner for the finest work. The Classic C3 Biscuit Joiner and the Top 20 S4 Biscuit Joiner help you get the job done with ease.

I recommend: Lamello offers the Classic C3, which cuts the usual sized slots, as well as S, D and M biscuits, and with a specialty blade, can cut mini-biscuits. It has detents at 22.5 degrees, 45 degrees and 67.5 degrees. Find the Top 20 S4 biscuit joiner at Fine Homebuilding. It has an impressive 800 watt motor and cuts slots for #0, #10, #20, S, D and M biscuits. The Lamello Top 20 S4 received the Editor's Choice Best Overall rating from Fine Homebuilding.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Find the best biscuit joiner for you and your business. Using a biscuit joiner is something professional and amateur woodworkers will do when making furniture and finish carpentry. However, not all biscuit joiners are not of the same quality nor have the same capacity.

Gaining awareness about a biscuit plate joiner (also known as a biscuit joiner tool or a biscuit plate jointer) is essential for entering into the business and keeping up with the pace of the woodworking industry.

For biscuit joiner manufacturers, it is always beneficial to update your knowledge about woodworking biscuit joiner products. If you are a supplier, you can read through different magazines and online publications to update your knowledge about new biscuit joiner tools. You can also refer to scholarly papers and articles by experts in the field of biscuit joinery.

To educate yourself and/or your employees about a biscuit plate joiner, you should:

1. Understand the basics of biscuit joinery and the relevant terminology
2. Search for training programs to acquire information about biscuit joiner tools and the various types available in the market
3. Subscribe to magazines and periodicals that provide information about biscuit joiner tools
4. Join associations catering to the woodworking industry
5. Seek an expert’s advice if you want to use a heavy duty biscuit joiner

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Understand the basics of biscuit joinery and the relevant terminology

Some reputable data publishing companies provide informative articles about biscuit joiner tools and their accessories. You can also find vital information about a biscuit jointer by browsing through different online resources.

I recommend: You can refer to WoodZone.com for a detailed write up on using a biscuit joiner. Popular Woodworking, a magazine for the woodworking industry, publishes a manual for biscuit joiners. You can also refer to TheToolHut.com, an online information resource for power tools.

Subscribe to magazines and journals for more information on a woodworking biscuit joiner

Some magazines publish biscuit joiner review articles that provide information about the latest biscuit joiner products. You can subscribe to such magazines to keep track of developments in the field of biscuit joinery.

I recommend: Woodworker's Journal, a journal dedicated to the woodworking industry, provides you with information about the latest woodworking tools. To get detailed information about biscuit joiner tools, you can also subscribe to Fine Woodworking.com, an informative magazine for woodworking professionals.

Join woodworkers' associations or attend conferences to learn more about biscuit joiner products

You can join various associations or attend conferences to learn about new technologies and upcoming events in the woodworking industry.

I recommend: You can join the San Diego Fine Woodworkers Association (SDFWA) and participate in discussion forums to gather information on biscuit joiner tools. You can also attend ‘Woodworking in America: Hand Tools and Techniques Conference’ that offers a platform for interaction between the experts and users of woodworking tools.

Understand the safety measures related to biscuit joiner products

Following safety procedures is of utmost importance while working with a biscuit joiner. Adequate knowledge can keep you and your workers informed about necessary safety measures related to biscuit joiners.

I recommend: WoodworkingBiscuitJoiner.Com, an online information resource, provides information about the safety measures that you must consider while working with biscuit joiners. You can also read through an instruction manual by GMC (Global Machinery Company) that explains the safety procedures for using a biscuit joiner.