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Woodworking Biscuit Joiner

Find the woodworking biscuit joiner for your needs

By Marjorie Gilbert
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.

 

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.
Try: 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.
Try: 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.
Try: 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.

 

  • 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.

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