Biscuit Joiner (20008708) In Stock Now

About:

A biscuit joiner or biscuit jointer (or sometimes plate joiner) is a woodworking tool used to join two pieces of wood together. A biscuit joiner uses a small circular saw blade to cut a crescent-shaped hole (called the mouth) in the opposite edges of two pieces of wood or wood composite panels. An oval-shaped, highly dried and compressed wooden biscuit (beech or particle wood) is covered with glue, or glue is applied in the slot. The biscuit is immediately placed in the slot, and the two boards are clamped together. The wet glue expands the biscuit, further improving the bond.

This Unit:

DeWalt Biscuit Joiner

Operation:

The most common use of a biscuit joiner is to join two boards together edge to edge, making a wider surface, and it is here that the biscuit joiner really shines.

1. To accomplish this joint, lay the boards on a smooth surface in the orientation and position desired for the final assembly. Boards should be smooth, requiring only a light sanding before finishing, with the edges to be joined together as straight as possible.

2. Mark the locations of the biscuits on both boards. If many boards are to be joined, it is easiest to use a straight edge and mark them all at the same time with a light pencil line running across the entire surface. For ¾" lumber, a biscuit every 12" or so is adequate, while with 2X lumber, a biscuit every 18" or so will do fine.

3. There are three sizes of biscuits to choose from; #0, #10 and #20. You should probably have a small supply of each size available, as most jobs will contain many different types of joints to be made. Choose a size of biscuit; a #20 is normally used for edge gluing. This is the largest of the biscuits available and will extend further into each board. Other types of joints may require smaller biscuits so that they don't protrude beyond the back surface of the board.

4. Set the fence so that the blade will project into the center of the board. It is not necessary to have the exact center, but get it as close as possible. With the side of the board with the line drawn on it facing up, position the biscuit joiner at the edge of the board, turn the tool on, and firmly push the blade into the wood. This will cut the slot that the biscuit will fit into.

5. Repeat for each line drawn on each board. Add glue to the slots cut for the biscuits, making sure that each slot is filled to about 1/4 of its depth with glue. The edge of one board of each joint should also have glue along its entire length. Insert the biscuits into all the slots cut into one board, centering them in the slots. Again, it is not necessary to get them into the exact center; just center them by eye and it will be good enough. Press the other board onto the biscuits and clamp the assembly until dry. If too many boards are to be joined together, it may be necessary to only glue a few at a time in order for the glue not to set up too much while getting all of the boards together before clamping.

6. After the glue has dried, some sanding will likely be necessary to make the surfaces of the boards line up completely smooth, but it should be very minimal. The biscuit cutter, if used correctly, will cut the slots for the biscuits at precisely the right depth in each board. A few thousandths of an inch should be all that needs sanding off.

Safety:

1. Wear your protective equipment including ear defenders and goggles. 

2. Always hold the tool properly when working. Keep hands clear of the blade. 

3. If your fingers start to tingle from vibration stop the biscuit joiner; flex your hands and fingers to keep them warm and encourage blood circulation. Find out about vibration.

4. To prevent damage to your blade, check that there are no nails, screws or metal embedded in your workpiece. 

5. Let the blade stop completely before removing it from the workpiece. 

6. Stop the machine, switch off and unplug before making any adjustments. 

7. If you think the cable may be cut or damaged in any way, switch off and unplug at the mains before inspecting it. If the cable attached to the machine is damaged, stop using the machine.  If an extension cable has been damaged don’t use it again. 

8. If you are not using the biscuit joiner for a prolonged period, store it safely in its carry-case or toolbox.

 9. If your equipment does not work properly do not attempt to repair it

Loan Notes: