Biscuit jointers

[Nomad]

I used to have a router and it did everything.
Then I added a biscuit jointer to the toolkit so they shared the work.
Router then died and I find I’m using the biscuit jointer for a lot of odd woodworking tasks eg shaving door bottoms.
Also ideal for kitchen benches.

Info from ithread 'Stuff you have made today'
https://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/stuff-you-have-made-today.67127/post-2517496

 

[julianf]

Wood working types on YouTube always say that the domino has strength and the biscuit doesn't really.

I have a trend biscuit, bought used, with some other kit.

I think I've used it once, to make up a door.

I think I paid very little for it and it was nice that the biscuits automated the alignment in glue up. Id use it again if I ever had a purpose for it.

If course, you can do the same job with a router with a bit more effort, but the biscuit jointer is just so easy to use - mark both bits with a line, set the depth, align the tool to the line, and go. Job done, and you know the glue up will all be nicely lined up.

 

[Dapph2]

How useful are they in reality? I'm tempted to get one, but I'm still on the fence. Worthwhile addition to the tool collection or not?

I know it's one of those types of question. Some may find them invaluable, some likely won't.

I was given one( Workzone ) that had only been used once . Have used it many times . being an angle grinder in the base form it a lot easier to handle , they are a lot lighter , quicker & simpler to use than a router . Tis a simple case of mark all the boards on the edge at the same time so the biscuits go in the same place , the excavated groove is always the same if you do not make it the jointer travel along the wood .

It will come into its own now I have very recently purchased a planer thicknesses , as I want to make a couple of dozen identical sized wooden boxes with 12 inch walls & 3 inch deep lids when my new man cupboard is completed .

 

[Dapph2]

Another for "Team router"
Have few different size slot cutters for the router,
Another advantage of using a router your not just restricted to biscuits, you can use biscuit or full length spline,

I can elongate a groove with my biscuit router If I so chose too.

 

[skotl]

It's me. New toy temptation time.

It's me, #2

I know I overly encourage but, like many others on here, I bought one twenty years ago and have used it twice.
You might be expecting me to pounce with the "BUT WHEN YOU NEED IT, THERE'S NO BETTER TOOL!" defence but, honestly, unless you're making a million kitchen cabinets per month, even I don't think that defence holds up.

One of the few tools that I wouldn't miss.

 

[Blue Chips]

I have a corded DeWalt plate joiner (aka, biscuit jointer, biscuit joiner, etc.), and while I was doing the restoration work on the antique house that we sold in '23 I used it MANY times, such as when I was joining boards to duplicate the width of original wide planks, or doing door repairs, or putting together the good parts of two damaged fancy mouldings to make one good one, etc. I still use it occasionally.

It's also a good tool for correcting mistakes, such as if one accidentally trims too much off a piece of wood and needs to restore it to its original length or width, and hope that no one notices.

For example, I used it the day before yesterday when I mis-measured (who, me?) and cut a junction box hole in the wrong place in a sheet of plywood. I just removed a square of plywood containing the offending hole, cut a replacement square, used the biscuit jointer to secure the replacement piece, and cut the junction box hole in the right place this time. I know....measure twice, cut once, and all that.

It creates stronger joints than a butt joint, and you can space the biscuits closer together if you want more strength.

It's a great tool if you're doing a lot of finish woodworking. It's not as useful for rough carpentry such as framing. As mentioned, a router could also do the job.

A Festool Domino setup would be nice, but my wallet hurts just thinking about it.

 

[frank horton]

I got a cheapy from screwfix years n years ago.....
months go by without using it then on THE day it'll do almost hundred.....
the router bit idea is just a waste of time.....it does the job but who's got time to spare....
and for those Festool junkies there are others out there now....without the inflated price.....
I use dowels instead of domino's...

 

[addjunkie]

I like all proper biscuits except jaffa cakes if they are a biscuit, always up for debate.

Have only ever used a biscuit jointer for one job, always managed with a router or dowels. The job was shortening doors, basically cut the bottom off, shortened and re joined using biscuits. I borrowed it from my brother he's wastes, I mean invests in much wood bothering tools.

 

[MattF]

I really shouldn’t have opened this post as I’m trying not to buy a Festool Domino.

I think we both know how our "trying not to" will end.

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

I think we both know how our "trying not to" will end.

You buy it, don't use, or can't get on with it, or both.
The you give it to me to give to Men In Sheds.
Simplz.

 

[Craig-SM]

I think we both know how our "trying not to" will end.

My will power has all the strength of a biscuit dunked for too long.

On the plus side the plunge saw and rails I bought recently improved my game no end when needed this week. Even the wife commented on how quick and professional (perfect fit, first time) using it.

 

[Bullet2012]

depends on the biscuit as not many are improved by joining, except plain digestives, on those i use butter and jam to join them and make them palatable

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

Quite funny...I'm looking at this right now. Bought 3 years ago fir 1 job...think I cut x6 biscuits with it over 3 years!

Mate is picking it up...he bought one but I told him just take it back and borrow mine!

They're useful if you are doing a lot of woodwork....otherwise yet another garage ornament!

 

[Hitch]

I use mine quite a bit as a woodwork hobbyist. Whilst I'd love a domino setup, I can't justify one. Mine is a screwfix special I've had for probably 20 years.

Routers are good for edge to edge joints, like joining boards side by side. Biscuit cutter is faster as it cuts the right width slot, just need to mark corresponding centre lines on the 2 pieces.

Easy to change the depth on a dedicated machine, simple dial, no faffing with swapping bearings for different size biscuits.

A router won't do edge to face joints either, where as its very simple with a biscuit cutter.
Corner joints are easier with a biscuit cutter too.

 

[TEO]

I used one every day for years then bought a domino 15yrs ago & the biscuit jointer's relegated to v occasional worktops.
If the domino didn't exist & the biscuit went pop then I'd buy another but now it just wouldn't earn it's keep, worktops are fine done with the same router you've used to cut the mitre on the worktops.
Also, unless you're buying a decent one I wouldn't bother, you'll spend your life chasing ½mm that's lost in the baggy imprecision of a cheap one

 

[gaz1]

pocket screws vs biscuits vs domino vs dowels

which is better

 

[MattF]

Also, unless you're buying a decent one I wouldn't bother, you'll spend your life chasing ½mm that's lost in the baggy imprecision of a cheap one

I only tend to buy one brand. It'll be this one I order.

Bosch GFF 18V-22 18v Body Only Biscuit Jointer Brushless in L-Boxx

Cordless biscuit joiner with outstanding precision for professional work results. Your mobility is limited when you use a corded biscuit joiner to cut slots. That’s inconvenient. With our cordless GFF 18V-22 Professional with dust bag, not only do you get maximum freedom, but also superior...

www.lawson-his.co.uk

 

[MattF]

I use dowels instead of domino's...

I'm more inclined to the idea of dowels over loose tenons too. There'd be very little, if any difference, between those, strength wise, & dowels are easier to use.

 

[MattF]

I can elongate a groove with my biscuit router If I so chose too.

That's another purpose I've been thinking it'll be useful for; Groove/slot cutting. Say, for example, slots in drawer sides for a drawer bottom. Simple, quick method. Easier than dragging the table saw out.

 

[MattF]

but an ornament unless its your trade . as above post use a router and it has plenty of uses

You're talking to a bloke here who has some tools which've still not had a sniff of action yet. One more in the mix will make no odds.