Anyone have a suggestion on Biscuit Joiners

[Pig In A Poke]

I need a plate joiner and have looked at the porter cable, makita, dewalt, and (it ain't happen) festool.

The reviews are all over the place and I cannot seem to discern a real difference among them. I have never used one and don't know much about them but have a project coming up where I definitely could use one. Do you guys in the know have one to recommend?

 

[Git]

What are you actually looking to do?

When it comes to biscuit joiners - "Lamello" is at the top of the heap, but they are crazy expensive

Their basic model is the Classic which is around $600
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BVOM0KW/?tag=atomicindus08-20

They also have the top 21 which allows you to raise the cutter up and down with the turn of a knob - it's around $1,200
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HF5J4JA/?tag=atomicindus08-20

And if you really want to get crazy - check out the Zeta ($1,600) which can use some very unusual/unique fasteners
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01J1FSPUQ/?tag=atomicindus08-20

You may be able to find a Top 21 or Top 20 used for a reasonable price. I just checked craiglist for my area and see a Top 21 for $85
https://sandiego.craigslist.org/nsd/tls/5701518969.html

 

[Slednut]

I have a Dewalt but I'd get a Porter Cable 557, those mini biscuits would come in handy.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

Porter Cable has always been the best for the average joe. (Lamello and Festool not average. )

I've used older (10-20 year old) Porter Cables and they work great. Dunno if they were and anymore are USA.

I have a DeWalt because it's what was on CL for $20 one day, and it works just fine. I'd say the PC is just smoother, smoother adjustements, etc. But I do biscuits once a year. So NBD.

 

[ZRX61]

I have a Dewalt, no complaints, does what it's supposed to do.

 

[David99]

I have a Porter Cable 557, Has done the job every time I've used it, purchased mine at the very end of 2003.

 

[cgrutt]

Older Porter Cable here. Works great but don't use it much any more as I've found that gluing up boards without it is faster and just as strong (yeah, I know technically a biscuit joint would be stronger but haven't had any non-biscuited joints fail on me after being glued up). Agree with above, not sure if they're made the same as they used to be.

 

[southalabama]

Have about a ten year old dewalt. It's worked well.

Don't use it much anymore.

Kreg pocket screws are the way to go

 

[Philbert]

I have a skill. It was to en to me. If I where to buy one, I'dget the Porter Cable

 

[MushCreek]

I needed one, but just for a few hobby jobs, so I bought one from Harbor Freight. (I know, I know). It works. You line it up, push it in, it cuts a slot for a biscuit. Like southalabama, I use Kreg pocket screws for a lot of things. If I were a pro, using one for a living, I'd buy the best one I could find.

 

[terry603]

I always thought I would want one also
I have borrowed one at two different times, I decided I did not like using them at all

 

[Dagny]

porter cable works well. the blade for smaller size don't come with it.

 

[chrisexv6]

Id hold out for a PC. Woodnet/Sawmillcreek forums have a few posts on exactly WHICH 557 you want. I think there are 4 or more types at this point. Type 3 being what you want because its A) made in USA and B) had an improved fence that fixed issue(s) with Type 2.

Starting with Type 4 COO started to get iffy....USA, Mexico, China, etc.

 

[ALinCarolina]

I just used my biscuit joiner and my Festool domino machine yesterday. My biscuit joiner is a Lamello but if you are not going to use it a lot you don't need the Swiss machine. Any of the midrange machines should work for you. I generally like Bosch tools over Porter Cable but either of those two would be good.

 

[dnschmidt]

I like the DeWalt. It works fine. If I did it for a living Lamello is the answer. They are just that good.

 

[bob15]

I've used older (10-20 year old) Porter Cables and they work great. Dunno if they were and anymore are USA.
.

Porter cable Model 557 types 1, 2 & 3 (see serial sticker for "type") are the last of the US made biscuit joiners. Type 4 is mexico. I would assume anything new is now mexico as well.

 

[Pig In A Poke]

I need to edge join smaller pieces to make a panel. In the past I have splined, tonge/groved, or ship lapped the pieces, but this time I am working with 5/8" red oak and thought it would be easier (because I am at home with limited tools) to use a biscuit joiner.

I may just purchase a finger joint bit and use it, but I have been intriquied with the speed of the biscuits.

The project is an in wall humidor, and the panels I am joining will make the back panel of the outer enclosure. A tight seal on a stable strong joint is necessary to keep the box sealed.

Thanks everyone for the feedback on the machines!

 

[chrisexv6]

Porter cable Model 557 types 1, 2 & 3 (see serial sticker for "type") are the last of the US made biscuit joiners. Type 4 is mexico. I would assume anything new is now mexico as well.

Bob is right (ha!)

IIRC Type 2 had a small issue with the fence staying 90 degrees. Someone could fix it with a small shim (brass, etc), but Type 3 fixed the issue completely.

 

[ez-duzit]

Mine is the Lamello. Have had it for decades and never had a problem.

 

[Git]

I need to edge join smaller pieces to make a panel. In the past I have splined, tonge/groved, or ship lapped the pieces, but this time I am working with 5/8" red oak and thought it would be easier (because I am at home with limited tools) to use a biscuit joiner.

I may just purchase a finger joint bit and use it, but I have been intriquied with the speed of the biscuits.

The project is an in wall humidor, and the panels I am joining will make the back panel of the outer enclosure. A tight seal on a stable strong joint is necessary to keep the box sealed.

Thanks everyone for the feedback on the machines!

Edge joining boards for glue ups is where I biscuit joiner shines. I would also suggest you take a look at a high quality dowelling jig like the Jessem ($125)
http://www.leevalley.com/US/Wood/page.aspx?p=71493&cat=1,180,42311,42319&ap=1

 

[Zeke]

I always thought I would want one also
I have borrowed one at two different times, I decided I did not like using them at all

I have a Bosch and it gets used very little. They are not that accurate.

 

[ez-duzit]

Besides giving your glue joint more surface area, biscuits provide a means of accurately aligning the mating pieces. Typical uses include edge banding veneered or laminate covered panels, using solid lumber, particularly where a large corner radius is desired.

 

[Rick M]

Porter Cable. Owned mine since the 90s but unfortunately it doesn't do the dinky biscuits. Great machine otherwise.

-- Rick M

 

[Empty Pockets]

I have an early Porter Cable 557, I upgraded from the older style (I think a 555). I used to use it regularly, with no complaints, but now I use it rarely, it just sits and collects saw dust.

 

[atthebeach]

I've had a DeWalt 682 for about 10 years. Always does an excellent job. It is setup for size 20 biscuits which are good for general woodworking and furniture making. Not a bad choice for the weekend woodworker.

 

[Jerryrigged]

Frued makes a really good biscuit joiner.

 

[Rrumbler]

'Nuther one with an older Porter-Cable. Good machine, bought it in the late eighties or early nineties when we did a kitchen remodel - can't remember exactly.

 

[rlitman]

Porter Cable has always been the best for the average joe. (Lamello and Festool not average. )

I've used older (10-20 year old) Porter Cables and they work great...

I recall having used the first generation Porter Cable with the vertical handle (that was a LONG time back, and I have not seen another). It truly sucked.

I currently have a PC with the straight body, and it's excellent.

edit: THIS is the PC one that really sucked:

It was almost impossible to get a clean biscuit hole out of it without it moving.

I have the Porter Cable 557 now, and it is a top shelf tool. I could not be happier with it.

 

[cgrutt]

I need to edge join smaller pieces to make a panel. In the past I have splined, tonge/groved, or ship lapped the pieces, but this time I am working with 5/8" red oak and thought it would be easier (because I am at home with limited tools) to use a biscuit joiner.

I may just purchase a finger joint bit and use it, but I have been intriquied with the speed of the biscuits.

The project is an in wall humidor, and the panels I am joining will make the back panel of the outer enclosure. A tight seal on a stable strong joint is necessary to keep the box sealed.

Thanks everyone for the feedback on the machines!

I would try to get my hands on some Spanish Cedar for the back of your project. Not sure if the tannins in red oak will impart a bad taste in your cigars or not but it reminds me of vomit when cutting red oak. (I think they use white or yellow oak in wine/beer casks). Post up some pics when you're done sounds cool!

 

[theoldwizard1]

Think twice before you spend your money !

A pocket screw jig can do a lot what a biscuit joiner can do if the pocket are out of sight or the quality of the product can "overlook" the pocket. (Pretty much all cabinetry in RV has hardwood frames and doors that are assemble with pocket screws.)

 

[ez-duzit]

...A pocket screw jig can do a lot what a biscuit joiner can do...

This simply isn't true. Pocket screw joinery should be considered an amateur's shortcut for cobbling wood together.

 

[rlitman]

This simply isn't true. Pocket screw joinery should be considered an amateur's shortcut for cobbling wood together.

Well, so can biscuits though. I'm not a huge fan of either, but I feel that biscuits suit certain needs of mine. Pocket screws, less so.

Being that this is an internet forum, maybe we should just suggest forgetting about biscuits and switching to Festool domino?

 

[Rick M]

Domino's are just fancy dowels.

You can find something negative about anything but I've found both pocket hole screws and biscuits to be useful and rarely do they overlap. I mostly use biscuits on miters to improve strength and help with alignment and clamping. I've also built light duty shelving using nothing but biscuits and those shelves are going strong 10/15/20 years later. Pocket screws are a solution to the problem of screwing into end grain. They have their purpose - are great for face frames, cabinet backs or anywhere that will not be seen. I also use pocket hole screws for shop cabinets and fixtures where I don't care if they are seen. I built a lathe stand a few years back and used a lot of pocket holes screws, even with the vibration it was extremely strong and rigid. If you are building furniture then definitely use traditional joinery. But I think a lot of the pocket hole/biscuit hate is fed by youtubers because controversy creates views. But in the end, I don't care what other people use or don't use and certainly not enough to argue about it.

 

[Pig In A Poke]

I would try to get my hands on some Spanish Cedar for the back of your project. Not sure if the tannins in red oak will impart a bad taste in your cigars or not but it reminds me of vomit when cutting red oak. (I think they use white or yellow oak in wine/beer casks). Post up some pics when you're done sounds cool!

I am lining the entire interior with Spanish cedar. The trays will likely be Spanish cedar as well.

 

[Pig In A Poke]

I borrowed a Lamello, Wow what a nice simple machine.

 

[Garththomas]

I have a Makita and no complaints its been very accurate and solid but I've heard the Dewalt is better. I don't like the shape of the Porter Cable.

 

[stg454]

I love my DeWalt. It's a great machine to use.