Choosing a Biscuit Joiner

One way to classify these power tools is by handle style. Manufacturers offer plate joiners with barrel grips or D-handles.

A barrel grip extends the tool’s body, while a D-handle mounts on its motor casing. A barrel grip offers a larger grip area and better control of the tool. You can manoeuver the joiner more easily when wrapping your hand around a barrel grip.

If you plan on working with a biscuit joiner for long sessions, it’s best to consider getting a D-handle model. The D-handle provides a more ergonomic grip and is comfortable to hold for extended periods.

Plate joiners are also available as corded and cordless power tools. Corded units have more powerful motors and can cut faster. They also run for longer since they don’t rely on battery power. In contrast, cordless biscuit joiners are more portable and better suited for field work and small projects. When using one, there’s no risk of the power cable getting in the way. To reduce downtime, it’s best to have extra batteries handy.

Understanding the key features to look for in a plate joiner is important when comparing different models of the tool. This knowledge will also come in handy when learning how to use a biscuit joiner.

Motor Power: Like other power tools, manufacturers quote the power ratings of corded plate joiners in ampere (A) and use volt (V) for cordless units. A corded joiner with a power rating between 5 A and 7 A is ideal for most DIY joinery tasks. This can cut through softwood and particle board and may be able to tackle harder materials. If you prefer a cordless plate joiner, a 14-volt model provides the same performance. Hardwoods and professional workshops need joiners with more powerful motors

Blade Size: This describes the diameter of the cutting blade. The standard biscuit joiner blade is a 4-inch cutting disc. It cuts slots for commonly used biscuit sizes. Having a 2-inch blade allows you to cut smaller slots for smaller biscuits.  

Cutting Speed: This is related to the motor power of the tool and describes the spinning rate of the blade. Most corded plate joiners have cutting speeds between 10,000 and 11,000 revolutions per minute (rpm). This is fast enough to cut through hardwood. High-speed blades also produce clean and smooth cuts in materials prone to splintering.

Adjustable Fence: Having a biscuit joiner with a fence that can adjust to 45 degrees and 135 degrees makes cutting more convenient. With fences that only tilt to a 45-degree angle, you may need to flip the workpiece to cut it on both sides. A fence that adjusts to both angles saves time and makes cutting mitre joints easier.

Dust Collection: Plate joiners produce a lot of sawdust and most include dust bags to help keep the work area clean. Some models have dust ports that can connect to workshop vacuums.

With the right instructions and some practice, DIYers can use plate joiners to build joints for cabinets, drawers, and frames. Most biscuit joiner uses follow the same basic steps.

The first step is placing the two boards you’d like to join on a worktable. Marking the spots with a pencil where you want the biscuits to go makes aligning cut holes quicker.

A few helpful biscuit joiner tips and tricks to remember:

• Working with one board at a time makes things easier
• Applying a couple of drops of dry lubricant in the space between the motor assembly and the tool’s base helps the parts slide better
• Having a simple jig to complement the fence at locking down the workpiece improves cutting accuracy

After placing the fence on top of the board and lining up the tool’s cutting guide with your pencil marks, then it’s time to switch on the biscuit joiner. For precise cuts, it’s best to set the blade’s cutting depth beforehand. In this way, the blade sinks into the workpiece up to the stop line. After cutting slots in all marked spots and both boards, you can apply the glue.

Placing the adhesive in the slots on one board keeps the completed joints from looking untidy. For the same reason, the biscuits should go in the glued slots before sliding the second board over. Most woodworkers clamp both boards together to allow the glue to set and dry.

Blades and biscuits are the most important accessories to have on hand when using a plate joiner. Biscuits come in various sizes, but the most common ones are #0 (for wood pieces that are 8 to 12 mm thick), #10 (for 12 to 15 mm wood pieces), and #20 (for workpieces measuring over 15 mm in thickness). While most of them are wood, there are some plastic and PVC biscuits and even metal connectors used for the same purposes.

Besides blade size and tooth count, the material used for the teeth is another important feature to consider when shopping for these biscuit joiner accessories. Carbide is the most common material used. It’s durable, and capable of slicing through hardwoods.

Other accessories to consider for your biscuit joiner kit include glue, dust collection hose, and joint-spacing bars to help create slots at regular intervals.