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@alaskankare

4 ай бұрын

I wonder what came first, the cutoff/grinder or the biscuit joiner. Seems like a grinder/cutoff wheel could have a gizmo frame attached and be made into a biscuit jointer. 😅

@p24t

4 ай бұрын

I got a 4-in-1 and a megasquare, and I now *love* my grinder. It's a completely different tool.

I like to use biscuits for alignment when making pocket hole joints. A lot easier than clamping and I get to use the two most hated tools on the internet at the same time!

@brandonhoffman4712

Ай бұрын

My clamps must be too ez to use... or maybe its the magic of kregg's shitty collapsible tables having an eve like a rooftop! If you really want to mess with people, put the pocket holes on the show side! Then when they see your art, repeat after me. Turn and look at them, open your pants pocket, and say careful, this pocket hole leads to a snake pit!

I put a workbench together with biscuits 25 years ago and it is still together. They're stronger than you would think

I bought a Freud biscuit joiner over 20 years ago. I don't use it very often anymore, but it still works perfectly and has aided in many, many glue ups over the years. I never understood the hate. It's a specific tool for a specific use. We built a restaurant full of table tops with biscuit joints, and all of those tables are still functioning just fine. That was in the summer of 2001.

The best biscuit joiner is the creme between two Oreos.

I bought a biscuit joiner and rarely use it. Your video will help. Thanks

Since I HATE nail holes, no matter how small, I use a biscuit jointer to help attach face frames to cabinets.

Thanks for these short videos. They bring a lot of knowledge on a variety of topics. Other youtubers don't want to and it doesn't pay to make such episodes. Thanks to them I always know more in less popular carpentry topics

The biscuit joiner put me through college.

I have used them for years. Some of what you say I agree, but I love its ease of use and I have found them to be quite strong.

@mainewoods1862

4 ай бұрын

I am OLD and I have 2 biscuit joiners. I use them a lot. I have a couple of very good dowel jigs. I rarely use these. I did FINALLY break down and buy a Festool domino . I do enough volume to warrant the cost, though I HATED writing the check. I agree ( maybe I am wrong ) biscuits add more strength than people feel they do today. To each their own.

@steverone7623

4 ай бұрын

It’s crazy to see people say that biscuits don’t add strength on instagram.

Love mine. Had it for over 20 years!

I enjoyed your biscuit joiner video. I bought my first and only biscuit jointer from Porter Cable in 1989. The hype surrounding this tool was overwhelming at the time. Building cabinets and custom furniture seemed like a good reason to buy one, so I did. The jointer arrived in a couple of weeks but it took several months for the biscuits to show up. My list of expected uses was growing daily while I waited for the biscuits. It didn’t take long to figure out that in a production shop the actual applications for this tool were limited. When needed it did indeed make a big difference, but those times were far and few. I still have it, and on occasion still use it for leveling long panels during glue up, but mostly will use other options that are either faster or stronger or both. I am still using the original biscuits I ordered in very large bulk boxes, thirty four years ago. If nothing else this tool has served to control impulse buying of the latest and greatest power tools and it does do the job it was designed to do. Thanks for the trip down memory lane!

I build European style cabinets for kitchens and workshops using 16mm melamine faced particle board and biscuits. By ensuring that every joint puts the biscuits under shear load the cabinets are incredibly strong; I can attach a cabinet to a wall by screwing through the back and hang my 95kg from it. One issue is biscuit quality; here in Australia biscuit joinery gets a bad rap but I firmly believe it is because of garbage locally produced biscuits. The most popular brand uses Hoop Pine; utter crap that you can snap in half between your fingers. In fact if you throw a handful onto a concrete floor some of them will actually break from the impact! I always use imported compressed beech biscuits and have never had a failed joint.

I bought my Dewalt DW682 with a particular project in mind, a floor lamp made out of scrap pieces of formwork plywood from work (with the plies used as a feature rather than trying to hide them). The hollow column is ~49" high (124cm) and made from 3 5/32x3 5/32" wide (8x8cm) and ~3/4" thick pieces with a 1/2" roundover on the corners. As I didn't want any visible reinforcement, even after the roundover, and the plies visible all the way around, I descided on mitered joints. To get the joints to line up perfectly during glue-up, I made 3 biscuit joints very close to the inner edge. That way they wouldn't interfere with the roundover. Even with my amateurish powertool handling skills, the pieces lined up nicely, and were easy to clamp during glue-up without the need for fancy corner clamps. The precision of the Dewalt compared to the cheap Mitsutomo I initially bought for another project (tabletop for a workbench) made all the difference. The plies in the corners line up perfectly, as if the whole column was made from one thick piece of plywood. :) By the way, the base is about ø15x1" with a 1 1/2" center hole and a 1/4" hole from the outer to the inner diameter to let a power cord through. The top is a 4 3/4" disc with a 1 1/2" hole for the socket (E27). I had to enlarge the inside of the column to make space for the bottom flange nut on the socket. As the lamp shade (17" Ikea Skottorp) hides the top disc, I just screwed it to the column. The whole thing got 3 coats of water based floor laquer to keep the natural colour of the wood. I used marine coating on another project, hella strong, but it got way too yellow. The lamp sits proudly in a corner of my living room, and is used daily. :)

Thanks Stumpy, you just keep bringing informative posts. Great Job!

I like to use my biscuit joiner to cut slots for my table top fasteners.

Stumpy Nubs butters my biscuit 👍👍

CONSISTENTLY spot on and always worth my time. Practical and very applicable.

James, one of the most useful uses for the biscuit Joiner is cutting slots on the aprons for attaching tops with Z clips

I thought after I got a domino I would never use my biscuit joiner again but it certainly has its place! They are super fast and excellent for alignment. Every professional cabinet shop I know of still uses them religiously

Still use mine for panels as our lord and saviour, Norm, showed us.

Norm is amazing I still watch the new yankee workshop reruns all the time.

@Simonsimon-fy3hq

4 ай бұрын

Like the fact he makes a full sized trial "model" then makes it all over again for real. Most people would be happy with he model trial version he creates!

I own a Porter Cable biscuit joiner. I probably bought it after watching Norm use his. However it's been a long time since it has been used. That is probably because I haven't built any furniture or shop cabinets for a long time. I do remember finding it useful though. Thank you for sharing. Have a great 2024 and stay safe.🙂🙂

4:01 In my early woodworking days I did have a mishap. Released the trigger slightly and blade caught the unsecured wood, shot it out to the side and my hand hit the biscuit joiners front plate, luckily the blade had sprung back. I got lucky, never did that again I’ll tell you. Secure the piece every time to this day. Norm is still my hero though!

Alignment is the best use of the biscuit jointer I have used one for years with case work and gluing face frames to cabinet carcasses.

You're right. I remember Norn using them on almost every project. I agree that dominos have pretty much replaced them.

I agree. I still have my Craftsman. Looks like new. With original case and papers. Bet its 20 yrs old. I don't use it much. But when I do. I'm glad I have it. Just bought more biscuits 2 months ago. 😊

An alternative to biscuit joiners is a slot cutting bit for a router. You may already have a router, so hit two birds with one stone. Of course, this comes with the preface that you can’t necessarily be as precise as a specialised tool, however if you’re intrigued by the concept, it’s cheaper than buying a good biscuit joiner.

@davey820051

4 ай бұрын

I've found using using a slot cutter in a palm router to be a very serviceable alternative to a biscuit joiner.

I just built a 'Carousel Table' using plans from the New Yankee Workshop. (S9 E8) And yes I used a biscuit jointer. I'm here to make sure you tread lightly when badmouthing Norm!

@epgui

4 ай бұрын

"Jointers" are for flattening boards. I think you mean "joiners" (no "t").

Norm loves his biscuits. With or without tea.

Good explanation on the use of a biscuit jointer. I'm a retired cabinet maker and often used biscuits when aligning plywood parts. Those concerned about the ghosting issues should consider using #10 or #0 biscuits for tabletop glue-ups. The bond of the glue is plenty strong. The biscuit allows for faster assembly and the smaller biscuits handle the alignment without issues.

@epgui

4 ай бұрын

"Jointers" are for flattening boards. I think you mean "joiners" (no "t").

It had a moment in the sun and are now best used to create keyways in box corners for strength and appeal. I have used biscuit joints for table tops glue ups where I now use a domino. Still have my jointer tho - a dewalt. does well.

I remember Better Homes and Gardens “wood” magazine, doing a strength comparison of different fastening methods. I think biscuits came in only behind mortise and tenon, and dowels.

I picked up a slightly used(basically new) one about 4-5 years ago and love using it. Using it to align things has save tins of time and work.

I love my lamello. it's made things like miters significantly easier.

I bought a virutex biscuit joiner when they first became popular many yrs ago. I don't use it as much as i used to, mainly jus for board or panel glue up alignment but the machine still runs as well as when I first bought it.

Back in the 80's i really wanted one. Never did get it, and haven't been disadvantaged enough to look for one.

I trust Norm, if he says it's okay to use the biscuit joiner, then it's okay. He is never wrong. ¡¡He is the best.!! 😀👍

Thanks a bunch for all the tips, James! 😊 Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

Another educational video. Thank you.

Surface alignment is where my biscuit joiner shines. My dowel pins were made obsolete by these little beechwood wafers. Great throwback!

Use my biscuit joiner all the time! Friends don’t borrow it, they bring their project here and we have biscuits together lol

Always appreciate your focus on safety.

As always, very good content. I wish the best for you al along the year, James 👍

I've been using my biscuit joiner to cut slots in Trex decking to use the hidden fasteners. Works great on picture framing the deck with the square faced decking.

@1packatak

4 ай бұрын

Saw that technique on a video a few weeks ago!

@bensonyoutuber7944

4 ай бұрын

Cool idea. I’ve now gotten the trex router bit, so I can work cordless, but I might have pulled out the biscuit jointer if I had thought of that.

Thanks for the video, I usually learn something and always enjoy watching!

So well spoken, your videos are a joy everytime

I have had my Dewalt biscuit tool for over 30 years. Still reliable but doesn't get a lot of use. I use one for joining 2 sections of countertop material before applying laminate to surface. I might try using it during glue up of cutting boards pieces.

The last project I used one on, was for a neighbour who wanted some faux beams for his living room. We were looking for a particular reveal to cast a shadow. The biscuit joiner made that glue up very easy with a consistent reveal across nearly 12 feet .. times 2 beams !

I used my Norm recommended biscuit jointer just the other day gluing to large panels together. It has never let me down.

@patlaw53

4 ай бұрын

ELU 3380

Well, bless your heart, James. Thank you for your sage advice. ❤

Good insights! Thanks for sharing!

Happy New Year.

I have never been a wood worker, and I may never be. However, I have a significant soft spot for Norm Abram, and he is responsible, in part, for me watching Stumpy Nubs’ videos.

Thank you for sharing. Just another useful tool to have when you need one. Everyone stay safe, warm, happy and healthy. From Henrico County Virginia

thank you for another great video

Excellent points, thanks.

I've had one for years and are very valuable for table tops

Thanks, totally agree with this !

“He loved him some biscuits!” 😂😂😂😂 Indeed he did.

I still have a older blue ryobi one but have since grown up and use the domino now. but the bisquit cutter makes great cuts for my z clips.

@mrcryptozoic817

4 ай бұрын

I've got one of those also, but haven't used it for years. Tried to sell it and absolutely no one wants it (apparently). But it's really good for joining boards for cabinet doors.

I'm going to ask my friend "Stumpy Nubs" if I can borrow his biscuit joiner.

Norm Abram introduced me to my first European made power tool, an Elu 3380 Biscuit Joiner. It not only cuts various slots for biscuits but with its unique action can also be used for cutting slots. It doesn’t see as frequent use as it did back in the days before I first purchased my Festool Domino when it was originally released but it’s still very handy.

I have a Porter Cable version. I used it a few times for panels, and it does help with alignment. I don't think I have touched the darn thing in 15 years except to move it out of the way to grab something else. It cuts nice slots, but the adjustment is a bit wonky. Moving to another state later this year, and plan to rid myself of said biscuit joiner, the dedicated mortise machine, and a couple other tools prior to leaving. I don't use these enough to warrant keeping them.

I've had my Freud biscuit joiner for at least 20 years. I'll never get rid of it. I've only used it a handful of times, and it's been very useful every time.

@davearonow65

4 ай бұрын

I'd definitely use one if I had one. But I'd never buy one. Somehow I've gotten away with being a full time woodworker making a great living without ever needing a Biscuit joiner to the point I couldn't accomplish what I needed to get done without one. I would for sure use one if I had one. But wouldn't buy one. "Never get rid of my Biscuit joiner" is not the same reply as "I would buy one all over again if I didn't already have one". Of course you wouldn't get rid of it. Why would you? You already own it. But knowing what you know now, and knowing how expensive they are, especially Festool, and knowing how few times you've actually used it, would you still buy one now if you didn't already have one?

@fishbuscharters

4 ай бұрын

Same for me. I really like mine for the few times I use it.

@4legdfishman

4 ай бұрын

​@davearonow65 Would I still buy one now? I'm not sure. Maybe. I've recently purchased a dowel hole jig from Massca and a pock hole jig. They're great quality at a competitive price. Just as strong as a domino for a fraction of the price. The biscuit joiner is quicker and handy for gluing lay-up so, considering the ease of use I'd still consider the purchase today.

Only used my biscuit joiner a few times over the years I've owned it, but those times it really came in handy. The latest was a mantle I made for my Son. 70" x 12" x 5" of 3/4" thick maple all mitered together including the ends. (hollow inside) Using biscuits to help with alignment during glue up was a game changer.

Great information James, and a good review of a jointer. Stay safe and keep up the great videos. Fred.

You my boy blue n truly take for truth, unbiased, on you na few others tools. Great video you've been more influential in my learning journey n know you truly are appreciated!

Biscuits are great for setting up crazy cutting board patterns. They also help keep the whole thing flat without using a ton of extra clamps.

Glad I have mine, won't get rid of it, just don't use it as often as I thought I would. Thanks for showing us the upside of biscuit joiners.

I got a Makita that was sitting on a clearance shelf at a Home Depot for 65 bucks brand new.

Thanks for the over view of buscuits. I use them whenever I have wide boards that I need. I never glue the buscuit only the edge and never use a buscuit cutter, I have a router bit the thickness of the buscuit. I find that much more flexible rather than another tool to store somewhere.

I bought a Porter-Cable one years ago on heavy sale on Amazon. Still in the box. LoL

Great video as always. I like the shorter and "to the point vodeos". I have been using my cheap Skil biscuit joiner for around 20 years, enough where I wouldn't give it up. Also, a biscuit joint is stronger that you would think. Stumpy should do a break test. A rail/stile joint; Polar will break before the biscuit.

I have that same yellow one, don't use it much anymore but it worked well for adding strength to the mitre joints in picture frames I made. None have come apart in 20 years.

GREAT VIDEO

I have my dad's old Porter Cable "Plate Joiner Kit", as they call it. I used to use it once or twice a year for just this reason. An extra hand aligning difficult glue ups. But for the past few years, I've been using dowels for alignment and strength.

Thanks

Kickback using a biscuit joiner happened to me and I was permanently injured in the blink of an eye. I recommend clamping the workpiece.

Ha, just watched NYW episode where Norm builds a table. He adds biscuits to the top to, in his words, “reinforce the joint”. In his defense, these were probably the easiest method in his day. Dowels take some time, and Festool wasn’t ubiquitous.

Thanks Stumpy. I've never used one so I can't say anything good or bad, so I thank you for the tips and warnings. 😊😊😊❤❤

I grew up watching NYW and once I was old enough a biscuit jointer was one of the first tools I bought - before my table saw, before my jointer, before my router, before even a circular saw… my first tools were a jigsaw and biscuit jointer. I didn’t actually use a biscuit jointer for another 20 years, but when I finally did on a long board glue up I felt Norm was smiling.

Great video as always and great tips I’ve looked at biscuit jointers and thought about buying one as a new woodworker. I will keep my eyes open for one now for sure thanks for sharing

@epgui

4 ай бұрын

"Jointers" are for flattening boards. I think you mean "joiners" (no "t").

Blasphemy. NORM IS NEVER WRONG

@Mighty_Atheismo

4 ай бұрын

Not even when he stopped making his show even though it was so good :( :(

@johnrazor8720

4 ай бұрын

Norm finally turned against the use of biscuits when gluing 3/4 inch boards for table tops etc. He stated that the biscuit cut would telegraph to the surface of the glue up after some time. This effect was shown on his show. I guess the difference in thickness due to the void would cause differential shrinkage of the wood or perhaps as the glue cured it shrunk causing the biscuit to pull the surface down. Don’t know but I thought at the time, here you have sold thousands of the tools only to say they are less than worthless for one of your key uses.

@kyletaylor5452

4 ай бұрын

​@@johnrazor8720 He literally explains this in the video.

@YourFavouriteComment

4 ай бұрын

The New Yankee Workshop is on KZread now, they're uploading all the old episodes and Norm and Russ even make occasional appearances in new clips

@ykkfamily

4 ай бұрын

LoL

I have one and its so useful.

My favorite biscuits are sourdough 😀.

Thank you for this video. I have had a PC biscuit joiner for decades, based in part on what you said - Norm. I have only used biscuits for alignment - particularly edge joining - as well as non structural things like face frames. I didn't know people thought it was like a loose tenon. The more you know ...

Never had an issue.

Nice video and interesting topic. On another note, my wife and I were talking about Isotunes about a month ago and I told her I thought they would work well for me. This is mainly because of KZread videos from you and a few others that I trust. I didn't think any more about it, but had planned to order a set of headphones through your promotion. My wife went on Amazon and I got a set of Isotunes headset for Christmas. Thanks for all you do and keep up the great honest videos.

Hi James, I bought a Biscuit Joiner after watching Norm. I haven't used it much but when I have, as you said, it made the job easier. As the expression goes, "it's better to have something and not need it than to need something and not have it" Take care James and another on point video. Cheers, Huw

I use one to join miters on casing. Those joints will never pull apart.

I have two porter cable units like yours. My Father and I bought one around the same time. I used mine a dozen times making tables and such. Not sure he ever used his as he passed away a few years later. I now have both. Probably should sell one. Its a handy tool for the right job. I also have pretty much a lifetime supply of biscuits.

Bought mine because of Norm. Panels and "Z" clip slots for table tops were it's primary use. Had an issue in softwoods where the chips would build in the slot and then throw off the cut but adding my shop vac to the mix fixed that quick. Once again, thanks for the well thought out, concise discussion James.

its a great tool. i built a Morris chair using only a porta cable biscuit joiner.

I have a router with a biscuit joiner attachment. it's only been used once since I got it, but it did what I needed it to do that time, and I don't think any other tool would have done it.

Thanks for your honest comments. I have a Porter-Cable bj and I love it for aligning joints as you mentioned. Long boards can be a little crooked and the biscuits help to straighten things out. Since the biscuit joiner is not very big, it will follow the edge of the crooked board so the slots stay a consistent distance from the edge, much like pocket screws, but the biscuits are hidden, which isn't always true using pocket screws. Please keep up the helpful info, demos and suggestions.

I have 2 biscuit joiners. I have had a Porter Cable joiner for years, but recently, I found an "almost new" Dewalt, very similar to the one in your video, for $12 at our local thrift store. It was barely used, had a hard shell case, wrenches, dust collector fittings and a spare blade. Like others, I mainly use it for orientation for glue-ups. But I also use it to cut slots for those table top clip "thingies". Thanks for another info-taining video. Happy New Year.

@russellseaton2014

4 ай бұрын

I've used my Dewalt biscuit cutter for those table top clip thingies too. Also use it to align boards when making a panel. And to make plywood or particleboard boxes. Lot of situations where biscuits work great to glue wood together. And a few situations where it cannot be used. Glad I bought my Dewalt biscuit joiner 30+ years ago.

I bought mine (probably before Norm) and used it for just about everything, many times in multiple for each joint. I can't think of anything that's failed. I still break it out for many things although the Domino is now my go to for most joints.

I own, use, and love biscuit jointers!

Plate jointers are extremely useful. And biscuits are much stronger than most people realize. 5/32” Slot cutters are also useful, and strong. Joinery has been around for a long time. Even before the plate jointer. Look around your shop. Table saws, drill presses, routers. They can all be used to make quick and strong joints. Have a great day