A biscuit joiner, also known as a plate joiner, is a tool used for joining two pieces of wood by cutting slots into them for a small, football-shaped wooden biscuit to fit in. The biscuit helps align and strengthen the joint. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use a biscuit joiner:
1. Set Up the Biscuit Joiner
- Choose the right biscuit size: There are several sizes of biscuits (typically #0, #10, and #20). The size you choose depends on the thickness of the material you’re working with.
- Adjust the depth: Adjust the joiner’s depth setting based on the biscuit size you’re using. This ensures the biscuit fits snugly into the slots cut into the wood.
- Select the fence angle: The fence on the biscuit joiner can often be adjusted for angled cuts, but for most wood joinery, you’ll be using a 90-degree angle.
2. Mark Your Wood
- Layout the joint locations: Use a pencil or marking tool to draw lines where the slots will be cut. Ensure the marks are on the edge of the pieces you want to join, ensuring they align properly when joined.
- Align the pieces: Clamp the two pieces of wood together and ensure they are properly aligned.
3. Cut the Slot
- Position the joiner: Place the biscuit joiner on the edge of the first piece of wood where you want the slot. Make sure the fence is firmly against the edge of the board.
- Make the cut: Turn on the joiner and slowly plunge it into the wood, allowing the tool to cut the slot. Be consistent with the speed and pressure to avoid any mistakes or inconsistencies in the slot.
- Repeat for the second piece: Move to the second piece of wood and repeat the process at the corresponding location, ensuring the slots will align when the pieces are joined.
4. Insert the Biscuit
- Apply glue: Apply wood glue into both slots on the pieces to be joined. This will help secure the biscuit and strengthen the joint.
- Insert the biscuit: Place the biscuit into one of the slots. The biscuit should fit snugly, but if it’s too tight, you can sand it slightly. The glue will also help the biscuit swell and fit more securely.
5. Join the Pieces
- Align the pieces: Carefully align both pieces of wood, ensuring that the biscuit fits into both slots.
- Clamp the joint: Use clamps to hold the pieces tightly together while the glue dries. Apply enough pressure to ensure a strong bond, but avoid over-tightening, which could distort the wood.
6. Clean Up
- Wipe off excess glue: Before the glue hardens, wipe off any excess glue from the surface of the wood.
- Allow to dry: Let the joint dry for the recommended time as per the glue manufacturer’s instructions before using the joined pieces.
By following these steps, you’ll create strong, well-aligned wood joints using a biscuit joiner.
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