What Is a Joiner Used for?

A joiner is used to attach two or more pieces of wood to make a wider piece. Joiners can be made of metal, wood or plastic. Wooden joiners are commonly referred to as "biscuits." Joiners are used in addition to glue to make a strong, durable and long-lasting joint.

Significance

Joiners allow wide boards to be made from smaller pieces, providing the chance to create custom-fitted pieces.

Function

Before applying a joiner, the piece of wood to be joined must be prepared. A slot is created by using a joiner tool, or a router bit.

Application/Examples

To use a joiner, the wood edges and the joiner piece must have glue applied to them. After the glue is applied, the joiner is then inserted into the slot. Examples would be tabletops, door panels and window shutters.

Types

Warning/Safety

Wood biscuits are generally made from compressed wood. Once glue is applied to them, use immediately as they will absorb the moisture in the glue and expand. Biscuit joiners are relatively safe, low cost and easy to use.

Resources

• General Use Information
• Tips For Using Wood Biscuits