How to Operate a Biscuit Joiner

A biscuit joiner is a small woodworking power tool designed to cut small slots into area where you intend to join two pieces of wood. Specially designed chips of wood called "biscuits" are glued into the slots to strengthen the joint. Biscuits are football shaped and dried to less than 10 percent moisture content. They swell as they absorb water from the glue that is applied, locking themselves in place. Even novice woodworkers can create professional-looking joints using a biscuit joiner.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Pencil
• Measuring tape

1. 
   Edges set up to make a right angle joint.

   Cut the pieces of wood you want to join and mark the locations for the biscuits at the joints. Use a pencil to mark the center location of each biscuit on one piece and then transfer the marks to the other piece so the slots will align properly when you assemble the joint.

2. Clamp the pieces to a workbench and use a backstop to prevent sliding when you begin applying pressure with the biscuit joiner.

3. Align the cutting guide with the first mark and hold the fence firmly against the edge. Turn on the biscuit joiner and then press firmly to plunge the blade. The joiner will usually have a trigger button or thumb button for power.

4. Release pressure on the joiner to retract the blade and release the power. Once the power is off and the blade has stopped, remove the biscuit joiner from the board and move to the next mark.

5. Repeat until you have cut all the slots and then assemble the piece.

Tips & Warnings

• Some biscuit joiner models have adjustable fences that allow you to cut perpendicular slots into angled surfaces, which is necessary when making mitered joints.
• Observe all shop safety rules when using a biscuit joiner, including dust protection.

References

• Good Wood Joints; Albert Jackson & David Day; 1995
• Joinery: Shaping & Milling; Editors of Fine Woodworking Magazine, Taunton Press; 1999
• The Biscuit Joiner Project Book; Jim Stack; 2002