I am looking for a biscuit slot cutter and noticed a price range from $88.00
up to over $300.00 The 88 dollar one must be Chinese and is sold under the
name "Superior" Is there any reason not to get this cheap one , I will only
be using it a few times per year. What can a 300 dollar one do that the 88
dollar one can't? Thanks
"Phisherman" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On Tue, 11 Jan 2005 20:01:31 GMT, "habbi" <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>
>>I am looking for a biscuit slot cutter and noticed a price range from
>>$88.00
>>up to over $300.00 The 88 dollar one must be Chinese and is sold under the
>>name "Superior" Is there any reason not to get this cheap one , I will
>>only
>>be using it a few times per year. What can a 300 dollar one do that the 88
>>dollar one can't? Thanks
I've been using the same 'ol freud for about 10 years. No complaints. I
use it a couple of times a year. The only thing I wish it had was dust
collection like the dewalt and pc.
SH
>>
>
> I got a cheap one and regret it every time I use the thing. Probably
> would not get the "Cadillac" Lamelo, but Porter Cable makes a good one
> at a reasonable price. Consider accuracy, ease of use, settings,
> adjustments, length of cord, construction quality, dust collection,
> etc. Avoid "Made in China."
I have a $200 plate joiner, PC 557. When I checked them out, this one
had the best features and ease of operation. They are no different
from anything else, "you get what you pay for".
The PC 557 comes with two blades and can cut face frame slots, used for
narrow stiles & rails. The way you hold and use this tool is different
from the rest I saw. The handle is attached to the frame instead of
the plunging mechanism which allows for better control. It also has a
fence that cuts slots at 135 degrees so that mitered corners will match
at the outside edge instead of the inside edge like other cut.
Was it worth it? To me yes.
http://www.porter-cable.com/index.asp?e=547&p=2852
Hi habbi:
I second the Porter Cable unit. For me, it had the best combination of
features, ergonomics, quality and price. I've probably used it to make
about 150 biscuit slots since I bought it a year ago.
"Buy good tools and cry only once."
Regards,
John.
habbi wrote:
> I am looking for a biscuit slot cutter and noticed a price range from
$88.00
> up to over $300.00 The 88 dollar one must be Chinese and is sold
under the
> name "Superior" Is there any reason not to get this cheap one , I
will only
> be using it a few times per year. What can a 300 dollar one do that
the 88
> dollar one can't? Thanks
I just got the Dewalt refurb from Amazon ($100). I haven't found any
problems so far. The motor seems a little noisy but it is a universal
and it a 1 year warranty anyhow. When I looked for them I wanted the
PC557 but just couldn't warrant the $100 difference and the dewalt was
my second choice and did very well in all of the reviews.
Wyatt
Well, unfortunately you missed some of the discounts. I bought a PC
557, while thinking long and hard about the Lamello. In the end I had
to remind myself that I'm not running a production cabinet shop. I got
the PC557 for $114 new with all shipping included from Amazon. That
was $85 worth of discounts and rebates. I applied for an Amazon Visa
card and got a $30 coupon with it. PC had a $30 rebate through
december (that's gone). Amazon had $25 off PC tools totalling $199 or
more. This includes a kit with 1000 biscuits.
Check amazon.com and see what you can still get.
By the way, some of the things I read in customer reviews concerned
problems with the dust collection bag. They must have re-engineered it
because the one that came with mine works really, really well. In fact,
this unit represents many, many refinements and tweaks over the
problems they had a few years back. I am really impressed with it.
Lamello is the best. But if it rates a 100%, the PC must be at least
90% or better. For my purposes its 100%. FWW editors actually liked
the PC better than the Lamello, but the readers voted the Lamello as
the best.
Bob
I hate to be the black sheep here, everyone seems bent on the better
models. But I was in the same position as the original poster here.
Knowing I was only going to be using the BJ pretty infrequently, and
knowing that there were so many other tool that I wanted on a limited
budget, I hemmed and hawed and finally took a chance on the Harbor
Freight "higher end" model. It is an exact knock off on the Dewalt (at
least the entire fence mechanism.) I've only used one other biscuit
joiner, the Frued, the the Harbor Freight is unquestionably better. It
is fully adjustable and plenty powerful. I did some crude accuracy
tests on it, and found the the runout on the blade was acceptable. I've
used the joiner on many occasions, some requiring pretty exacting
tolerances, and feel like I've pulled a fast one: I got this thing for
under 70 bucks. I'm not sure why this isn't posting in as an active
link, but here is the web site:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=47377
habbi wrote:
> I am looking for a biscuit slot cutter and noticed a price range from
$88.00
> up to over $300.00 The 88 dollar one must be Chinese and is sold
under the
> name "Superior" Is there any reason not to get this cheap one , I
will only
> be using it a few times per year. What can a 300 dollar one do that
the 88
> dollar one can't? Thanks
> Maybe in another year or two I may "work" it into "my way"
> of construction....
>
> Bob Griffiths
I use mine for attaching wood edging to plywood (lines it up really
good, although I use thick pieces of edging).
And then for edge glue ups of solid wood, of course.
I've occasionally used a couple to "line up" gluing a face frame to a
plywood carcass.
Leon,
Isn't it time to move up to a Lamello?
--
Rumpty
Radial Arm Saw Forum: http://forums.delphiforums.com/woodbutcher/start
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
"Leon" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "habbi" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> >I am looking for a biscuit slot cutter and noticed a price range from
> >$88.00
> > up to over $300.00 The 88 dollar one must be Chinese and is sold under
the
> > name "Superior" Is there any reason not to get this cheap one , I will
> > only
> > be using it a few times per year. What can a 300 dollar one do that the
88
> > dollar one can't? Thanks
>
>
> Regardless of how often you use it, DO you want good results? If so get a
> better brand one. I prefer the PC 557.
>
>
"Bob G." wrote:
>
...
> I purchased a PC 1 or 2 years ago and I have only used it once...
>
> I do make a lot of desks and tables etc....and figured it would come
> in handy...
If you use solid tops, they're sometimes handy for aligning if you don't
have glue joint shaper or router cutter...
Otherwise in that type of work I doubt if I'd use it for anything,
either...
"Rumpty" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Leon,
>
> Isn't it time to move up to a Lamello?
>
> --
>
> Rumpty
C Rap Rumpy.. I just used min for the first time in ages a couple of months
ago... I would not trade it but am not using it as much as I used to. I
literally wore a PC 556 out before upgrading to the 557.
On Tue, 11 Jan 2005 20:01:31 GMT, "habbi" <[email protected]>
wrote:
>I am looking for a biscuit slot cutter and noticed a price range from $88.00
>up to over $300.00 The 88 dollar one must be Chinese and is sold under the
>name "Superior" Is there any reason not to get this cheap one , I will only
>be using it a few times per year. What can a 300 dollar one do that the 88
>dollar one can't? Thanks
>
I bought the $60 one from Harbor Freight, on sale for $40...
After learning what to do and not to do, I got the Craftsman/Dewalt
and found out what the Biscuit jointer was SUPPOSED to be.. accurate..
Differences:
plastic fence / steel fence
adjust height with 2 allan bolts / adjust height with self squaring
rack & pinion knob
Plastic base / aluminum base
reverse plastic fence for 45 degree angle / adjustable metal fence
with degree markings
I could go on and on, but I'm sure that you get the point...
the retail prices of the jointers were $60 and $180...
IMHO, the Dewalt is much more than 3 times as good..
mac
Please remove splinters before emailing
I agree, Lamello is the only choice. Where are you buying your biscuits from
and how much?????
--
Rumpty
Radial Arm Saw Forum: http://forums.delphiforums.com/woodbutcher/start
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
"Robatoy" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> In article <[email protected]>,
> "habbi" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> > I am looking for a biscuit slot cutter and noticed a price range from
$88.00
> > up to over $300.00 The 88 dollar one must be Chinese and is sold under
the
> > name "Superior" Is there any reason not to get this cheap one , I will
only
> > be using it a few times per year. What can a 300 dollar one do that the
88
> > dollar one can't? Thanks
> >
> >
>
> I had pretty much made up my mind about a PC 557 to replace a Lamello
> which was stolen some time back,..until a generous gift made up my mind
> for me; a Lamello Classic. Me happy man. (well SWMBO got the watch she
> wanted..*G*)
> I have used the econo style bisquit cutters, just not accurate enough
> when you're dealing with edge-joining laminated panels, either veneered
> ones or 'formica'-style HPL... you just can't sand your way out of
> trouble with those types of joints. There's some serious wobble in the
> sled on some of those, as well as floppy fences.
>
> Magic words:
> Sled wobble
> Fence floppyness.
>
> <G>
>
> There is also a serious difference between bisquits. I always buy
> Lamello ones.
>
> 0.02 CAN$
>
> Rob
The whole point of a biscuit joiner is to put the slot in precisely the same
place on both faces.
I haven't tried the $88 one, but I have used other cheap tools, and I doubt
it will perform properly. Certainly it will cut slots and allow you to put
in biscuits, but heaven only know where they will be.
On Tue, 11 Jan 2005 20:01:31 GMT, "habbi" <[email protected]>
wrote:
>I am looking for a biscuit slot cutter and noticed a price range from $88.00
>up to over $300.00 The 88 dollar one must be Chinese and is sold under the
>name "Superior" Is there any reason not to get this cheap one , I will only
>be using it a few times per year. What can a 300 dollar one do that the 88
>dollar one can't? Thanks
>
I got a cheap one and regret it every time I use the thing. Probably
would not get the "Cadillac" Lamelo, but Porter Cable makes a good one
at a reasonable price. Consider accuracy, ease of use, settings,
adjustments, length of cord, construction quality, dust collection,
etc. Avoid "Made in China."
In article <[email protected]>,
"habbi" <[email protected]> wrote:
> I am looking for a biscuit slot cutter and noticed a price range from $88.00
> up to over $300.00 The 88 dollar one must be Chinese and is sold under the
> name "Superior" Is there any reason not to get this cheap one , I will only
> be using it a few times per year. What can a 300 dollar one do that the 88
> dollar one can't? Thanks
>
>
I had pretty much made up my mind about a PC 557 to replace a Lamello
which was stolen some time back,..until a generous gift made up my mind
for me; a Lamello Classic. Me happy man. (well SWMBO got the watch she
wanted..*G*)
I have used the econo style bisquit cutters, just not accurate enough
when you're dealing with edge-joining laminated panels, either veneered
ones or 'formica'-style HPL... you just can't sand your way out of
trouble with those types of joints. There's some serious wobble in the
sled on some of those, as well as floppy fences.
Magic words:
Sled wobble
Fence floppyness.
<G>
There is also a serious difference between bisquits. I always buy
Lamello ones.
0.02 CAN$
Rob
On 12 Jan 2005 10:24:25 -0800, "bf" <[email protected]> wrote:
>If you get a good biscuit cutter, you'll likely use it more than a
>couple times year.
>
>You'll use it a lot.
>
>If you buy a low quality unit, it will only collect dust.
>
>I have the porter cable, and I'm using it a LOT more than I thought I
>would.
=====================
I purchased a PC 1 or 2 years ago and I have only used it once...
I do make a lot of desks and tables etc....and figured it would come
in handy...
BUT in fact the only time I really used it was for face frames...
Maybe in another year or two I may "work" it into "my way"
of construction....
Bob Griffiths
"habbi" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
>
> be using it a few times per year. What can a 300 dollar one do that the 88
Precision, ease of use, reliabilty and longevity.
I have the DeWalt and was lucky enough to pay $99 for it new.
It certainly meets my needs.
Before I'd pay $88 for a Superior one, I'd try the Ryobi for $99, IIRC.
Keep your receipt in case you want to return it to Home Depot.
On Tue, 11 Jan 2005 20:01:31 GMT, "habbi" <[email protected]>
wrote:
>I am looking for a biscuit slot cutter and noticed a price range from $88.00
>up to over $300.00 The 88 dollar one must be Chinese and is sold under the
>name "Superior" Is there any reason not to get this cheap one , I will only
>be using it a few times per year. What can a 300 dollar one do that the 88
>dollar one can't? Thanks
>
I read all the previous replies and noticed a point has been missed.
You mention that you will only use it "a few times per year". Before I
bought the DeWalt unit, I got by quite well with a slot cutting bit
mounted in my router. Less than $20 and very accurate.
Note that a slot cutting bits cannot cut slots for shelves (mid panel)
but you can use dowels or dados instead.
$300 will get an excellent router or trimmer, a slot cutter and some
other useful bits for other purposes. If you already own a router then
the cost is minimal.
cheers,
Greg
"habbi" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>I am looking for a biscuit slot cutter and noticed a price range from
>$88.00
> up to over $300.00 The 88 dollar one must be Chinese and is sold under the
> name "Superior" Is there any reason not to get this cheap one , I will
> only
> be using it a few times per year. What can a 300 dollar one do that the 88
> dollar one can't? Thanks
Regardless of how often you use it, DO you want good results? If so get a
better brand one. I prefer the PC 557.
On 11 Jan 2005 22:38:11 -0800, "Bob" <[email protected]> wrote:
>For me, the value of biscuits is speed for aligning and doing quick
>joints that are strong enough for many purposes. A slot cutter does
>not give the advantage of speed and certainly cannot be used in as many
>situations. A biscuit cutter is a luxury unless you run a high volume
>production shop.
>
>Bob
No disagreement from me there Bob. I suggested a slot cutter as he
will only use it "a few times a year".
Greg
I've used the PC, DeWalt, (which i own) and one made by Freud. The DW and
PC are fine machines. The Freud, IMO was a PITA. The fence was not a rack
and pinion like the other two, and i had difficulty adjusting it easily.
Just my $.02 --dave
"Leon" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "habbi" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>>I am looking for a biscuit slot cutter and noticed a price range from
>>$88.00
>> up to over $300.00 The 88 dollar one must be Chinese and is sold under
>> the
>> name "Superior" Is there any reason not to get this cheap one , I will
>> only
>> be using it a few times per year. What can a 300 dollar one do that the
>> 88
>> dollar one can't? Thanks
>
>
> Regardless of how often you use it, DO you want good results? If so get a
> better brand one. I prefer the PC 557.
>