I recently bought my first biscuit joiner, a used Porter-Cable. The
previous owner had apparently set the depth too shallow because when
dry-fitting boards the biscuits bottom out before the joint closes.
I increased the depth with the fine adjustment for my first test joint
so the joint closes when dry fitting. But when I added glue to the slots
I started to wonder if I ought to cut a little deeper yet to give more
space for the glue.
How can I set the depth to the ideal, or am I worrying about something
that's not critical?
Bill
In article <[email protected]>,
NewCabMaker <[email protected]> wrote:
>I recently bought my first biscuit joiner, a used Porter-Cable. The
>previous owner had apparently set the depth too shallow because when
>dry-fitting boards the biscuits bottom out before the joint closes.
>
>I increased the depth with the fine adjustment for my first test joint
>so the joint closes when dry fitting. But when I added glue to the slots
>I started to wonder if I ought to cut a little deeper yet to give more
>space for the glue.
>
>How can I set the depth to the ideal, or am I worrying about something
>that's not critical?
>
> Bill
You're right, it should be just a little deeper than the width of a
biscuit. What I've seen recommended is to cut a slot, seat a biscuit
in it, and draw a line across it with a sharp pencil where it crosses
the top of the slot. Pull the biscuit out of the slot and reverse it
and put it back in. If the line ""just" disappears into the slot the
depth is good.
--
Larry Wasserman Baltimore, Maryland
[email protected]
I am sure someone here would probably make some cuts and measure it for you.
I could do that in a day or to if you need me to. In the mean time, my
Porter Cable biscuit cutter is still set up in the factory default setting.
I think it cuts 1/16 - 1/8" extra depth (For a size 20). This is handy as it
allows for almost 1/2" of missalignment of the two slots (length-wise, not
thickness-wise) and still allows the joint to come together. You wouldn't
want to get too carried away on this extra depth becasue at some point the
biscuit won't be centered properly (located more in one baord than the
other) and you will loose joint strength. I think the 1/16" - 1/8" is about
right though, in my opinion.
Joe In Denver
My Woodworking Website:
www.the-wildings.com/shop/
"NewCabMaker" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>I recently bought my first biscuit joiner, a used Porter-Cable. The
> previous owner had apparently set the depth too shallow because when
> dry-fitting boards the biscuits bottom out before the joint closes.
>
> I increased the depth with the fine adjustment for my first test joint
> so the joint closes when dry fitting. But when I added glue to the slots
> I started to wonder if I ought to cut a little deeper yet to give more
> space for the glue.
>
> How can I set the depth to the ideal, or am I worrying about something
> that's not critical?
>
> Bill
On Sat, 26 Feb 2005 16:37:37 -0500, Allen <[email protected]>
wrote:
>In article <[email protected]>,
> Phisherman <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> On Sat, 26 Feb 2005 02:53:12 GMT, NewCabMaker
>> <[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>> >I recently bought my first biscuit joiner, a used Porter-Cable. The
>> >previous owner had apparently set the depth too shallow because when
>> >dry-fitting boards the biscuits bottom out before the joint closes.
>> >
>> >I increased the depth with the fine adjustment for my first test joint
>> >so the joint closes when dry fitting. But when I added glue to the slots
>> >I started to wonder if I ought to cut a little deeper yet to give more
>> >space for the glue.
>> >
>> >How can I set the depth to the ideal, or am I worrying about something
>> >that's not critical?
>> >
>> > Bill
>>
>> There's no concern about "space for the glue." In fact, too much
>> glue can cause issues. Always take the time to do a dry fit--after
>> the glue is applied it's too late.
>
>Dry fit after the glue is applied? .... Hmmm, let me get back to you on
>that. :)
>
>
>Allen
Ah...Look at the dash (double hyphen) that separates two independent
clauses. Probably I should have made them separate sentences.
It was somewhere outside Barstow when "Bob" <[email protected]> wrote:
>Isn't there a mark on your joiner that has settings on it for 10's 20's
>etc.??
There's usually a rotating cam, but there's also a screw adjust in the
stop.
If you buy a cheap biscuiter then it's worth checking this, as they're
often inaccurate. I've recommended Screwfix's Ferm biscuiter to a few
people as a really cheap but usable machine, and then had them report
problems with it. Fixing this adjustment solved the problem.
Extra s good. The biscuits do nothing on the edges so you don't need them in
contact with anything.
max
> I recently bought my first biscuit joiner, a used Porter-Cable. The
> previous owner had apparently set the depth too shallow because when
> dry-fitting boards the biscuits bottom out before the joint closes.
>
> I increased the depth with the fine adjustment for my first test joint
> so the joint closes when dry fitting. But when I added glue to the slots
> I started to wonder if I ought to cut a little deeper yet to give more
> space for the glue.
>
> How can I set the depth to the ideal, or am I worrying about something
> that's not critical?
>
> Bill
Your joiner should have a depth setting for each biscuit number. My Makita
does.
"Lawrence Wasserman" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:%[email protected]...
> In article <[email protected]>,
> NewCabMaker <[email protected]> wrote:
> >I recently bought my first biscuit joiner, a used Porter-Cable. The
> >previous owner had apparently set the depth too shallow because when
> >dry-fitting boards the biscuits bottom out before the joint closes.
> >
> >I increased the depth with the fine adjustment for my first test joint
> >so the joint closes when dry fitting. But when I added glue to the slots
> >I started to wonder if I ought to cut a little deeper yet to give more
> >space for the glue.
> >
> >How can I set the depth to the ideal, or am I worrying about something
> >that's not critical?
> >
> > Bill
>
> You're right, it should be just a little deeper than the width of a
> biscuit. What I've seen recommended is to cut a slot, seat a biscuit
> in it, and draw a line across it with a sharp pencil where it crosses
> the top of the slot. Pull the biscuit out of the slot and reverse it
> and put it back in. If the line ""just" disappears into the slot the
> depth is good.
>
>
> --
>
> Larry Wasserman Baltimore, Maryland
> [email protected]
>
On Sat, 26 Feb 2005 02:53:12 GMT, NewCabMaker
<[email protected]> wrote:
>I recently bought my first biscuit joiner, a used Porter-Cable. The
>previous owner had apparently set the depth too shallow because when
>dry-fitting boards the biscuits bottom out before the joint closes.
>
>I increased the depth with the fine adjustment for my first test joint
>so the joint closes when dry fitting. But when I added glue to the slots
>I started to wonder if I ought to cut a little deeper yet to give more
>space for the glue.
>
>How can I set the depth to the ideal, or am I worrying about something
>that's not critical?
>
> Bill
There's no concern about "space for the glue." In fact, too much
glue can cause issues. Always take the time to do a dry fit--after
the glue is applied it's too late.
Cut a test slot, insert a biscuit, using a sharp pencil make a line on the
biscuit on top of the wood, remove the biscuit, turn over and reinsert, draw
another line, remove the biscuit, the lines should match. Adjust the depth
until the lines match. You can set the depth so the biscuit is just a hair
deep for ease of assembly.
--
Rumpty
Radial Arm Saw Forum: http://forums.delphiforums.com/woodbutcher/start
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
"NewCabMaker" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I recently bought my first biscuit joiner, a used Porter-Cable. The
> previous owner had apparently set the depth too shallow because when
> dry-fitting boards the biscuits bottom out before the joint closes.
>
> I increased the depth with the fine adjustment for my first test joint
> so the joint closes when dry fitting. But when I added glue to the slots
> I started to wonder if I ought to cut a little deeper yet to give more
> space for the glue.
>
> How can I set the depth to the ideal, or am I worrying about something
> that's not critical?
>
> Bill
In article <[email protected]>,
Phisherman <[email protected]> wrote:
> On Sat, 26 Feb 2005 02:53:12 GMT, NewCabMaker
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> >I recently bought my first biscuit joiner, a used Porter-Cable. The
> >previous owner had apparently set the depth too shallow because when
> >dry-fitting boards the biscuits bottom out before the joint closes.
> >
> >I increased the depth with the fine adjustment for my first test joint
> >so the joint closes when dry fitting. But when I added glue to the slots
> >I started to wonder if I ought to cut a little deeper yet to give more
> >space for the glue.
> >
> >How can I set the depth to the ideal, or am I worrying about something
> >that's not critical?
> >
> > Bill
>
> There's no concern about "space for the glue." In fact, too much
> glue can cause issues. Always take the time to do a dry fit--after
> the glue is applied it's too late.
Dry fit after the glue is applied? .... Hmmm, let me get back to you on
that. :)
Allen
In article <[email protected]>,
Allen <[email protected]> wrote:
> In article <[email protected]>,
> Phisherman <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> > On Sat, 26 Feb 2005 02:53:12 GMT, NewCabMaker
> > <[email protected]> wrote:
> >
> > >I recently bought my first biscuit joiner, a used Porter-Cable. The
> > >previous owner had apparently set the depth too shallow because when
> > >dry-fitting boards the biscuits bottom out before the joint closes.
> > >
> > >I increased the depth with the fine adjustment for my first test joint
> > >so the joint closes when dry fitting. But when I added glue to the slots
> > >I started to wonder if I ought to cut a little deeper yet to give more
> > >space for the glue.
> > >
> > >How can I set the depth to the ideal, or am I worrying about something
> > >that's not critical?
> > >
> > > Bill
> >
> > There's no concern about "space for the glue." In fact, too much
> > glue can cause issues. Always take the time to do a dry fit--after
> > the glue is applied it's too late.
>
> Dry fit after the glue is applied? .... Hmmm, let me get back to you on
> that. :)
>
>
> Allen
OK, never mind I reread that .
Allen
In article <[email protected]>,
Unquestionably Confused <[email protected]> wrote:
> Allen wrote:
> > In article <[email protected]>,
> > Phisherman <[email protected]> wrote:
> >
> >
> >>On Sat, 26 Feb 2005 02:53:12 GMT, NewCabMaker
> >><[email protected]> wrote:
> >>
> >>
> >>>I recently bought my first biscuit joiner, a used Porter-Cable. The
> >>>previous owner had apparently set the depth too shallow because when
> >>>dry-fitting boards the biscuits bottom out before the joint closes.
> >>>
> >>>I increased the depth with the fine adjustment for my first test joint
> >>>so the joint closes when dry fitting. But when I added glue to the slots
> >>>I started to wonder if I ought to cut a little deeper yet to give more
> >>>space for the glue.
> >>>
> >>>How can I set the depth to the ideal, or am I worrying about something
> >>>that's not critical?
> >>>
> >>>Bill
> >>
> >>There's no concern about "space for the glue." In fact, too much
> >>glue can cause issues. Always take the time to do a dry fit--after
> >>the glue is applied it's too late.
> >
> >
> > Dry fit after the glue is applied? .... Hmmm, let me get back to you on
> > that. :)
>
> Uh, Allen? Read his post one more time, carefully. Feel free to move
> your finger along the page and you can even move your lips if you wish. LOL!
Did that. Now sitting in the corner.
Allen
On Sat, 26 Feb 2005 16:37:37 -0500, Allen <[email protected]>
wrote:
>>
>> There's no concern about "space for the glue." In fact, too much
>> glue can cause issues. Always take the time to do a dry fit--after
>> the glue is applied it's too late.
>
>Dry fit after the glue is applied? .... Hmmm, let me get back to you on
>that. :)
>
>
>Allen
dyslexic..?? "after the glue has dried its too late"
now give yourself the compulsory slap on the forehead
"NewCabMaker" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
Umm Deep enough that you can close the joint with a biscuit and glue in it.
Practice on a pieces of scrap wood.
Isn't there a mark on your joiner that has settings on it for 10's 20's
etc.??
"Rumpty" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Cut a test slot, insert a biscuit, using a sharp pencil make a line on the
> biscuit on top of the wood, remove the biscuit, turn over and reinsert,
draw
> another line, remove the biscuit, the lines should match. Adjust the
depth
> until the lines match. You can set the depth so the biscuit is just a hair
> deep for ease of assembly.
>
> --
>
> Rumpty
>
> Radial Arm Saw Forum: http://forums.delphiforums.com/woodbutcher/start
>
> - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
>
>
> "NewCabMaker" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > I recently bought my first biscuit joiner, a used Porter-Cable. The
> > previous owner had apparently set the depth too shallow because when
> > dry-fitting boards the biscuits bottom out before the joint closes.
> >
> > I increased the depth with the fine adjustment for my first test joint
> > so the joint closes when dry fitting. But when I added glue to the slots
> > I started to wonder if I ought to cut a little deeper yet to give more
> > space for the glue.
> >
> > How can I set the depth to the ideal, or am I worrying about something
> > that's not critical?
> >
> > Bill
>
>
Allen wrote:
> In article <[email protected]>,
> Phisherman <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>
>>On Sat, 26 Feb 2005 02:53:12 GMT, NewCabMaker
>><[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>>
>>>I recently bought my first biscuit joiner, a used Porter-Cable. The
>>>previous owner had apparently set the depth too shallow because when
>>>dry-fitting boards the biscuits bottom out before the joint closes.
>>>
>>>I increased the depth with the fine adjustment for my first test joint
>>>so the joint closes when dry fitting. But when I added glue to the slots
>>>I started to wonder if I ought to cut a little deeper yet to give more
>>>space for the glue.
>>>
>>>How can I set the depth to the ideal, or am I worrying about something
>>>that's not critical?
>>>
>>>Bill
>>
>>There's no concern about "space for the glue." In fact, too much
>>glue can cause issues. Always take the time to do a dry fit--after
>>the glue is applied it's too late.
>
>
> Dry fit after the glue is applied? .... Hmmm, let me get back to you on
> that. :)
Uh, Allen? Read his post one more time, carefully. Feel free to move
your finger along the page and you can even move your lips if you wish. LOL!
Thanks for posting this technique. Makes good sense to me -- and I
wouldn't have thought of it!
Bill
In article <[email protected]>, "Rumpty" <[email protected]>
wrote:
> Cut a test slot, insert a biscuit, using a sharp pencil make a line on the
> biscuit on top of the wood, remove the biscuit, turn over and reinsert, draw
> another line, remove the biscuit, the lines should match. Adjust the depth
> until the lines match. You can set the depth so the biscuit is just a hair
> deep for ease of assembly.
>
> --
>
> Rumpty
>
> Radial Arm Saw Forum: http://forums.delphiforums.com/woodbutcher/start
>
> - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
>
>
> "NewCabMaker" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > I recently bought my first biscuit joiner, a used Porter-Cable. The
> > previous owner had apparently set the depth too shallow because when
> > dry-fitting boards the biscuits bottom out before the joint closes.
> >
> > I increased the depth with the fine adjustment for my first test joint
> > so the joint closes when dry fitting. But when I added glue to the slots
> > I started to wonder if I ought to cut a little deeper yet to give more
> > space for the glue.
> >
> > How can I set the depth to the ideal, or am I worrying about something
> > that's not critical?
> >
> > Bill
>
>