Biscuit Jointer...which one.... ?

Bob,

The PC557 has the FF (face-frame) biscuits which I think you will probably
use more than any other size if you're making picture frames and the like.
Do you need it? no... Will you use it?....yes.

Bob S.

"Bob G" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>
> Frued DeWalt or PC.... my normal tendency would be to buy the PC based
> on price and past experience BUT "most" DeWalt products I have purchased
> held up well... The Frued is a low end tool that maybe would work for me
> IF I use it sparingly like I think I will.. BUT I am somewhat afraid
> that I will all of a sudden develope a "need" to use a jointer (if you
> get my drift)...and I will end up kicking myself for even thinking
> about saving a few bucks...
>
> Bob Griffiths

I have the DeWalt and like it. But I've not tried any of the others. Your
in MA aren't you? If not too far (I'm in ne CT), you can try mine to see if
you like it.
Ed

Bob S. wrote:
> Bob,
>
> The PC557 has the FF (face-frame) biscuits which I think you will probably
> use more than any other size if you're making picture frames and the like.
> Do you need it? no... Will you use it?....yes.
>
> Bob S.
>
> =====================================
Thanks to everyone....I ended up with the PC 557 ...NOT saving 50 bucks
was not a problem....

But I honestly figured I might as get the one which I may find the most
uses for... Already went out in the shop and painted it "Blue"...gota
do that because its the only way I keep "my" tools in my
shop...otherwise they end up in one of the Boys' shops...and I'll never
get it back...

Bob Griffiths

"Bob G" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I think this is a first for me..actually being undecided on which brand
> to buy. I'm not at all concerned with price... But my problemn is that
> I have never ever really "needed" one...always got by with dowels IF I
> needed anything at all...and I have been a serious woodworkeing hobbiest
> for over 40 years...I just do not think the jointer will get heavy use....
>
> Frued DeWalt or PC.... my normal tendency would be to buy the PC based
> on price and past experience BUT "most" DeWalt products I have purchased
> held up well... The Frued is a low end tool that maybe would work for me
> IF I use it sparingly like I think I will.. BUT I am somewhat afraid
> that I will all of a sudden develope a "need" to use a jointer (if you
> get my drift)...and I will end up kicking myself for even thinking
> about saving a few bucks...
>
> Bob Griffiths

I've heard various reports of 'issues' with the DeWalt and only good things
(mostly) about the PC.
I've got a Ryobi which is budget and works well, but the PC would have been
my preference if money was not an option.

Once you get one, you will probably find you grow into using it and will use
it more and more.


--
Regards,

Dean Bielanowski
Editor,
Online Tool Reviews
http://www.onlinetoolreviews.com
------------------------------------------------------------
Latest 5 Reviews:
- Woodworking Techniques & Projects
- Kreg Right Angle Clamp
- Bosch 3912 (GCM12) 12" Compound Miter Saw
- Dowelmax Doweling System
- Ryobi CDL1802D Pro Series 18v Cordless Drill
------------------------------------------------------------

FF and or Face Frame biscuits are shorter and narrower than the smallest of
the regular sized biscuits. The PC uses a smaller blade for FF biscuits.
This makes a narrower and a shallower slot. You can cut FF slots in
narrower stock with out the blade cutting out the sides of the frame.


"Morgans" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "Rob" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > I like my PC 557.
>
> First - you can't use the face frame biscuits
> > with the DeWalt
>
> > Rob
>
> Could you expound more on this? Are face frame biscuits different? What?
> I have made a couple sets of cabinets with biscuits, and don' understand.
> --
> Jim in NC
>
>
>

Unless you want to go all the way and spend $600 on the Lamello, the
Porter-Cable is really the best choice. If there's any doubt, you really
should go down to the Borg and compare the PC and DeWalt (and any others you
can find) side-by-side. In particular, the design of the fence on the PC is
head and shoulders above the rest.

BTW, I own a Ryobi that was bequeathed unto me, and my buddy owns the PC. The
Ryobi works ok, but it ain't no Porter-Cable!

Bob G wrote:

> I think this is a first for me..actually being undecided on which brand
> to buy. I'm not at all concerned with price... But my problemn is that
> I have never ever really "needed" one...always got by with dowels IF I
> needed anything at all...and I have been a serious woodworkeing hobbiest
> for over 40 years...I just do not think the jointer will get heavy use....
>
> Frued DeWalt or PC.... my normal tendency would be to buy the PC based
> on price and past experience BUT "most" DeWalt products I have purchased
> held up well... The Frued is a low end tool that maybe would work for me
> IF I use it sparingly like I think I will.. BUT I am somewhat afraid
> that I will all of a sudden develope a "need" to use a jointer (if you
> get my drift)...and I will end up kicking myself for even thinking
> about saving a few bucks...
>
> Bob Griffiths

> BTW, I own a Ryobi that was bequeathed unto me, and my buddy owns the PC.
The
> Ryobi works ok, but it ain't no Porter-Cable!

I didn't even consider the Ryobi I got to work ok -- slots were too big
(this was only 1-2 months ago). Two slots, and back to the store it went.
Got the PC instead, decided to cry once and be done with it.

Should you go that route, print out the price from TylerTool.com and bring
it to the price-matching store of your choice.

--randy

I bought the frued about 1 1/2 yrs ago and was very unhappy with it,
especially the fence. Last december I got the Dewalt and have been very
pleased with it, good fence, easy height adjustment. I use it almost every
week. Whether your a PC or Dewalt fan, you won't go wrong with either
choice.

--
Mike S.
[email protected]

Bob G <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> I think this is a first for me..actually being undecided on which brand
> to buy. I'm not at all concerned with price... But my problemn is that
> I have never ever really "needed" one...always got by with dowels IF I
> needed anything at all...and I have been a serious woodworkeing hobbiest
> for over 40 years...I just do not think the jointer will get heavy use....
>
> Frued DeWalt or PC.... my normal tendency would be to buy the PC based
> on price and past experience BUT "most" DeWalt products I have purchased
> held up well... The Frued is a low end tool that maybe would work for me
> IF I use it sparingly like I think I will.. BUT I am somewhat afraid
> that I will all of a sudden develope a "need" to use a jointer (if you
> get my drift)...and I will end up kicking myself for even thinking
> about saving a few bucks...
>
> Bob Griffiths

It's not worth losing sleep over. Both the PC and the Dewalt kick some
serious ass. I do admit that a biscuit cutter isn't exactly the most
used tool though. But if you glue a lot of boards together, they
seriously kick ass in helping you align the joints. Bottom line: If
you've got the cash, buy one.

I own the DeWalt and use the PC the shop owner has. Not much
difference but the PC is a better working tool. Smoother action,
better fence and adjustments, better DC.

That said, I've used the Dewalt quite a bit, it works fine and I will
use it again any day but if I have a choice it's the PC.

BW

Bob G <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> I think this is a first for me..actually being undecided on which brand
> to buy. I'm not at all concerned with price... But my problemn is that
> I have never ever really "needed" one...always got by with dowels IF I
> needed anything at all...and I have been a serious woodworkeing hobbiest
> for over 40 years...I just do not think the jointer will get heavy use....
>
> Frued DeWalt or PC.... my normal tendency would be to buy the PC based
> on price and past experience BUT "most" DeWalt products I have purchased
> held up well... The Frued is a low end tool that maybe would work for me
> IF I use it sparingly like I think I will.. BUT I am somewhat afraid
> that I will all of a sudden develope a "need" to use a jointer (if you
> get my drift)...and I will end up kicking myself for even thinking
> about saving a few bucks...
>
> Bob Griffiths

I've been quite happy with my Porter-Cable 557. Plus right now PC has a $25
on order over $150. My only complaint would be that it is kind of loud, but
I don't know if other biscuit joiners are any quieter -- I haven't used any
others for quite some time and have never used (or even touched) anything
super spendy like the Lamello joiner....




"Rob" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I like my PC 557.
>
> I have had no problems with it whatsoever. My father has a Ryobi and
seems
> good for the price. I think DeWalt is good too but there are a couple
> things I don't like about it. First - you can't use the face frame
biscuits
> with the DeWalt. Second - the handle is on the body of the tool. With
the
> PC, the handle is on the fence. You hold the body and push into the
fence.
> Makes more sense to me.
>
> Rob
>
>
> "Woody" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> >
> > "Bob G" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > news:[email protected]...
> > > I think this is a first for me..actually being undecided on which
brand
> > > to buy. I'm not at all concerned with price... But my problemn is
that
> > > I have never ever really "needed" one...always got by with dowels IF I
> > > needed anything at all...and I have been a serious woodworkeing
hobbiest
> > > for over 40 years...I just do not think the jointer will get heavy
> use....
> > >
> > > Frued DeWalt or PC.... my normal tendency would be to buy the PC
based
> > > on price and past experience BUT "most" DeWalt products I have
purchased
> > > held up well... The Frued is a low end tool that maybe would work for
me
> > > IF I use it sparingly like I think I will.. BUT I am somewhat afraid
> > > that I will all of a sudden develope a "need" to use a jointer (if you
> > > get my drift)...and I will end up kicking myself for even thinking
> > > about saving a few bucks...
> > >
> > > Bob Griffiths
> >
> > I've heard various reports of 'issues' with the DeWalt and only good
> things
> > (mostly) about the PC.
> > I've got a Ryobi which is budget and works well, but the PC would have
> been
> > my preference if money was not an option.
> >
> > Once you get one, you will probably find you grow into using it and will
> use
> > it more and more.
> >
> >
> > --
> > Regards,
> >
> > Dean Bielanowski
> > Editor,
> > Online Tool Reviews
> > http://www.onlinetoolreviews.com
> > ------------------------------------------------------------
> > Latest 5 Reviews:
> > - Woodworking Techniques & Projects
> > - Kreg Right Angle Clamp
> > - Bosch 3912 (GCM12) 12" Compound Miter Saw
> > - Dowelmax Doweling System
> > - Ryobi CDL1802D Pro Series 18v Cordless Drill
> > ------------------------------------------------------------
> >
> >
>
>

Of the 3 I would suggest the PC. I bought my first PC PJ in 1989. It was
the odd ball style that was belt driven and a real PIA to use. I cut
thousands of slots with that machine. Right after the new style PC came out
5 or so years ago I got that one and have been very happy with it.
That said, I find myself not using it as much as the old one. Not because
it does not work as well but because I think I was over using biscuits
years ago. I would not want to be with out one and I would again buy the PC
but you have been able to get by this long with out one and may realize that
there are better methods of attaching wood in most cases. I use it mostly
when I use plywood in a project.

I like my PC 557.

I have had no problems with it whatsoever. My father has a Ryobi and seems
good for the price. I think DeWalt is good too but there are a couple
things I don't like about it. First - you can't use the face frame biscuits
with the DeWalt. Second - the handle is on the body of the tool. With the
PC, the handle is on the fence. You hold the body and push into the fence.
Makes more sense to me.

Rob


"Woody" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "Bob G" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > I think this is a first for me..actually being undecided on which brand
> > to buy. I'm not at all concerned with price... But my problemn is that
> > I have never ever really "needed" one...always got by with dowels IF I
> > needed anything at all...and I have been a serious woodworkeing hobbiest
> > for over 40 years...I just do not think the jointer will get heavy
use....
> >
> > Frued DeWalt or PC.... my normal tendency would be to buy the PC based
> > on price and past experience BUT "most" DeWalt products I have purchased
> > held up well... The Frued is a low end tool that maybe would work for me
> > IF I use it sparingly like I think I will.. BUT I am somewhat afraid
> > that I will all of a sudden develope a "need" to use a jointer (if you
> > get my drift)...and I will end up kicking myself for even thinking
> > about saving a few bucks...
> >
> > Bob Griffiths
>
> I've heard various reports of 'issues' with the DeWalt and only good
things
> (mostly) about the PC.
> I've got a Ryobi which is budget and works well, but the PC would have
been
> my preference if money was not an option.
>
> Once you get one, you will probably find you grow into using it and will
use
> it more and more.
>
>
> --
> Regards,
>
> Dean Bielanowski
> Editor,
> Online Tool Reviews
> http://www.onlinetoolreviews.com
> ------------------------------------------------------------
> Latest 5 Reviews:
> - Woodworking Techniques & Projects
> - Kreg Right Angle Clamp
> - Bosch 3912 (GCM12) 12" Compound Miter Saw
> - Dowelmax Doweling System
> - Ryobi CDL1802D Pro Series 18v Cordless Drill
> ------------------------------------------------------------
>
>

"Rob" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I like my PC 557.

First - you can't use the face frame biscuits
> with the DeWalt

> Rob

Could you expound more on this? Are face frame biscuits different? What?
I have made a couple sets of cabinets with biscuits, and don' understand.
--
Jim in NC