Having an arsenal of high quality, top-notch equipment, and woodworking tools becomes a necessity as your woodworking skill advances. Whether you are a professional woodworker or a
DIY enthusiast
, you have probably heard of the biscuit joiner. One essential tool every woodworker should possess is this one. This handy tool ensures that bonds between furniture last forever, and it is growing popular with each passing day. With the growing popularity of the biscuit joiner, more and more new models are emerging on the market every day each one is different than the last. This increasing popularity and a wide variety of biscuit joiners are making it very hard for potential buyers to make a decision.
But don’t worry, because we are here to help you figure out what to look for when you buy a biscuit joiner. So without further ado, here are the top 10 tips to get the best biscuit joiner on the market:
1. Style of the Handle That Suits You Best
Before you go buying any old biscuit joiner, you have to consider the ergonomics of it. If a tool is uncomfortable to hold, then you won’t be able to work with it properly. Usually, biscuit joiners come in 2 handle styles. A D-handle and a barrel grip. Before you make a decision, familiarize yourself with the two designs and figure out which one is best for you. Typically people go for a barrel grip which provides a better hold on the tool hence making it easier to maneuver it while working. The D- handle is less popular because it does not have the best grip and is therefore relatively harder and less comfortable to hold.
2. Figure Out What Blade Size you need
Determining the blade size that you go for is just as important as the handle style you choose. The blades of a biscuit joiner come in a variety of sizes, and the one you choose depends on the project you are going to undertake. It is essential to select the right blade because the blade size will determine the precision and accuracy of the plunge. As mentioned before, knives come in a variety of sizes with the standard one coming in at around about 4 inches. The standard 4-inch blade caters to all DIY project needs as well as to beginners. If you need the
biscuit joiner
for making something small, then a 2-inch knife would be perfect for you. The size of the blade you need will change depending on your use for the biscuit. Aside from determining the size, you need to make sure that the blade is sharp enough to make a sharp, easy, accurate and effortless cut.
3. Power Source of the Biscuit Joiner
Just like any other tool, the biscuit joiner comes in cordless and corded options. When buying a biscuit joiner, most people don’t pay much heed to the fact that whether they need the corded or cordless version and end up buying the wrong version.
The corded ones as evident from the name have an electrical wire that you connect to a power outlet. They are preferred relatively more over the cordless version because they have raw power running through them. They are also relatively easier to maintain, and the user won’t have to worry about replacing batteries and or making sure that the tool is charged every time before using it.
The cordless biscuit joiner, on the other hand, is portable and can easily be used just about anywhere because a power cable does not restrict the user.
4. Is The Fence Solid Enough?
When looking for a biscuit joiner, be sure to look for a model on which the fence setting is adjustable. You should probably get something that can be set at both 135 degrees as well as at 45 degrees. The fence setting is essential because, in the end, it is the fence setting that ensures the right depth and cutting angle.
5. How Much Motor Power you Need
Another important aspect that you should take into account is the motor power. Many people would say oh yeah that’s easy, the higher the motor power, the better it is right? Well not necessarily. I
t’s being said that a Biscuit joiner is one of the few tools where you don’t have to worry about getting the highest motor power. Anywhere between 4 Amps to 7 Amps is the perfect sized motor. A bigger motor means a more massive machine.
So what we are trying to tell you here is that you should ideally go for a small motor because that would mean the machine is smaller which in turn translates to precise cuts.
6. Be Vary of the Brand you choose
The market these days is flooded with a wide variety of biscuit joiners to choose from and making the right decision is not easy. In the end, whichever brand you go for, make sure it’s the one whose replacement parts are available in the market. Choosing one which has no replacement parts available means that if your biscuit joiner has a problem with a part, it’s just as good as useless.
7. Is It User-Friendly
Power tools can become the best friends and make your life extremely easy, but terrible accidents are not unheard of when it comes to such instruments. But thankfully, these days’ manufacturers make built-in security and safety features in power tools. When deciding which biscuit joiner to buy, be sure to choose one that has been designed with user safety as the top priority.
8. Manage Waste
Woodwork involves a lot of waste. When you use a biscuit joiner, a lot of sawdust is produced. If you go bagless, all the trash and sawdust will make its way to the floor, and some people might be allergic to that. So be sure to choose one which comes with a bag that collects all the sawdust as you go.
9. Versatility
High-quality biscuit joiners can cost a lot of money. So when you are looking to buy one, try to find one that is versatile. By versatility, we mean that one that can be used for big or small projects alike and one that cuts at various angles rather than just at one particular angle.
10. Accessories Are Great to Have
There are many instances where a cut might end up being deeper than actually intended. To prevent such a thing from happening, stop pins and depth halts are a must have. When buying a biscuit joiner, be sure to buy one that comes with stop pins so that your cuts always end up being precise.
Conclusion
A biscuit joiner is a great tool to have in any woodworkers collection. These tools can range from $65 to about $800. So keep in mind that what you get is directly related to what you pay for. You should get something that’s in the middle of the range, something that gets the job done without leaving a huge dent in your savings.