Biscuit Joinery and Pocket-hole Technology for Woodworking Enthusiasts

Biscuit Joinery and Pocket-hole Technology for Woodworking Enthusiasts

When building cabinets, furniture and other such woodworking projects, the best joining method to use can be a looming question. Craftsmen strive for the strongest, most durable and smooth joints possible, and to achieve this - craftsmen strive also, for the best joinery technique. There are many methods of quality wood joinery, some of the most popular methods being biscuit (or plate) joinery, and pocket-hole joinery. Biscuit joinery and pocket-hole technology each provide exceptionally strong joints in a simple, reliable process. Each of these techniques offer a different set of features that fasten joints in different and effective ways.

Biscuit or plate joinery involves the insertion of a biscuit into an oval, or crescent shaped slot that is cut into opposite edges of two pieces of wood. Biscuits are pre-cut, oval-shaped pieces of compressed wood that range in size from 1/2in to 2-1/4in in length. There are also biscuits available in plastic, aluminum, and steel for special applications, generally however, wood biscuits are the most prominently used. Biscuits (dabbed with glue) are inserted into specially cut slots in the wood that are shaped identically to the biscuit, the two pieces of wood are clamped together to set, and thus form a strong, durable joint. The biscuits also tend to soak up the glue applied to them before insertion which causes them to swell and make the joint tighter, and stronger. Porter Cable, DEWALT, and Makita each offer high quality plate joiners with unique, and individual features to help meet your needs, and build your joints better.

Porter Cable offers a Deluxe Plate Joiner Kit with a powerful 7.5 amps and 10,000 rpm. This joiner has many features that simplify the joining process, including: a precise micro height-adjustment knob to keep biscuits exactly centered, and a 1in O.D. (outer diameter) dust port that works with standard bags or can simply hook up to a vacuum. The DW682K has a fence tilt of 0 to135 degrees with a positive adjustable stop at 90 degrees; and, for increased cutting control and stability, the bale handle is attached to the fence rather than the motor. The joiner also has a lock-on trigger for continual use and a supremely accurate (at any angle) hight scale to precisely measure positions. Porter Cable's plate joiner has seven-position rotating depth stop to accommodate a variety of biscuit sizes and depths, and a spindle lock mechanism for simple blade changes. For standard and face-frame biscuits, Porter Cable's Deluxe Plate Joiner Kit includes both 2in and 4in diameter blades. The kit also includes a centering plate, dust bag, a chip deflector, allen wrench, and a carrying case for portability and convenience.

DEWALT offers a similar Heavy-Duty Plate Joiner with 6.5 amps and no load speed of 10,000 rpm; tough enough to work through even the hardest wood. To ensure the most accurate joints, the DW682K features a dual rack and pinion system that keeps the blade and fence always parallel as you work - every time. The one piece fence is also adjustable with a 0-90 degree tilt, and, at zero degrees, a flush cut can be made without removing the fence. Additionally, the fence has a locating notch at 45 degrees that allows indexing off the outside surface of a mitered joint: in other words, the fence has a positive lock at 45 degrees to keep your joints always accurate. The joiner, having a no mar, heavy-duty aluminum shoe, can be clamped down to work surfaces for stationary work - and has retractable, anti-slip pins to help hold your work in place, and preset depth stops for all common biscuit sizes. DEWALT's joiner kit comes with a carbide blade, dust bag, a vacuum adapter, Torx key, wrench, and a heavy-duty kit box for security. The DW682K comes with DEWALT's one year free service contract, and a three year limited warranty.

Makita also provides an excellent option in biscuit joinery. Their 3901 plate joiner runs on 5.6 amps, and with a no load speed of 10,000 rpm. Although with slightly less amps, the tool is strong enough to make the tight, and lasting joints craftsmen expect from biscuit joinery. Makita's joiner has a one-touch 6 depth setting that allows for immediate depth change when working, and accommodates most common biscuit sizes. Makita's 3901 also features a shaft lock for fast, simple blade changes, and easy to operate cam locks for added security. With a cast aluminum pivot fence with positive stops at 0, 45, and 90 degrees the joiner is always accurate and precise, and is designed to quickly and simply make strong and durable plate joints. The tool has a maximum cut depth of 25/32in, a large top grip handle, no mar rubber strip insert, and is double insulated for additional security/safety on the job. Makita's 3901 plate joiner includes a carbide tipped blade (4in in diameter), an angle guide, dust bag, lock nut wrench, set plate, inner flange, lock nut, and a plastic tool case for convenience and portability. The tool is just over a foot long and weighs 6.2 lbs.

Pocket-hole technology involves drilling an angled hole into one workpiece and joining it to another with a self-tapping screw. This process eliminates tedious drilling applications, and provides a fast, strong joint in which the screw acts as a permanent internal clamp pulling and holding two workpieces together. Kreg offers a Jig Master System specifically designed for pocket-hole joinery. The K3MS is effectively two tools in one having interchangeable drill guide blocks that can shift between benchtop and portable bases. The tool has an easy access, spring-loaded, front-side clamp that eliminates reaching around big panels to get to your toggle clamps; it keeps everything within arms reach so you can maintain speed and greater ease on the job.

To help you perfectly place your pocket-holes in a variety of widths and thicknesses Kreg offers a three-hole drill guide with a hardened steel core. This steel core also protects bits by keeping them completely covered, and supports work pieces throughout the entire drilling process. This technology reduces bit deflection and tear-out, and provides a clean, smooth, and pluggable pocket-hole. Kreg's jig also has a material support stop that can be set at any distance from the jig enabling you to repeat the same pocket-hole numerous times. This stop can also swing or flip out of the way to act also as a height support for large panels. Additionally, Kreg utilizes an optimized drilling angle specifically configured to enhance driving efficiency and reduce the pocket-hole's overall size to less than 1-1/2in. A wood-chip relief system -which consists of one wood-chip relief hole per every drill guide hole - keeps messy debris out of your drill bits and decreases drill torque output, thus increasing the life of your drill bits. With this system you can create an smooth pocket-hole in one plunge. Kreg jigs are built with an unique composite material that is flexible, resilient and also strong and durable; each jig is also built in-part with heavy-duty glass-reinforced nylon that maintains its strength and longevity.

Each of these joinery options is unique and provides professional results and professional strength to your joints. Both biscuit joinery, and pocket-hole joinery offer simple and strong solutions to achieving the perfect woodworking joint.

As a student at the University of Utah, Mallory Kramer is currently earning an Englinsh degree. Three years ago she joined M&M Tool adding to their over 150 years combined experience; there, she specializes in tool parts and web communications. For over 60 years M&M Tool has provided professional service to the tool industry with parts, sales, and service to professionl level woodworking products, tools, and machinery.

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3 Tips To A Fabulous Woodworking Workshop

Forever now, men had to use wood for the necessities in life such as shelter and much more. The process of molding this wood for such things has changed due to the fact that woodworking machinery is now available. The basics of shaping the wood, sawing and cutting, and drilling have remained constant, however now the ease and speed of which it is done is quite different and progressed.

There are three pieces of machinery for woodworking that are the most essential. I'll go over those now. If you had to only stock your workshop with the most important components of machinery, what would they be? Here they are and the explanation of why you need them.

First off, you need a circular or table saw. This may be a handheld as well, or just a regular table saw. The table saw gives you more flexibility since it can be angled for miter cuts and lets you use jigs for better accuracy in cutting lengthy boards. The handsaw allows you to make straight or curved cuts. As well, other materials that aren't wood, for example vinyl siding, can be cut with a saw with interchangeable blades.

Next on the list is the router with table. The router lets you make fancier cuts and more professional looking woodworking. Having a table under the router just makes the job easier. A guide fence keeps wood steady as you cut. An adjustable table lets you work in complex details with a height that gives you the most control.

Last but not least is the jigsaw. For wood projects that aren't limited to flooring and moldings, a jig saw lets you craft all kinds of tinier, more meticulous projects. You can create decorations, toys, make carved signs and detailed fireplace mantels using a jig saw.

Of course there are lots of pieces of woodworking machinery and standard tools that serious wood workers must have. Often the beginning home improvement guy begins with just the tools necessary for the first project, and continues from there with subsequent projects. There's really no need to go overboard with a bunch of tools that you won't be using after all.

A good first project to start with is to install wood molding. Crown molding is not costly, and will get you started on making miter cuts. Another starter tool that you'll need for this sort of project is a good air compressor with a hydraulic finishing nailer attached. This will help with your molding wood molding job, especially when it comes to flooring.

Some tools are just timeless, and have been used for centuries and are still just as useful today. One example of that is the chisel. You can use this tool to shape the finest of masterpieces. Buying a set will definitely be a wise purchase in your woodworking leisure pursuit.

A combination of both the old and the new will create a workshop of woodworking tools and machinery that will do you well for years and years to come.

Eric Slarkowski works mainly for http://www.insidewoodworking.com , an online publication with information about hand tools . You can discover his publications on woodworking machinery on his site.

Table Saw

Table Saw

Table Saw Fences That Acts as Both Clamps and Finger Guards

A table saw is the ideal tool for wood working. From these saws you can create any type of wood item. You will find that these table saws have fences attached to the base of the table. This fence will make sure that your piece of wood does not go astray. In order to keep your hands and fingers safe the table saw fences are the most important piece of equipment.

When you are looking to buy a table saw it is always best to careful. As you inspect these saws you will be able to select the right type of table saws. You should also make sure that the table saw fences don’t interfere with your working on a piece or project of wood. This best way to look into this is to see if the measurements of this saw will provide you the room that you need for working the project.

Also you will need to see if there are any other items that you need to add on to the table saw fences to make them work to your specifications. Table saw fences as they have deigned to help you with to help you with your wood working you will need to see if these table saw fences are well constructed. You will enjoy working with a table saw for this reason.

The table saw fences have been designed for other purposes besides that of protecting your hands. At people use table saws to cut their work piece of wood they will need some way to anchor the wood to the table. This anchor should be firm yet at the same time you should be able to lightly move the fence up to the saw blade.

Basically the table saw fences acts as both clamps and finger guards for these table saws. When you need to work with a piece of wood, you must anchor the wood to the base of the saw using the saw fence. Once the wood piece has been firmly attached you can be assured that it will not move from all over the base table of the saw.

As the saw approaches the wood mark you can use the table saw fences to guide the rest of the wood along the mark area. This way you can keep your fingers safe and the piece of wood that you are using will get cut smoothly.

The main reason for using table saw fences are simple and yet very practical. The fence acts as a way for you to guide your pre-marked wood piece along the path of the table saw. At this same time your fingers are kept out of the path of the saw by this same saw fence. The next time that you are planning on using your table saw appreciate how the table saw fences serve you in their dual purpose.

About the Author

Muna wa Wanjiru is a Web Administrator and Has Been Researching and Reporting on Saws for Years. For More Information on Table Saw Fences, Visit His Site at Table Saw Fences