FLSO Biscuit Joiner
Biscuit Joiner
A biscuit joiner (or sometimes plate joiner) is a woodworking tool used to join two pieces of wood together. A biscuit joiner uses a small circular saw blade to cut a crescent-shaped hole (called the mouth or “slot”) in the opposite edges of two pieces of wood or wood composite panels. An oval-shaped, highly dried and compressed wooden biscuit (usually made of beech or particle wood.) is covered with glue, or glue is applied in the slot. The biscuit is immediately placed in the slot, and the two boards are clamped together. The wet glue expands the biscuit, further improving the bond.
...
- Use clamps or other practical way to secure and support the work piece to a stable platform. Holding the work by hand or against your body is unstable and may lead to loss of control. Never hold work in your hand, lap, or against other parts of your body.
Selecting the Biscuit
Biscuits are 5 /32" thick. They are available from Porter-Cable in four sizes. Choose the largest biscuit that will accommodate the type of joint being made.
...
2. Grip tool firmly to resist starting torque, and squeeze trigger switch (A) Fig. 1, to START tool.
3. Release trigger switch to STOP tool.
...
• Squeeze trigger switch to START motor and depress lock button (B) Fig. 1, while releasing trigger switch. Release lock button.
...
A “quick set” depth adjusting turret (A) Fig. 2, provides for quick changes in depth of cut to accommodate the various sizes of available biscuits and other accessories. To set depth of cut: rotate depth-adjusting turret until desired size marking on turret aligns with the index mark (B) Fig. 2. The following depth settings are provided: 0 For “0” size biscuits, 10 For “10” size biscuits, 20 For “20” size biscuits, MAX For “6” size accessories, provides maximum depth of cut with 4" blade.
...
1. Use a 7/16" wrench to loosen lock nut (A) Fig. 3.
2. Rotate fine adjustment knob (B) Fig. 3, to desired position (rotate knob clockwise to reduce depth of cut, rotate knob counterclockwise to increase depth of cut).
...
• Does not have to be removed to make “flush” cuts.
Height Adjustment: (see Figs. 4 & 5)
1. Loosen locking knob (A), and rotate knob (B) to position the fence as desired, (rotate knob clockwise to raise fence, rotate knob counterclockwise to lower fence).
...
3. Once fence is in desired position, tighten knob (A), to secure in place.
Angle Adjustment: (see Figs. 6, 7, 8 & 9)
1. Loosen locking knob (A).
...
The tool is equipped with a dust port (A) Fig. 17. A large volume of sawdust and chips will be exhausted from this port during tool operation. A dust bag (B) Fig. 18 and a dust/chip deflector nozzle (C) Fig. 17 are furnished. A standard 1" vacuum hose can be connected to the dust port to facilitate dust collection. Do not operate the tool without a dust nozzle and dust bag, or a vacuum hose, attached to the dust port. Dust/Chip Deflector Nozzle The dust/chip deflector nozzle (C) pushes onto the dust port (A) Fig. 17.
Attaching Dust Bag
Depress spring clips (A) Fig. 18, and clip dust bag (B) on end of dust/chip deflector (C). The bag is equipped with a zipper to ease emptying of the collected material.
...
The number of grooves (biscuits) used in a joint may be varied to provide the strength required for the particular application. Typically, the center of the first groove is positioned approximately two inches from the edge of the work with additional grooves spaced at three to six inches on centers. In most cases, one line of grooves (biscuits) positioned approximately along the centerline of the material is used. On thicker material, an additional row(s) of biscuits may be used for added strength. The possibilities are almost endless. Position the two work pieces (to be joined) in the relationship desired after joining. Mark the centerline of each groove required as shown in Fig. 19. Use a square to assure accuracy.
...
6. Position the tool to the work-piece with the bottom of fence resting on the work piece. Align guide notch (A) or (B) Fig. 20, with a groove centerline. Apply pressure to auxiliary handle (C) Fig. 20, to keep front of tool and fence in firm contact with work piece.
7. Hold tool firmly as shown in Fig. 21, squeeze trigger switch to start tool.
...
NOTE: Assemble all joints and verify alignments before applying glue (see Fig. 22).
Surface (“T”) Joints
1. Layout groove positions as described in POSITIONING GROOVES.
...
3. Mark centerline of joint on work piece “A” (see Fig. 23).
4. Clamp a straight edge guide to the work piece, 3 /8" back from the joint centerline (as marked in Step 2). Clamp work piece securely (see Fig. 24).
5. Set tilt fence to 0° position (see Angle Adjustment Section of this manual).
6. Position tool to work piece with bottom of base against straight edge and guide notch (C) Fig. 25, aligned with a groove centerline. Apply pressure to handle (D) Fig. 25 to hold tool firmly in place.
7. Hold tool firmly as shown in Fig. 21. Squeeze trigger switch to start tool.
...
11. Follow steps 3 through 10 of CORNER JOINTS Section to complete required grooves in work piece “B” Fig. 23.
NOTE: Assemble all joints and verify alignments before applying glue (see Fig. 26).
Butt Joints
Tool adjustment and operation for producing butt joints (see Fig. 19), is the same as for CORNER JOINTS.
...
6. Position tool to work piece utilizing either guide notch (A) or (B) Fig. 27, to align tool with a groove centerline. Apply pressure to auxiliary handle (C) Fig. 27, to hold tool firmly in place.
7. Hold tool firmly as shown in Fig. 28, and squeeze trigger switch to start tool.
...
NOTE: Assemble all joints and verify alignments before applying glue (see Fig. 29).
Clean-up
When you are finished working with the Biscuit Joiner, clean the area before leaving the workstation. There are 4 Trash barrels in this room, and each one has a broom, bench brush and dust pan attached. You must use these items to clean up your work areas at each machine, when you are finished working there. Also, there are scrap barrels at each workstation to deposit scraps of material, which may be useful for someone else. Please do not put materials with stray hardware or glue on them, or food/drink items, only re-useable materials.
...