Biscuit Joiner Question

[xhelm7]

So it is my first time using a biscuit joiner.  I got it for pre assembling some casings at a job we will be doing tomorrow.  I already have the clam clamps which are awesome and I just wanted to be able to reinforce the joint a little more with a biscuit joiner.  I searched all the forums yesterday deciding on whether or not to get the domino or a biscuit joiner for pretty thin casings(2 1/4 x 9/16).  I decided I'd try out the biscuit first and eventually in the next couple years I hope to get the domino.  So I have a couple questions: 1.What size biscuit should I use for this casing?Is there a certain rule you can apply to every size material?(I was thinking the O).  2.  I have read some posts about cutting a hair under a 45 degree on the miters so that when you nail up the casing you force the inside miter to lock really tight together.  My question is, is this necessary to do if I am biscuiting and clam clamping the miter?  Any hints or tips would be great!!!  It is all stain grade, so it has to look perfect.  Thanks Guys!!!

 

[dirtydeeds]

i dont biscuit door casings very often (thats architraves to us over here)

when i do, 10s are my prefered size ( you might have to set the biscuits very low if the moulding is a deep ogee )

only use 0s if you really have to

only wide architraves will take 20s

your thinking on getting a biscuit jointer first then a domino later is wise

i thaught when i got the domino that my biscuit jointer would be redundant........... it isnt

im already thinking that WHEN my makita dies i will get a lamello, the makita is a noisy bastd

................ but im not expecting the makita to die

 

[mastercabman]

I don't use biscuit for casing.You better off with glue and nails.
i would make sure your joint is flush and then pop a couple nails from the top and side.Once the glue dries it will be a very strong joint.
Now if you are using something like 1x4 or 1x6 then maybe it would be a plus to use a biscuit.

 

[dirtydeeds]

mastercab, i agree with you in most of the time

but in SOME cases (please excuse the unintended pun)

like when you are house bashing, pre assembled architrave sets are useful

i very rarely do house bashing because i dont compete with those crews

 

[dirtydeeds]

AND with our current exchange rate

the cost of a lamello biscuit jointer (classic c3) has rocketed to 400 pounds english

AND AND our sales tax has reduced from 17.5 percent to 15 percent

AND AND AND this price is not in the systainer ( with the extra bits) which is now 460 pounds

the top of the range lamello jointer ( top 20 ) is now 650 quid  :

 

[richard.selwyn]

i dont biscuit door casings very often (thats architraves to us over here)

when i do, 10s are my prefered size ( you might have to set the biscuits very low if the moulding is a deep ogee )

only use 0s if you really have to

only wide architraves will take 20s

your thinking on getting a biscuit jointer first then a domino later is wise

i thaught when i got the domino that my biscuit jointer would be redundant........... it isnt

im already thinking that WHEN my makita dies i will get a lamello, the makita is a noisy bastd
................ but im not expecting the makita to die

I agree with all that but just want to warn you - I've got the cheap lamello (the classic I think - I've just finished off my first box of 1000 biscuits today so yes I like it - I used one domino today!) but IT IS A NOISY BXXXXXX as well

 

[Holzhacker]

I have a biscuit joiner that I use as needed but I can't imagine using it on the casings you are talking about. Sounds like big box Oak ranch or colonial. I do use biscuits on 1x thick or wide piece moulding to keep the planes together.
Using the biscuits on this small stuff seems like a lot of extra time. I agree with others that glue and nails will hold the joints sufficiently. There are a couple of further suggestions I'll make.
- pre-drill from the top and sink in a #1 square drive, fast and works really great. Especially when the wall is a little funky and the pieces don't want to stay together until dry
- I usually hit the back edge with a swipe or two of my belt sander, planer or rasp (depending on that days set-up) to take the edge off just a bit. This allows the front edge to pull together easier with less tension/binding.
Biscuits are a great thing, getting the job done is even better.
Good luck.

 

[Rob Z]

xhelm7;  Gary Katz at JLC has written several articles about production trim techniques.  He also has several books, two of which I have, and they are very good.

 

[dirtydeeds]

i know them as biscuit jointers

you refer to them as biscuit joiners

is this another case of a "pond" getting in the way

or is it more localised depending on the state you live in

 

[rwdawson]

I think it's the pond.  Porter-Cable calls it a biscuit joiner, as do most Americans.  We tend to call the machines (4 inch, 6 inch, 8 inch, etc.) and #7 and #8 bench planes jointers.

 

[dirtydeeds]

another example of our mutually incomprehensible common language  ;D

we know jointers as jointers fullstop. or should i say period  :