still used?

[daver828]

Anyone here still use biscuit joiners? I have a PC 557 that's never been plugged in. It cost $220 new. Any idea what it would be worth now?

 

[TracyP]

Just acquired a PC from the borg and will use it for the first time this coming week. Bas is raving over the one he bought. I think it is the same model as mine. I'll post the progress after I use it. If it has never been plugged in, it should still be worth near new price.

 

[DaveO]

I find a lot of uses for my biscuit jointer, but not as much as I used to. Many of my first projects were entirely held together with biscuitted butt joints. Now I tend to used more dado's, rabetts and M&T. I no longer use biscuits in panel glue-ups but often use them for solid wood edge banding on plywood. I wouldn't sell my biscuit jointer, it still has it's home in my shop.
(I also love all my tools like my own children :embaresse)
Dave

 

[Bas]

I've heard a lot of stories about people who never use their biscuit joiners ("gathering dust in the shop"), but I love mine. And based on the feedback, it turns out I'm not alone! Maybe biscuit joiner owners are quiet people who don't brag about their tools. Guess I shattered that image

I bought the PC 557 on sale from Amazon for $195, which was an awesome price (it's $197 right now, with free shipping). It included the 2" blade for face frames. If yours has never been used, you should be able to sell it for $150 - $160.

 

[cskipper]

LOML still uses his - I think when jointing boards. Don't know the model, but suspect it is a PC.

 

[toolferone]

I have had my DeWalt for about 12 years and I still use it. For me it is the right tool for the right job sometimes. Not a heavy user, but a keeper for sure. I second DaveO's line about loving all my tools like family (don't tell my wife this)

 

[TracyP]

OK, I finally used my biscuit joiner last night. I love that little machine. It is in fact the same model as the one Bas bought with the 4" and 2" blade. That is one of the easiest joints I have made yet.

 

[Bas]

Biscuits joints are ridiculously simple. The only "catch " is to make sure that each piece is dead flat, either by nature or via a little persuasion (i.e. clamps), to make sure the slots line up. I also really like the trick of putting a piece of sandpaper under the joiner when cutting the mating slots in the outer piece, so that it will stand 1/64 proud. That makes it real easy to sand flush. (This assumes you're using the table as the reference surface, not the fence.)

 

[sapwood]

Dave,
I, too, have the PC557 and love it :icon_thum:icon_thum
No, I don't use it every day . . . but it's great for ply carcases. Heck, I have even used it to edge join plywood when my rule gave me incorrect info and I cut the piece to small :help:

I've read several reviews that rate the PC as "Best Buy" for biscuit joiner. Of course, the Lamello is No. 1, but only Fredp can afford one of them

Roger

 

[nelsone]

The June issue of FWW has an article in their Fundamentals section on the use of a biscuit joiner. The PC is the one I have and sometimes it is the best tool for the job!

 

[Glennbear]

The June issue of FWW has an article in their Fundamentals section on the use of a biscuit joiner. The PC is the one I have and sometimes it is the best tool for the job!

Thanks for pointing that out Ed, I'll be sure to look for it :wsmile:

 

[jlwest]

I have the Dewalt and use it for table tops, edge glueing, rails and stiles, ect. They are good for strength and alignment. I was brought up to use dowels but will never go back to them.

Jeff

 

[Douglas Robinson]

I have the PC 557. I just used it for the round porch table. I wanted something to align the planks while thew glue dried. Once that was done I used the router to cut the circular table. If I had attached the cleats first they would have been in the wat of the router. Thus the biscuits were ideal for this project.

Doug