Biscuit jointers

While you can get router cutters which can be used to create biscuits joints, you can also get a dedicated   biscuits jointer , also known as a biscuit joiner, biscuit cutter, or plate joiner. Many woodworkers find these easy to use for getting accurate, consistent results than when using a router for cutting the grooves needed for biscuit joints.  

What is a biscuit joint?

Biscuit joints, sometimes known as flat dowel joints, provide some of the strongest joints in woodworking. Biscuit joints reinforce standard butt joints with flat oval dowels, or ‘biscuits’, into circular grooves, known as pockets. When a pair of pockets is aligned on both faces of a joint when they’re brought together the biscuit should fit equally into both pockets, often fixed with an adhesive to strengthen the joint. The advantage these joints have over traditional tongue and groove, or loose tongue, joints is that each biscuit is housed in an individual pocket, rather than a continuous groove. A continuous groove can weaken the edge of a workpiece and can cause natural timber to cup outwards at the edge.   

What are biscuits?

The flat dowel biscuits are made from compressed fibres of timber and are typically available in a range of standard sizes. Their fibrous composition means that they will expand when any water based wood adhesive is applied correctly, such as PVA glue or aliphatic resin emulsion. As the biscuits swell, the joint becomes tight to produce a reliable and strong joint. This process is usually faster than other methods, as the joint bonds relatively quickly, reducing the clamping time usually required from other jointing methods.  

Trend T20 biscuit jointer   

Trends dedicated biscuit jointer is designed specifically for cabinet and furniture making tasks at a professional or trade level and can be used to strengthen a range of butt joint formations, such as mitre and bevel joints, edge to edge joints, right angle and T-joints, and frame to panel joints. It has a precision fence that can be adjusted to any angle from 0 degrees to 90 degrees, so it can accommodate bevelled or mitred edges in a range of different angles. The fence also allows biscuits to be accurately positioned at the edge of the joint so the top edges will be offset or flush by the right amount with a precise, adjustable rise and fall and measurement scale.   

This biscuit jointer can be used with a variety of timber based materials, such as plywood, particle board, fibre board, and natural timber. It has a small ergonomically designed body for ease of use and a spindle lock that allows for an easy tool change. An adjustable turret stop makes set up for different sizes of biscuit quick and easy.   

It is available in a 230v or 110v version, depending where it will be used, both of which have a 710w power input. It has a rotation speed of 9000rpm, a plunge depth of up to 20mm and plate height adjustment of 45mm. It comes with a handy storage case that can be easily transported and has a 100mm TCT blade with six wings fitted. Also included is a 28mm dust spout and dust collection bag, although it’s often recommended that a dust extractor is fitted to the spout with a stepped hose connector for even more effective dust collection. For making any adjustments, there is a 17mm spanner to lock the armature, an 8mm spanner to adjust the blade depth, a pin spanner for changing the blade, and a spring locating hook to help with changing the blade.

Biscuit jointing blades

As well as replacement standard blade, Trend’s biscuit jointer also has two different blades which can be used with it. They each have six Tungsten Carbide teeth and anti-kickback design for safer and easier use. They're ideal for use with MDF, particle board, and natural timbers. The standard blade for the biscuit jointer, the one which comes with the unit, is a CraftPro blade with a plate thickness of 2.5mm, which means it's suitable for use with Trend, Casals, Dewalt DW682, and Freud biscuit jointing machines. The other CraftPro blade available has a slightly thicker 3mm plate, with a bossed body (3.4mm with boss). The Professional range blade for the T20 has a bossed body with scriber teeth with a 2,9mm plate thickness (3.4mm with boss).

Wooden biscuits (optional accessories)

Trend supply a range of flat dowel biscuits for creating the perfect biscuit joints in boards than span a range of thicknesses. All biscuits are 4mm thick but vary in width and length.  For boards that are 8-12mm thick, you have No.0 biscuits that are 47.5mm x 15.mm, available in packs of 100 or 1000. No.10 biscuits are suitable for boards that are 13mm-18mm thick and measure 53mm x 19mm, in packs of 100 or 1000. No.20 biscuits suit boards that are thicker than 19mm, measuring 60mm x 23mm, also in packs of 100 or 1000. Packs of mixed sized biscuits can also be bought. Packs of 100 mixed biscuits contain 30 x No.0, 30 x No.10, and 40 x No.20. Packs of 1000 mixed biscuits contain 250 x No.0, 250 x No. 10, and 500 x No.20.

Biscuit jointer replaceable parts   

There are a range of parts that are available as replacements for the biscuit jointer if they ever need to be replaced. 

• Storage case

• Dust bag

• Pin spanner 

• Spanner 8mm A/F

• A pair of carbon brushes

• Spring hook for changing the blade

• Replacement switch for the 230v T20

As well as other spare parts for the T20 if they are ever needed.