How to Use a Biscuit Joiner: Easy Guide for Perfect Joints (2025)

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1. 1

   Align the pieces of wood you want to join.

2. 2

   Make marks at the places where biscuits will be placed.

   • Use as many biscuits as needed to secure the pieces of wood.

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3. 3

   Mark the other piece of wood at the same locations.

   • The biscuit process allows some leeway in aligning the pieces of wood, so perfect alignment is unnecessary.
4. 4

   Use the settings and stops on the biscuit joiner to set the depth of the cut.

5. 5

   Place the joiner firmly on the pencil markings.

6. 6

   Turn on the joiner and push it forward to cut a crescent shape into the wood.

   • Apply pressure to release the blade, allowing it to cut the wood.
   • The joiner's cutting blade will retract while it is idle.
   • The crescent shaped slots may be longer and larger the joiner biscuit; this allows a user to better align the joined pieces just before the glued joiner biscuit starts to set.
7. 7

   Cut slots at each location on each piece of wood.

8. 8

   See Also

   12 ways to get the best from your biscuit joinerHow To Make a Biscuit JointBiscuit-Joining BasicsBiscuit Joints: Types, Uses, And Sizes - Woodworking Blog

   Cover each biscuit with wet wood glue or apply glue inside the slots.

9. 9

   Slip a biscuit into each one of the slots at each location.

10. 10

    Clamp the two pieces of wood firmly with wood clamps.

    • Upon being clamped, the compressed biscuit will expand to fill the crescent shaped slot and create a strong bond between the two pieces as it dries.
11. 11

    Wipe away any excess glue before it dries.

12. 12

    Clean the joiner according to product directions before storing when not in use.

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Community Q&A

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• Because they are made of compressed wood, biscuits need to be stored in tight dry containers, or they will absorb moisture and swell.

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• Practice placing your components before gluing to make sure everything fits.

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• The biscuit is usually made of compressed wood.

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• If the joiner is burning or smoking the wood in the slots, it is time to sharpen or replace the blade.

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• Wear goggles and a dust mask when working with a biscuit joiner.

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• Wood glue
• Wood clamps
• Biscuits come in three sizes:

1. 0 - 5/8 inch wide x 1-3/4 inches long (13 mm x 44.45 mm); #10 - 3/4 inch wide x 2-1/8 inches long (19.05 mm x 2 mm); #20–1 inch (50.8–2.5cm) wide x 2-3/8 inches long (25.4 mm x 2.38 mm). Biscuits are .148 inches (3.76 mm) thick.

Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about carpentry, check out our in-depth interview with Matt Mimnagh.

Co-authors: 9

Updated: December 31, 2023

Views:52,555

Categories: Fastening Tools | Woodworking Tools

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