Biscuits used to join pieces of wood are oval-shaped, thin, dried, and compressed bits of wood or wood shavings, often made with beech wood. A tool known as a biscuit joiner cuts a slot into each of the two pieces of wood to be joined, adds glue to the slots, inserts the biscuit into one and then the other to join the pieces together. The biscuit joiner aligns the slots precisely so that when the two pieces of wood are clamped together, the edges align perfectly, and the wood’s plane is maintained.
I’m trying to make a jewelry box for my girlfriend and the plans I’m using call for screws but I’d like to do it without screws. Worst comes to worst I’ll use dowels instead, but I’d like to try using biscuits. Edit: Thanks for all the suggestions guys, I’m going to go with dowels and buying a jig kit so I don’t drill it poorly.
Alternatives to the biscuit joining process are mortise and tenon joints, dovetail joints, half lap joint, and butt joints. For a more polished result, consider a mitred joint instead. Carving mortises and tenons in wood is an expert-level project, but the resulting joint is extremely strong. Alternatives to biscuit joints include butt joints, interlocking joints such as dovetail or mortise and tenon, and half-lap joints.
how to join boards without a biscuit joiner Related Question:
What can I use instead of a biscuit joiner?
Some tests suggest a dowel joint will provide stronger joinery than biscuits. Tests also indicate that dowel joints are not as strong as tenon joints or dovetail joints. They do make solid and accurate joints, though. A dowel joint will be a better method than nails or screws and are much less susceptible to breakage.