So you need to cut a few biscuit grooves but don’t own a biscuit joiner – No problem, cutting the grooves with your router and a slot-cutter bit is easy. If you can’t afford a $200 or so biscuit joiner, then a router and a $40 biscuit joining router bit set is a real money saver, assuming you already own a router. Grooves cut using a router setup do not match the shape of a biscuit as well as grooves cut using a biscuit joiner.
There are two situations where a router can’t substitute for a biscuit joiner: A router can cut slots only along the edges of a board, not across its face; and it can only cut along square edges, not beveled ones. Here’s how you can use your router with a straight bit to plane wide material: Mount an oversized base plate on your router and screw the base plate to a pair of stiff, straight “Stretchers.” Make your stretchers at least twice as long as the width of the workpiece, plus 8 in. Finding the right router bit Router bit shank options.
Q: I would like to try biscuit joinery but I do not own a biscuit joiner. You can alter the slot depth to accommodate No. 0, No. 10 and No. 20 biscuits by using different router bits or by changing bearings. To cut a biscuit slot with a router, you generally need to make the initial plunge cut and then move the router approximately 1/2 in.
Yes, it’s true, for the cost of a bit you can turn your router table into a biscuit joiner and save yourself … well, $100 to $200 or if you look at it another way, you can get more use out of your existing router table by just adding a biscuit joining bit to your collection. Remember, when you are cutting wood with a router table the flow of the wood wants to go from right to left, this means you are forcing wood into the cutting path of the bit just as you force wood into the cutting path of a table saw blade. If your wood has a bow or twist in it, you need to make an extra effort to get that wood flat against the router table top as it enters the winged cutter.
how to use a biscuit joiner router bit Related Question:
Can you use a router as biscuit jointer?
If you want to make biscuit joints, you don’t have to buy a biscuit joiner. In most cases, a router equipped with a 5/32-in. slot bit can cut perfect slots to fit the biscuits. Mark the biscuit positions on both adjoining boards as you would with a biscuit joiner.
What router bit do you use for jointing?
My favorite bit for jointing is a 1/2″ diameter spiral cutter. It gives the best results in stock under 1-1/4″ thick. These bits aren’t cheap, but they produce an amazingly smooth edge with little or no tear-out, even on squirrely-grained woods.
What can I use if I don’t have 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.
Can you use a router sideways?
Yes you can use a router on a vertical surface.
Can I use a router as a shaper?
The highest speed on a 2-speed shaper is typically around 10,000 rpm, which is about 2,000 RPM slower than the slowest setting on a variable-speed router. For a small shop, a 3hp shaper with a 3/4″ spindle and router collet spindle would be a fine choice.
What is the difference between a biscuit joiner and a plate joiner?
A plate joiner is the same as a biscuit joiner and are used to create an oblong hole in two matching pieces of wood. After the joiners have created the hole, a biscuit is glued, inserted and typically clamped until the wood is dried.
Do you need to biscuit joint a worktop?
Using biscuits will help line up the worktop surfaces but you will still have to make fine adjustments – use the larger ones.
How strong is biscuit joint?
When done correctly, a biscuit joint is at least as strong as a similar size mortise and tenon joint, and decidedly stronger than a dowel joint.”
How far apart should Biscuits be placed?
Biscuit Spacing Once you’ve determined the positions for the edge biscuits, you can calculate even spacing for the biscuits between the edges. Anywhere from 6 to 12 inches apart, measured on-center is usually sufficient.
What tool is used to cut slots in wood for biscuits?
A biscuit joiner or biscuit jointer (or sometimes plate joiner) is a woodworking tool used to join two pieces of wood together. A biscuit joiner uses a small circular saw blade to cut a crescent-shaped hole (called the mouth) in the opposite edges of two pieces of wood or wood composite panels.
What cuts do router bits make?
There are two common sizes of router bit shanks: 1/4″ and 1/2″. Many routers come with interchangeable 1/4″ and 1/2″ collets so that either size bit can be used, but some accept only 1/4″ shank bits. Whenever possible, use bits with 1/2″ shanks.