Replies

1. 
   ring | Dec 27, 2005 08:36pm | #1

   The biscuits are a great help in keeping things aligned.  They are not necessary for gluing power.   Use yellow glue.  Keep the Gorilla for outdoor work and other special situations.

   DR

2. 
   mike4244 | Dec 27, 2005 09:31pm | #2

   Dimitri, I usually use yellow glue, gorilla glue will work fine. Each has it's advantages. If the glue up will take a lot of time,use gorilla. It has a much longer open time. I do not use biscuits for edge gluing, if you want biscuists it won't hurt. Biscuits help some in alignment, don't depend on them for perfect surface alignment.What ever glue I use I run a bead on one side,1/4" or so wide. If the boards are thicker than 5/4 run two beads. Then I slide the next board on top ( I glue vertically in a home made press).Slide the board back and forth two or three inches,this spreads the glue on both surfaces.

   If you want you can easily make your own glue press if you think it may come in handy for future projects.The glue press in the attachments are 2x3's with holes on 3" centers.3/8"  hex bolts,  and 3/8" tee nuts on the back pieces.The bolts are run up with a cordless drill ,pipe clamps provide down pressure. I space the 2x3 press on about one foot centers.

   mike

   
1. 
   dimitri | Dec 28, 2005 12:32am | #3

   Mike,

   Thanks for your advice! I already made those clamps in your picture based on a screw clamp system I purchased from lee Valley. The reason i asked about the biscuit joinery is because I noticed that by using biscuits the surfaces dont always line up exactly as one would expect them to. Several top woodworkers like David Chastworth and Garett Hack do not use biscuits for edge joinery for the same reason.  What is your opinion?

   Thanks,

   Dimitri

1. 
   mike4244 | Dec 29, 2005 03:31am | #4

   I agree with these famous gentleman, biscuits have there place ,but not for alignment.Once in a while I use biscuits instead of a mortise and tenon, if it is an application where strength is not critical.There are many times biscuits are practical to use, but surface alignment isn't one of them.

   mike