Hello all, I have lurked around here for a little while, learning a lot, but this is my first post.
I am interesting in buying a biscuit joiner. I have searched the archives, but I cannot seem to find recent threads about biscuit joiners, so I’m looking for some advice regarding which one to purchase. I’ve heard great things about Lamello, but I cannot afford it at this time.
I would really appreciate any opinions and/or suggestions as to which brand/model has worked well for you.
Thanks, Ryan
Replies
Like you my favorite is the Lamello, but I own a DeWalt.
I've use the newer style PC and like it more then my Dewalt, if I had to buy one today and didnt feel like forking over the big bucks I'd get the PC.
Doug
For those of us lurking and learning, if you happen to know the model number of the "newer style" PC, it would be good to know.
Thanks!My goal is for my work to outlast me. Expect my joinery to get simpler as time goes by.
It's the pc 557, I'm very happy with mine although if money were no object the top of the line Lamello would be nice.
Since the house is on fire let us warm ourselves. ~Italian Proverb
I have the PC and like it.
Ryan,
If you can get one in the USA I recommend a Mafell. Mafell make precision tools as good as Festo but add less "glitz" and consequently charge less (ie occupy a lower niche in the market). I've used mine to make thousands of slots (going by the biscuits-used count, about 7000+) and it still has no slop or other obvious degradation.
Otherwise have a look at the FWW biscuit joiner tests. There was a good test not so long ago in which, as I remember, Lamello got top marks but the Makita and the Porter Cable did well. The PC looked to be most versatile as well as being well made and accurate. It does mini-biscuits with an alternative blade and allows you to set the fence to 135 degrees, which gives an improved way to slot 45 degree mitres.
Its important that there be no slop and that the blade is parallel to the fence and the bottom plate. The FWW test found fault with the Dewalt, I think, in the parallel stakes.
Lastly, make sure you get a jointer that does more than just the 3 depths for #0, 10 and 20 biscuits. You want one with the correct depth setting also for duplex hinges, knock-down plates and the larger S6 biscuits. You might not plan to use them now, but one day.....
Lataxe
I own the PC and love it. It has some unique offerings (4 biscuit sizes, traps miter inside fence) it also was highest rated in several tool tests over the past few years. I'm very satisfied with it.
Regard it as just as desirable to build a chicken house as to build a cathedral.
Frank Lloyd Wright
Ryan,
real good article in "Tauntons 2006 tool guide" If you do not have this mag in your shop you are doing yourself an injustice. The ratings are right on.
Ill save you the trouble
lamello top 20s
lamello classic c2
portercable 557
dewalt dw682k
makita 3901
craftsman 27730
craftsman 17539 - ryobi jm82k
frued js100 - js102
virutex ab11c
for the price the dwalt was my choice as well but the lamello is sweet
Mac
I have the PC and love it . The second blade for the small face frame (ff) biscuit is a joy as is it's angle capacity over the others. Built well runs strong at about $200. Good luck, Pat
For my recommendation the PC 557 is the most utilitarian.
I bought a dewalt when they were the best consumer product, but had the opportunity to buy my first 557 shortly afterwards. The versatility of the fence was important, as it allows you to reference off a face on a mitre, as opposed to off the back with the dewalt. (we all know that plywood is sometimes different thicknesses)
The second 557 I picked up cheap, just so I could have one permanently set up for smaller face frame biscuits.
The Dewalt sits there most times, maybe goes in the truck for site work if needed.
The lamello salesman gave me the spiel on why lamello biscuit jointers is great. It has to do with the fact that they can run all day everyday, and when yer unit is 20 years old, you can still get parts. Not a particularly cost-effective arguement.
OTOH, same fella is my supplier for the INVIS system, about 3 quantam leaps in technology above the biscuit, and about 3 quantam leaps in cost per fastener. But there's no equivalent.
I'd rather buy the newest itteration of a 557 every 5 years or so than to invest big bucks in a simplistic tool with a 30 year lifespan.
I just dropped a 557 on it's handle, and busted it real good. I could get parts locally, not wait for an understocked supplier to special order parts from Switzerland. Makes a difference.
557 for me Ryan. Handsdown.
Eric in Cowtwon
Good point, but with Black and Pecker Default in control now don't expect that to continue. I've seen parts availability go from 2 days to 7 to 10 working days since they took over.
Since the house is on fire let us warm ourselves. ~Italian Proverb
Dear D,
Rumor has it that Black and Pecker will market at the big box stores(Home Despot and Loowes, etc.), the yellow Black and Pecker (aka De Walt of the expensive battery family) will be marketed to the trades in the field and the PC line will be marketed to the shops. What do ya hear? All the best Pat
Too soon to tell, the reps are being very tight lipped about future plans. Best guess in the industry is that they will continue with Default for the "all my tools are yella" folks and the good stuff (PC )will slowly go away. Black and Pecker has a nasty habit of buying name and trashing the tools. They have trashed the excellent Porter Cable service network, many of the best people are gone and morale is extremely low among those who remain. Same story with the excellent Emglo compressors, first they painted it yellow and raised the price then they started putting crap pumps on them. In the race to the bottom Black and Pecker is out there leading the charge. It's much more profitable to manufacture a cheap line of crap and market it to the least common denominator (idiots) than to make a quality tool and sell it to the shrinking group of the more discriminating buyer. I don't know who to blame more, the company for marketing crap or the huge group of uncritical short attention span morons peer group that buy the crap. Don't get me started, (it's got a great warranty it does'nt cost me anything to make 5 trips back to the store to exchange it and my customer won't mind me leaving the job to replace my junk tool.)
Since the house is on fire let us warm ourselves. ~Italian Proverb
Yes, but dgreen, I can't tell if you feel that Black and Decker have a less than beneficial effect on the companies and brands they produce, or not.
Stop being mealy-mouthed and conciliatory about their manufacturing philosophy and products, and tell us what you really think. Slainte.Richard Jones Furniture
I'll try to be more clear in the future. I could'nt find the crayon picture button on the forum and had to use the mealy-mouth feature instead.
Since the house is on fire let us warm ourselves. ~Italian Proverb
C/T,
What exactly is the INVIS system?
Thanks,
Lee
here's the url for the lamello site...http://www.invis.ch/english/f_start_e2.htmIt's a magneticly driven fastener system which uses bolts and nuts turned by magnetic forceI guess the easiest way to describe it is that it is like dowels that unscrew. It ain't a cheap solution to fastening, the small fasteners run 10 bucks a pop. that is what it is. Eric
No matter where you go, there you are!
PC
Thanks to all for the replies. It seems that the PC is very popular around here. Someone mentioned Mafell, but I've never actually seen a Mafell tool in person, so that is probably not an option for me. I really like to put my hands on a tool before buying it.
Thanks again to you all for your help.
Ryan,
Here is a link to the Mafell.
I confess, though, that Porter Cable looks a tad more versatile and everyone seems to praise its quality.
http://www.mafell.com/produkte/prod_fraesen_fr.htm
Lataxe
Another very good feature on the PC is that when you are holding the forward handle you are actually pushing into the work and holding it down at the same time which makes things very secure. All that moves is the motor and cutter. On just about all of the other BC's that front handle is moving when you make the plunge. Just a little more difficult to use.Work Safe, Count to 10 when your done for the day !!
Bruce S.
I have a YES.. A L' Cheepo Royboi.. I do not use it often BUT it works for.... WHEN 'I USE IT!'
For 99 bucks US Not that bad... By the way,, A Biscuit Jointer CAN make a REALLY mean CLIMB CUT! Well, MAKE sure it is on the wood before pullin' that trigger! Do NOT ask me how I know....
Aloha,
The PC joiner is definitely a good value but the major selling point to me was the fact that the handle is attached to the frame which allows you to hold the tool securely to the workpiece before plunging. I'm missing about an eighth inch of my left thumb due to the blade being in contact with the piece when my ex DeWalt was turned on. The ability to handle the FF size biscuits is a plus and I am constantly surprized how often I use them. One problem I had with my PC was that the sole plate was not flat to the housing consequently when doing edge to face joining using the housing as the guide the pieces did not jibe correctly. I had to do a bit of file work to get them to match.
I have the dewalt that I have had for about 4 years and have had no problems with it. If the blade is not perfectly parallel with the base when you get it it is ajustable. I have heard a lot of bad things about dewalt as of late so be warned.
Good luck
Troy
Ryan!
I too own a De Walt. It works and seems to make nice slots where I place them.. But I hate it's gear sound! It sounds like an old Ford Model A trans mission on start up..
I'm less and less impressed with my De Walt stuff. The only piece that has exceeded my expectations is the Sliding compound mitre saw..
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