rose_clark81•24d ago

Had to choose between a biscuit joiner and dowels for a big built-in project last month. My pick bit me.

3 comments

3 Comments

blake_kelly1924d ago

So what went wrong with the joiner... did it just not hold?

evan_grant7023d agoTop Commenter

Was it the first time you used it on a long run? The slots have some give, so if your fence wasn't dead on for every cut, that tiny bit of error stacks up over eight feet. You end up with a joint that looks tight in the shop but pulls itself apart when you try to clamp it square.

simonlee23d ago

Was it a strength issue or did the alignment just get off? I've seen biscuit joiners fail when the wood moves a bit over time, they have some wiggle room in the slot. For a big built-in, that small amount of play can add up across a long joint and things just don't line up right anymore. Dowels lock things in place way more solidly for that kind of heavy, permanent piece. The joiner is fast for face frames, but it's not the right tool for every job.