Biscuit Joiners

Dean I have both a biscuit joiner and small domino . I can gladly come over and help you with the glue up . Robert

Dean,
Not sure if you are actually looking for a biscuit joiner? I have an older Porter-Cable biscuit joiner I am selling really cheap – $35. Let me know if you are interested. I still have to look into the Worksharp for you as well.

I’ll bring the joiner Wednesday night. Hopefully, you’ll be there.

I addressed the Worksharp and honing guide in the original thread. You’re good with just about anything.

Dean,
Email me at tbjbotts@optonline.net so we can set up an alternate time for getting you the joiner.

As far as the question of using a biscuit joiner… I do use one but usually for boards that are difficult to keep aligned, whether too large, long or ones that need the tiniest bit of persuasion. I try to keep the biscuit center or low so that it doesn’t telegraph through the top. I use Tightbond II or white glue for most boards and hide glue if I want to take the time to heat it up.

White glue has a longer open time and has to be clamped for a longer period of time but once set, they’re essentially the same animal. If it’s a difficult glue up, it’s white glue for me, It’s not as thick as yellow and it’s easy to apply. If it’s not a time consuming glue up and I want to glue and remove the clamps in a few hours, I’ll use Titebond II. I don’t use gorilla glue or Titebond III for glue ups as there’s not enough time to play. Glue lines are easier to see when using those glues as well. Nothing the matter with using Titebond original either.

If I remember right, Frank Klause used white glue almost exclusively. He even liked Elmer’s since it is essentially the same animal. I like using Titebond III when gluing up darker woods since it dries to a darker color and blends in more. And obviously, it’s great if you know the piece will come into contact with water.

Dean, I don’t know about two types of Elmer’s white glue.I buy the Elmer’s white glue, of course, accept no substitutes! It has to have the cow on the label 🙂

Titebond and Elmer’s are virtually the same, with one very big difference. Elmer’s is made in China, Titebond is made in Ohio. Another difference is that Titebond is “borated” which the Franklin Adhesive engineer made it sound like it was important, but I’m not sure what it means. They sell the white version in the middle of the country, the tan version around here. I prefer the white since it dries clearer, so I order a gallon of it and keep it in my basement on a cool shelf. It’s generally in the 60s down there, and pretty dry, so the shelf life is really very long (tip per Franklin: refrigerate your white or tan wood glue and it will keep forever).

The US vs China difference is enough for me to stick with Titebond. And if you do a quick search you will find Franklin’s phone no (I think it’s on the bottles), you can ask them any glue question and they will either know or get you the answer.

Daryl, thanks, this I did not know! Is the white version comparable to Elmer’s in the thickness category? That’s a big reason on why I like to use it. I know you can add a touch of water but I’d rather not play with the formula. I’ll have to change my thinking, I’d rather give work to the Ohioans’….

I believe that “borated” means there is boric acid in the mixture, that is the formula. Do not know what the reason is to add this acid to the formula.

Decided to add my $0.02.

I recall the presentation where Frank Klausz discussed his glue ups. He said he uses Elmer’s white glue, BUT he makes sure it is fresh. His method was to have his minions glue up samples and, once cured, HE would hit them with a mallet to break the joint. If the glue held, he would use it, else it got rejected. He never said how hard he hit the joint. That’s a master’s secret. 🙂

A tip for Dean: When using biscuits, I squeeze them in a machinist’s vise before I insert them into the slot. It makes assembly easier and the glue then swells them back up to original size.

Dean,

I use a biscuit joiner rarely, but it is handy for assembly/alignment issues. Many years ago, I bought a Porter Cable joiner (Type III, I think). At the time, it came with a generous supply of biscuits. I immediately put them all in ziploc bags and I’ve never bought or tried any others.

I have mine in a large mayo jar. I throw in any desiccants I get with different packages, I change them when I think of it…… I got $50 about 10 years ago for that idea from Fine Woodworking..