Biscuit joiners

[Cameron]

I'm looking at purchasing a biscuit joiner in the very near future and was pretty set on the PC557. However, I noticed the Freud JS100 for nearly half the PC's price at Lowe's. I read a recent review on biscuit joiners in the latest tool review for Fine Woodworking, and it didn't say too much about the Freud other than it did well. Has anybody used either or both, and what are your thoughts? Thanks.

Mike

[KnightJCK]

I have the PC and it's spot on with everything I've used it for. I think the Lamello's are top of the line, but they're quite proud of 'em. All that said, I don't really use it that much. So buy according to your needs / wants.

Jon
"Don't need a tool twice!"

[Sonny Edmonds]

I have the PC myself. I've always liked it and it has always done a great job for my needs.
One thing that was a deciding factor for me was one machine, 4 biscuit sizes. And the 1" x 10' PC hose fits to use your shop vac to draw away the cuttings.
I tend to use mine on any flat work I can, because it's so easy. :7

:D

[link:www.sonnyedmonds.com | Sonny Edmonds] http://home.earthlink.net/~sonnypie/vortex_smiley.gif
"Precision Firewood Specialist"
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One Nation Under God!

[preyn2]

When I bought mine several years ago, my choices were the Lamello (too expensive), the PC557 or DeWalt (both around $200 at the time), and several less expensive models from various manufacturers that, in my opinion, were significantly less capable than either the PC or DW.

By "less capable", I mean that either the fences were non-adjustable, the blades (and therefore bisquit size) were not changeable, or both. IIRC, the magazines at the time had the PC as the best product because the fence was more adjustable than anything else on the market and the blade was changeable, allowing use of the smaller #0 bisquits. The DW was consistently #2 in the rankings.

Having said all that, since I have a bisquit joiner (notice that you can abbreviate "table saw" but don't abbreviate "bisquit joiner"), I haven't paid any attention to advances in biscuit joiner technology in the last few years.

I have been completely happy with my PC557, and whole-heartedly recommend that model.

phil

[brandt]

I bought the Freud many years ago and it has served me well. The fence is probably not the best but I usually have it set to 3/8 and leave it that way for most of the 3/4 inch plywoods and other stock. I think it will make 3 biscuit sizes but once again, most of the time I am using #10s.

As noted in previous post I don't use it that much. Ever since finding out that really good glue ups hold superbly, I have all but eliminated the use of it. Any joints that are in need of greater structural support I now choose alternate joints for.

Hope this helps.

Bottom line, if you won't be using that much save some money and get the freud.

Brandt

[MikeK5117]

Ditto's on the PC comments, I like mine just fine. One feature not mentioned yet is the ability of the fence to adjust out to 135 degrees, which can make cutting slots on mitered corners much more stable (set the fence so it wraps all the way around the miter). Money well spent.

[Darrin O]

I have the PC. was going to go with a DeWalt as it was generally running about $50 less than PC. However, last year, PC ran a rebate on it, then HD put it on sale at 30% off. I think i was out about $135 for it. It was cheaper than the dewalt with the capability of the face frame biscuits. Couldnt not get it.

Its a great machine. I have used the DeWalt and it worked just fine too. I also used a Harbor Freight one before i quit using anything they sell that has a spinning blade in it. It was a POS. the slot was about a 1/2" in width so it did nothing for alignment. I sold it on EBay.

Bottom line is that you will never be disappointed with the PC. with that said, i have never used the adjustable fence feature of the PC, so you might be just as well served getting the freud.


Darrin
"Ever notice how good enough, is usually neither good nor enough?"

[Cameron]

Wow! Great responses, thanks! I'm at that point where I need the biscuit jointer for an upcoming cabinet project (a Normy router table), and am thinking I may be building some similar projects...so it may be to my benefit to have the better tool (i.e., the PC).

Mike

[xylographer]

Sent you a PM, not sure if you got it or not. An Error message came up but some say that it still goes thru!!

http://www.woodworking.com/dcforum/User_files/4137ade51344899b.jpg

[xylographer]

For all those interested this might help alittle

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00004YKUO/toolseeker/102-0317233-0612901

http://www.woodworking.com/dcforum/User_files/4137ade51344899b.jpg