Best Overall
Makita XJP03Z 18V Lithium-Ion Cordless Plate Joiner
Runner-Up
Porter-Cable 557 7-Amp Deluxe Plate Joiner Kit
Best Bang For The Buck
Wen JN8504 8.5-Amp Plate and Biscuit Joiner
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As a woodworker or DIYer , there are certain essential prick that , once the DIYer pick up them , avail unlock their real potential , and among those tools is the trusty biscuit joiner . This superpower shaft aid to create potent , seamless joints devoid of unsightly nail holes .
Whether you contrive on gluing up a new worktop for a shop work bench or building a bookshelf from scraping , the right biscuit joiner can serve . These handy tools utilize small circular sawing machine blades to cut slices in two piece of wood , allowing woodsman to insert a cookie ( a little , football game - shape clod of tight wood ) in the two slot to make a solid joint . The glue - covered biscuit then blow up , interlock the two dining table together and create an unbelievably strong articulatio that glue alone ca n’t match .
draw from our experience with avariety of tools , we selected seven top biscuit joiners , each design and price for DIY woodworkers , and we tested four of them . We found theMakita XJP03Zto be the best of the crew , due largely to its convenient cordless design and power to effortlessly slit into Sir Henry Wood . Read on to check the factors and features to consider when shopping for the best cooky joiner and to see out why we consider the following models to be the best on the market .
Our Top Picks
The following list include some of the good cooky joiner useable for woodworking projects . Whether you ’re a beginner , a pro woodman , or someone with a skill set that land in between , you ’re belike tofind a timbre toolfor your workshop here .
Our Ratings : Ease of Use5/5;Accuracy4.5/5 ; Value4.5/5
Makita ’s XJP03Z offers impressive functioning and work up calibre in a convenient cordless pattern . This biscuit joiner use Makita ’s 18V LXT Li - ion battery system of rules , which allows it to produce up to 320 cuts ( or 160 join ) on a single charge . Its motor bring forth an impressive 12,000 revolutions per minute , which slit into boards with minimal effort . And since the cock bring forth very little vibration , we were able to produce exact and accurate cuts . There ’s also a leaf blade gaolbreak that stops the steel quickly , which is a nice base hit feature .
The XJP03Z has six depth options with positive stops for # 0 , # 10 , and # 20 carpentry biscuits . A single-foot - and - flight feather vertical fence system makes dialing in precise preferences for various board widths loose . The fencing has a miter joint range between 0 and 90 degrees , with a positive stop at 45 academic degree .
The Makita has a sturdy , long-lasting feel with a mildew rubber grip that ’s light to see to it while arrive at cuts , and a housing and fence that ’s build to take beating .
Blade change were also a breeze with the XJP03Z thanks to the design of its skid . Unlike other cooky joiners that expect us to remove multiple screws to take off the shoe , the XJP03Z biscuit joiner cock uses a single pommel you could loosen with your fingers .
The XJP03Z is useable for leverage as a set with a battery or as a stand - alone tool for those who already own a battery for other Makita tools .
What our tester says:“The XJP03Z sliced effortlessly into softwoods and hardwood alike with very little vibration or hesitation , which made it easy for me to make accurate cutting . ”—Tony Carrick , intersection Reviews quizzer and writer
Get the Makita cookie joiner ( tool only ) atAmazonorThe Home Depot .
Photo: Cathy Harms for Bob Vila
Our Ratings : Ease of Use4.3/5;Accuracy4/5 ; Value3.7/5Cabinetmaking requires a lot of joinery , and impenetrable hardwood plywood can be tough on a biscuit woodworking joiner . For those situations , consider the Porter - Cable dental plate joiner kit . It boast a broad fence slant range , multi - position depth full stop , and a 7 - adenosine monophosphate motor that runs at 10,000 revolutions per minute to bore-hole through dense plyboard over and over again .
Power Cable ’s cookie joiner sets itself aside with its versatility . Unlike other biscuit joiners that have fence that are restrict to a range of 90 degrees , the Porter - Cable ’s fence tilts from 0 to 135 degrees , allowing users to create bitchy - corner cabinets and brass frames without setting up complicated jig or strange angles . It also has seven deepness stop , cover # 0 , # 10 , and # 20 cooky sizes .
The Porter - Cable performed well in testing , hold clean cuts through our test boards . That aver , it did produce more vibration than the DeWalt and Makita biscuit joiners we tested . There were also some notable differences in tone . The Porter - Cable biscuit joiner uses a shtup claims adjuster for the fencing as oppose to a more accurate squeeze - and - pinion adjuster , and it lacks the ergonomic handle and rubberized traction bump on the DeWalt and Makita biscuit joiners we tested . Weighing over 10 pounds , the Porter - Cable biscuit joiner is also one of the sinewy biscuit joiners we tested , which made it more or less inapt when set up cuts .
Photo: Tony Carrick for Bob Vila
The Porter - Cable biscuit joiner is very similar in price to the Makita and DeWalt , even though it ’s a twilled tool .
Get the Porter - Cable cookie joiner atAmazonorRockler .
Our Ratings : Ease of Use3.8/5;Accuracy3.5/5 ; Value4/5
Photo: Amazon
DIYers bet to drop as little as possible on a raw cookie joiner might want to consider the Wen JN8504 . It costs a fraction of other cookie joiner cost , yet it still boasts a powerful 8.5 - adenylic acid motor with a skip speed of up to 10,000 RPM . It comes with several biscuit , a wrench for blade changes , and a plastic carrying case .
This model features an adjustable fencing as well as an angle gauge that adjusts between 0 and 90 degrees ( though there are n’t any positive stoppage ) . It has an inline handle and junk descent as well as adjustable astuteness that accommodate # 0 , # 10 , and # 20 biscuits .
Wen ’s biscuit joiner wo n’t equal the top model on this listing . With its slower blade speed , it does n’t produce the same clean and precise cuts as the models we test that cost four times its Mary Leontyne Price . It ’s also the heaviest biscuit joiner we tested , weigh over 11 pounds . And although its fencing system is comfortable to adjust , it miss the ability to dial in more precise mensuration . That said , it was good enough to execute edge - to - edge , T - joint , face - frame , and mitered - edge cabinetmaking in various thicknesses of woodwind instrument .
Photo: Amazon
The Wen does derive with a carrying case that ’s handy for storing it when not in use . While this biscuit joiner wo n’t make the score for more serious woodworkers , it ’s a great selection for those who may only need one every now and then .
Get the Wen biscuit joiner atAmazon , Lowe ’s , orThe Home Depot .
Best Cordless
DeWalt DCW682B 20V Max XR Cordless Biscuit Joiner
Our evaluation : Ease of Use4.5/5;Accuracy5/5 ; Value4.7/5DeWalt ’s MAX XR business joiner lives up to the tone and performance we require from the yellow and disastrous trade name . This member of DeWalt ’s pro - focussed XR line blow a brushless motor that ’s powered by a 20 - V lithium - ion barrage .
The DCW682 is well contrive . A pressure induction that runs the entire length of the handle is easy to access while also bestow an extra layer of rubber . A single node loosens the miter fence , and the fence slide easily and make out equipped with an easy - to - see arrow for go under precise angles , all of which makes setting up the right angle for mitered stick a quick and easy summons . Adding to this preciseness is a single-foot - and - quill feather fence that made it easy to dial in exact circumstance for various board thicknesses .
The DeWalt cooky joiner is powerful , cutting easily into woodwind instrument boards with minimum shakiness . It ’s also one of the lightest cookie joiner we tested , making it one of the most comfortable to practice among the tools we try . The DCW682 also come equipped with a larger - than - median dust bag , which was effective at capturing the majority of sawdust produced by each cut we made .
Photo: Amazon
Our only gripe is with blade changes . In social club to exchange the blade , you want to remove the four Torx head screws that secure the brake shoe over the blade , which is a more time - down procedure than other whole we tested that offer tool - loose access to the blade .
What our quizzer says:“I honey how wanton it is to make adjustments to the fencing and cut profundity with the DCW682 . It ’s one of the easiest biscuit joiner I ’ve used . ”—Tony Carrick , Product Reviews tester and author
Get the DeWalt cookie joiner atAmazonorLowe ’s .
Photo: Amazon
More Great Options
Along with the four cooky joiners we try out , we also commend the follow exemplar , which admit a higher - end model for serious woodworkers and another more low-cost twilled pick .
Best Alternative Joiner
Festool 574432 Domino Joiner DF 500 Q-Set
The Festool 574432 Domino joiner might notexactlybe a biscuit joiner , but it ’s one of the best tool for similar joinery in furniture and woodworking . The Domino uses Festool - specific hardwood tenon , which are confect - bar - shaped inserts that take the situation of traditional biscuits . Instead of a orbitual blade , it has a practice second - like spiral cutter to behave the mortise . This allow user to adjust the profoundness to prevent it from poking through a workpiece while still offering plenty of surface area for gum .
Despite the unconventional joinery method acting , the Domino does have the flexibility of other biscuit joiners , with a few extras . user can adjust the fencing slant between 0 and 90 grade , with stops at 22.5 , 45 , 67.5 , and 90 degree — two more stop than many of its competitors . It has multiple peak adaptation and depth preferences for fast , easy , and accurate adjustments . Festool is also known for employing effectual dust extraction .
This outfit comes with a carrying case and several guides and fences . Shoppers should know , however , that the floating tenons ( Festool calls them Dominoes ) may not be as pronto uncommitted as biscuits .
Photo: Amazon
Get the Festool biscuit joiner atAmazon .
Also Consider
Makita PJ7000 Plate Joiner
If you ’re count for an all - around biscuit - joiner dick that really holds its own , ensure out the Makita plate joiner . This barrel - handle cooky joiner has a 5.6 - adenylic acid motor , and while that is on the lower end compare to some competitors , it produces speeds up to 11,000 RPM for dumb hardwood . It weigh just 5.5 Irish pound , has a maximal cutting depth of ¾ inch , and includes a carrying case as well as a 4 - column inch carbide - tipped leaf blade .
The PJ7000 offers passel of adjustability . The fencing has a rack - and - pinion perpendicular adjustment that allows users to dial the joiner into the consummate height . The fence also adjusts between 0 and 90 degrees , with positive stops at 0 , 45 , and 90 . The PJ7000 has six different astuteness adjustments , with one - touch sensation point for standard biscuit sizes of # 0 , # 10 , and # 20 .
Get the Makita PJ7000 biscuit joiner atAmazonorThe Home Depot .
Photo: Amazon
Jump to Our Top Picks
How We Chose and Tested the Best Biscuit Joiners
The good biscuit joiners tend to have a high index output , adjustable mount , and add attachments and accessories . They should also be light to utilize . We considered all this while making our selections .
Our top picking issue forth with muscular motors of 5.6 to 8.5 amps for speed between 10,000 and 12,000 revolution per minute ( RPM ) . This power output is aided by adjustable angles and depths for quick and fresh cutting . Many of these picks have 0- to 90 - degree angles , with a select few topping out at 135 degrees . Plus , some of these top picks make out with multiple preset depth .
We put four of the biscuit joiner through a series of tests , using them to cut biscuit holes into hardwoods and softwoods of two unlike thicknesses . As part of our testing , we made a series of slash at unlike Angle to prove each theoretical account ’s miter fencing and profundity adjusters . We noted how gentle it was to do up cuts and make adjustments to the biscuit joiner , and how exactly each one execute cut . For the products we did n’t exam , we based our selections on stipulation and user reviews .
Photo: Tony Carrick for Bob Vila
What to Consider When Choosing a Biscuit Joiner
Once a DIYer gets their men on a just biscuit joiner , they might marvel how they ever finish woodworking projects without one . They ’ll no doubt come in to rely on it a flock , so choosing a quality model is key . Here ’s what to keep in mind when rat for the right biscuit joiner .
Size and Weight
Usually , the declamatory and impenetrable the wood cookie cutter , the better the quality of its component , and a Samson of a cookie joiner will likely have a heavy - tariff motor and high-pitched - quality slide ( which guide the blade while it cuts to provide uniform results ) . However , a lumbering cooky joiner or a first-rate gamy - end peter is n’t necessary or even ideal for everyone . There are plenty of mid - range selection weighing around 5 or 6 pound — about half the weight of a high - end fashion model — that will do the trick for many users .
Determining whether a burly biscuit joiner is necessary will come down to the types of project you plan on doing and how often you ’ll use the joiner . For the consuming majority of DIYers , a mid - range biscuit joiner will handle stuff like oak and maple without publication . Those work in a cabinet shop and putting a joiner through its paces day by day should consider the heavy - duty alternative .
Corded vs. Cordless
As with all big businessman tools , the corded - versus - cordless debate exists in the biscuit - joinery world . Deciding on a trend often just comes down to personal preference .
Almost all cookie joiners are cord . Since most woodworking labor take property in a shop , there ’s usually superpower promptly available . Also , it ’s not typical to be rise a run or working under a storage locker with a cooky joiner , so portability is n’t really a thoughtfulness .
Biscuit joinery is quite taxing on a battery , so most manufacturers have n’t dived into cordless joinery . However , there are a few cordless biscuit joiner available . These can be quite ready to hand during projects like kitchen remodels , where the drug user might need to conjoin two sections of wooden countertops and would prefer not to set up an extension corduroy .
Photo: Tony Carrick for Bob Vila
Power and Speed
Biscuit joiners need to be stoutpower toolswith sturdy function and plenty of baron and swiftness . While it might not take much power to acquit a hole in pine or cedar tree , plunge - cut a incision of hickory or walnut tree can be a challenge .
The most of import power - related component to debate when shopping is a cookie joiner ’s amperage military rank . Amperagerefers to the current load a motor can handle before its parts get down to fail . This has much to do with the lineament of individual components inside the tool and how well it can cool down itself while running . Ideally , look for a mannequin with 5 to 7 amps .
When it comes to actually getting the body of work done , fastness matters as well . The faster the motor , the faster it can spin the sword and cut a cookie slot . Look for good example with RPM rating between 8,000 and 10,000 for general use .
Biscuit Size
Biscuit joiner use cooky to join workpiece together . When the exploiter insert a glue - embrace biscuit into a time slot , it locks in to connect two workpiece as one . Biscuits come in small , intermediate , and large size ( # 0 , # 10 , and # 20 , severally ) . To accommodate different - size biscuits , most joiners have configurations that adjust for deeper or shallower cuts , some film editing as deep as ¾ inch ; other models may involve a blade modification .
While biscuit sizing might not be a factor when give away for a biscuit joiner , it can be important while work . For exercise , bookshelves and countertops might call for a portion of gluing surface — and a big cookie — while only a smaller biscuit might fit in a cabinet fount systema skeletale .
Blades
Although cooky joiners use circular - shaped saw blades , they ’re quite a bit different than the sword discover in a mitre , table , or circular saw . They ’re thicker , have fewer tooth , and are much small in diameter .
burrow a spinning blade into dense hardwoods over and over again build up up quite a moment of heat and pressure , so blade material and longevity matter . Most cooky joiner manufacturers use carbide - tipped blades , as they stay sharper longer than a lower - end steel blade , particularly for denser materials like walnut and hickory . They also hold up better to the speeds of high - end biscuit joiners .
Cutting Angle and Depth
One feature most woodworkers treasure about cooky joiner is the tools ’ versatility . The adjustable cutting angles provide the ability to cut slots in a wide range of situations . While border joining two board is the most obvious use for cookie joiner , they can also bear biscuit slots for mitered corners and angled joinery or slot in the field of a workpiece for shelves or other uses . This is thanks to their adjustable fencing , which users can go down for a particular angle to take over an exact slot .
Adjustable cutting deepness is also an important feature . Swapping between predetermined profundity allows users to use different biscuit size promptly without worry if the joint will be tight or hold enough glue .
Handle Type
When choosing the unspoiled biscuit joiner for a workshop , consider handle orientation . There are two independent styles : barrel handle and D - work grip .
Barrel - style handles can facilitate exact drilling , so they ’re better for controller . With these models , the hand is in line with the slot being shorten , make it easier to stay steady and bore an accurate slot . There are also many models with top - mounted handles to steady the putz even more .
D - shaped hold are less accurate but more well-heeled . The hand ’s erect orientation course tends to feel more natural , so it ’s easier to push . However , the hand will be higher than the leaf blade , so it ’s possible to coggle and make a sloppy cut .
Additional Features
Biscuit joiners may include some additional features that can make repositing elementary and cleansing easier .
A tough loge will keep a biscuit joiner secure when it ’s not in use . Many manufacturers package their tools in hard moldable container that can lay in a joiner , a few cooky , and other small-scale items . These lawsuit also make it a pushover to heap tools on a ledge or under aworkbench .
As the user bores slots with a cookie joiner , they can make a mess with sawdust and Sir Henry Joseph Wood chips . The sound cooky joiners derive with travelling bag that confiscate to the exhaust port , catching most of these mote before they score the basis or melodic phrase .
Safety Tips for Using a Biscuit Joiner
In general , biscuit joiner are safe mogul tools — but that could inspire some put on confidence . As users become more comfortable using theirs , they might experience they can hold the workpiece with one deal while manoeuver the cock with the other . It ’s well to avoid this enticement , as the front lip of the board could sneak , potentially have the blade to hit a deal . or else , clamp the workpieces to aworkbenchfor a stable fundament .
Before cutting slots for biscuits , ensure that there are nonails , knots , or other obstructions where the joiner will be cutting . In most vitrine , the brand will plainly cut down through these obstructions , dulling the blade a bite . However , there is possible for the biscuit joiner to air a chunk of the obstructer flying with enough amphetamine to stimulate injury .
Biscuit joiner can produce a wad of dust . While a detritus - accumulation organisation helps deoxidize the amount of sawdust , it ca n’t get it all . Be certain to get into a mask to quash breathing in airborne detritus and safety eyeglasses to keep your eyes protected . This refuge gear is particularly of import when sour with plywood and medium - tightness particle board ( MDF ) . The glues and chemical used in their manufacturing can be peculiarly irritating to the lungs and eyes .
FAQs
While you may be excited about getting start with a novel biscuit joiner , if you still want more information , touch on to the answers to these frequently asked questions regarding cooky joiners and how they crop . If you do n’t see the required reply here , pass on out to the maker ’s customer serve department and speak with a representative .
A good prescript of quarter round is to use a biscuit every 6 to 12 inches . For weight - bearing projects like shelves and countertop , 6 in is best to offer supporting .
you could use biscuit with a range of wood - base ware : Hardwoods , softwood , plyboard , MDF , and even laminate particleboard can knead with a biscuit joiner .
For many woodworkers , yes . Biscuit joiner allow the exploiter to join pieces of wood without the purpose of nail or screwing that create unsightly holes , which is all important when building furniture and other finish pieces of woodwork . And since it is n’t difficult to learn how to use a biscuit joiner , these tools are utilitarian for even tyro woodworkers .
Biscuit joiner require some level of precision for efficacious use . While cookie joints are unassailable , they are n’t as strong as other type of woodworking joinery , such as half - lap and mortar and tenon joints .
A biscuit articulation should be at least 2 inch from the sharpness or corner of a workpiece . You ’ll also want to space each cookie about 2 to 3 inches apart .
To maintain your cooky joiner , on a regular basis clear out any sawdust that has collected in and around the blade . Also , on a regular basis break the blade for hurt or establish - up from pitch shot , especially if using the joiner with hardwood , which can be harder on the blade .
Meet the Tester
Tony Carrick is a self-employed person author specialise in home improvement , landscaping , technology , home security , and pattern . His articles have been featured on such situation as Popular Mechanics , Futurism , SFGate , Pro Tools Review , and more . Tony has conducted rigorous merchandise examination on everything from baron instrument to home security systems to backyard grills . With each review , his goal is to facilitate lecturer set whether a product meets their needs and if it is or is n’t deserving its price tag .
Additional research provided by Tom Scalisi .
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