What Is the Best Biscuit Joiner in 2023? produce superior results

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As a DIYer or woodworker, there are a few key tools that, if discovered, can help you reach your full potential. The biscuit joiner is one of those instruments. This power tool may assist in the creation of stronger joints and broad, flat surfaces that are easier to work with and produce superior results.

The greatest biscuit joiner can assist you with everything from putting together a new worktop for your workshop bench to making a cabinet from the ground up. These useful tools cut slits in two pieces of wood using small circular saw blades, enabling you to put a biscuit (a little, football-shaped piece of compacted wood) into the two cut slots and produce a firm junction. The biscuit covered in glue then swells, binding the two boards together and providing a bond that glue alone cannot equal.

Use this comprehensive guide to find out more about the elements and characteristics to look for when looking for the best biscuit joiner, as well as why the tools listed below are amongst the best on the market.

9.5
DEWALT Biscuit Joiner Kit

DEWALT Biscuit Joiner Kit Best Budget

This joiner is equipped with a 6.5-amp motor that spins at 10,000 RPMs and can cut through solid hardwoods.
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9.5
RYOBI 6 Amp AC Biscuit Joiner

RYOBI 6 Amp AC Biscuit Joiner Best Choice

This kit comes with a powerful six-amp engine that spins at an amazing 11,000 RPMs to bore through even the toughest timbers.
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9
PORTER-CABLE Plate Joiner Kit

PORTER-CABLE Plate Joiner Kit Best Overall

It has a wide fence angle range, a multi-position depth stop, as well as a seven-amp motor that spins at 10,000 rpm, so it can handle most jobs.
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8.5
Dewalt DW682K Plate Joiner

Dewalt DW682K Plate Joiner Best joiner

The 45-degree angle has a notch that makes cutting notches for miter joints a breeze.
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What Factors Should You Consider When Buying a Biscuit Joiner?

You may wonder how you ever managed to finish carpentry projects without one once you purchase a biscuit joiner. Users undoubtedly grow to depend on it frequently, so selecting a high-quality model is essential. Here are some things to consider when looking for the best biscuit joiner:

  • Weight and size
  • Cordless vs. corded
  • Speed and power
  • Blades
  • Biscuit size
  • Cutting depth and angle
  • Handle type 
  • Additional features

Weight and Size

The higher the quality of the tool’s parts, the heavier and larger it is, and a bruiser of the biscuit joiner almost certainly has a heavy-duty engine and premium slides (which assist the blade whilst it cuts to offer consistent results). A heavy biscuit joiner or a high-end tool, on the other hand, is not required or even desirable for everyone. Moreover, there are lots of medium alternatives available that weigh around five or six pounds—roughly half of the weight of a premium unit.

The kinds of jobs you work on and how regularly you utilize your joiner determine if you require a burly biscuit joiner. A mid-range biscuit joiner easily handles materials like maple and oak for the vast majority of DIYers. If you work in a cabinetry store and put a joiner through its lengths daily, the heavier-duty choices might be worth considering.

Cordless vs. Corded

The controversy over corded vs. cordless power tools occurs in the biscuit joinery field, as it does with other power equipment. Choosing a style is frequently a matter of personal preference.

Almost every biscuit joiner has a cord. Because most woodworking jobs are done in a specific workshop, there is generally plenty of power. Furthermore, because climbing a sturdy ladder or working beneath a cabinet with your biscuit joiner is not very common, portability isn’t a problem.

Since biscuit joinery places a significant burden on a battery, many manufacturers have opted out of cordless joinery. There are, nevertheless, a few cordless biscuit joiners on the market. These are useful for jobs like kitchen revamps where you may need to combine two sections of wood countertops but don’t want to use an extension cord.

Speed and Power

Biscuit joiners must be powerful power tools with robust parts and a high rate of speed. Boring a hole in cedar or pine does not require much power, but plunge-cutting a chunk of walnut or hickory can be difficult.

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The amperage rating of a biscuit joiner is the most significant power-related element to keep in mind when shopping. Current loads that a motor may carry before the parts fail are referred to as amperage. This has much to do with the quality of the product’s various components and how effectively it can keep itself cool while operating. You want a device that can handle five to seven amps.

When it comes to getting the job done, speed is also important. The quicker the engine spins the blade, the quicker it can cut the biscuit slot. Look for devices with rpm scorings between 8,000 and 10,000 when it comes to general use.

Blades

Biscuit joiners employ round-shaped saw blades, but they are not the same as the blades used in a table saw, miter saw, or circular saw. They are thicker and have fewer teeth, as well as a smaller diameter.

Burrowing a spinning blade into dense woods repeatedly generates a lot of pressure and heat, therefore blade material and durability are important. Carbide-tipped blades are used by most biscuit joiner makers because they keep sharper longer than low-end steel blades, especially for denser timbers like hickory and walnut. They also withstand the fast velocity of high-end biscuit joiners better.

Biscuit Size

Biscuit joiners employ biscuits to connect two workpieces. When you place a glue-covered biscuit in the slot, it locks into place, joining two workpieces together as one. Small, medium and large biscuits (#0, #10, and #20, accordingly) are available. Most biscuit joiners include settings that adapt for shallower or deeper cuts to fit different-sized biscuits, with some devices cutting as deep as 3/4 inch; other versions may require a blade adjustment.

While biscuit size may not be a consideration when purchasing a biscuit joiner, it is crucial when operating. Countertops and bookshelves, for example, may demand a large gluing surface—and a larger biscuit—whereas a cupboard face frame may only require a smaller biscuit.

Cutting Depth and Angle

Biscuit joiners are known for their adaptability, which is something that most carpenters or DIYers appreciate. Cutting slots in a variety of conditions is possible because of the adaptable cutting angles. Biscuit joiners can be used to edge-join two boards, but they may also bore biscuit slots for angled joinery and mitered corners, as well as slots in the desired area of a workpiece for shelving or other purposes. This is due to their changeable fences, which can be adjusted to fit your specific bore and angle for a precise slot.

Handle Type 

Consider handle choice while selecting the best biscuit joiner for your workspace. The two most common shapes are D-shaped and barrel.

Barrel-style handles are preferable for control since they allow for more precise boring. Because your hand is parallel to the slot you are cutting, it’s easier to maintain control and bore a precise slot. Many variants come with top-mounted handles to help stabilize the device even further.

The accuracy of D-shaped handles is less, but they are more pleasant. In addition, the erect position of your hand is more organic and easier to press. However, because your hand is higher than the blade, you may wobble and create a messy cut.

Additional Features

Biscuit joiners might come with a variety of extra features that make storing and cleaning easier.

When not in use, a strongbox keeps the biscuit joiner safe. Several manufacturers include hard plastic containers with their equipment that can hold your joiner, multiple biscuits, and other small objects. These boxes also make storing tools under a workbench or on a shelf a breeze.

You can make quite the mess with wood chips and sawdust when you bore slots with the biscuit joiner. The best biscuit joiners include bags that connect to the exhaust port and catch the majority of these particles before they touch the air or the ground.

What Are the Best Biscuit Joiners on the Market?

You are ready to begin your journey of looking for biscuit joiners now that you have learned most of the basics. This list features a few of the greatest biscuit joiners for your woodwork projects; whether you are a novice, a professional, or somewhere in the middle, you should be able to find the right tool for your workspace on this list.

Our top options include:

  1. Makita PJ7000 Plate Joiner
  2. DEWALT Biscuit Joiner Kit
  3. RYOBI 6 Amp AC Biscuit Joiner
  4. PORTER-CABLE Plate Joiner Kit
  5. Dewalt DW682K Plate Joiner

Makita PJ7000 Plate Joiner

Best Performance
It weighs under 5.5 pounds, cuts up to 3/4 inch deep, and comes with a carrying case including a four-inch carbide-tipped blade. This fence may also be adjusted from zero to 90 degrees, with positive stops at zero, 45, and 90 degrees.
10Expert Score
Precise cutting in a variety of woods

Its fence features a rack-and-pinion vertical adjustment that lets you dial in the ideal height for the joiner.

Large in size
9.5
Easy-to-operate
10
Pros
  • 11,000 rpm
  • 5.6-amp motor
  • Includes a carrying case and additional blade
  • Six depth settings
  • Functional with standard biscuit sizes
Cons
  • Costly
  • It is a large model
  • Limited maneuverability due to the size
Makita PJ7000 Plate Joiner

The Makita is worth looking into if you are searching for an all-purpose biscuit joiner that can hold its own. The 5.6-amp motor in the barrel-handled biscuit joiner produces up to 11,000 rpm, letting you cut through even the densest timbers for woodworking tasks. It weighs under 5.5 pounds, cuts up to 3/4 inch deep, and comes with a carrying case including a four-inch carbide-tipped blade.

The Makita has a lot of adjustment options. Its fence features a rack-and-pinion vertical adjustment that lets you dial in the ideal height for the joiner. This fence may also be adjusted from zero to 90 degrees, with positive stops at zero, 45, and 90 degrees. There are six distinct depth adjustments on this biscuit joiner tool, including one-touch stops for typical biscuit sizes #0, #10, as well as #20.

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DEWALT Biscuit Joiner Kit

Best Budget
Dual-sided vertical rack-and-pinion adjustments are used on its fence to ensure that the fence and blade are as aligned as possible.
9.5Expert Score
Preset depth stops for all common biscuit sizes

The fence can be adjusted from zero to 90 degrees, with a positive stop at 45 degrees. Furthermore, it has settings for #0, #10, and #20 biscuits.

Retractable
9.5
Anti-slip pins
9
Cons
  • 10,000 rpm
  • 6.5-amp motor
  • One positive stop at 45 degrees
  • Ideal for general biscuit sizes
  • Various accessories and attachments included
Cons
  • Heavy
  • There is only a single preset depth
DEWALT Biscuit Joiner Kit

If you are searching for a high-quality biscuit joiner with a powerful motor, the DEWALT might be the tool for you. This joiner is equipped with a 6.5-amp motor that spins at 10,000 RPMs and can cut through solid hardwoods.

There are a lot of premium features on the DEWALT. Dual-sided vertical rack-and-pinion adjustments are used on its fence to ensure that the fence and blade are as aligned as possible. The fence can be adjusted from zero to 90 degrees, with a positive stop at 45 degrees. Furthermore, it has settings for #0, #10, and #20 biscuits.

A carbide blade, Torx key (for your blade), dust bag, wrench, and soft bag for storage are included with the DEWALT. It also comes with a vacuum attachment, which you can use to connect your dust collection system or shop vac to the dust port for easier cleaning.

RYOBI 6 Amp AC Biscuit Joiner

RYOBI 6 Amp AC Biscuit Joiner

Best Choice
The angle range of the RYOBI makes it a one-of-a-kind gadget. While many competitors only offer zero to 90-degree angles, the Ryobi can reach 135 degrees for a higher level of performance.
9.5Expert Score
One-of-a-kind gadget

It offers depth adjustments for #0-, #10-, and #20-size biscuits, and vertical rack-and-pinion adjustment with an ergonomic and comfortable D-handle grip.

Small slip-on dust bag
9.5
Great Performance
9
Pros
  • 11,000 rpm
  • Six-amp motor
  • Adjustable
  • Supports zero to 135 degrees
  • Numerous positive stops
  • Includes biscuits, a dust bag, and a carrying case
Cons
  • It is quite heavy
RYOBI 6 Amp AC Biscuit Joiner

If you are looking for an all-purpose biscuit joiner for your workplace projects but are on a tight budget, RYOBI’s biscuit joiner is a good option. This kit comes with a powerful six-amp engine that spins at an amazing 11,000 RPMs to bore through even the toughest timbers. It includes a biscuit assortment, a carrying case, and a dust bag.

The angle range of the RYOBI makes it a one-of-a-kind gadget. While many competitors only offer zero to 90-degree angles, the Ryobi can reach 135 degrees for a higher level of performance. It contains positive stops at zero, 45, 90, and 135 degrees within its large range. It offers depth adjustments for #0-, #10-, and #20-size biscuits, and vertical rack-and-pinion adjustment with an ergonomic and comfortable D-handle grip.

PORTER-CABLE Plate Joiner Kit

Best Overall
A four-inch blade, a chip deflector, a centering plate, a dust collecting bag, an Allen wrench for blade replacements, a carrying box, and the user handbook are included with this PORTER-CABLE plate joiner kit.
9Expert Score
Height scale accurate at any angle

It is doubtful that you are going to need to upgrade from the PORTER-CABLE for a long time as a novice.

Height-adjustment knob
9.5
Compact design
9
Pros
  • 10,000 rpm
  • Seven-amp motor
  • Zero to 135 degrees
  • Adjustable
  • Numerous attachments and accessories included
  • Seven depth stops included
Cons
  • It is expensive
  • The model is quite big which makes it challenging to move around
PORTER-CABLE Plate Joiner Kit1

Are you a beginner when it comes to biscuit joinery? Think about investing in a PORTER-CABLE. They offer a user-friendly solution. It has a wide fence angle range, a multi-position depth stop, as well as a seven-amp motor that spins at 10,000 rpm, so it can handle most jobs.

It is doubtful that you are going to need to upgrade from the PORTER-CABLE for a long time as a novice. The fence slants from zero to 135 degrees, with a 90-degree positive stop. It also has seven depth stops that can handle biscuits of sizes #0, #10, and #20. A four-inch blade, a chip deflector, a centering plate, a dust collecting bag, an Allen wrench for blade replacements, a carrying box, and the user handbook are included with this PORTER-CABLE plate joiner kit.

Dewalt DW682K Plate Joiner

Best joiner
The Dewalt DW682K biscuit joiner comes with a powerful 6.5 Amp motor that rotates at 10,000 rpm and can cut through whatever wood you are dealing with, soft or hard.
8.5Expert Score
Anti-slip pins help hold work in place

It has a twin rack and pinion fence mechanism that ensures the fence and blade are aligned, allowing you to achieve repeatable, exact joints each time.

Heavy-duty
9.5
Accurate
9
Dewalt DW682K Plate Joiner

The Dewalt DW682K biscuit joiner comes with a powerful 6.5 Amp motor that rotates at 10,000 rpm and can cut through whatever wood you are dealing with, soft or hard.

It has a twin rack and pinion fence mechanism that ensures the fence and blade are aligned, allowing you to achieve repeatable, exact joints each time.

You may easily change the angle of the fence from zero to 90 degrees to construct whatever type of angled cut you desire.

The 45-degree angle has a notch that makes cutting notches for miter joints a breeze.

You can create flush cuts without dismantling the fence at a zero-degree angle, and it includes positive depth stops for all of the usual biscuit sizes you may use for the joints.

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How to Choose the Best Biscuit Joiners

Biscuit joiners provide precise and sturdy joints, cuts, and even surfaces with relatively little effort for woodworking or at-home tasks. Power output, flexibility, extra attachments, and accessories, and user-friendliness were all factors considered in choosing the top biscuit joiners on the market.

Our top selections include powerful motors that run at 5.6 to seven amps and spin at 10,000 to 11,000 rpm. When it comes to quick and smooth cutting, the power output is helped by customizable depths and angles. Many of the above choices have angles ranging from zero to 90 degrees, with a couple reaching 135 degrees. Furthermore, a number of these top choices include numerous preset depths.

While the cutting tools are the most significant feature, these biscuit joiners also include blade replacements, dust bags, carrying cases, and other accessories for convenience and secure storage. Furthermore, the positive stops and barrel grips provide you with complete control over your operation.

Essential Safety Tips for Beginners

Biscuit joiners are generally safe tools, although this might lead to overconfidence. You may find that you can hold the object with one hand while cutting wood biscuits with the other as you get more familiar with it. It is better to avoid this thought because the front lip of your board may raise, allowing the operating biscuit joiner to strike your palm. Clamp your materials to the workbench for a more sturdy foundation.

Before you begin cutting biscuit joints, make sure there are no knots, nails, or any other obstructions in the area where you are cutting. Most of the time, the blade simply cuts through the impediments, dulling it slightly.

However, the biscuit joiner has the ability to send a portion of the obstruction flying at a high enough speed to injure you.

Biscuit joiners may generate a significant amount of dust. A dust collecting system might help lessen the quantity of sawdust you have to take care of, but it does not catch everything. Wear safety goggles to prevent airborne dust from getting into your eyes and a mask to keep it out of your mouth. When dealing with MDF and plywood, this safety equipment is extremely vital. The chemicals and glues used in their production can irritate your eyes and lungs significantly.

In summary, safety precautions you cannot forget about include:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

While you might be eager to get right to it with your new power tool, if you still have questions, check out the answers to these frequently asked questions regarding the best biscuit joiners. If you can’t find what you’re looking for here, contact the manufacturer’s customer care department to speak to someone.

What Are the Differences Between a Jointer, Plane, and Biscuit Joiner?

Jointers, planes, and biscuit joiners are all various types of tools that work in different ways. 

A plane is a portable tool that is used to flatten high points or remove material from a board’s surface. It comes in various sizes. A jointer is a power tool that is usually positioned on the floor (though there are also benchtop variations) and is used to make a complete square and flat board. Biscuit joiners generate spaces for biscuits within a joint, providing additional glue surface and correct joinery orientation.

What Speed Is Ideal for a Biscuit Plate Joiner? 

Try to find a biscuit joiner with a top speed of 9,000 rpm or greater to make sure that it can tackle hardwoods.

How Many Biscuits Must You Use to Join Any Wood?

A biscuit every six to 12 inches is a good rule of thumb. Six inches of support is ideal for weight-bearing applications such as countertops and shelves.

How Deep do Biscuit Joiners Cut?

The majority of biscuit joiners can cut up to 3/4 inch deep, which is plenty of place for a #20 biscuit.

What Items Can You Use a Biscuit Joiner on? 

Biscuits can be used with a variety of wood-based products, including hardwoods, softwoods, MDF, plywood, and also laminated particleboard.

The Bottom Line: Which Power Tool Do You Choose?

The Makita biscuit joiner is our top selection because of its 5.6-amp motor that generates up to 11,000 rpm, six built-in depth settings, and customizable angles. This biscuit joiner is lightweight and agile for at-home jobs, and it works with conventional biscuit sizes.

Furthermore, the DEWALT alternative, on the other hand, is also worth considering for heavy-duty work, with a powerful 6.5-amp motor producing over 10,000 rpm. This joiner features dual-sided vertical rack-and-pinion adjustments and changeable angles up to 90 degrees. It should be noted that the DEWALT only has one depth preset.

Why trust Handyman.Guide?

s written by Itamar Ben-Dor, who has 25 years of experience in renovations, carpentry, locks, creation, landscaping, painting, furniture construction, and furniture renovation, works with concrete, plumbing, door repair, and more.

Itamar Ben-Dor has been in the home improvement business for over 25 years. Itamar Ben-Dor is a jack of all trades. He's worked in the renovation field for years, doing everything from locksmithing to carpentry. He's a small repairs specialist. But his true passion lies in furniture construction and renovation - he loves seeing old pieces come back to life with some new woodwork or a fresh coat of paint.

He has taken courses on many topics in these fields at professional colleges in Israel. Over the years, Itamar has also become quite skilled in gardening, carpentry, and renovations. He's worked on projects of all sizes, from massive renovations to small repairs. No job is too big or too small for him!


Disclosure: handyman.guide participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for publishers to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Itamar Ben Dor
Itamar Ben Dor

My father is a practical engineer, and as a hobby he was also involved in construction, renovations, carpentry and woodwork at home; So there was always tools, saws, drills and more at home. Already I was a little kid Dad and I would renovate the house. Once we built a shed for garden tools, once we did flooring for the garden, once we renovated the bathroom and that’s the way it is. Long before there was an internet, directories and plans. We would build things, kitchen cabinets, install electrical appliances, do flooring, pour concrete and more ... I in this blog want to pass on to you the experience I have gained over the last 20 plus-minus years since I was a child to this day and give you information about the best tools, project plans, guides and more.

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