Antone using a plate joiner for cabinet construction?

[motosapien]

I searched this forum for "plate joiner" and also "biscuit cutter" but found neither. Because my next build will be a larger cabinet, I'm concerned with joint integrity. From what I've read, a big plus of using biscuits is how they assist in alignment as well.

Porter Cable and Makita both have models that are well thought of for about $200 but they are much less used. Would like to hear from anyone who uses this type of joint enhancement on their speaker builds.

 

[GaryB]

Biscuit Joiner

I searched this forum for "plate joiner" and also "biscuit cutter" but found neither. Because my next build will be a larger cabinet, I'm concerned with joint integrity. From what I've read, a big plus of using biscuits is how they assist in alignment as well.

Porter Cable and Makita both have models that are well thought of for about $200 but they are much less used. Would like to hear from anyone who uses this type of joint enhancement on their speaker builds.

I've been using a Freud biscuit joiner for the last 10 years and have been very happy with the results. I've built some larger speaker boxes out of MDF - about 4ft3 (115 liters)and the biscuits gave strong joints and also helped with the alignment as I was assembling the boxes.

I also use it for smaller speaker boxes and for wood frames for tube amps and its always works well. Definitely worth the investment.

---Gary

 

[kevinahcc20]

I use a DeWalt biscuit joiner & get very good results. A good basic formula for constructing with 3/4" nominal stock is to space #20 biscuits 8" on center. A glue dispenser designed to meter the right amount of glue into the biscuit slot helps also. Additionally, make sure the mating surfaces between the biscuits are well coated with glue. I generally do the biscuit cutting then dry assemble the pieces & work out the clamping arrangement. Then glue up & clamp...good luck!

 

[motosapien]

Hey thanks guys! I'm surprised these have not been discussed here in any depth. The dry assembly bit is a fine idea to get the clamping, work holding sorted.

Going out to scour the pawn shops this morning.

 

[mcoaggie]

I'm on my first real build and cannot imagine putting this together
DTQWT-mkII
without a biscuit/plate jointer. I'm using the porter cable 557 and it is great. I borrowed it from a friend and have little experience with them so I cannot compare it against the other joiners. In my experience so far it works fantastically.