Biscuit Jointer
From DT Online
Biscuit Jointers (aka Biscuit Joiner or Plate Joiner) has a well-guarded high-speed rotating cutter, mounted as a right angle drive, such that crescent shaped slots can easily be cut into the edge of timber to receive joining Biscuits. The Biscuit Jointer has a centre mark and the only marking out on timber required is a line Squared across the joint for the machine to follow.
The cutter can be set to differing plunge depths to accommodate a range of standard size Biscuits (or Plates) and an adjustable fence enables the slot to be positioned on the edge of the material (alternatively, the casing of the Biscuit Jointer is designed such that both the work-piece and the cutter can be brought together by sliding them over a flat surface).
The Slots or Crescents allow some end to end movement with the Biscuits and so this joining method can be a little more forgiving than Dowelling for example. The Biscuits are made usually of compressed and very dry timber (e.g. Beech), MDF or Ply such that they swell slightly when wetted with glue and tighten in the joint.
The joining Biscuits can be used also in similar slots created by a Router fitted with a suitable Slot Cutter or into a continuous Groove along the edge of the timber.
Safety Point! Students may only use machines with rotating (circular) cutters where they have been assessed and the assessment shows that they are competent, and are under appropriate supervision of specifically trained staff.