Cheap as in price.
Just because – I picked up the GMC biscuit joiner kit at Lowe’s today. They are marked down to $40. For that price I can throw it away if necessary – and keep the nice plastic box it came in.
Tried a test cut. It worked! Right out of the box. Should have bought two.
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Replies
Thanks Ralph
I was just on my way to harbor Freight to buy a cheapy for 39 bucks to replace my old cheapy that got stolen.
What the hey does a plumber need with a biscuit joiner?
Don't you think you're doing enough damage with that sawzall?!!!
{G, D & R}
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
Sawzall---------- Damage?
Who me?--------- uh huh didn't see me do it, can't prove it.
Actually woodworking is my biggest hobby.
Bought my last bj ( OK using initials for tools can sound really bad) to put in an IPE deck with ebty plastic biscuits with ss screw.
Oh what a pain in the azz that was ending up rippin a 3/16 dado down the whole board & using a ss fender washer instead.
Oh back to the sawzall---- bout 17yrs ago saw an ad for a gas powered sawzall oh baby did I want that one.
I think that is the same as the Freud, good shopping on yer part. I have a Freud that is 20 YO only lost the trigger thing..so I have to hold it on, so what?
Good on ya!
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
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Hey Sphere,How has that Freud performed for you? I can "make it work", but (haven't experienced any other brand) I have had to really clamp it, watch it, etc or the precision (depth match up) was off. I'm not real clear here, but essentially I haven't found it user friendly and wonder if it's me.Fz
Oh, I hate it. it is awful at best...what I have found is that for precision, forget the fence, let the base ride on a FLAT table, use that as a reference if possible. If not, then I have scribed common settings over the goofy scale cast into the adjustable parts witha SQ so that it reads level ( for lack of a better term).
I also found to use it for a BEVELED ( not mitered) cut, turn it up side down NOT the fence.
I don't often use biscuits any more, 'ceptin for my egg and sausage in the morning..LOL
Changing the blade is a chore, I chewed up a few under cutting door jambs for floating floor installs..it excels at that.
I think it is the JS200? or Fr200? I dunno, I ain't seen it in awhile.
Yes, clamp yer stuff well, my buddy is shy a finger from a mishap!
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
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Sphere,Thanks. I thought it was me (pilot error). I thought you were going to finish the sentence with a plug for the kreg jig. (I like mine)Fz
I have the exact same Freud as Sphere, same vintage. I don't really use it as much anymore since I sold my woodshop 8 years ago, but will when the bod slows down and I go back into shopwork. I do use it on larger miter mouldings and when I do kitchens. It's just....ok. The fence kinda sucks, and you have to manipulate it to be parrallel with the blade. The blade is lots of fun to change but hey, it was on sale at the time. I have used the top of the line Lamello and swear one day to own one.
My DW bought me a skill bj about a decade ago. It's so so. but got the opportunity to use a Lamello once and it is a major difference. Cannot replace it because it would hurt her feels (she also bought me golf clubs that are terrible). The bj slides all over the place when you hit the trigger. Helps to keep a sharp blade on it.
Sounds like the $40 unit is a great deal if you won't be using a lot. The units are nothing more than a grinder with a different head on it.
Good luck
Not being a furniture builder, I'm not sure of the precision required of various tools. But I can't imagine a huge difference in performance between the various levels of this tools. I own a mid range model. I've found that biscuit joinery in itself is forgiving enough for any shortcomings my model may have. The simple task it performs, I don't see how you could go wrong with that $40 model. I don't know if it would hold up in the long run were it a tool you used everyday.....but it sounds like you got a good deal.
I'll give ya $20 fer it.
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
Got another biscuit blooper for ya.
2 xmas' ago my sister wanted a 36" dia table top to put in this hanging rope thing my mom made 30yrs ago.
So I thought purpleheart would be a good choice of wood.
Got my s2s 5/4 boards ---jointed planed cut to size then lined em up for the bj.
Glued em all up---- built jig for my router to do a 36" circle, making sure I new where the biscuits were no prob.
Cut perfect circle------ then got out my monster ogee bit 3&1/2" dia.
Put table face down on my router table & went to it.
Routed edge oh so perfect & then low & behold nice purple top beautifull edge work & POW a big off white biscuit right in the middle of the ogee edge.
I thought do I re-cut a smaller circle--tell her to put that part in the corner---- yell holy sh*t a bunch more times & start over.
went inside to have beer & calm down, turn tv on & that sharpe commercial came on where the guy was giving driving tests & he had all those sharpes hangin from the mirror to fix the dings the student was putting in everyones car.
& voila purple sharpe to the rescue.
After 8 coats of tung oil you have to look really hard to find the biscuit.
I JUST LOVE IT! LOL!
Type of thing I do, myself.
Oh, lord!Quality repairs for your home.
AaronR ConstructionVancouver, Canada
Geat story!
Had an instance some years back. Installing a laminate countertop for my mother (of all people)
To this day, I don't know how I did it. Driving a 1 1/4" screw into the underside of counter attaching the dishwasher and the tip pooped through the top of the 1 1/2" counter.
HOLY SHID! What the fark did I do?
I ended up using a blue and a black marker to recreate the pattern and sealed it with a dab of clear silicone. To this day....I'm the only one who knows its there. Its naturally the very first thing I notice whenever I walk into the laundry room. But nobody else has a clue.
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
Your mother knows.But, she's your mother...=0)
Rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength. ~~ Eric Hoffer
Yer prolly right.
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements