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I’m in the market for a new Biscuit Jointer. A few of the guys I’ve worked with in the past have used Lamello’s, Dewalts, and a few from Bosch, I think. I was all set to buy a Dewalt, when I saw something about a new Porter Cable. I’m all for buying American Made tools, so this is my quandry: The Dewalt, or the Porter Cable 557. I like the idea that it has two blade options, eventhough immediately, I only need to use it for wide door casings. Any suggestions, comments? I liked the Dewalt from past recommendations and price ($149.99), the Porter Cable is $180 – $200. Is it worth the extra $50 for me at this point just to have the future option of a 2′ blade, instead of the 4″ that’s stock in both?
Thanks, if you can help.
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SB, you might wanna check the archives under TOOLS. I've had a Dewalt biscuit joiner for a few years now, and I'm totally pleased. Never heard a complaint from other Dewalt owners. The new PC unit looks like a nice product, too. Lamello's are considered the Mercedes/BMW's of the lot, and are priced accordingly.
Good luck, Steve
*Lamello is the best you can buy. No doubt.......well, let's just say it's the most expensive. Nuff said. I have a DeWalt and have had no trouble with it. I had a carpenter working for me for some time who had a Porter Cable. He said that the only draw back to the PC was that it was a real pain to get the cutter out of the machine in order to get it sharpened. I don't know about the DeWalt.........it's been two years, and I haven't had to pull the cutter yet.Ed. Williams
*EdI've got a Porter-Cable 557. Today, for the first time, changed the 4" blade for the 2" blade and it was quite simple. With a #2 phillips and the wrench provided, the entire operation took a matter of minutes. In fact, reading the instruction took longer. Now, it did take me four and a half hours with six stops to find ff biscuits. But changing the blade was a piece of cake.Shakey Jake
*I just purchased the Porter for my present job, with variety of biscuts for use in various stages of the project. LOVE IT!! adjustments are very simple and as said above so are the blade changes.
*Of course, you could also come to CT for the definitive biscuit prep/cutting discussion/wars!
*Ed, that may have been P-Cs first model. Big problem with blade changing. The new model, with the fancy fence is waaay better.I have a DeWalt... anyone want to buy it? Trade even for a new Lamello.
*Way to go Kai... my biscuits always come out flat, and taste vaguely of Tightbond.
*George, don't "need" (knead) them. Just pat them into shape :) lol, thankfully, I've never, that I know of of, tasted Tightbond, but mastic is nasty.
*things to check out on a b.j.: how easily it does miters; joining mitred cuts. DeWalt wins.
*You know, I been wondering about this for a while. Whats the purpose in jointing a bisquit ? I just use butter and maybe a little jam, for that the only tool I need is a butter knife. I have never cared that much about whether the bisquit joints back together all that well. It all evens out in the stomach.View Image
*I really appreciate people who can flaunt (be jammin') in an intelligent, yet inoffensive manner. Of course, someone will slam me like a bug if they perceive my comments as offensive. Well, hmmm, let's see, bug repellent might work...