Just when it appeared biscuits were falling out of favor, I read my recent WOOD magazine.  4 of the 5 projects were made with biscuits.

Also happy to see my bud, Glen Huey, wrote an article and has returned after being let go from PopWood (a few years prior to their bankruptcy)

I remember for a time they were the rage, and like anything else soon enough something bigger and better came along you just had to try. 

 

But I did get a Sears version that is much like a Dewalt and it has lasted 21 years.  Not a go to tool for everyday but when I need it old faithful is ready to go.  Stocked up for quite some time from a hardware store going out of business.   

I have a biscuit cutter for my Shopsmith.  Just the other day, they sent an email to sell a new one.  Expensive.  

 

https://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/catalog/biscuitjoiner.htm

 

 

10 minutes ago, FlGatorwood said:

I have a biscuit cutter for my Shopsmith.

Out of curiosity do you use it often?

8 hours ago, FlGatorwood said:

I have a biscuit cutter for my Shopsmith.  Just the other day, they sent an email to sell a new one.  Expensive.  

 

https://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/catalog/biscuitjoiner.htm

 

 

Only problem with this one is that you cannot do the middle of a board, for example, putting biscuits in the edge of a shelf upright, anything more than about 8" from the end of the board.  Not sure it handles angles or miters all that well either. 

Since I see biscuits for edge-gluing not all that useful, I wouldn't find this all that good.

Every once in a while I'm still happy I have one.

Had one for the shopsmith. As Keith observed, it was of limited utility. Got rid of it. Haven't seen any reason to invest in a different one. 

Ok, I truly fail to see any problem with a Shopsmith biscuit cutter.  I have joined boards from end to end, from side to side and in the middle but have not done a angled miter as of yet, but I see no problem with it.  To use, set it up in drill press mode, regardless of the length of the board, you can start at the end, work the middle and every board will be just as you wish so they will mesh up correctly.  If you want to do biscuits in the middle of the board, set up for table saw mode.  Put the table on top of the cutter.  Place the board on the table in the desired position, turn on the tool, lower the table and viola.  I have heard all these complaints before and it is much too easy to use.  I agree, biscuits are not the strongest joint, but it sure makes it easy to glue boards together to make a panel.  Then you can run in screws to make the joint stronger.  

 

I have not used it lately, but when I wish to joint boards side by side, I love it and use it as it's the only biscuit cutter I have.  

Edited August 8, 20196 yr by FlGatorwood

It took me awhile but I know that I had seen it before.  This is for those who don't have a Shopsmith or want to expand their opportunities on the Shopsmith.  Enjoy.  Get the popcorn.  

 

http://www.shopsmithacademy.com/Tips_Archives/TP107_Midboard_Biscuits.htm

 

 

8 hours ago, FlGatorwood said:

Ok, I truly fail to see any problem with a Shopsmith biscuit cutter.

I don't have a Shopsmith so I was curious how often you guys use something like that.  And how often.  I use my handheld one on a rare occasion to join up some boards and such.  Good to have when you need it, not so good when you don't have it at all.  Like anything else there is always another way.

11 hours ago, Woodbutcherbynight said:

  Like anything else there is always another way.

Absolutely! 

I have a tendency when I build anything that I over build.  I want it to last and not have to redo.  I would never consider using biscuits to join a shelf to a side wall.  To me that seems very weak.  Faster than biscuits, good screws or dowels would do wonders.  My way of making a shelf fitting to a sidewall is dado.  

 

It was not my intention to hurt anyone's feelings or offend anyone regarding this topic.  I find the Shopsmith so innovating and adaptable to most of my needs.  I am not in a productive mode, so change over is not a problem for me.  But, the concept of the machine is that I don't need a bunch of other machinery around taking up space when I do most of my needs or make adaptations to make my project look and function just as well as others without all the extra tools.  I have a grinder for my Shopsmith on which I sharpen chisels.  I know some folks will use the disk sander.  But, this grinder will grind in one mode and hone from the back side.  There are many things that can be done with the machine.  I turn, I saw, I sand, I drill, etc.  And, I use the same machine.  The possibilities are almost endless.  That's all I'm saying.  

Edited August 10, 20196 yr by FlGatorwood
spelling

Every board I edge glue together I use biscuits....except for one type of woodworking I do and that is when I do these carving type of what ever it is I do to wood.  It seems like I can never put the biscuits where I end up carving some out and leaving an unsightly mess. All this carving stuff I plan and even attach patterns on some projects but my mind changes in the middle of things unexpectedly...and going deeper into the wood for more wild effects always gets me into trouble... 

  I had a shopsmith way back yonder and every time I went to flip the switch the machine was set up for something else. My rememberer is slow but I think I bought it at Wards.  I finally set the machine out side and made a sign for it saying money I didn't have was wasted...now don't be a dumb a and forget this lesson.

I mentioned I had one to the other firemen and can't remember who came and loaded it up.....

Totally agree, Gator. There's just not a whole lot you can't get done with the Shopsmith. I have a couple circular saws, a bench grinder and a SCMS that are strictly for convenience. Other than routers, that's about the extent of my tools. 

Manhandling full sheets of ply through the Shopsmith is not a task to be relished. And, repetitive cross cuts and angles are just easier at the SCMS. But, I just wrap my brain around the whole biscuit concept. 

Edited August 10, 20196 yr by Gene Howe

I've seen the ads for ripping a sheet of plywood on Shopsmith.  However, it won't pass my logic.  I don't even go there.  

Haven’t attempted large sheet goods on the SS yet. When I put my order in with them I also bought their track saw set-up. Got a Milwaukee circular saw just for track saw use, as a birthday present from my sister last year. Haven’t had a chance to attach the guide that goes on the saw yet, probably get done RIGHT before I need to use it LOL. 

On 8/8/2019 at 11:38 AM, FlGatorwood said:

It took me awhile but I know that I had seen it before.  This is for those who don't have a Shopsmith or want to expand their opportunities on the Shopsmith.  Enjoy.  Get the popcorn. 

http://www.shopsmithacademy.com/Tips_Archives/TP107_Midboard_Biscuits.htm

Great video! Like some things on the SS, set up is the key, and takes a little time but once set up, it rolls along. Thank Gator.

There is them, and there is us, and never the twain shall meet. (I think that’s like Shakespeare or something  )

2 minutes ago, Artie said:

There is them, and there is us, and never the twain shall meet. (I think that’s like Shakespeare or something  )

I'm in the "us" camp. Quite happy with my SS, so far does all I ask of it.

20 minutes ago, John Morris said:

I'm in the "us" camp.

You're just trying to talk me into swapping the twins for a SS.