GMC biscuit joiner

[zathras]

I'm about to start work on a cabinet and have pondered whether it is worth making the investment in a biscuit joiner.

I have used biscuits in the past, but I've used a slot cutter with my router table.

Works OK, on edges, but precise location is a bit hit and miss, and it is not possible to place a slot mid panel using the slot cutter.

Is the GMC unit worthwhile? Given the usage I would expect to put into it, the exotica of Hitachi and Co are out of the question.

Hmmm, it IS Fathers Day next week too......

[outback]

Just get it, or better yet, get it gotten for you.

The BJ's from GMC seem to be OK. I have one and have had no dramas. You gotta remember, they ain't a precision instrument. Also, they don't get used every day, if they did you'd wanna Llammello. ( I dunno how many l's and how many M's I needed so I just added enough OK!)

[himzol]

get it gotten for you

I second that, mine hasn't failed me yet and as outback said, it's not a pecision instrument.

Himzo

[aabb]

Ray,

I got one couple of months back and highly recommend it though forget about dust bag that comes with it - its useless and clogs in seconds - pipe out to narrow for power of machine. Either use without bag or attach another dust collecter.

Like out back says not absolute precision ( but biscuts dont need that) but pretty good.

If you want bj I recommend this machine

Albert

[Just George]

Go for the GMC - don't what ever you do and change your mind and go for the Ryobi od Ozito. I get to use either of them at my work, do yourself a favour and don't waste your time with them. The GMC is a better machine.

[Grunt]

I got mine for fathers day last year which isn't bad considering I don't have an children.

I've used my a few times and it works for me. Much better than the router.

Grunt

[inferno6688]

definitly get it. i am happy with mine. well worth it.

[Firewalker]

I have the ryobi and I friggin love it. It is not expensive compared to some of the other brands and the only down side is not being able to put the smaller cutter on for smaller biscuits. I have used them to join the rails/stiles in some photo screens I make and it makes it a snap.

Best of luck.........you will NOT regret this addition to your arsenal.

BTW.......get it gotten for you is a fantastic idea!!! Nice one!!!

[echnidna]

I have the ryobi .............. the only down side is not being able to put the smaller cutter on for smaller biscuits.

Why cant you fit a smaller cutter?
I have a GMC and thinking about getting smaller cutter if it will fit.

[outback]

Hey Bob, lemme know if you find one. I've thought about it, but gave up before I even made an enquiry. It would be handy sometimes to be able to use the wee lil bikkies.

[Firewalker]

Why cant you fit a smaller cutter?
I have a GMC and thinking about getting smaller cutter if it will fit.

I guess I should have worded it different. I couldn't find the small cutter for my machine. The porter cable/dewalt either have them available or they come with it. I was not able to locate one so I just made a shim of 1/4" wood to bottom out on and leaving a shorter biscuit slot. Not a big problem just a little more to think about.

For the money the ryobi is hard to beat. The alternatives would have been another $100 and it was a gift from SWMBO. Need I say more?

[zathras]

Well I headed off to Bunnies, following the good advice received from the BB, but not before exhausting the local hardware store options.

Bunnies had ONE for $128, obviously to beat the current $129 from Home Hardware and Thrifty Link catalogues. Their normal price is $165.
Epping Bunnies in Melbourne now has nil stock of GMC BJ110

Given the usual pricing, I feel I have got a reasonable bargain, plus in my book, anything that is normally over $150 in the hand power tool department is usually of decent standard....

Now to make some sawdust

[martrix]

Ray,

I got one couple of months back and highly recommend it though forget about dust bag that comes with it - its useless and clogs in seconds - pipe out to narrow for power of machine. Either use without bag or attach another dust collecter.

Like out back says not absolute precision ( but biscuts dont need that) but pretty good.

If you want bj I recommend this machine

Albert

Cons; Totally agree with the poor design of dust extraction bag.
Slot cut is not parallel, run's out about 3/4mm from left to right.

Pros; Design of the unit is virtually a copy of the Dewalt, which is double the price!
Fine adjustment knob is excellent, some of the top range joiner's do not have this.
and of course, the price can't be beat!

[markharrison]

Why cant you fit a smaller cutter?
I have a GMC and thinking about getting smaller cutter if it will fit.

It will fit but I don't think it will work all that well. You need to have another depth stop as well as the blade. Besides the blade is not cheap if it doesn't work. The price at Amazon is US$36, to give you an idea.

If someone in Sydney wants to try this out you are welcome to drop by and try my blade. PM for contact details. I give you fair warning though, I live on the Northern Beaches so it isn't exactly centrally located.

On another note, has anybody in WA looked at the new Torquata TQBJ-900 BJ from Timbecon that looks to be a clone of the PC 557?