Thread: Dowell's Vs Biscuits

I've used both and was almost always a fan of dowels.

More recently I was repairing some seat pedestals for the boat and had to splice some marine ply on a blind side. Bought a GMC and from that point on I'm hooked on the speed, ease and strength of the biscuits. My feeling is the larger the pieces to join justify M&T then down to dowels and where the thickness is further reduced biscuits are the go. Joining boards for a tabletop can be laborious with dowels - Biscuits are a breeze with more time to get the alignment right because of the give you can achieve as you are clamping it up.

Think I've only used the Stanley doweliing jig once since buying the GMC

I noticed when people mention dowels they have named a variety of jigs but not the one I've got. Aussie Jig, expensive (about $220) and a fabulous piece of gear to use particularly when you become familiar with its use and learn to trust it.

I prefer biscuits to dowels for convenience sake. Biscuits also swell in the join when wet with glue so I figure this is a bonus. Otherwise I like to half lap and through pin at least two per join.

Thx to everyone who contributed to this thread..................As always from the crew here at the Aussie Woodwork Forum provided some great informative information.

Looks like there are some major advantages to using biscuits!!!! (Depending on the Job at hand) n the poll suggests that biscuits are certainly more popular to use.......................For this wouldbe chippie though I cant see myself running out to grab a biscuit Joiner n biscuits to replace the old trustie 8mm dowell, dowling jig, n electric drill.

Regards Lou

Lou, just when did you post your last response here? Your message is dated December 2004 on my computer, but it was highlighted as a new posting ...

Anyway, I thought I would toss out some info/question for the great unwashed here, perhaps a little like a red flag to a bull for some, but not really meaning to stir, just asking for information ...

I have heard from a few sources that Norm (NYW) is no longer advocating or using his biscuit joiner any longer; that he has stated that there are long term problems with using one insofar as the timber surfaces eventually become distorted from the swollen biscuits in their slots.

Now this is all hearsay, but it is certainly a controversal statement. Personally, it could be the case with some softwood/composite material, but I can't see it with hardwoods. Also, why no mention of this over the past 30 or 40 years since Lamello first introduced the biscuit joiner?

What do you hear?

Regards from Perth

Derek

Originally Posted by derekcohen

Lou, just when did you post your last response here? Your message is dated December 2004 on my computer, but it was highlighted as a new posting ...


Derek

Same here Derek. I was wondering if it was my computer or not but obviously, it's at the other end.

Hi Derek

I was wondering why these polls where coming up as a new posting when the last post was old, and some one else said this is created by a guest posting a vote on the poll but it doesn't show up as some one voting, it just pops it to the top of the heap.

yer fellas

I didn't do another post here.............thought was server or database playing up. What Barry said stands to reason as i've done a recent link to this thread.

I'm not knowledgable enough in regards to biscut Joinery to really comment on your statement Derek however the content of your post is to say the least opening a can of worms!!!..........or would that be letting the cat outta the bag.............


...............n by the way for the record I prefer using dowels with the aid of a dowell max jig



Regards Lou

I hadn't voted in this poll before, so I just did and the last post count reset and credit was given to NewLou!

And now, of course, it has me as the last poster.

Nah! I just voted>
So I am Last!! Again!!!

sorry smithy you missed out on it
Pete

Dam'it I cant vote, dont use either!

Anzac Biscuits for me but I'm not fussy really, what Termite said

I didn't vote, just wanted to be last and make it pop up again

Cheers