A biscuit is used with a plate joiner to create strong and aligned wood joints. The process involves cutting slots for the biscuit, applying glue, and clamping the pieces together.
Biscuit Joiner Functionality
A biscuit joiner, also known as a plate joiner, employs a small, circular blade (approximately 4 inches or 101.6 millimeters) to cut crescent-shaped slots into the opposing edges of two wood pieces. These slots are designed to accommodate a wooden "biscuit."
The Joining Process
Here's a breakdown of how a biscuit is used with a plate joiner:
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Cutting the Slots: The plate joiner cuts matching crescent-shaped slots in both pieces of wood that will be joined. The depth of the cut is adjustable, allowing for different sized biscuits.
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Applying Glue: An oval wooden "biscuit" is covered with glue. The glue swells the biscuit, creating a tight and strong joint.
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Inserting the Biscuit: The glue-covered biscuit is inserted into one of the slots.
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Joining the Pieces: The two pieces of wood are brought together, aligning the biscuit in the corresponding slot of the second piece.
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Clamping: The boards are clamped together to ensure proper contact and alignment while the glue dries, forming a strong joint.
In summary, the biscuit acts as a reinforcing agent and alignment guide within the joint, significantly enhancing its strength and stability. The glue expands the biscuit within the slots, creating a secure and lasting bond.
