"Swingman" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "Alexander Galkin" wrote in message
> > I want to buy a biscuit jointer to use in various woodworking projects.
I
> > never used one before. What features shore considered "must have" and
> which
> > ones are "nice to have"? Finally, which manufacturer and model would be
> > recommended?
>
> The Porter Cable 557, type 3 works very well for me.
Same for me!
Greg
Alex wrote:>I want to buy a biscuit jointer to use in various woodworking
projects. I
>never used one before. What features shore considered "must have" and which
>ones are "nice to have"? Finally, which manufacturer and model would be
>recommended?
You want a good
fence on the thing, and good ergonomics in the on/off switch, fence adj., etc..
Psssst: Alex, when you get to the store(s) to really check them out, refer to
it as a biscuit "joiner". Tom
Someday, it'll all be over....
Thanks for the recommendations- I am in the market for one as well. Looking
at Amazon, the joiner is listed as a plate joiner (not a biscuit joiner). I
didn't know they were the same thing. The Porter Cable 557 got excellent
reviews- it sells for $199 with "free" shipping (April 10, 2004):
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?tag=financeandinve0d&path=tg/deta
il/-/B00004YKUO/qid%3D1081642104/sr%3D1-1">Porter Cable
Another site has one with a promotional free bag of biscuits for $194 but
you have to add shipping:
http://store.yahoo.com/toolsplus/p-c557.html
Thanks to everyone (both asker and answers)!
--
KB
St. Louis, MO
"Alexander Galkin" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I want to buy a biscuit jointer to use in various woodworking projects. I
> never used one before. What features shore considered "must have" and
which
> ones are "nice to have"? Finally, which manufacturer and model would be
> recommended?
>
>
I have my PC 557 Type 2 for almost 2 years now and never experienced
any of the problems you mention. I even purchased the Shim Plate right
after I purchased the 557 Type 2 that was offered here. But I never
installed it.
Bill
On Sun, 11 Apr 2004 03:11:18 GMT, Paul Kierstead
<[email protected]> wrote:
>In article <[email protected]>,
> "Swingman" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> "Alexander Galkin" wrote in message
>> > I want to buy a biscuit jointer to use in various woodworking projects. I
>> > never used one before. What features shore considered "must have" and
>> which
>> > ones are "nice to have"? Finally, which manufacturer and model would be
>> > recommended?
>>
>> The Porter Cable 557, type 3 works very well for me. The fence is subject to
>> criticism hereabouts on occasion due to supposed "sloppiness", but this has
>> never been the least problem for me. I primarily use the tool for aligning
>> flat panel glue-ups, and in places where I used to use splines, before
>> finally succumbing to the biscuit joinery revolution.
>
>I have a 557 type 2. It is the only Porter Cable tool I pretty much
>thoroughly hate. I have a bunch others which I love.
>- It tends to burn instead of cut
>- It is incredibly hard to keep dead square to the stock
>- It seems to wander out of adjustment semi-randomly
>- It makes an awful rattling racket that is offensive to the ears.
>Admittedly nothing compared to a thickness planer or router, but pretty
>awful sound. Not loud, just offensive
>- Hard to keep tight.
>
>If I hadn't paid so much for the damn thing, I would toss it.
>
>Perhaps it is just the type 2.
On Sun, 11 Apr 2004 00:12:47 GMT, "K. B." <[email protected]>
wrote:
>Thanks for the recommendations- I am in the market for one as well. Looking
>at Amazon, the joiner is listed as a plate joiner (not a biscuit joiner). I
>didn't know they were the same thing. The Porter Cable 557 got excellent
>reviews- it sells for $199 with "free" shipping (April 10, 2004):
You might check eBay - there are several new units for sale and there
are several Dewalt machines for less. I bought a Dewalt at a live
auction brand new in the box for $100.00 so you never know. Good luck.
Add me to the list of the Porter Cable 557. Althought I have a Type 2
model but never ran into any problems in my uses.
Bill
On Sat, 10 Apr 2004 15:49:36 -0500, "Swingman" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>"Alexander Galkin" wrote in message
>> I want to buy a biscuit jointer to use in various woodworking projects. I
>> never used one before. What features shore considered "must have" and
>which
>> ones are "nice to have"? Finally, which manufacturer and model would be
>> recommended?
>
>The Porter Cable 557, type 3 works very well for me. The fence is subject to
>criticism hereabouts on occasion due to supposed "sloppiness", but this has
>never been the least problem for me. I primarily use the tool for aligning
>flat panel glue-ups, and in places where I used to use splines, before
>finally succumbing to the biscuit joinery revolution.
>
>The biggest selling point in favor of the PC 557 for my use was the extra FF
>(face frame) blade included with the unit. With this smaller blade, and FF
>size biscuits, you can easily reinforce miter joints in some fairly
>thin/narrow stock, and it takes the place of splines in many applications ..
>a very handy feature.
>
>I managed to break the fence at one point, when the unit, in the its case,
>fell 6" to the floor from a bottom shelf, but a replacement was easily
>located, reasonably priced ($12), and took just a few minutes to change out.
>Other than that incident, its been a robust tool. I wouldn't hesitate to buy
>it again.
Paul,
I think you need to have yours check by PC Service. My Type 2 has none of
those problems. The burning instead of cutting alone indicate a serious
problem. Regarding keeping square to the stock, the Dewalt is worse because
the handle moves as you plunge. The wondering out of adjustment might be
related to why it's burning. Possible vibrational issue. The sound issue is
a universal motor. They just do that. Hard to keep tight, back to the
wondering out of adjustment. I think yours has a serious problem.
Bernie
"Paul Kierstead" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:pmkierst-03054C.23112710042004@nntp.bloor.is.net.cable.rogers.com...
> In article <[email protected]>,
>
> I have a 557 type 2. It is the only Porter Cable tool I pretty much
> thoroughly hate. I have a bunch others which I love.
> - It tends to burn instead of cut
> - It is incredibly hard to keep dead square to the stock
> - It seems to wander out of adjustment semi-randomly
> - It makes an awful rattling racket that is offensive to the ears.
> Admittedly nothing compared to a thickness planer or router, but pretty
> awful sound. Not loud, just offensive
> - Hard to keep tight.
>
> If I hadn't paid so much for the damn thing, I would toss it.
>
> Perhaps it is just the type 2.
I have a type 2 that does not have any of the problems you have witnessed.
I use my PC 557 a lot and am extremely happy. Unlike my experience with my
PC 7529 router and PC VS 333 sander. Both of those items suck.
But I love my 557!
Rob
"Paul Kierstead" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:pmkierst-03054C.23112710042004@nntp.bloor.is.net.cable.rogers.com...
> In article <[email protected]>,
> "Swingman" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> > "Alexander Galkin" wrote in message
> > > I want to buy a biscuit jointer to use in various woodworking
projects. I
> > > never used one before. What features shore considered "must have" and
> > which
> > > ones are "nice to have"? Finally, which manufacturer and model would
be
> > > recommended?
> >
> > The Porter Cable 557, type 3 works very well for me. The fence is
subject to
> > criticism hereabouts on occasion due to supposed "sloppiness", but this
has
> > never been the least problem for me. I primarily use the tool for
aligning
> > flat panel glue-ups, and in places where I used to use splines, before
> > finally succumbing to the biscuit joinery revolution.
>
> I have a 557 type 2. It is the only Porter Cable tool I pretty much
> thoroughly hate. I have a bunch others which I love.
> - It tends to burn instead of cut
> - It is incredibly hard to keep dead square to the stock
> - It seems to wander out of adjustment semi-randomly
> - It makes an awful rattling racket that is offensive to the ears.
> Admittedly nothing compared to a thickness planer or router, but pretty
> awful sound. Not loud, just offensive
> - Hard to keep tight.
>
> If I hadn't paid so much for the damn thing, I would toss it.
>
> Perhaps it is just the type 2.
Let me tell you what not to buy.
I didn't own a biscuit cutter, but was intrigued by the concept. I wasn't
thrilled about spending $150+ on something I wasn't sure I would use much,
but again, I was intrigued by the concept. Crusing around eBay on evening,
I saw a no-name biscuit cutter for $16.00. How could I go wrong, as nothing
more than trial tool. My prize showed up a few days later, and I discovered
part of the fence to be broken. A few e-mails later, and I had another tool
on my doorstep, no charge.
Needless to say, this thing is a galactic piece of crap. The lack of
quality is laughable. The "fence" is made from the cheapest plastic, and is
completely impossible to set / use accurately. To adjust the fence up/down
requires partial disassembly of the unit. To return the unit to it's
carrying case also requires some disassembly. The on/off switch is very
sensitive, with the slightest touch turning the unit on (safety issue when
making adjustments). I found that the blade on the replacement tool did not
track true, and wobbled enough to create a slot much larger than even my
largest biscuit. The blade on the original unit created a proper sized
slot, so between the two of them, I assembed one "good" unit. I use it
occasionally, and have concluded that I need to same my pennies to buy a
proper tool.
Lesson learned. Don't buy a $16.00 biscuit cutter.
O.
I like my PC 557. The DeWalt is also supposed to be good however I like the
handle better on the PC. I allows you to keep pressure on the fence when
you push the unit in with the other hand. Compare both units and you'll see
what I mean.
Rob
"Alexander Galkin" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I want to buy a biscuit jointer to use in various woodworking projects. I
> never used one before. What features shore considered "must have" and
which
> ones are "nice to have"? Finally, which manufacturer and model would be
> recommended?
>
>
In article <[email protected]>,
"Swingman" <[email protected]> wrote:
> "Alexander Galkin" wrote in message
> > I want to buy a biscuit jointer to use in various woodworking projects. I
> > never used one before. What features shore considered "must have" and
> which
> > ones are "nice to have"? Finally, which manufacturer and model would be
> > recommended?
>
> The Porter Cable 557, type 3 works very well for me. The fence is subject to
> criticism hereabouts on occasion due to supposed "sloppiness", but this has
> never been the least problem for me. I primarily use the tool for aligning
> flat panel glue-ups, and in places where I used to use splines, before
> finally succumbing to the biscuit joinery revolution.
I have a 557 type 2. It is the only Porter Cable tool I pretty much
thoroughly hate. I have a bunch others which I love.
- It tends to burn instead of cut
- It is incredibly hard to keep dead square to the stock
- It seems to wander out of adjustment semi-randomly
- It makes an awful rattling racket that is offensive to the ears.
Admittedly nothing compared to a thickness planer or router, but pretty
awful sound. Not loud, just offensive
- Hard to keep tight.
If I hadn't paid so much for the damn thing, I would toss it.
Perhaps it is just the type 2.
I also bought the PC 557 type 3 and would agree with everything Swingman
said. Haven't had any concerns with the fence. It's a pleasure to use.
Ken
"Swingman" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "Alexander Galkin" wrote in message
> > I want to buy a biscuit jointer to use in various woodworking projects.
I
> > never used one before. What features shore considered "must have" and
> which
> > ones are "nice to have"? Finally, which manufacturer and model would be
> > recommended?
>
> The Porter Cable 557, type 3 works very well for me. The fence is subject
to
> criticism hereabouts on occasion due to supposed "sloppiness", but this
has
> never been the least problem for me. I primarily use the tool for aligning
> flat panel glue-ups, and in places where I used to use splines, before
> finally succumbing to the biscuit joinery revolution.
>
> The biggest selling point in favor of the PC 557 for my use was the extra
FF
> (face frame) blade included with the unit. With this smaller blade, and FF
> size biscuits, you can easily reinforce miter joints in some fairly
> thin/narrow stock, and it takes the place of splines in many applications
..
> a very handy feature.
>
> I managed to break the fence at one point, when the unit, in the its case,
> fell 6" to the floor from a bottom shelf, but a replacement was easily
> located, reasonably priced ($12), and took just a few minutes to change
out.
> Other than that incident, its been a robust tool. I wouldn't hesitate to
buy
> it again.
>
> --
> www.e-woodshop.net
> Last update: 4/08/04
>
>
"Alexander Galkin" wrote in message
> I want to buy a biscuit jointer to use in various woodworking projects. I
> never used one before. What features shore considered "must have" and
which
> ones are "nice to have"? Finally, which manufacturer and model would be
> recommended?
The Porter Cable 557, type 3 works very well for me. The fence is subject to
criticism hereabouts on occasion due to supposed "sloppiness", but this has
never been the least problem for me. I primarily use the tool for aligning
flat panel glue-ups, and in places where I used to use splines, before
finally succumbing to the biscuit joinery revolution.
The biggest selling point in favor of the PC 557 for my use was the extra FF
(face frame) blade included with the unit. With this smaller blade, and FF
size biscuits, you can easily reinforce miter joints in some fairly
thin/narrow stock, and it takes the place of splines in many applications ..
a very handy feature.
I managed to break the fence at one point, when the unit, in the its case,
fell 6" to the floor from a bottom shelf, but a replacement was easily
located, reasonably priced ($12), and took just a few minutes to change out.
Other than that incident, its been a robust tool. I wouldn't hesitate to buy
it again.
--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 4/08/04