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Biscuit Joinery Tips
Posted: October 19, 2009
"I am building a wine chest and it uses biscuit joints as the joinery method. This is the first time I have used this method of joinery. Can you provide some information on how to install the biscuits? Specifically, can you address what type of glue I should use, and if clamps should be used to get a good fit."
Submitted by: flot215
WWGOA Editor Response
Biscuit joinery is a great way to assemble woodworking projects. Here are a couple tips.
Any wood glue, yellow or white, will be fine for assembly. Use a small brush and make sure you're coating the biscuit along with the rest of the joint. Moisture from the glue will get into the biscuit and make it swell, further tightening it inside the slot.
Use clamps to hold the joints together, as you normally would. This will insure that the joints close properly. Drying conditions vary depending on where you live, but the safest bet is to leave the clamps on overnight.
When you're not using them, keep your biscuits in an airtight container. If you don't, they can absorb moisture from the air and swell, making it very difficult to slip them into the biscuit slots.
George Vondriska
Managing Editor
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2 Comments
Posted November 04, 2009 // 10:52 PM Good evening, I would just like to add just a tid bit of information on keeping those biscuits dry, and from swelling in the jar as well. I put those little silca or sorbit packets that come in different packed items now days, in with the biscuits and then tighten the cap on the jar. This little in-expensive trick really works well. Tim J. Ziegler Ziegler WoodWork & Specialty