Biscuit Joinery Tips and Tricks

Learn the right way to use your biscuit joinery in cabinetmaking projects. Visit www.FineWoodworking.com for more woodworking technique videos.

[@patbird9694]

Eleven years after the upload. Still watching it for a refresh

[@yannicmeyer421]

I like your calm and friendly style of presenting!

[@jamesmcintyre348]

To all the nay Sayers. These are just techniques you can use or not use. The biscuits keep the face frame inline and the screws in the shelfs act as clamps so you can move on to the next step. You should be grateful he shared this great video with us. It helped me.

[@HondoTrailside]

Part of the problem as with a lot of media is that the blurb calls this the "right way". If you are offering the wrong way, as an option, that is probably not the right way to preface it. Happens all the time to authors. They write some sensible thing, then the editor, comes along and does the title, or the book design, and people get pissed because the article doesn't match the title. But usually the guy who did the title is a different guy.

[@TheStuartYork]

I'm building bee hives, this tutorial has been absolutely invaluable. Thank you.

[@LennonPhotography]

AMAZING video - you have a great knack at explaining and if you had a TV show - I would watch it. Forget the haters who think they "know it all" cause if they "did" - they wouldn't be trolling KZbin to help them out! I got a lot of VALUABLE tips from you and for that - I'M GRATEFUL! Kudos!

[@Meticularius]

You are an excellent presenter. You respect your audience and your care for the learner comes through. Thank you, and Taunton Press for this video. I'm 70 years old, experienced, and yet you taught me several things which I appreciate.

[@grady9752]

Years ago I spent the money for a Makita biscuit joiner which works as designed flawlessly. Made a few projects with it also. Then came the Kreg Jig. In the time it takes to follow the necessary procedures illustrated here in biscuit construction, I could assemble three times as many pieces, have lunch, walk the dog, play 18 holes and still have time for dinner! While there is no disputing the lessons from this very well produced tutorial, it's hard to justify the expenditure of time and materials necessary to hold two boards together in this manner. Like most craftsmen viewing this, I truly wish there was a practical application for this technique anymore. The machines are works of art, the concept is brilliant, it is applicable to the everyday hobbyist and the results (if done properly) are really nice. Truth is, most of us want to get things done more than basking in the light of a unique method. The end justifies the means I'm afraid. Having said all this, I want to reiterate my respect to Fine Woodworking for their excellent instructional videos. If you're going to use biscuits, this is literally your playbook.

[@grady9752]

@@metal1301 How ironic that I just came home from an installation job and found your comment. I literally just finished doing a five shelf closet system with two vertical dividers and 3 clothes hanging rods. I just watched this excellent video again and thought of how cumbersome and complicated all these steps would have been had I done the assembly with the biscuit jointer. The job required breaking down 3 4x8 sheets of 3/4 sanded plywood, drilling pocket holes as needed, carrying the stock to the site and doing the build in right inside the closet. No glue, just solid design and careful work at the table saw. Other than edge banding the plywood, the job is now ready for paint. My guys can hit it this afternoon, which means I can bill it out tomorrow! Again, could biscuits have worked? Yes. Do we have a solid build in ready to paint and use? Yes and we can now move on to the next job.. Ultimately, time is money in this business. I still have my Makita jointer and will find uses for it. And I stand by my comment that this video is very well done and would be of tremendous benefit to someone looking to use this method of butting boards together.

[@leonardorojas1781]

Kreg jigs and the biscuit joiner are 2 different methods. There not meant to exclude each other😑

[@grady9752]

@@leonardorojas1781 An excellent point with which I completely agree. We are indeed fortunate to have multiple options for accomplishing our work. A lot goes into a decision as to which method, from the variety of choices we have will satisfy the requirements of the job we are trying to do. I will always have and use my biscuit joiner but it will be more a shop tool that a jobsite tool. That's really the only comparative distinction I was trying to say exists. I hope my posts don't give you the impression I am "anti-biscuit!" I am definitely not.

[@amethystwhite5803]

I loved how you called them “little biscuit thingys” lol

[@Drwuap]

I showed this video to my 14 y/o daughter, and now we're going to build a backboard and shelf for a mirror. Thank you for posting this, and for taking the time to share your knowledge.

[@snowwalker9999]

The best video on biscuit joinery I have watched!

[@LousTube]

Awesome instructional on biscuits! Thank you.

[@michael.schuler]

Great tip about always referencing off bottom of tool. I have Lamello high-end machines and even they do better with this method despite the high price, which you might presume would guarantee perfect alignment by either method. I learned from another experienced cabinetmaker a different way of implementing your tip that I believe is even more reliable and IMO definitely quicker: Rather than taking the time to clamp each side piece to the bench, one by one, reinforce the temporary fence you show with simple right angle pieces between its horizontal and vertical members to create a vertical fence or backstop. Clamp or screw this backstop securely to your bench. Now you can simply hold your side case pieces vertically against this backstop with one hand while running the biscuit cutter in with the other. Gravity will of course hold the bottom edge of the work piece down tightly to the bench top. With this setup, you only need to clamp once, saving a lot of time. And the tall backstop/vertical fence you make can serve other useful purposes around the shop, such as resaw fence for the bandsaw or tenoning fence for a table saw setup. 8" height is probably plenty. Thanks again for your post. Domino is the newest and IMO best, but biscuits have not suddenly become chopped liver and remain IMO a very quick and versatile joining option for a myriad of cabinetmaking and trim carpentry tasks.

[@kghwanadoo]

What an excellent video. I build teak decks for boats but am now starting to do more and more cabinet work inside the cabins and this helped a lot. Cheers mate.

[@beedeacon]

I love how rude people call him bub and say he is wrong to do what he did yet I don't see them making a video to help just a mouthy responses... Woodworking has many different roads to reach the same end and it paved with people's opinions. People that have nothing better to do but be little whining children. Thank you for a great video, I appreciate your hard work in making it.

[@RhettRO55]

Tons of people flock to videos like this, and they're fantastic because they show tons of different techniques, and there are always different ways to skin a cat. Lots of people get all bent out of shape because its "the wrong way" which is just utter madness. Did the piece stay together? Did it end up how the builder wanted it? Then its alllllllllllllllllllllllll good!!! Ive seen builds with 45 mitered joint edges just held with glue and brad nails. Wood glue will hold about anything together.

[@benilang5391]

Ok but this is not fine woodworking

[@DasAlbatross]

My god, Beni, you're right! It's almost like it was a video to demonstrate different ways to use a tool!

[@EvrSpd]

Damned keyboard carpenters 😒

[@charleshetrick3152]

Pevan B I did contracting for many years and in the general sphere that I ran with we had an axiom that “If you ask five contractors you’ll get ten answers, seven of which will work equally well.”

[@joedurling2894]

Great editing. Lots of information in a short time while being easy to follow. Would have saved me a lot of scrap pieces of wood and time if I had found this sooner.

[@olivercardenas3980]

This is such an incredible video. Thank you.

[@pennyroyal3813]

Perhaps the best video on biscuit joiners on youtube. I especially like the added screws to the cabinet construction. Thanks!

[@bighands69]

Screws are not needed but they can add peace of mind.

[@earthling5337]

"All you have to do..." 4:46 famous last words. Love it. Thanks for the tips!!

[@jamesmcintyre348]

Thanks. I used your technique with great results. You 90* angle jig and the shim under the work piece allowed me to make beautiful cabinets w/out using pocket screws.

[@Dottie237]

Thanks for showing us about using the shims. I had a project I wanted to do where the back of the pieces were set level. The corner pieces were different thickness. How to solve my problem? SHIMS !!!

[@gabrieleg6384]

Thanks for this video! Biscuit joinery is more versatile than it seems. Using the sole of the machine as unique reference is the best way to get the best alignments; and this is the only video clearly sharing this information. This is the reason why I really like and appreciate this video. In my shop I have developed a quick table to easily create double/triple biscuit joints just using (under the sole or under the boards) diy anti-slip shims. After a lot of experiences I found that the most versatile single shim thickness is 3mm that can be combined in stack of 1 or 2. Testing this method under bending forces, The resulting joint is weaker than an equivalent domino joint, but way stronger than a single biscuit joint. The reason is why the biscuits offers a better reaction to the stresses, as far as they are from the neutral axis of the boards (normally the middle of the boards).

[@cag9284]

Thanks for this, I recently bought a biscuit jointer... These tips are great.

[@kudu2222]

Thank you for this video, I'm new to woodworking so all videos like this are very helpful. Thanks again!

[@vohieupa]

Great pace, great tips, great video. Thanks!

[@babyjrcc]

Great video, Thanks. I love the use of screws and biscuits for strength and to save time.

[@flipinasia]

Great video and happy to find your site! Looking forward to checking out your other videos.

[@darrengow-brown171]

This video was fantastic, especially that right angle guide. You made it look very easy. Thankyou for a high level instructional video

[@dolphinberserk]

Very helpful for inbuilts (where you can backset and thus hide the screws! A couple of comments that screws are not fine woodworking. True, but I would argue that biscuit joints are a weekender solution in themselves and are way too weak on their own for a real use cabinet. A 'genuine' fine woodwork approach would use very clever joinery along the lines of the Japanese, European (etc) masters. The problem there is that Dad/Mom would spend three weeks in the workshop for each project, never see their children, perhaps have their spouse walk out on them saying "I couldn't compete with his/her hobby and he/she never did anything with the children anyway".... Okay so I've got scars, but anyway, 'glue 'n' screw' is tried and true. The addition of biscuits adds some lateral strength (where screws on their own could be 'busted out' sideways by for example boisterous children (who have to too much energy because woodworking Mom/Dad would never take them out to play ball.....)

[@paul48073a]

This video schooled me up quick and saved me a ton of work.

[@beatrixwright]

Beautiful tutorial, thanks!

[@lazio7495]

Got some real good insight on biscuit joinery! Thanks!

[@pinkiewerewolf]

Thanks for the tips ASA. I have a large wall shelf that I was a bit perplexed as to how I would line up the shelves on both ends. Using the screws as clamps was also a good idea, even if some of these guys are missing the point. BTW, Love the Shop Talk Live podcast.

[@PeterWalkeronGoogle]

I've had my biscuit jointer nearly 20 years and have cursed the number of times the fence has left the finish not flush. Having watched this, I don't know whether to feel pleased there's a better way of doing it, or stupid because I hadn't worked this out before! Thanks!

[@bighands69]

Get a better machine is the only to get around that. Two best on the market are Lamello and Mafell.

[@mikeabbott9748]

I am new to biscuit joining.And have not done very well yet. Hope this video is just what i needed.

[@gmajorspresents]

Really enjoyed the video. Great personality to go with it. Thanks for posting.

[@LectronCircuits]

Awesome dude, absolutely first-rate presentation. Cheers!

[@AkashColvin]

Great Video and very helpful!

[@jlion31685]

Very informative. Thanks for sharing.

[@jaslyman]

very helpful video, thanks so much for posting! You did a great job explaining / demonstrating.

[@gregoriovii8746]

ONLY A MUSICIAN COULD SAY THAT THIS WAS A GOOD VIDEO. BUT A WOODWORKER.......

[@wahinenuiloa]

Great video. Good tips to get me started. Thanks for posting.

[@effinog]

Very very grateful for this. Thank you.

[@Donnievil]

Biscuit joiner's are very handy things to have in the shop :)

[@mandyleeson1]

Thank you, that was really helpful.

[@Alexandra-Rex]

Thank you, very informative :) I've never used a joiner, so this will make starting to use one much easier :)

[@miguelfroml.a.9310]

I love this technique invisible joins. Nice video good teacher. thanxs for show us .

[@gregoriovii8746]

"INVISIBLE" DON'T YOU SEE THE SCREEWS?

[@ChristopherClaudioSkierka]

@@gregoriovii8746 I agree use clamps, but he is just showing use a different way of doing things. I make a small cupboard and used screws on purpose. The wood was Russian Birch ply. I used Dark wood dado to fill cover the screw hole then used a block plane to flush. It looks nice. Also for floor work same materials etc

[@kurtmuller1861]

Excellent video. Thanks!

[@1habicher]

Now I have spent so much time on Dados etc and You come along with something that is so simple and nice. I keep on forgetting this name and it is very impressive. I will look for it next!

[@bighands69]

You can mix and match methods.

[@robertbrunston5406]

Learned a few things, thank you.

[@DurgeshVasmatkar]

Thank you. Very informative and useful. 5 stars to the video.

[@sinsilius]

I liked the video very much, a lot of new ideas, thanks!

[@tsehampton]

Good, informative video. Good production value. Thanks.

[@daveukmills]

Great video and easy to follow, Many Thanks

[@HomeImProveMentHow]

I've never used a jointer I just purchase one thank you for this helpful informative video look forward to hear from you by 4 now can God bless

[@kdm0425]

Very good video. Thanks!

[@mmay7886]

Very well done. Now I feel confident to use my biscuit jointer

[@dakotamax2]

This video is very helpful for beginners to woodworking. You obviously wont see production shops using this technique (they have specialty jigs that keep everything in place for glue up/assembly). For hidden applications.screws are much easier to install when working by yourself than clamps. If you are building more than one unit, you will be able to roll- through the process much faster and you don't need to own a butt-load of clamps for a simultaneous glue-up. Sure it's mechanical overkill to use both screws and biscuits, but the biscuits make the parts index together like Legos and that is, in my opinion, their primary benefit. I often struggle with parts migrating out of position when using pocket holes (even when using the proprietary clamps). I think I'll start adding biscuits to minimize this issue.

[@killawee118]

Beginner wood worker here! I see that you commented 3 years ago, but this video was invaluable to me! I will be buying a biscuit jointer in 1 or 2 more paychecks. This is an obvious choice for me and it's actually funny it took me this long to find this lesson!

[@ladougl]

The internet and especially youtube are wonderful things aren't they? Thanks for your contributions. I now have more concrete ideas as to the uses of my newly purchased biscuit joiner.

[@mikebadilla9187]

Thanks for the help.I needed it.good job

[@mateooro852]

Great video 📹 went straight to biness!! Thanks alot

[@MrNep2une]

Great video. I learned a lot in a just a few minutes.

[@havenorgreene5529]

Thanks for the video, I learned a few things but the whole idea of the biscuits it to hide fasteners. I've actually done this but if the screws are only to take the place of clamping then fewer screws are needed. What I'd really like to see in conjunction with this is clamping systems. I know there are some great products on the market that could help square and clamp at the same time. I'd like to see different alternatives for clamping.

[@shanehertzog5812]

excellent teacher,

[@jonathanlloyd2371]

great video!

[@goatsears]

Good video, well presented, very informative, thank you for posting it

[@earlliotti5316]

Great vid, good info, thank you!

[@hippychippie1]

Clear, useful information delivered by a good teacher. Thankyou

[@Yahoomediaclub]

Absolutely Awesome ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@leavesgreen4916]

Very well explained 🖒

[@paulprs9703]

Really good tips on this video thanks

[@zorbaz-greek3576]

Thanks for sharing your expertise.

[@colinmead8996]

Well done mate Gr8 instruction

[@raymonddixon8128]

Minus the rude people, I enjoyed the video as well as the comments. Thank you!

[@rudychavira5558]

I didnt know how to do any of it, great video very informative. Dont care about screws showing on certain builds.

[@murphyrp01]

Great video that shared some really good tips

[@ganderf5249]

good presenter. knows his stuff

[@voiceofreason6371]

I use pocket screws in making face frames for my cabinets. I only use biscuit joinery when making table tops. That's just how I do, but everyone is different. Nice video.

[@bighands69]

You could use biscuit joints and pocket holes together. Cut the biscuit and drill the pocket hole. Glue it up with just the biscuits and then when set just screw in the pocket holes. You could leave the screws right to the end when you have several built up. You could also just biscuit joint and then put countersunk screws in. You should mess around to see what you like.

[@michaelsladek9819]

Very useful thank you. Do you have a video on routering the edges as you mentioned to get a straight cut?

[@Kiacar26]

Great video

[@erickdanielsson6710]

Still very useful information, even 9 yrs since publishing. Thanks.

[@ginoasci2876]

FINALLY. Someone with a brain. Finally someone used biscuits to attach a face frame to a cabinet carcass, instead of going nasty pocket holes without glue. My hero. LOL

[@brianfield792]

What a great video, what a pleasant guy,

[@telosfd]

Fine job. Thanks.

[@michaelmiller9578]

very good. thanks.

[@toneroable]

A great biscuit joinery lesson......... Its nothing I can do.......I have to get that little machine....................Thnks so much

[@MrTherber2]

Really nice video.

[@HondoTrailside]

Good to know someone bought Franz Klausz' biscuit joinery DVD. He doesn't put glue on the endgrain of his frame joints. Maybe because he doesn't think it will add to the strength of the piece. That is probably the case with something like a face frame on a cabinet. Basically you don't need face frames anyway. But with the frame in a frame and panel door it really will help to glue the end grain. Endgrain glues great, the problem is you don't get full strength in continuity of a board. People are used to getting full strength when edge gluing a board. With endgrain glued to edgegrain, the joint will break in the edgegrain. So it will contribute significant strength to the joint.

[@kurtisca]

Brilliant!!

[@mardakworkshop4450]

thanks man big help 😬👌👌👌❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@lass-inangeles7564]

Wonderful video! You are a good teacher. Clear audio, clear demo, and best of all, NO MUSIC IN BACKGROUND!!! 1. What is that gizmo you used to countersink the screws? I need one badly. 2. Are you using screws in place of glue clamps?

[@kusonsin]

Might be late but I think its a countersink bit with a pilot hole bit in 1 -- drill and counter sink in one go. The other type is a counter sink bit, which you drill on the pilot hole after you drill a pilot hole, but requires 2 screwdrivers or changing bits. I reckon the screws are the clamps themselves.

[@plangetee]

Thanks for the vid. I want to make a media center for our home...this might be the ticket.

[@Guruc13]

I love the style and presentation of your videos man! Biscuit joints are craaaazy dude! Seriously - who came up with this ingenius stuff!? It looks perfect and clean every time!! How!?

[@Guruc13]

Okay I am not being sarcastic this is blowing my mind right now

[@Guruc13]

Son of a bitch, you're telling me I can make and paint my own cabinets right now??? Fuck, dude I can make all that shit in like a weekend! Any size!!!

[@arunpatel9812]

I think its good idea to screw &bis you don*t have to clamp plus it strenthen the cabinet. I like this video very well presented keep showing some more.

[@ChristopherClaudioSkierka]

well then you see screw holes - fill in with a dowel if you want that look, but I thought using just glue and bis only to align the joint, then just clamp it. Glue is so strong these days.

[@aaudain1]

Awesome never thought of that

[@markharris5771]

Thank you very much for this video. I’m a KZbin taught newbie and you’ve filled a lot of gaps in my understanding, I genuinely appreciate it. I do have a question please, all I want to make are A2 photograph frames, will the biscuits be strong enough to hold my mitre joints together?

[@lebensschueler]

Yes!

[@chrishansen1126]

Thank you, this video is great. You say you are going to route the face flush, I would really like to see that. Do you, or will you have a video on this?

[@woodwrecker6221]

routing the face flush is okay until you hit the end grain. Better to make the face first and be very careful to make is square.

[@roystheboy]

Thank you for this video im thinking of doing this to make my own bee hive boxes

[@SchottenbauerVideos]

Interesting!

[@scotmk]

Good video. When making a corner connection, what ensures that they line up flush? If 16mm then is it the same for the opposite angle?

[@jafarkhosroshahi8562]

very good perfect

[@hawkeye10100]

I like your videos and have watched several. I am hard of hearing and it would be nice if you would turn the volume up a little. Thanks, Don.

[@robertasmataitis5713]

if you use the screwing what for the biscuits ?just glue it and screw it simple