Advertisement
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR TOOL,
OPERATION & ADjUSTMENTS
GETTING TO kNOW YOUR TOOL
1. Handle
2. Lock-on button/Trigger switch
3. Dust bag attached to exhaust port
4. Height lock knob
5. Height adjustment knob
OPERATION & ADjUSTMENTS
Cutting a slot with a biscuit joiner (Fig.1).
The biscuit joiner 4" blade is plunged into the wood to the required depth, which is pre-set
depending on the biscuit to be used. Commonly available biscuits are #20 (24mm wide),
#10 (19mm wide) and #0 (15mm wide). The typical depth of cut should be #20 (12mm
wide), #10 (10mm wide) and #0 (8mm wide). Glue is applied and the biscuit inserted into
the semicircular slot left by the blade. As the glue sets, it expands the biscuit, resulting in
an extremely strong joint. The adjustable fence allows the height and angle of the blade to
be positioned to suit different joint requirements. The depth of cut can be dialed up on the
pre-set control dial, depending on the biscuit to be used. As with dowels, it is much
quicker and a more accurate operation. The biscuit joiner can also be used to create a con-
tinuous groove, the width of which can be increased simply by adjusting the fence up or
down and carrying out several passes.
Adjustable Fence
The height of the fence can be adjusted to let you make biscuit slots at different depths
down from the surface of the workpiece. The adjustable tilt feature allows a full range of
settings from 0 to 90
for cutting slots on a mitered edge. To adjust the height, first loosen
0
the height lock knob and then rotate the adjustment knob until the desired height is
reached. To adjust the angle of tilt, loosen tilt lock knob, align the desired angle of tilt with
the pointer and retighten the tilt lock knob.
6. Fence adjustment knob
7. Grippers
8. Adjustemnt screws
9. Plunge depth adjustment dial
10. Pointer and pointer screw
FIGURE 1
OPERATION & ADjUSTMENTS
Plunge depth adjustment of blade
The depth of cut can be set to match the dimensions of the particular size biscuit you
use.The numbers on the depth adjustment dial (0,10,20) coincide with the three most
common sizes of biscuits.The letter ''M" stands for maximum depth capacity of the tool
(approx.14 mm). To select a depth, align the appropriate number with the mark on the tool's
housing. Rotate the depth adjustment dial to the desired position and it ''clicks" into place.
Plunge depth
12
10
8
54
because of the manufacture of the biscuit, the width of the biscuit can change. The blade
has been made to allow fitment of the largest biscuits in the slot cut. Sometimes you may
need to sort out the correct sizes, or even moisten the biscuits slightly to achieve a tight fit
where required. Glue is applied and the biscuit inserted into the semicircular slot that is left
by the blade, and the biscuit swells taking up any looseness in the joint.
Fine depth adjustment
You can adjust the tool to leave a little looseness in the joint so that you can move it
slightly before the glue sets. To make this adjustment, first raise the adjustable fence to its
uppermost position then insert a screwdriver into the opening. Turn the depth adjustment
screw clockwise for less depth and counter-clockwise for increased depth. Each full turn
causes a change in depth of 1mm. Always check the depth adjustment by first making test
cuts in scrap wood.
To get maximum depth of cut you can set the dial to M and then adjust the same screw so
that the depth rod is completely loosened. This will give an extra depth to approximately
16mm and if joining two pieces of wood together you get a total depth of 32mm allowing
for home made biscuits or strip of wood to be used. Of course you must re-set the depth
for the biscuit sizes after you have finished using your biscuit joiner in this manner.
If the depth rod becomes loose and turns during a cutting operation. Add either a thick
grease or a screw lock to the thread and this will allow adjustment at any time but stops
loosening due to vibration.
Direction of cut
60
67
Width of cut
FIGURE 2
Advertisement
