Shit tools are shit.

[chris-red]

Normal I try to buy relatively decent tools. I like upper mid range brands, as I feel you get 90% of the quality for 60% of the price of the top gear. E.g. Teng Sockets, Estwing Hammers, CK pliers, Dewalt/Bosch power tools etc.

The only time I scrimp is if I can't afford the decent version or I won't be using it often at all.

With that in mind I needed a biscuit cutter, I'm building fitted storage for my bike gear and to cover my fuse board.

I had a look and was surprised how expensive they are. It's an angle grinder with a guide set up. Bearing in mind you can get an angle grinder for £20 new I expected to be able to get a cheap one for ~£30 a reasonable one for £50.

The cheapest I could find was a Silverline one for £52 so I bought it. I'm rarely likely to use it so no point buying a £200 Dewalt. It's totally not fit for purpose out of the box the guide is loose meaning you can't set the angle of the fence solidly I fixed this with a couple of washers. I start making some test joins and notice a slight issue.


https://i.imgur.com/q2OLf8d_d.jpg?maxwidth=640&shape=thumb&fidelity=medium

That was the best I could do, the fence and the cutting blade are not parallel I had the whole thing apart there is no adjustment nothing that can be done to alter it enough to get it remotely parallel. The cut on the right was as close as I could come. (Pretty solid housing joint next to them though)😎 .

I always thought Silverline were 'OK' cheap and not great quality but at least able to do the job!

I'm going for an Erbauer one from Screwfix tomorrow hopefully it will be semi decent!

TL:DR, Silverline Biscuit Jointer is totally shit.
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Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.

[Shaft]

At least it's consistent, so spin your mirror image piece upside down before you cut it - right side up, the slots will match.
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20 RE Interceptor, 83 Z1100A3, 83 GS650 Katana
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[Polarbear]

I bought a silverline impact driver as I couldn't find mine, needed one in a hurry and that was the only one available. It lasted 3 hits. Utter shite.

Then again, I bought a silverline pack of 3 tungsten tipped circular saw blades that were cheap as chips and are still going strong.

Pot luck for quality it seems.
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[chris-red]

[chris-red]

[grr666]

Hire one.
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Currently enjoying products from Ford, Mazda and Yamaha
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[CaNsA]

[chris-red]

[chris-red]

[BTTD]

I have no idea what your design is like so I don't know if it's a valid suggestion, but would pocket hole screws work instead of biscuit joints?
I have a kregg jig (do not bother with the silverline one) and kregg clamp and it is very easy to use. You also won't need large clamps to hold it all together while the glue goes off.

I was going to suggest a lamello biscuit jointer (I have an old one that was my dad's) but then I googled the current prices .

[andyscooter]

[ScaredyCat]

Biscuit joints have no real strength. They're useful for aligning boards for glue up, that's about it. You could use dowels for that and you only need a drill and some dowel pins to get consistent results - or you could splash out on a dowelmax if you were doing more of this.

Alternatively, if you build it properly, you could use pocket holes. Just bear in mind they have no shear strength and build accordingly. I'd build the frame then attach the board to that. If you want to get a bit fancy, route out a rabbet on the styles and rails so that your board is flush with those styles and rails. Then your exposed board edges will be hidden and protected from damage.
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[Matt B]

[pdg]

A few points...

Silverline tools are generally epic shite. Anything with a plug is a liability, anything without a plug is best thought of as an unfinished kit of parts that you might be able to rebuild.

Biscuit joints... Strength is entirely dependent on grain direction. If the biscuit grain is aligned with the joint line then it's only any good for alignment while the glue goes off, then it's the glue that provides the strength - biscuits themselves are generally very weak. If the grain is perpendicular to the joint line then it's effectively the same as a dowel (material native strength notwithstanding). Even a dowel is just a slightly stronger alignment system though, it's the glue (or screw fixings) that does the work. Surface area inside the rebate makes 2 parts of piss all difference if it'll split next to that with fingernail pressure.

Pocket holes... I'd rather have an iPhone than use pocket holes. Nothing screams "I'M A SPASTIC BODGER"!!1!" more than using pocket holes in a structural application.


I use a biscuit blade on my router for slotting - it takes longer than dedicated biscuit jointer, but for the amount I do I'm probably 'wasting' about 17 minutes over my lifetime.
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Any and all advice given should not be followed - if you have to ask it means you don't know so get a man in to do it for you.

[ScaredyCat]

[chris-red]

Biscuit joints hold the frame and treads of my 'Stookcase' together.

https://i.imgur.com/pVSjL7w_d.jpg?maxwidth=640&shape=thumb&fidelity=medium

I'm fairly sure they are strong enough for this unit which will be holding a lot less.

The unit is fitted into a niche so screws are out. I have found Biscuits stronger and more accurate than dowels.

I have the Erbauer unit and it seems far better quality than the silverline. It doesn't feel cheap at all.
____________________
Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.

[merquis00]

Silverline (as said) are hit-and-miss.

I have a silverline bench grinder, heat gun and small bandsaw that never miss a beat..

...but iv also had silverline spanner's that have snapped just looking at a nut, a soldiering iron that exploded and a belt sander that somehow made pallet wood rougher.
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Previous: X9-500, XT125, DNA125, CBF125, YZF-R125, '98 K1200RS, '99 St1100, fantic245

[fatjames]

Can you make a second fence for the cutter? You could shim it with paper / plastic until it's level or make it slightly tapered to counter the misallignment?
Or even just shim the existing fence with a couple of layers of selotape on one side?

[pdg]

[pdg]

[thx1138]

Only Silverline kit I have is a battery tester, seems okay.

[ScaredyCat]

[pdg]

[sickpup]

[BanditsHigh]

Got myself an Erbauer for building my kitchen cabinets ... 12 cabinets for £84

Lower joints done by cutting a slot into sides and fitting lower horizontal piece into that with glue (Titebond III) ... top surface done with biscuits and glue ... perfect

All the best ... Barry