Biscuit Joint

Unlike many of the other joints mentioned biscuit joints are one of the less common woodwork joints. This is mainly because there aren't many places where this type of joint is more useful than another type of joint.

As its name suggests biscuit joints are secured with pieces of timber that are in the shape of a biscuit and these pieces of timber help to prevent movement and add strength.

To construct these joints you need to use a tool called a biscuit joiner which is used to cut the biscuit shaped holes in the wood.

This joint is mainly used to join large timber boards together such as the ones you will find on table tops and it is also aesthetically pleasing if the joint is tight. As mentioned above the biscuit shaped pieces of timber help to stop the large timber boards from moving.

Step 1: First get the two pieces of timber you will be joining together and line them up accurately on a bench and then use a pencil to mark some lines on the timber where you are going to make the joints.

Step 2: After you have marked the position of the cuts secure the timber to a bench or in a vice so that it is steady when you cut into the wood. Adjust your biscuit joiner for the size of the biscuits you are using and cut into the timber where you have marked the lines.

Step 3: Check that your boards join together neatly and flush then bond them together with an adhesive and then clamp the timber up.

Tip: You may need to sand your timber if there is a slight unevenness where you have joined the timber together. The best way to do this is with a portable belt sander.

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