Ok I have seen some of the merits of both technologies and it seems like they are the same strength. So I am trying to decide which one to go with. Right now my thoughts are pushing me to buy the one that is faster to set up and use to get projects knocked out. What are your thoughts and experiences with both?
bisquit joiner or pocket pole jig
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If you want speed go with the pocket hole way 
no wait time for the glue to set up and no clamps needed the norm..so to speak..
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no wait time for the glue to set up and no clamps needed the norm..so to speak..========
So what about alignment with face frames and the such where the pieces have to be in the same plane?If you want speed go with the pocket hole way
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Most kits come with a clamp just for that job..
http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&no...r-20&hvadid=3029586591&ref=pd_sl_19b1q5nvf5_e
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http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&no...r-20&hvadid=3029586591&ref=pd_sl_19b1q5nvf5_e
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3,007 Posts
Comparing biscuits to pocket holes is like comparing apples to oranges. Biscuits do not add any appreciable strength to the joint. They just make alignment easier whereas pocket holes are easy to assemble and make a very strong joint. It really boils down to what you are looking for... ease of alignment or strong joints.
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3,503 Posts
I agree George & BJ... I generally prefer pocket holes over biscuits (like you, I have both) I'd just add that pocket holes are much faster *assuming* the hole will be hidden or you don't care that it shows. If, in addition to installing the pocket hole cover plug and waiting for the glue to dry you must trim & sand the plug back to flush, it can take longer. Lots of strength though!
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1,683 Posts
It depends what you are joining. I made some units for the office in melamine faced particle board recently to match some other stuff and biscuits were a better option, as screws don't hold well in that. Biscuits are also better for side by side joints that don't suit pocket hole joinery. The Elu knocked them out very quickly.
Cheers
Peter
Cheers
Peter
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6,056 Posts
AVman..
I've used both, and come to let dust collect on a very good dewalt jointer.. The first few cabinets I made with pocket holes I was absolutely amazed. First and foremost, the strength of the joint was/is amazing. Even butt joints.. A flat surface and a clamp is all you need to align up your work.
Peter up there makes a good pint about the material your joining!!!!! I will say though i've done side by side joints with great success. They were only 18"x 10 though mind ya... using 3"w boards..
I heard the norminator comment one time about biscuits "swelling" and creating imperfections on the finish product. Never happened to me,, but something think about.. All in all,,, pocket joints get my vote..and with an ever increasing variety of accessories becoming available...its looking like a good shop investment
I've used both, and come to let dust collect on a very good dewalt jointer.. The first few cabinets I made with pocket holes I was absolutely amazed. First and foremost, the strength of the joint was/is amazing. Even butt joints.. A flat surface and a clamp is all you need to align up your work.
Peter up there makes a good pint about the material your joining!!!!! I will say though i've done side by side joints with great success. They were only 18"x 10 though mind ya... using 3"w boards..
I heard the norminator comment one time about biscuits "swelling" and creating imperfections on the finish product. Never happened to me,, but something think about.. All in all,,, pocket joints get my vote..and with an ever increasing variety of accessories becoming available...its looking like a good shop investment
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3,437 Posts
They each have their uses. I have both and use the pocket hole far more than the biscuits. Some say the PH is an ugly joint, there are ways of hiding that joint quite easy and with little effort. As mentioned, with PH, no need to wait for the glue to dry.
All,
Thanks for all of the great input. I fill mostly be joining hardwood faces and fastening them to plywood carcases. Although I am starting to see the uses in many other projects that I originally thought of as time consuming. I am currently looking at the Kreg K3 Master System. And let me get this right all the jig is doing is making the pocket hole and not pilot drilling. Is this correct. Is pilot drilling necessary? and what size screws are you using. I will mostly be joining 3/4 stock.
Thanks for all of the great input. I fill mostly be joining hardwood faces and fastening them to plywood carcases. Although I am starting to see the uses in many other projects that I originally thought of as time consuming. I am currently looking at the Kreg K3 Master System. And let me get this right all the jig is doing is making the pocket hole and not pilot drilling. Is this correct. Is pilot drilling necessary? and what size screws are you using. I will mostly be joining 3/4 stock.
Hi
"the jig is doing is making the pocket hole and not pilot drilling."
You got it the screw will do all the work...
I use the pocket hole screws and dry wall screws,the norm , 1 1/2" long the norm but I use T & G most of the the time..they slip off to one side of the joint...
Many will say the dry wall will not work well but they do..after all it's just a clamp.once the glue sets up the screw is done with it's work more or less...I will note I will pre drill some holes in thin hardwood/MDF/plywood ( 1/2" )
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"the jig is doing is making the pocket hole and not pilot drilling."
You got it
the screw will do all the work...I use the pocket hole screws and dry wall screws,the norm , 1 1/2" long the norm but I use T & G most of the the time..they slip off to one side of the joint...
Many will say the dry wall will not work well but they do..after all it's just a clamp.once the glue sets up the screw is done with it's work more or less...I will note I will pre drill some holes in thin hardwood/MDF/plywood ( 1/2" )
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367 Posts
Why is that, Bob? have you had problems with the newer one? From what I've seen it would be more versatile than the older one. One thing I'm not to keen on is the unit is made out of plastic.Any pros and cons would be helpful. I sure hope plastic nails don't catch on that would put me and some others out of a job.Hi Ron
The older model ( 2000 ) is better than the newer one
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Hi Ron
The old ones comes with many more items.see below..and a rework is easy.
http://www.routerforums.com/jigs-fixtures/5668-kreg-k2000-update.html
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The old ones comes with many more items.see below..and a rework is easy.
http://www.routerforums.com/jigs-fixtures/5668-kreg-k2000-update.html
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1,468 Posts
Like Curious George says apples to oranges when comparing the 2 units. I use both when cabinet making, however I disagree on the strengthening of the joint.
If all you do is glue the face joints of the 2 sections of a project then he's correct the biscuit basically facilitates alignment. If you spread glue into the biscuit slots as well as the face joints then you are increasing the depth/area of the glue surface.
A biscuit joint is little different than a tongue and groove joint when the slots are glued.
If all you do is glue the face joints of the 2 sections of a project then he's correct the biscuit basically facilitates alignment. If you spread glue into the biscuit slots as well as the face joints then you are increasing the depth/area of the glue surface.
A biscuit joint is little different than a tongue and groove joint when the slots are glued.
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3,007 Posts
I did not say it didn't add any strength. I said it didn't appreciably add strength. Tests have proven that the biscuit joint is probably the weakest of all except maybe the butt joint.
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