Biscuit jointing

[zippyelise]

Hi,

new user here, been browsing for a while and now I have questions!

I'm going to build some cabinetry for the kitchen and I like the sound of biscuit joints: strong, accurate (with a decent jointer), quick and neat.

I know they will be fine for carcasses etc but what about framework? Not the doors and shelves but the heavier framework of, say, a kitchen island. Or would I need mortise and tenons to get adequate strength? Would they be OK if used them alongside a decent glue?

I was just wondering what the drawbacks might be and when not to use biscuits.

And as an aside, could anyone recommend a decent cheap table saw for a home workshop? £200-300

Thanks in advance

PS I should add that the heavier frames and face frames will likely be made from hardwood and the carcasses from MFC

 

[wingcoax]

Biscuits great for edge joining planks to make boards but i would reccommend mortice and tenon for frames with a good glue.

 

[big-all]

if you are seriouse about building cabinets you will need a 1/2" router and table plus a chop saw table saw and a circular saw
i believe for your £300 budget you can get the ryobi table saw and router the saw table has a router mounting point

 

[zippyelise]

Thanks for that, very helpful.

I'm hoping to make freestanding units for the kitchen, bespoke items were coming in at huge amounts of money and I really fancy the challenge.

I've been looking for guides on building that particular style of furniture unit but with little success. I have got a few general books though and I'm confident I can do a good, if slow, job.

I have a circular saw already and thanks for the Ryobi recommendation, sounds perfect. I take it the router is for rebates, digging the mortise/tenon joints etc? I was planning on getting one for making framed shaker style doors and so on as well as a decent biscuit jointer. I'm after quite a simple finish such is the shaker style.

 

[wingcoax]

If you have a bench drill you should consider getting a mortice drill, they make life a lot easier.

 

[Symptoms]

zippy - most of what you are proposing can be done using dowel joints - all accurately produced with a dowelling jig; or pocket screws, again using a pocket hole jig - (www.axminster.co.uk).

 

[big-all]

Thanks for that, very helpful.

I'm hoping to make freestanding units for the kitchen, bespoke items were coming in at huge amounts of money and I really fancy the challenge.

I've been looking for guides on building that particular style of furniture unit but with little success. I have got a few general books though and I'm confident I can do a good, if slow, job.

I have a circular saw already and thanks for the Ryobi recommendation, sounds perfect. I take it the router is for rebates, digging the mortise/tenon joints etc? I was planning on getting one for making framed shaker style doors and so on as well as a decent biscuit jointer. I'm after quite a simple finish such is the shaker style.

yes shaker style very square so you can do without a router
but you will so so loose out on other projects that you can do with a router

big all