PC Plate Joiner Setting Cut Depth
robertmc
| Posted in Power Tools and Machinery on
Just bot a Porter Cable plate joiner. In testing the cuts it seems as if the preset cutting depths are off. For a #10 biscuit, cutting at the #0 setting produces a decent fit. I know I can adjust the depth with the manual depth but how tight should the biscuits be in the slots? In other words, how much tolerance should there be in the slot for the biscuit? Manual not a lot of help.
Replies
I'm not sure I fully understand the question. The depth of the slot should be a little over half the width of the biscuit. If you could get inside the joint once it's assembled, the biscuit would be able to slide perpendicular to the joint maybe 2-3 mm total. It will be able to slide lengthwise (along the joint) quite a bit more.
-Steve
Thanks for the explanation. Based upon what you are saying, it appears the tool is aligned correctly as there is approximately that level of play within the slot. It just seemed like a lot of play given that I could fit a #10 biscuit into a #0 slot and have both pieces aligned without any extra play.
That's really the beauty of biscuits, that there is a bunch of side play. It allows you to be less precise when cutting. It also allows you to adjust the joint while in the clamps. You get a lot more room for error than, say, dowels.David B
As the previous poster said, a little deeper than the width of half the biscuit.
The edge contact does not contribute anything significant to the joint strength. You need a little depth to make space for excess glue. You need the sideways slack so that you can align the pieces during glue-up.
At the same time you want equal areas of biscuit on either side of the joint.
Like a lot in life, you need to find the best compromise.
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