Replies

1. 
   Phill_Giles | Feb 08, 2002 10:11am | #1

   *
   I have the PC 557, and I'm very happy with it.

1. 
   jim_"crazy_legs"_blodg | Feb 08, 2002 05:17pm | #2

   *I hardly use my biscuit joiner since I bought a Kreg pocket hole jig a few years ago. Have you considered that tool? I guess it depends on what you do, but I find it way more useful - less of an investment, too.

1. 
   chanle51 | Feb 08, 2002 05:26pm | #3

   *I too have the PC 557. Very happy with it. If tempted to go cheap, I have personally heard bad things about Ryobi (lots of slop in the cuts.) A Lamello Top 20 would be nice, but I too could not begin to justify it. I think either FH or FWW did a decent review a couple of months back on joiners.Chad

1. 
   Joe_Hennessey | Feb 08, 2002 07:26pm | #4

   *I tried the wiggle test on a few brands to see which had the most slop in the blade & bought a Dewalt. Then I bought a Kreg Jig kit. I guess what you intend to do with it is the question, but I would say that 90% of what I have used biscuits for could have been done with a router. Joe H

1. 
   RonTeti | Feb 08, 2002 11:52pm | #5

   *I got the PC 557 It does all it need it to do. I own the Kreg jig also. It changed my life BUT it has it own applications. What I used the BJ for is for glueing up panels and on occasion base molding. Basically anywhere I dont want the pocket holes to be seen. I especially like the kreg jig for paint grade doors. I'll fill the holes with bondo or spackle and commence to painting, no time lost for glue up.

2. 
   Mad_Dog | Feb 09, 2002 02:02am | #6

   *For a while, I dreamed about a biscuit jointer. I bought the dewalt. It's a great tool, but almost useless for me. I have almost never used it. Like Jim, I use the Kreg jig for most biscuit-type applications. The only time I seem to haul it out is for exposed situations where I can't hide the pocket holes, or when the pocket hole won't do what I need it to.

3. 
   ken_hill | Feb 09, 2002 02:56am | #7

   *Joe- Are you talking about using a slotting bit in the router and then using biscuits?

4. 
   Treetalk_ | Feb 09, 2002 03:39am | #8

   *I bow down to Mr. Krieg evryday in the shop. But still use biscuits for glue ups and such.Have a Frued but there wasnt much choice when I first bought it.The case lasted 2 weeks and its been alright but theres been lots of improvements.I think a router would be handier now and a whole lot easier to change blades.

5. 
   Ron_Budgell | Feb 09, 2002 03:53am | #9

   *I bought my first one last fall. I looked at Freud, DeWalt, Pc and Makita. I bought the Mak for several reasons. First, I eliminated the Freud - it just felt wrong, light and flimsy. Then, the DeWalt went, mainly because there is a boss just under the front handle that rubbed my knuckle - I would have had to grind it off to use the tool comfortably - more trouble than it's worth. Between the Mak and the PC, it's a hard choice. The PC had a lot of riveted sheet metal scales and indicators where the Mak had castings, and there were a few other little things, but no big deal. The deciding factor was that one of my partners, who is notoriously hard on tools has had a Mak for more than 8 years and it still works. (He can bust up and Estwing in 5. His tapes last him weeks where mine last years.) I think it's a fine tool.Ron

6. 
   Joe_Hennessey | Feb 09, 2002 05:05am | #10

   *Ken, I used marine ply paneling that happened to be an exact match for the slotting bit. There used to be a marine lumber yard in Long Beach that sold some beautiful ply and T&G lumber about 5/16" by 4" to 6" wide planks. They disappeared but I had plenty of scrap that worked great. I'm sure you could use biscuits, but this was pre-Pillsbury days. Joe H

7. 
   Bucksnort_Billy | Feb 11, 2002 01:33am | #11

   *I've used the Makita, and liked it a lot. I've owned a Freud, which was stolen, and didn't realize what a piece it was 'til I replaced it with a DeWalt, which is fine. I use biscuits a lot while trimming houses. Edge gluing boards, end joining stair skirts, miter joints on bright finished casings, and on and on. I've also got a Kreg Jig, the old original one, dangit. So sweet for cabinetry. The new one looks so nice and handy, and, it's only 10 bucks more than I paid for mine. Hmmmm, maybe I should put it out on the road with a TAKE ME sign, like I did with that Freud...yeah, that's the ticket...Biscuitin' Billy

8. 
   Mongo_ | Feb 11, 2002 03:15am | #12

   *I've used the PC and the Dewalt. I bought the Dewalt.Use it a lot. A whole lot. No complaints.

9. 
   Scott_Tatusko | Feb 11, 2002 06:11am | #13

   *Thanks for the Information everyone

10. 
    david_albert | Feb 16, 2002 01:43am | #14

    *a freind has a pc 557 and a pc pocket hole cutter. That is awesome. two routers and push pull operation.the router with a slot cutter is what i use on feild trim jobs...

11. 
    chris_a_johnson | Feb 17, 2002 06:36pm | #15

    *The top of the line porter cable has all the right adjustments and is an excellent operater, You'll find it for about $209.00