Biscuits

[pj]

Does anyone else find it a real pain putting glue on when using biscuits, ie working it down into the slots and then dabbing each of the biscuits? I wonder if the biscuit shaped glue applicators from Axminster would help, as its always a sprint against the clock before the glue starts to grab.

Any ideas or tips?

Philip

[Dave S]

They were recomended to me when I asked about biscuiting not so long ago.

This is the thread.

I thought I'd pick one up at one of the cheap & cheerful toolstands at Alexandra Palace last week, but none of them had any.

Dave

[paulchapman]

I've used biscuits for years and never really found gluing a problem. I always use PVA adhesive (Evo Stik Resin W or Bostik) and seem to be able to judge how much to squirt into the slot (I never put it on the actual biscuit. I suppose those fancy glue applicators might be good but they've always seemed a bit expensive for something that isn't really a problem.

Are you using a fast-setting adhesive

Cheers

Paul

[dom]

Why not use a largish artists paint brush.about 10mm ?

[nickw]

I use the Lamello Minicol for biscuits and Dominos. It's dead quick to use and quite tidy once you get the knack.

[Lord Nibbo]

I use these £2.97 from Axminster


Second one from the left. Infact I'm on my second one ever the first sort of got sawn in half (no blush emoticon) ;D

[argus]

.


I can recommend the Lamello applicator, even if it's a bit expensive.

Mine is many years old (about 10, I think which is a good age for plastic) and the tip has held up well.

The only caveat in use that I have is that, as I have reverted to Evostik W recently, the consistency is a little thicker than its rivals and it tends to clog the tip if you leave it overnight inverted in its base - but a quick soak in water does the trick and cleans it out.

As an alternative, Axminster sell cheap, disposable brushes www.axminster.co.uk/product.asp?pf_id=29447&name=disposable+brushes&user_search=1&sfile=1&jump=0
that I find invaluable for applying small amount of glue strategically and quickly to the sides of the biscuit instead of anointing the slot. They wash out well and a couple of bags last me a year or more.

[jake]

What is the advantage over running a line of glue straight down the row of holes?

[argus]

jake said:

What is the advantage over running a line of glue straight down the row of holes?

I guess that it can be done but there's a problem here with getting too much glue to sit in the slot.

Overloading the slot with glue (not only wasteful on glue) prevents the biscuit being centred and bottomed out in the slot - a pocket of compressed glue can force it out.

Plus, compressed glue in a tight fitting slot can force a joint apart before it sets.

.

[jake]

I haven't experienced that problem, not that I use all that many (certainly not enough to justify buying the Lamello one). I just slide the biscuits in, and then slide the male biscuited half of the joint on to the female half, rather than plonking it straight down. It does for me.

[paulchapman]

argus said:

jake said:

What is the advantage over running a line of glue straight down the row of holes?

Overloading the slot with glue (not only wasteful on glue) prevents the biscuit being centred and bottomed out in the slot - a pocket of compressed glue can force it out.

Plus, compressed glue in a tight fitting slot can force a joint apart before it sets.

.

In practice I find that this isn't a problem. The cutters in a biscuit jointer cut a slot that is longer than the biscuit, so there is always room for excess glue to escape from the slot.

Cheers

Paul

[Dave S]

lordnibbo said:

I use these £2.97 from Axminster

That's the type I was looking for after Scrit suggested them in the thread I mentioned above. I think the Lamello ones would be a little OTT for me.

As it is I've been using a large artist's brush as Dom suggests.

Dave

[pj]

It was the Axminster ones I was thinking about, but looking at the picture posted, it looks like it just puts the glue in the bottom of the slot as apposed to the sides. Is this correct? I coat both slots and biscuits but always seem to get to much in there. I may try Evostick as it has a slightly smaller nozzle than Titebond bottles. Cannot justify the higher priced versions and was really just wondering about the Axminster cheap version. Already using the axminster disposable brushes although a fine artist's brush with stiffer hairs may also help.
Thanks for the replies

Philip

[paulchapman]

pj said:

I coat both slots and biscuits but always seem to get to much in there.

Philip, I think putting glue on the biscuits as well as in the slots might be the problem. I only ever put glue in the slots. If you put it on the biscuits as well, it will result in too much glue and also there is a danger that the biscuits will start to swell before you've finished cramping up, which could cause the joints not to go together properly.

Cheers

Paul

[nickw]

Yes, keep your biscuits dry for as long as possible.

[rich]

I keep my biscuits in a carrier bag hung up in the airing cupboard and just take out as many as I need at the time.
Rich.

[dom]

You don't need dispensers.
As Jake said, run the glue down the line, then the soft 10mm artists brush down it.
Stick the biscuits in.
Put another blob of glue on biscuits.
Run the brush along them and place other part on.
Clamp

[modernist]

I just use a 1/2" paint brush with the bristles cut down to about 20mm long for the surface and the slot. I don't glue the actual biscuit at all in case it swells.

[engineerone]

slightly off topic, but what is the preferred way of gluing up
dovetails???

and more importantly, how do you hold each joint??

i have my idea but interested to see how else to do it.

paul

[pj]

Paul, I think you could be right about the biscuits swelling with the glue before getting the joints pulled up. I will forget gluing them now and just go for the line of glue down the slots. I've had a closer look at the Axminster biscuit bottle and I don,t think it will be much better or quicker.
Dom, I find the small disposable brushes better value than artist's brushes but both are to soft to get into small slots, for which I use scrap bits of bandsawn veneer, or lolly sticks but only in the summer ;D
All this leads to one question.
Is it critical for the biscuit to get a good gluing surface along it's entire face or does it not really matter because they are really only being used as location until the glue dries on the actual joint.


Thanks for all the advice thus-far

Philip

[engineerone]

theoretically, it is the biscuit swelling which holds the joint, but it depends on how you are using them.

certainly the origial selling point was that you did not need to glue the joint all along, only the biscuits and their holes.

but since then people have had their own views.

when i first started using them i put glue everywhere, and all those pieces have stood the test of time, 10-15 years

paul

[paulchapman]

pj said:

Paul, I think you could be right about the biscuits swelling with the glue before getting the joints pulled up. I will forget gluing them now and just go for the line of glue down the slots........................ Is it critical for the biscuit to get a good gluing surface along it's entire face or does it not really matter because they are really only being used as location until the glue dries on the actual joint.

Philip, if I were gluing, say, two boards togther how I would do it is as follows.

Put glue (not too much) in the slots of one piece, then put glue on the rest of the edge and spread it out. I then put the biscuits in.

Then I take the other piece and put glue in the slots and then bring the two pieces together and cramp up.

Doing it this way, no glue comes into contact with the biscuits until they enter the slots so there is little chance of them swelling up before the joint is put together.

Also, by putting the glue in the slot rather than on the biscuit, as the biscuit is inserted any excess glue will be forced up around the biscuit, helping to ensure that it is completely covered in glue. If the glue is put on the biscuit, it will tend to be scraped off the biscuit as the biscuit is put into the slot.

Anyway, that's how I do it - I think the theory is sound and it seems to work well ;D

Cheers

Paul

[george]

I tried the Axminster applicator and it is ok. It puts the glue in the bottom of the slot, but because the applicator is in the slot the glue squeezes up the sides. With a little rocking motion the glue gets spread evenly over the sides if the slot. having said that, it is quicker and easier to squeeze a little glur into the slot and spread it with a 1/2" paintbrush. The brush doubles for spreading the glue on the edges between the slots. I also only glue the slots, not the biscuits and keep them in an airtight container (old Jacobs Cracker tub).

[frank]

did no one get the kit from aldi some time ago three lots of biscuits 0x150=10x125=20x100. a bottle of pva, and a bottle with a roller and the applicator

[dom]

Welcome to the forum George.

"Jacobs Crackers" Oh I love it. First post and raring for a scrap ;D