Unlike many of the other joints mentioned biscuit joints are one of the less common woodwork joints. This is mainly because there aren't many places where this type of joint is more useful than another type of joint.
As its name suggests biscuit joints are secured with pieces of timber that are in the shape of a biscuit and these pieces of timber help to prevent movement and add strength.
To construct these joints you need to use a tool called a biscuit joiner which is used to cut the biscuit shaped holes in the wood.
This joint is mainly used to join large timber boards together such as the ones you will find on table tops and it is also aesthetically pleasing if the joint is tight. As mentioned above the biscuit shaped pieces of timber help to stop the large timber boards from moving.
Step 1: First get the two pieces of wood you will be joining together and line them up accurately on a bench and then use a pencil to mark some lines on the timber where you are going to make the joints.
Step 2: After you have marked the position of the cuts secure the wood to a bench or in a vise so that it is steady when you cut into the wood. Adjust your biscuit jointer for the size of the biscuits you are using and cut into the wood where you have marked the lines.
Step 3: Check that your boards align neatly and flush then insert the biscuits and glue the boards together while clamping the boards. Biscuits for the joint can be purchased from a hardware store or made on the laser in the shop.
Tip: You may need to sand your wood if there is a slight unevenness where you have jointed the timber together. The best way to do this is with a portable belt sander.