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I can cut the slot for the biscuit free hand (most of the time), but the set up for consistant cuts is kicking my butt. What am I missing?

dennisg12 wrote:I can cut the slot for the biscuit free hand (most of the time), but the set up for consistant cuts is kicking my butt. What am I missing?

I suspect you would need a slanted carrier. If using a common 45º bevel, you would need to build a jig at 45º that would slide along the flat table into the cutter. For true consistency you would need a ledge at the bottom to keep the workpiece from slipping down the table like a manila folder in a loose drawer. Or you could clamp it to the jig. The jig would need to be wide enough to support the workpiece from tilting when working near the ends, but not necessarily as wide as the workpiece is long.

Without actually setting this up, I think the following will work...

Keep your Mark V in the horizontal position and set the table to a 45 degree left tilt (or whatever angle your bevel is). Set the table height so that the edge of the table is flush to the biscuit jointer plate. Make sure you've set the depth of cut on your biscuit joiner to a size 0 biscuit. Mark your biscuit locations on the face of both of your pieces of stock. Place the stock on the table, line up your marks with the engraved centerline on plate. Clamp the stock to the table, with face of bevel against plate, and lower the table until the set depth of cut is reached.

Like I said, I haven't actually set this up, but have imagined the best method with a mind towards accuracy and safety. I may be overlooking something. Let us know how you end up tackling this! Alec