Amazon.com Review

One of the first companies to design plate joiners, DeWaltmakes one powerful slot-cutting tool. Some people argue that joinersare joiners, and while it's true that a slot is a slot, how you cut itmakes a heck of a lot of difference. What impresses us about DeWalt'splate joiner is the stout, dual rack-and-pinion fence. Operating withstriking smoothness, the fence locks tightly in place and ensures thatthe joiner's blade and fence are always parallel--which means accuratejoints every time. The DeWalt is also the only plate joiner on themarket with a fully adjustable tilt fence: the face plate tilts 0 to 90degrees, so you can join work at whatever angle the job requires(22-1/2 degrees, say, if you're working in octagons). Cabinetmakerswill appreciate the convenience of being able to make flush cuts at 0degrees without having to remove the fence. The 6-1/2 amp motor spinsthe tool's carbide blade at 10,000 rpm, making remarkably quick, cleancuts. We found the gauges easy to read and easy to set, a big plus(there's nothing worse than wrestling with or squinting at a tool everytime you make adjustments). DeWalt's joiner also has preset stops forall common biscuit sizes and there's a handy vacuum adapter that allowsyou to hook up suction to keep dust in the shop to a minimum--always agood idea. --Jon Groebner ... Read more

Features

• One-year warranty through the Dewalt factory or an authorized service center
• Factory reconditioned to perform like new! Limit 1 per order.
• 6.5 amp 10000 RPM motor
• Dual rack and pinion fence for accurate joints every time
• Integral adjustable fence tilts 0-90 degrees

Reviews (7)

Good Joiner - Problems with reconditioning
This is a great tool. The fence is easy to adjust and it has the flexibility to adjust for all the kind of cuts you'd need to make with a plate joiner.

The reconditioned tool I received is clean, no scuffs or scratches and the motor works fine. Everything that would be included in a new "package" was there and it all looked new (manual, wrenches, dust bag, etc.). HOWEVER, when I went to use the joiner, I found that the lock which locked the up and down position of the fence didn't work. And with that not working, the fence would move when making a cut or if you accidentally hit the fence. This would make the tool unusable.

I would bet that this was the original reason why the product was returned the first time, and the reconditioning people didn't check and fix the problem. Rather then return the joiner (there was no guarantee I?d get a better one next time) I decided to fix the problem myself, and was able to do it.

So, given the problems I had, would I buy a reconditioned tool again? Yes, I would. The price is very good and Amazon.com has free shipping. And if you get a lemon, Amazon.com will make it good. I watched the prices of plate joiners on EBay and people pay almost Amazon.com new retail prices for used equipment and then they have to pay shipping. Even with the problem I encountered, I feel like I got a real deal.

Good Jointer - Problems with reconditioning
This is a great tool. The fence is easy to adjust and it has the flexibility to adjust for all the kind of cuts you'd need to make with a plate jointer.
The reconditioned tool I received is clean, no scuffs or scratches and the motor works fine. Everything that would be included in a new "package" was there and it all looked new (manual, wrenches, dust bag, etc.) HOWEVER..., when I went to use the jointer, I found that the lock which locked the up and down position of the fence didn't work. And with that not working, the fence would move when making a cut or if you accidentally hit the fence. This would make the tool unusable.
I would bet that this was the original reason why the product was returned the first time, and the reconditioning people didn't check and fix the problem. Rather then return the jointer (there was no guarantee I'd get a better one next time) I decided to fix the problem myself, and was able to do it.
So, given the problems I had, would I buy a reconditioned tool again? Yes, I would. The price is very good and Amazon has free shipping. And if you get a lemon, Amazon will make it good. I watched the prices of plate jointers on EBay and people pay almost Amazon new retail prices for used equipment and then they have to pay shipping. Even with the problem I encountered, I feel like I got a real deal.

The industry standard -- for a reason
I have put about 10 hours on my DW628KR bought on Amazon. Before buying, I asked myself three questions:

1. Does it really make sense to invest in a biscuit joiner? I had never used one before and wasn't sure.

2. If so, should I get a DeWalt or a Porter Cable? These appear to be the best two out there based on reviews and conversations at a local tool dealer.

3. If yes to #1 and #2, should I buy a reconditioned unit?

Questions #1 and #3 turn out to be slam-dunk easy. Unless you want to produce display quality joints on every project, you want one of these. For me, every cabinet does not demand mortise and tenon construction with dovetailed drawers. Sometimes I just want a solid butt joint or miter. With a plate (biscuit) joiner (jointer -- why can't we decide what to call these things?) this is easy, very fast, unbelievably strong, and kind of fun.

As to #3 -- if you can get the reconditioned tool, DO IT. When you open it up it looks exactly like a new one looks the first time you put it away. It is "like new" with no signs of use or wear.

Which leaves the question of a DeWalt or a PC? I tried them both in the store. Both seem like good tools with competent fences (and the fence, as in all woodcutting tools, is the critical determinant of accuracy). The PC handles a micro-biscuit more easily, but it seemed a bit heavier. On the other hand, DeWalt seems to own this market -- I hardly see any other biscuit joiner out there. The PC cost more. The price of a factory reconditioned tool decided it for me and I have no regrets.

Good Joiner - Problems with reconditioning
This is a great tool. The fence is easy to adjust and it has the flexibility to adjust for all the kind of cuts you'd need to make with a plate joiner.

The reconditioned tool I received is clean, no scuffs or scratches and the motor works fine. Everything that would be included in a new "package" was there and it all looked new (manual, wrenches, dust bag, etc.) HOWEVER?, when I went to use the joiner, I found that the lock which locked the up and down position of the fence didn't work. And with that not working, the fence would move when making a cut or if you accidentally hit the fence. This would make the tool unusable.

I would bet that this was the original reason why the product was returned the first time, and the reconditioning people didn't check and fix the problem. Rather then return the joiner (there was no guarantee I?d get a better one next time) I decided to fix the problem myself, and was able to do it.

So, given the problems I had, would I buy a reconditioned tool again? Yes, I would. The price is very good...and if you get a lemon, Amazon will make it good....Even with the problem I encountered, I feel like I got a real deal.

Price?
I have used this tool before, but don't own one. The Amazon[.com] price for reconditioned is about [$] and they can be purchased new for [$]. What would you readers ( and fellow wood workers) recommend? ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

Purist furniture makers frown on the plate joiner, or biscuit joiner, as it's often called, but this model might change a few minds. The ease of joinery is unparalleled with this method, and Makita really knows its business. This model offers a 10,000 rpm, 5.6 amp motor; six cutting depths for different biscuit sizes; and a precision fence that angles with positive stops at 0, 45, and 90 degrees. Changing biscuit sizes is as quick and easy as turning the adjustment dial. The rack-and-pinion fence's action is as smooth as any on the market at this level, and our test cuts were clean and dead-on accurate. Sure, you can keep on cutting mortise and tenon joints if you want to, but the smart woodworker is taking one of these home. For us, it falls squarely in the gotta-get-one category. --Kris Jensen-Van Heste ... Read more

Features

• One-year warranty
• Powerful 5.6 amp motor provides 10,000 rpm
• Six depth settings for no. 0, no. 10, and no. 20 biscuits
• Precise rack-and-pinion vertical fence adjustment
• Large top-grip handle for comfort and control

Amazon.com Review

This review refers to the new model of this tool. This is a reconditioned powertool. Reconditioned generally means that the tool has been returned to the manufacturer,who brings the tool back to like-new condition. Some tools may contain cosmeticblemishes. Reconditioned tools come with the same warranty as their newcounterparts.

Though this Porter-Cable tool is priced higher than comparable DeWalt and Makitamodels, the 557 is Amazon.com's top-selling plate joiner. Its success is perhaps due to itsvery powerful 7-1/2 amp motor--the largest in the industry--which turns the blade at10,000 rpm and does an excellent job of making clean cuts in any kind of wood. As wellas cutting slots for the standard no. 0, 10, and 20 biscuits, Porter-Cable's joiner featuresan exclusive, full-thickness, FF biscuit developed especially for cabinet face frames.Another unique feature of the Porter-Cable joiner is the 2-inch blade (included), which issmall enough to make cuts in stock as narrow as 1-1/2 inches. We found the microheightadjustment works well, allowing for precise biscuit placement. The tool is well balancedand comfortable to use. ... Read more

Features

• Includes 2 inch and 4 inch diameter blades for standard and face frame biscuits
• Most powerful motor in its class
• Tilting fence and precise micro-height adjustment
• Includes both 2- and 4-inch blades
• One year warranty/30 day performance certification

Reviews (1)

A great Plate Joiner
A great tool. I have made table tops, cabinets, and frames using the PC Plate joiner. I believe the fence is the best on the market. The fence angles both directions so you can cut slots dead center in frames and box corners. The fence adjustments are easy and accurate because of the screw adjustment. I comes with 2 cutter heads, one for #0-#20 and one for FF (face frame). The small one is very useful for joining the rails and stiles on face frame cabinets. It may cost a little more, but well worth the price difference. You can't go wrong with this one. ... Read more