Editorial Review

Freud's biscuit joiner is a solid tool that costs remarkably less than its competitors' models. The all-metal construction of this compact joiner gives it a high-quality, very balanced feel. The carbide-tipped blade cuts the three standard 0, 10, and 20 biscuit sizes--plus A, B, and max. You can switch easily between the six settings with a convenient thumb wheel. The joiner also gives you the choice of using a dust bag or hooking it up to a vacuum for even simpler cleanup. The joiner features a new variable-angle fence system for adjustments from 0 to 90 degrees. Making fence adjustments, admittedly, isn't as easy as it is on DeWalt's or Porter-Cable's more expensive models--but this was the only notable difference we could find with Freud's joiner. (It's also not much of a concern for the casual woodworker or for anyone who uses a biscuit cutter primarily to make repetitive cuts.) All in all, this is a quality tool at a really attractive price. --Jon Groebner ... Read more

Features

• One-year warranty
• 5 amps; 10,000 rpm
• Adjustable fence system
• Six cutting depths
• Antislip rubber pins

Reviews (11)

Awesome Value!!
I must have a different machine from the other reviewers or maybe I need less hand holding. The one I have is easy to set and accurate. In fact, it seem to be identical to the Lamello in design. The fence can be set crooked if you try but turning the handle to lock it pulls it in to parallel. For dust collection a shop vac is best but the bag does a fair job. I highly recommend this tool for those that want a machine like Lamello's without spending $400.

Freud Lays an Egg
The fence on this joiner is flimsy and allows for inaccurate slots. Should only be use for the very roughest work. Try another brand, very disappointing after the fine 15 amp router I bought from Freud worked out so well. They do make great blades and bits however.

Unbelievably poor design
I bought the Freud JS102 because I thought it was one of the better brands out but, not any more.The other reviews you read here are accurate.
First, THEY DID SCREW UP THE measuring devices on the face plate that is supposed to ensure a level cut!Because of this, it is almost impossible to achieve a level cut!This seams very consistent with other reviews and I noticed the same thing.This is likely a manufaturing problem as many of the joiners have this same problem.
Secondly, I found adjusting the depth of the biscut cut very very difficult.Freud says it "pre-sets" the biscut depth at the factory.Well, it was not and my #20 biscut cuts were too shallow.In an attempt to correct this problem, I followed Freud's directions to manually change the depth.This was almost impossible.The "little wrench" they give you to make needed adjustments is too big!!!If I had not had my own tools to fix the problem, the depth could never have been changed!
Finally, the manual is awful.The pictures are of horrible quality and many points one would think of as important are not included in the manual.
Oh, one more thing, I don't know what amp motor I have!The box and tool both say it is a 6.5 amp motor but EVERY WEB SITE and even FREUD themselves say the motor is 5 AMPS!
Needless to say, the product made its way back to the store and I spent $50 more and got the Porter Cable. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Freud    2. (Frued)    3. Plate Joiners    4. (Jointers)    5. (Biscuit Joiners)    6. (Biscut)    7. (Cutters)   

Features

• One Year Warranty
• 5 amps; 10,000 rpm motor
• Six cutting depths: 0, 10, 20, A, B, and max
• Antislip rubber pins for better operating control
• Adjustable fence flips for 45-degree setting

Reviews (10)

You do get what you pay for
Almost since the moment this thing came out of the box, I wished I had spent the extra money to get the Porter Cable 557. As other reviewers have pointed out in their colorful fashion, the 2 main failure points of this tool in my opinion are: 1. The fence very poorly designed. While trying to buscuit boards for a table top, the fence (which I thought I had tightened to the point of near over tightening) gradually slipped across 7 buiscuits, each cutting at it's own special height. Very dissapointing! So I re-aligned it and tried again on scrap. This time really reefing the fence lock down. Slipped again. Thrird time I used some channel locks for leverage to tighten the fence. Worked fine with no slippage. #2 problem: The dust port (as mentioned in other reviews also) is awful. Cutting red oak, ash, and cherry with the bag *OFF* allowing material to free flow (since it was plugging up with the bag on) the unit would only get through 1-2 cuts without jamming up. The problem was a baffle in the middle of the dust port. While it is probably there for strength, it catches the shavings and proceeds to completely block the chute every time! I solved this one with a rotary tool and cut the baffle out and it works fine now.The other more minor complaints like the noise and ergonomics are minor compared to these major problems. There is no easy solution I can see for the fence problem. Save your coins a little longer and buy the Porter Cable. Just don't buy the PC biscuits for either machine as they have over a 40% failure in the batch of 1000 I just bought!!

Good Basic Jointer
I purchased this as a first plate jointer to get some experience with how they can be used in my projects.I haven't experienced the issues with noise that several reviewers have noticed.Considering many of these jointers can go for double the money, and that my projects are relatively basic, this seemed to be a good match.I think this is a great unit for beginners or as a backup unit.

It's ok for the money
The noise is aweful. There's something to be said by doing things silently with fine handtools. Then there's doing things with good power tools and smooth running motors. Then there's my sons push mower that ejects plastic balls within plastic that clicks and clatters. This motor is maybe more annoying than a plastic mower.
It does the basic job, it's cheap. If you're not doing many joints or are sticking to the basics it's fine maybe give it another star for limited use. Or get a 557 for twice as much, do more, and not be annoyed by that aweful motor. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Freud    2. (Frued)    3. Plate Joiners    4. (Jointers)    5. (Biscuit Joiners)    6. (Biscut)    7. (Cutters)