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Making Biscuit Joints is easy with the
OLDHAM Biscuit Joint Kit

With this kit you can cut slots for #0, #10, and #20 biscuits all with one bit.

Before you start, here are a few tips:
1. Biscuits are made of compressed Beech wood, they are designed to absorb moisture and to swell up when used. So, keep your biscuits dry and compressed by storing them in air tight containers such as heavy duty zip-lock bags, cans with snap-on plastic lids, etc.
2. Use a water based glue to allow the dry compressed biscuits to swell.
3. When marking for biscuit position, lay the boards to be joined good side up and side-by-side, indicating both the biscuit position and the direction for slotting cut on both pieces as shown on "A" and "B" in Detail (1) below.
4. You can cut biscuit slots for 0#, #10, and #20 biscuits all with one bit by simply changing bearings as shown in Detail (2) below.
5. Always use clamps on workpiece when working with a free-hand router.
6. Use caution and slow RPMs when cutting on a router table.
7. When using a router table, setting stop blocks can be a big help.
8. You can slot with this bit also. 5/32" wide by 5/8", 7/16", or 1/2" simply by changing bearings.

Detail (2) Choosing the correct biscuit depth bearing and required horizontal movement.

Use the 7/8" bearing to cut slots for#0 biscuits, simply plunge into the wood and move the bit 1/2" horizontally.
Use the 3/4" bearing to cut slots for #10 biscuits, simply plunge into the wood and move the bit 3/4" horizontally.
Use the 5/8" bearing to cut slots for #20 biscuits, simply plunge into the wood and move the bit 1" horizontally.
Routing the Biscuit Slot 1. On the mark, plunge cut into the wood until bottoming on bearing. 2. Next, move bit horizontally from your mark as required to form full width recess.

1. When using this cutter on a table mounted router, make marks on the fence to show both the leading and the ending cut areas. This allows more control of the cut length, eliminating longer than necessary cuts.
2. When cutting biscuit joints freehand, set up temporary stop blocks to limit cut length.