Customer Reviews

Freud JS104K 6.5 amp Biscuit Joiner with Case

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The only reason this didn't get 5 stars is because of the way it adjusts and the fact that the blade isn't quite centered from top to bottom. Use scrap, test out what you're joing, and then there's no problem. The knob for the height adjustment is a rack and pinion system and it hasn't gotten clogged with dust or anything yet. The adjustment could be a more micro adjustment for finer work. I've used it for 3/4" cabinet grade plywood, making T joints, 90 degree joints, and attaching mitered corners together. It's a great basic plate joiner for the price. When I have a need in the future I may spend more money on a more advanced tool but this one is great for now.

The biscuit joiner is a good value when you compare it to models from the other manufacturers. If you are looking for a well made tool with attention to detail then this unit is not for you. The castings for the face plate are rough and unfinished with the fit and finish leaving a lot to be desired. I was able to diassemble my fence and file off some of the rough edges so that it would be more pleasant to use. There are no useable issues with the joiner and it does what you want it to do; but pretty it ain't.

I like the carrying case and the supplies that come with it (biscuits etc.) but I was expecting a little better on the finishing side. The alignment marks on the fence are nice although should be longer. The measuring gauge down the side of the fence is not exact (doesn't line up properly) but the hope is that if you don't touch it between uses for the same cut then the should align regardless.

A good, functional tool for the price.

I was undecided on what brand to purchase. I bought this one based on reviews and price. I'm very pleased with it and it is of much better quality than I expected. It is very easy to set the depth and height of the biscuit cut. I had to adjust the depth of the cut since mine was off by 1 mm or so. Once I made the adjustment, the cuts were perfect. My sole complaint is that the wrench provided to adjust the depth is useless and you can throw it into your odd and useless tool drawer. The head of the wrench is just too large and doesn't allow the nut to be turned once you slip it onto the nut. I used a Craftsman combination ignition wrench to adjust the nut and there was no problem. If you don't have ignition wrenches, I suppose you would be forced to use a pair of pliers to loosen and retighten the nut.

I am very satisfied with this jointer. The Fence is very well designed and accurate. I know the fence looks like the ones on cheaper models (Ryobi, Skill, Harbor Freight) but it is milled with a textured face to help resist sliding off mark. Very smooth Jointer that will last for a long time and produce accurate cuts even on strange angles...

The first one I had to send back as the Angle Plate was crooked and no way to adjust it straight, and the cut was not centered on a 3/4" piece of wood. Amazon immediately shipped out another and gave me a prepaid UPS label to return the defective one. The new one had no defects and worked as it should. I only gave it 4 stars because the whole unit is not "polished" in its construction. Its ever so slightly on the "crude" side. Crude may be slightly harsh, but I cant think of another word for it. If it didnt work as it should, I would have returned it for a refund. Oh !!, one other thing is the dust bag works perfectly. Dust bags are usually useless. Not this one. Catches every bit of dust and shavings.

once again the stupid plastic box makers ruin a tool, the tool can not go into its box without pushing the fence out of true. In the picture of the item the main height adjustment lever appears to be metal but in real life it is plastic, and mine arrived extreeemley bent, i am a little pissed about that as it is the only thing that i really need to work on the tool. Im sure I will complain or fabricate my own new lever. otherwise it is a very well designed tool - fence mounted handle, real rack and pinion adjustment (vs makitas one sided fake one), and a nice blade. I hope they replace all the plastic adjusters with durable ones for the future. good luck with this one. I would have liked to love this tool.

The joiner works great. I would give it 5 stars, but the knob to raise the fence vertically is a little sticky, and I could see it possibly stripping in the future, but so far it has worked well.

I purchased the product to use in a specific case where I needed exact placement of the biscuits. The finite adjustment of the joiner was impossible to set and I ended up not using the joiner. The depth adjustment has a small wrench to loosen a jam nut. The wrench will not go on the jam nut and a pair of needle nosed pliers were required. I would NOT recommend this product to anyone.
This review is strictly on the product and not the purchasing of same on Amazon which was excellent.

Sold my old Js100a to a friend cheap! Told him about the fence that slips on the JS100A.Bought the JS104K from a big box store on clearance! Works great! Fence doesn't slip and the motor doesn't sound like a coffe can w/ nuts rattling in it like the old JS100A!