Biscuts Anyone?

[JustPlay]

OK, so you were thinking this, right:



Actually, I'm referring to something more like this:



When you folks glue up a body made of several pieces of wood, do you use a biscuit joiner? Feel free to tell me that I'm "way over-thinking" this whole thing... Hey now, it wouldn't be the first time I've heard that!

And for glue - Tightbond? Tightbond III? What do you folks like to use?

Once again - thanks!
Will ~

[glen smith]

I feel the biscuits are useless because there is a lot of slop in a biscuited joint so the biscuits don't assure a good alignment.
Just my opinion.

[jpbturbo]

I prefer pancakes.



Biscuits aren't needed with a proper glue joint.
If the wood to be joined is flat and smooth and you clamp it well then you should have no problems.

Titebond original with the red label is the normally recommended wood glue.

[Rich Rice]

Nope, I don't use 'em- no need. Titebond Original for me.

[JustPlay]

OK then - once again, good "straight-up" advice -- much appreciated!

[R. Stratenstein]

Biscuits--the second type--not necessary. Joints are not really stressed very much, there's a large glue surface ratio to joined pieces, and alignment is easy.

Most around here use Titebond I. Seems the later, more waterproof versions of Titebond (II and III) are more plastic when dry, MAY creep, characteristics which TBI has less of. Luthiers' Mercantile International (LMI) has a PVA luthier's glue made for the purpose--don't know how it works, but I've got a bottle in my fridge waiting for my next build.

The "right" adhesive for musical instruments is hot hide glue--it hardens quite hard, does not creep, and because of its hardness, inhibits vibration less between the pieces than a more plastic adhesive. It's a PITA requiring a heating device that keeps it at a constant temperature, goes bad and smells terrible, and does not smell all that great when it's not bad.

Long way around to say Titebond I, widely available, and reasonably priced--will work just fine. And if using biscuits would make you feel more confident in your glue up--go for it.

[kwerk]

Biscuits:





Scones:




BTW what is that white stuff in the earlier pic? Please don't tell me that's "gravy".

As far as biscuits for guitar building? My first instinct would be to shy away from chocolate ones, they may ruin your prospects of a good finish.

My second instinct would be to say they simply aren't necessary for guitar building. A good smooth glue joint is all you need. There is not sufficient pressure, shear, weight, distance or any of the other reasons why use of a biscuit might be necessary.

[Davecam48]

I have done spline joins on a three piece body I did long time ago, but I think it was overkill, but easy enough with a router table. Titebond original and a good clamping and you'll be ok.

[guitarbuilder]

I think the only place where a biscuit could be useful would be in a neck through glue up where the wings are cut and thicknessed before gluing to the neck through section which is also cut and shaped. I've made guitars like that a few times and regular clamps have managed to hold the pieces while gluing it up. I thought I needed a biscuit joiner when they first came out years ago and I can't say I ever used it on anything.

[Bronkowitz]

If it were end grain you were gluing, a biscuit would help quite a bit. But since the body is a butt joint between pieces of face grain – and because there will be almost no torque, torsion, or shear forces applied to the joint – the glued joint will be much stronger than the wood itself.

[mngsp]

BTW what is that white stuff in the earlier pic? Please don't tell me that's "gravy".

Yes, that would be a sausage gravy. Yummy

[RogerC]

Originally Posted by kwerk

BTW what is that white stuff in the earlier pic? Please don't tell me that's "gravy".

Is there any other way to have them?

[JustPlay]

Thanks folks - It's "official" - I'm going to "pass" on the biscuits!

[OpenG Capo4]

@ Roger- with jelly/jam/preserves or apple butter

Titebond I, good straight sides, and a glue up with pipe clamps have been working fine for me. The stress on a solid guitar body is parallel to the grain. I guess some people like biscuits for alignment, but the sides of a body blank are so short (20 or 21" at the most, unless you're doing an Explorer or something), that you can align them easily without biscuits. I suppose if you were doing an 8ft table from 8/4 lumber by yourself or something they might help you line it up in lieu of an extra pair of hands.

I helped my neighbor build a ping-pong table last week. You can only get MDF in a 4x8' sheet, and a regulation ping-pong table is 5x9'. So we had to some creative joinery with large pieces. Of course, that was only 3/4" MDF, but we still had a time lining it up and clamping it without long clamps. I made a jig similar to a Kreg jig and we pegged and doweled it. The pieces were still like 1/32" out of alignment over the 5' of length, but a couple passes with an orbital sander got it good enough for gov't work.

[motor_city_tele]

No biscuits - seems like a waste plus 3 more steps where something could go pear-shaped. I've never had a joint fail using titebond and clamps. I use the stuff in the red bottle.

[dsutton24]

I use 'em. I know they aren't 'necessary', but if you've read here for long you've seen threads where blanks have had to be ripped, jointed and reglued because something slipped. I've never had that problem.

It's worth mentioning, though, that if you're going to use a plate joiner, get a good one. The cheapies are miserable things, and probably responsible for a lot of botched projects.

[Brian blaut]

you sold me. I'm making biscuits tonight when I get home! I don't have any sausage in the house, so I might have to make gravy out of bacon grease.

[Guitarz]

If you own one nobody would ever know it was used. If you don't own one you wouldn't miss it.

Now, I'm going to Cracker Barrel for breakfast...

[R. Stratenstein]

Originally Posted by kwerk

Biscuits:





Scones:




BTW what is that white stuff in the earlier pic? Please don't tell me that's "gravy".

As far as biscuits for guitar building? My first instinct would be to shy away from chocolate ones, they may ruin your prospects of a good finish.

My second instinct would be to say they simply aren't necessary for guitar building. A good smooth glue joint is all you need. There is not sufficient pressure, shear, weight, distance or any of the other reasons why use of a biscuit might be necessary.

So Phil, since you call what we call cookies, biscuits, and what we call biscuits, scones, is there an edible thing in the old Britannic Empire named cookies, or is that word reserved for things that websites lodge in your computer, for better or worse?

I've always wanted to visit a country and have afternoon tea and strumpets!

[Peltogyne]

Never used the biscuits but I used a lot of dowels for alignment purposes. Short pieces and a "dowel center" for gluing body halves together and longer pieces to help align multi piece necks with veneers and lots of layers so they can be glued in one shot. I'd place them in areas that wouldn't be in the final guitar.