Biscuit Joiner, 6.5 Amp, 10,000 RPM, Retractable 45 Degree Notch, For Depth Spots (DW682K)

I replaced all our home's windows and so had to build all new window casings. My house has 13 windows, but I built casings for only 12 because we're remodeling that last room. Each window has four corners requiring 2 cuts each corner. So I made 12 times 4 times 2 cuts. That's 96 cuts not including test cuts when I set the thing up. It's made a horrible racket since the first time I pulled the trigger, but it's the first biscuit cutter I've owned so I assumed that was normal. WRONG ! But it worked great for me and I made every casing totally without incident. I was completely happy. After several other unrelated projects I dusted it off to make some decorative panels. It made the usual racket for the first 2 cuts then the blade stopped turning with the motor. The motor sounded fine and the blade spins, but not with the motor. I took it apart and found the large bevel gear was half stripped. Half stripped after less than 100 cuts. Obviously I was shipped a unit with a defective gear right up front. Thus all the noise. The gear appears to be made of less than metal although it is magnetic. I'd guess some kind of pressed metallic stuff. Apparently this is a problem because most online sources are saying the replacement part - the entire case with the gear pressed in - is "out of stock". I bet. The tool is out of warranty, but I called DeWalt anyway to see what they'll do for me. After a long wait (with highly over-amped noise some might call music), giving all my information, being placed on hold several times (oh yay - more "music") I was promised an email that I could submit a warranty claim providing a copy of my receipt. It's been over half an hour since we hung up. No email yet. They have my information. I registered the thing when I bought it. I offered him my serial# so he look it up. He didn't want it. I'll update this if/when I see what happens. UPDATE: After several hours of calls/chats I finally finished a warranty process. The person gave me an order# and confirmed to me that although the replacement part is out of stock (with an expected date of "00/00/0000") I can expect it to ship within 8 to 10 business days. We will see. Then I will update this post again. I might even give them a star. UPDATE (Part Deux): I unexpectedly received a delivery today from DeWalt. Yup. They didn't just send me a replacement part. They sent me an entire new jointer (and carrying bag) ! I guess I should have expected that since we live in a throw away economy, but I was surprised none the less. Of course the first thing I did was open the box, plug it in and give it a spin. Clearly my original unit was trash from the start. This one sounds so much better. I told my daughter about the replacement jointer and she said I could now sell the old one and let someone else figure how to get the replacement part. I told her "No way". I'm keeping this one for parts since it's exactly the same as my old one. She accused me of being a hoarder. Fair enough. But I come from a time when we t least attempted to fix things before we threw them away. Plus I have entire shop to keep it in. (The land of the misfit tools !) So I changed the title and upped the stars to 4. If I had received non-defective unit from the start I would have given them 5 stars. I really do like this tool. Now I'm gonna head out to the shop, check that it's square, set it up for the cuts I need to make in the current (interrupted) project and get back to it. I'm happy with my choice of DeWalt again. UPDATE (Part III) What a difference ! This tool is great ! It cuts clean and fast. I've only used it for a few dozen cuts, but it's way better than I expected having dealt with the first unit. I'm so happy I changed my 4 stars to 5.

So I'm just getting in to making items with wood that are actually nice to look at. I grew up watching Norm and always admired his skill and his TOOL collection! On to my review - my first project with this was a deck box to store outdoor cushions and I used an assortment of 1x6, 1x4, 1x3 to make the sides, bottom and trim, plans were developed in the head, on the fly. Initial impression was good - the device appears to be well constructed, is pretty well balanced and the adjustments appear pretty easy. First use - On some scrap wood I put a few slots in it and it took a bit to figure out how the biscuit depth/size (0,10,20) was registered on rotating adjustment, once I figured this out, it was off to start joining boards, once the locations for the joint are identified, lineing up and maintaining the joiner on the spot on the wood was very easy. There is a springloaded abrasive (I don't know the technical term for it) on the face of the tool where the blade retracts that once the device is held tightly against the work surface, it holds the joiner in place for the duration of the plunge and cut. It does generate a good bit of dust and depending on your position it can end up towards your face. Eye protection is a great idea (as well as ears) when using this or any power tool. The cuts that it made (I've used it to make about 100 slots now) have all been very clean and accurate. For someone that it just getting in to woodworking, this is great tool, and I doubt that for my use (limited weekend/evening use) I'll ever exceed it's capabilities/useful life. I've got several Dewalt power tools that are 17 years old now and still function like new and I have had good experience with with their products. I am not a "DeWalt" only tool person though, I have Red, Blue, Orange, Yellow and Grey tools in my garage. Update 4/14/2015 - I've had the biscuit joiner for about a year now, and it's still operating as as new. I'm very happy with the purchase. I've since made drawers, cabinet doors and large surfaces with several boards running lengthwise. It's functioned with ease and I'm still on the first cutter blade with no discernible degradation in cutting performance (blade or motor).

I was advised by a friend to buy this plate joiner, and I was not at all upset with my purchase. After "fiddiling around" a bit, joining pieces of plywood and two-by stock, I have to strongly disagree with those people who say that this joiner has fence calibration problems. My first few joints went together seamlessly, until I encountered a problem with the two peices of three-quarter ply I was attempting to join. At one end of the board, the joint was perfect. at the other, almost 1/16" out. I was shocked and upset, until I looked at the fence mechanisim, to discover that I had not tightened the lock nut on the rack-and-pinion adjuster tightly enough (in fact not at all), causing the fence to slip and throw the joint off. All in all, however I am extremely impressed with the quality of this tool. It has a weighty feel, because of the solid metal construction of the fence assembly, incredible precision, and a nice long cord. Having a long cord is always nice because you can maneuver the tool about easier, and walk further around without having to shlep out an extention cord. The motor's 6.5 amps are more than enough to cut through the vermont rock maple I recently used to build a cutting board. Though I haven't tried it yet, I am assuming it will handle oak, walnut, cherry and mahogany with equal precision and cutting force. And, on top of all this, it comes with a super cool-looking carrying case. An all-around excellent tool.

works very well

Why did you pick this product vs others?: Oddly enough this has become one of favorite tools to use. It thoroughly shields very potent blade from your hands and when you release the trigger you can casually set it aside while it's spinning down because the blade is fully retracted. I took the advice of other reviewers and bought a blade, intending to swap out the supplied one. That is the reason why this is 4 stars instead of 5, I have been unable to remove the blade. It is the standard lock it and unscrew it but mine is very tight and I can't lock/grip firmly enough to remove it. This is probably not a flaw but it's my review dang it!

I bought after reading the reviews about the Porter Cable joiner. Don't get me wrong, I love Porter Cable tools and own several of them, along with Dewalt. But the price difference between the PC and Dewalt made it easier to choose between the two. Pros: Great!! I was surprised how well this tool works once you read the manual and understand how to use it. I was attaching face frames in no time and with great accuracy. I'm not sure why one of reviewers was complaining about the accuracy. Once the tool is set, it stays set. Only Con: Yes, the dust port does clog up rather quickly, but then again it depends on the wood you using since it does remove a lot of wood rather quickly, and in shavings. So if you are planning on using it for production work, I recommend using a vacuum attachment instead of the bag. Overall, very solid tool and great to use, provided you read the manual.

I chose this joiner based on the favorable reviews from many sites, the price and Dewalt's reputation for fine tools. So far the joiner has performed to my expectations. The fence has been accurate and easy to adjust, the blade depth is very simple to change and the performance has been excellent. The dust collection is decent considering the amount of chips this thing produces. If I had a negative, it would be the that joiner "jumps" across the face of the work when the motor starts... you have to make a very conscious effort to hold it in place, but once you get the hang of that it's fine. Beyond that, I think you would be nitpicking to find anything truly negative to say.

Love this biscuit cutter, I use it more than I thought I would and it works as it should. I can join two peace’s of wood together and have the confidence of a perfect fit and line up