Biscuits & Joinery
Joinery biscuits are the fast, reliable way to align and strengthen edge joints in woodwork. Designed for use with biscuit joiners, they’re ideal for MDF, ply and hardwood furniture panels where invisible joins are key.
What Are Wood Biscuits?
Made from compressed beech or composite fibres, these oval-shaped inserts swell slightly when glued, locking your workpieces together:
- Precise Alignment – Ensures panel edges line up flush every time.
- Glue Expansion – Absorbs adhesive and expands to fill slots tightly.
- Invisible Finish – Fully concealed after sanding and finishing.
- Standardised Sizes – Works with all major biscuit joiners (No. 0, 10, 20).
Ideal For:
- Furniture and cabinet frame assembly
- Aligning shelving panels or carcasses
- Edge-joining boards to create wide surfaces
- Flat pack construction or site-based glue-ups
What Size Biscuit Should I Use?
Biscuit size depends on your material thickness and join layout. Most biscuit joiners cut 4mm slots suitable for:
No. 0 Biscuits
Best for thin trim or MDF under 10mm thick.
No. 10 Biscuits
Ideal for carcasses, medium panels and rail assemblies.
No. 20 Biscuits
Suited for wide panels, edge-joining or heavy-duty framing.
Top Biscuit Brands at ITS
Stocked for professional results, these brands offer reliability and consistency:
1. Festool
Expertly Engineered joinery biscuits in tight tolerance fibreboard.
2. DeWalt
Great for system users who want manufacturer-matched accessories.
3. Trend & Bulk Trade Packs
Good-value options for everyday site work and large-scale joinery runs.
Biscuit Joinery FAQs
Do I need glue with wood biscuits?
Yes – glue activates the biscuit’s expansion and creates the joint strength. Use wood glue suitable for your material.
Are biscuits stronger than dowels?
Biscuits are better for alignment and faster to install. Dowels may provide more holding strength but are slower and harder to align.
Can I use biscuits in MDF?
Yes – biscuits work well in MDF, ply, and hardwood. Just avoid placing them too close to edges to prevent breakout.
Do all biscuit joiners use the same biscuits?
Most do – No. 0, 10 and 20 are standard. Just check slot depth and blade compatibility if using an older model.
What glue is best for biscuit joints?
Use a PVA or aliphatic resin wood glue that remains workable long enough for biscuit expansion and clamping.
