Written by Jacob
The Woodstarter 8.5 Amp Biscuit Joiner claims to deliver clean, accurate cuts, and I wanted to see if it actually lives up to that. I’ve been using it on a few small projects around my shop, and here’s my take on setup, performance, accuracy, dust collection, and who this jointer is really for.
You can also watch the full review on YouTube:
First Impressions and Setup
Out of the box, the jointer is straightforward. You attach the dust bag, set your biscuit size using the adjustment knob, and make sure the fence is square. Mine was already aligned pretty well, but I double-checked with a small machinist’s square just to be safe. Setup only takes a few minutes, which is great if you want to jump right into your project.
One thing I noticed while getting started was the small safety trigger on the front of the handle. At first, it felt a bit cumbersome, but after a few tries, I realized you can just push it slightly and then pull the main trigger. Once you get the hang of it, it actually gives pretty good control.
Testing Performance
Softwood - Pine
I started with a 1x6 piece of soft pine. The biscuit joiner cut smoothly and quickly. The motor never bogged down, and the biscuit slots came out clean with very minimal tear-out. It felt solid for such an affordable tool, and I was impressed with how effortless the cuts were.
Plywood
Next, I tested it on 3/4 inch plywood. There was a little more resistance, but the motor had more than enough power to handle it. The slots were clean, and the boards fit together flush without sanding or planing. For example, I used two 1x6 pieces to make a wider shelf, and the jointer made it simple to get everything lined up perfectly.
Accuracy and Fit
Accuracy was one of the first things I checked, and I was pleasantly surprised. Slots were centered, and the boards came together flush every time. For hobby projects, this makes assembling panels or tabletops much easier because you don’t have to fuss with extra sanding to get a perfect fit.
Dust Collection and Ergonomics
The dust bag captured about 70 to 80 percent of debris, which is fine for small jobs. If you’re running a lot of biscuits in a row, you’ll need to empty it more often, but for a few cuts at a time, it’s not a big deal.
The handle feels comfortable, and vibration is minimal. Once I got used to the safety trigger, it was easy to control and made cutting feel safer and more precise.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Strong 8.5 Amp motor that handles both pine and plywood easily
- Accurate fence and well-aligned out of the box
- Great value at $80
Cons:
- Dust bag is on the smaller side
- Fence lock could feel tighter at steep angles
- Height adjustment on the fence isn’t very intuitive
Who This Joiner is For
If you’re a hobbyist or just doing small woodworking projects on the side, this biscuit joiner is a great option. It offers a good balance between price and performance.
For full-time production woodworking or a professional cabinet shop, you might want a heavier-duty jointer. But for casual use, DIY projects, or small shop setups, this one exceeded my expectations.
Where to Buy
- Woodstarter Product Page
- Sign up for Woodstarter rewards with my referral link (supports the channel)
- Amazon Link (I earn a small commission if you use this link)
Final Thoughts
For $80, the Woodstarter Biscuit Joiner does exactly what you need for small woodworking projects. Clean cuts, solid performance, and comfortable handling make it an excellent addition to a hobbyist’s workshop.
Personally, using it to join a couple of 1x6 boards into a wider shelf made me appreciate how easy it is to get everything lined up without extra sanding. If you want to see it in action and catch some of the tips I shared while testing, check out the full video review above!
