Final answer:
When making biscuit joints in woodworking, the slots should be slightly longer than the biscuits to allow for wood expansion and contraction. This ensures a strong and durable joint.
Step-by-step explanation:
When making biscuit joints in woodworking, the slots or grooves are made in the two pieces of wood to be joined together. The biscuits are then inserted into these slots, and the joints are glued and clamped.
The slots should be slightly longer than the biscuits to allow for proper expansion and contraction of the wood. Wood is a natural material that expands and contracts with changes in humidity and temperature. By making the slots slightly longer, there is room for the biscuits to move and accommodate these changes, ensuring a strong and durable joint.
For example, if you are using #20 biscuits, which are typically 5/32 inches thick, you would make slots that are around 3/16 inches longer than the biscuits.