Lamello connectors in Calgary · Cabineo · Clamex P · Tenso P · Bisco P · shipped across Canada
Lamello invented the biscuit joiner in 1955 and has spent the last three decades reinventing precision furniture joinery. Their P-System connectors — Cabineo, Clamex P, Tenso P, Bisco P — are the standard for shop-built knock-down furniture, modular casework, exhibit booths, and high-end residential cabinetry. IBEX Enterprises stocks the Lamello connectors and consumables Western Canadian shops need most, and we can source other Lamello tools and connectors on request.
Not seeing the Lamello product you’re looking for? Submit an inquiry here or call 403-250-3399.
On this page
What is the Lamello P-System?
The P-System is Lamello’s family of connectors built around one groove shape. Clamex P, Tenso P, and Bisco P all fit a P-System slot cut by the Lamello Zeta P2. Cabineo is a drop-in fastener installed with its own jig or a CNC routine — it doesn’t use the Zeta P2. Each connector does a different job:
Cabineo — single-screw, drop-in cabinet connector. Replaces dowels, biscuits, and screws-and-confirmats. One Cabineo per joint, one screw, assembled in seconds. The “8” in Cabineo 8 refers to its integrated 8 mm screw.
Clamex P — re-openable knock-down joint. Two halves snap together with a flush turn-screw — rigid enough for cabinet boxes, but you can disassemble for transport or repair without damaging the panels. Sizes P-10 and P-14 fit different sheet thicknesses.
Tenso P — invisible self-clamping connector. Two halves snap into a P-slot and the integrated spring clamps the joint while glue cures — no external clamps. Used for tabletops, mitered cases, and awkward glue-ups.
Bisco P — alignment-only insert (no clamping). Sits in a P-slot to register a panel position for downstream screwing or gluing.
Why cabinet and furniture shops choose Lamello connectors
Speed on production runs. A Cabineo joint goes together in seconds — cut the recess, drop in the connector, drive the screw. For a shop building 20 cabinet boxes a week, that’s hours saved over dowel-and-glue or pocket-screw assembly, with cleaner inside corners.
Knock-down without sacrificing rigidity. Clamex P is the same panel after assembly as before — flat, square, rigid — but you can flat-pack it. For exhibit shops, modular kitchen makers, and anyone shipping furniture across the country, this is the connector that makes it possible.
One slot geometry across the P-System. Once a shop is set up for the P-System, switching between Clamex P, Tenso P, and Bisco P is a connector swap, not a tool change — and Cabineo drops into the same workflow as a fast knock-down fastener.
Premium engineering, built to last. Lamello connectors are priced to compete with the labour they save, not with $0.10 dowels. For shops that have done the math, the time saved per joint pays back the premium in the first project.
Lamello connectors and tools we stock
Cabineo connectors (drop-in cabinet fastener)
- Cabineo 8 — 500-piece box, plus the 2,000-piece dividing-panel box
- Cabineo 12 — 500-piece box and 2,000-piece box
- Cabineo 8/12 starter set — 80 connectors + bit + cover caps
- Cabineo cover caps — signal white, 100 per bag
Clamex P knock-down connectors
- Clamex P-10 (12 mm+ materials) — 80 pairs and 1,000 pairs
- Clamex P-14 (16 mm+ panels, including 3/4″ plywood) — 300 pairs and the 1,000-pair bulk carton
- Clamex P-14/10 Flexus — 80 pairs
- Clamex S-20 detachable connectors — 20 pairs with screws & jig
- P-System Connector Assortment — Professional set in a Sortainer
Tenso P self-clamping connectors
- Tenso P-10 — 80 pairs, 300-piece box, and 1,000-pack
- Tenso P-14 — 80 pairs, 300 pairs, 1,000 pairs, plus the starter set (300 pairs)
- Tenso P-14 preload clips — box of 1,000
Bisco P alignment inserts
- Bisco P-10 — 80 pieces and 300 pieces
- Bisco P-14 — 80 pieces and 300 pieces
Divario P-18 invisible connectors
Invis Mx2 magnetic connectors
- Invis Mx2 — MiniMag driver with screw bit and the starter kit (20 connectors + Rasto jig)
Biscuits & plate connectors
- No. 0 wood biscuits — box of 1,000 or 50-pack
- No. 10 wood biscuits — box of 1,000 or 50-pack
- No. 20 wood biscuits — box of 1,000 or 50-pack
- C-20 solid-surface biscuits — 250-piece box
- E20-L plastic connectors — box of 400
- E20-H plastic connectors — box of 1,200
Tools
- Zeta P2 — set with carbide cutter, set with diamond cutter, or the cordless kit with diamond cutter
- Top 21 biscuit joiner — 120V with Systainer
- Classic X biscuit joiner — 120V with Systainer
- Replacement cutter — P-System groove cutter, carbide
Accessories
- Minicol KS — glue applicator with plastic nozzle
Lamello connectors by job and panel thickness
Every Lamello connector is designed for one kind of joint. Use this table to match the connector to your material and the way the piece will be built, shipped and used. For a full comparison with inch sizes, see our Lamello connectors guide.
| Connector | What it does | Material / groove | Packs we list |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clamex P-10 | Detachable connector for mitres and angles | 12 mm+ materials, 6 mm access hole | 80 and 1,000 pairs |
| Clamex P-14 | High-strength detachable connector | 16 mm+ panels, 6 mm access hole | 300 and 1,000 pairs |
| Clamex P-14/10 Flexus | Detachable, with flexible positioning pins | P-System groove | 80 pairs |
| Tenso P-10 | Invisible self-clamping glue joint | 12 mm+ materials, preload clip | 80 pairs, 300, 1,000 |
| Tenso P-14 | Invisible self-clamping glue joint | 16 mm+ materials, preload clip | 80, 300 and 1,000 pairs |
| Bisco P-14 / Bisco P-10 | Aligning element for flush panels and glue-ups | 7 mm P-System groove | 80 and 300 pieces |
| Divario P-18 | Invisible slide-in connector for shelves and partitions | P-System groove | 80 and 300 pairs |
| Cabineo 8 | Cabinet connector with integrated 8 mm screw | Surface-machined on a CNC | 500, plus 2,000 dividing-panel |
| Cabineo 12 | Cabinet connector with nickel-plated screw | 13 mm+ panels, CNC | 500 and 2,000 |
| Clamex S-20 | Detachable, lever-operated, secured with screws | 4 mm groove | 20 pairs with jig |
| E20-L / E20-H | Self-clamping edge and surface connectors | 4 mm groove | 400 and 1,200 |
| Invis Mx2 | Invisible magnet-driven connector | Installed with the Rasto jig | Starter kit of 20 |
| Biscuits No. 0, 10, 20 | Classic beech joining plates, FSC certified | Biscuit joiner groove | 50 and 1,000 |
| C-20 | Translucent plastic biscuit for solid surface | #20 groove | 250 |
Choosing the right Lamello connectors for the job
Furniture that has to come apart. If the piece will be shipped flat, moved, or taken down later, use Clamex P. The joint is detachable, and the 6 mm access hole is the only thing you see. Clamex P-10 covers thinner stock from 12 mm, and Clamex P-14 is the high-strength choice for 16 mm and thicker panels.
Glue-ups without clamps. Tenso P pulls the joint together while the glue cures, so mitred boxes, thin panels and awkward assemblies close up without a clamp in sight. The preload clip makes assembly easier, and we stock spare Tenso P-14 preload clips in boxes of 1,000.
Alignment only. Bisco P keeps two panels flush while you glue or screw them. It is the low-cost way to register panels in the same P-System groove you already cut for Clamex and Tenso.
Shelves and partitions. Divario P-18 slides in for concealed shelf and partition joints with tool-free assembly.
CNC cabinet boxes. Cabineo is built for surface machining on a CNC. The connector drops into the machined pocket and the integrated screw pulls the panels together, with no dowels or cams. Cover caps finish the look.
Completely hidden and still removable. Invis Mx2 is turned from outside the joint by the magnetic MiniMag driver, so nothing shows on either face.
Plinths, frames and edges. The E20 plastic connectors clamp themselves in a 4 mm groove, which suits plinths, picture frames and edge joints.
Lamello tools, cutters and glue applicators
The Zeta P2 is the tool that cuts the P-System groove for Clamex P, Tenso P and Bisco P. We list three versions: the set with a carbide cutter, the set with a diamond cutter for abrasive materials, and the cordless kit with a diamond cutter, two 18V 4.0 Ah batteries and a charger. Each comes in a Systainer with a drill jig and accessories. A replacement carbide groove cutter (Ø 100.9 × 7 × Ø 22 mm) keeps the slots clean once your original wears.
For classic biscuit work we carry the Top 21 with its height-adjustable cutter and the Classic X with a 780 W motor, both complete with accessories in a Systainer. To glue biscuits and 4 mm grooves quickly, the Minicol KS applicator comes with a 300 ml bottle, a plastic nozzle and a wooden base. If you want to try several connectors before committing, the P-System connector assortment packs Clamex, Tenso, Divario and Bisco with installation tools in one Sortainer.
How a P-System joint goes together
Once you have a Zeta P2, putting in Lamello connectors is a short, repeatable routine:
- Mark the joint. Lay out the panels and mark the connector positions on both parts, the same way you would mark biscuits.
- Cut the groove. The Zeta P2 cuts the P-System groove in each part. The groove geometry is the same for Clamex P, Tenso P and Bisco P, so one setup covers all three.
- Insert the connector. Clamex P and Tenso P halves slide into the groove on each panel. Bisco P sits in the groove to line the panels up.
- Close the joint. Clamex P is tightened through its 6 mm access hole. Tenso P is glued and pulls itself closed. Bisco P holds alignment while you glue or screw.
The diamond cutter versions of the Zeta P2 are worth a look if most of your work is in sheet goods such as MDF and melamine-faced board, which wear cutters quickly. For mostly solid wood and plywood, the carbide set is the usual starting point.
Where Lamello connectors earn their cost
Cabinet and millwork shops. Cabineo on the CNC removes dowelling and clamping from cabinet box assembly, and Clamex P lets large built-ins be shop-assembled, checked, taken apart and reassembled on site.
Furniture makers. Tenso P closes mitred cases and tabletop joints without clamps, and Invis Mx2 gives a fully hidden joint on pieces where no hardware can show.
Exhibit and display builders. Detachable Clamex P joints let booths and fixtures go up and come down repeatedly without wearing out the panels.
Solid surface fabricators. C-20 translucent biscuits are made for solid surface joints, where wood biscuits are not suitable.
Biscuits or P-System: which should your shop use?
Biscuits are the original Lamello joint and still the quickest way to align and reinforce a glued panel or frame. They are inexpensive, and No. 0, 10 and 20 cover most stock sizes. What biscuits cannot do is clamp themselves or come apart.
P-System Lamello connectors add those jobs. Tenso P clamps the joint while glue cures, Clamex P lets the joint come apart and go back together, and Divario hides a shelf joint completely. They cost more per joint than a biscuit, so most shops use both: biscuits for everyday alignment, and P-System connectors where the joint has to clamp, come apart or stay invisible.
The two systems use different grooves. A standard biscuit joiner cannot cut a P-System slot, and a P-System connector will not sit in a biscuit groove.
Ordering Lamello connectors from IBEX
Most shops start with a small box of Lamello connectors to prove the joint on a real job, then move to bulk cartons once the connector is part of their standard build. That is why we list most connectors in two or three pack sizes: 80 pairs for a first project, 300 pairs for regular use, and 1,000 pairs or more for production.
Every listing is titled with the Lamello part number, so you can reorder the exact Lamello connectors you used last time by searching the number on the box. If you are moving from biscuits or dowels to the P-System, call us before you order. We can talk through which Lamello connectors fit the furniture or cabinets you build, and whether a Zeta P2 with a carbide or diamond cutter makes more sense for your materials.
For larger runs of Lamello connectors, or for part numbers you do not see on the site, call or email for a quote and we will confirm current availability and lead time.
Common questions about Lamello connectors
Which Clamex P size do I need for 3/4″ cabinet plywood?
Clamex P-14 — sized for 19 mm panels. For 5/8″ / 16 mm panels, use Clamex P-10.
Do I need a Zeta P2 for the P-System?
The Zeta P2 cuts the P-System slot for Clamex P, Tenso P, and Bisco P. Cabineo is the exception — it’s installed with the Cabineo jig or a CNC routine, not the Zeta P2. A standard biscuit joiner won’t cut P-System slots; biscuits and P-System connectors aren’t interchangeable.
Can you order Lamello items you don’t have listed?
Yes — tell us the Lamello part number and we’ll confirm current availability and lead time. Email info@ibexent.com or call 403-250-3399.
Are Lamello connectors made in Switzerland?
Yes. Lamello AG manufactures in Bubendorf, Switzerland — connectors, tools, and carbide cutters are all Swiss-made.
What is the difference between Tenso P-10 and Tenso P-14?
Tenso P-10 is the compact version for materials 12 mm and thicker. Tenso P-14 is for 16 mm and thicker. Both are invisible, self-clamping and come with a preload clip.
Cabineo 8 or Cabineo 12?
Both are CNC cabinet connectors with the screw already in place. Cabineo 12 is listed for panels 13 mm and thicker. If you are not sure which suits your sheet goods, send us your panel thickness and we will check it against Lamello’s specifications.
What are Tenso preload clips for?
They reduce the force needed to insert Tenso P-14 connectors and help the joint line up. We sell spares in boxes of 1,000.
Do Lamello connectors need special glue?
No. Tenso P and Bisco P are used with your normal wood glue. Clamex P, Cabineo and Invis Mx2 are mechanical connectors that hold without glue.
Can Clamex P joints be taken apart and reused?
Yes. Clamex P is a detachable connector, so the joint can be opened through the access hole, taken apart and closed again. That is what makes it the standard for knock-down furniture and display work.
Are Lamello biscuits FSC certified?
Yes. The No. 0, No. 10 and No. 20 beech biscuits we list are FSC certified.
What is in the P-System connector assortment?
The P-System assortment combines Clamex, Tenso, Divario and Bisco connectors with installation tools in a Sortainer. It is a good way to try several Lamello connectors before ordering bulk boxes.
Do you ship Lamello connectors outside Calgary?
Yes. We ship Lamello connectors and tools from Calgary across Canada, and you can also choose pickup at checkout.
Which Lamello connectors are best for a first project?
For most cabinet and furniture shops, a box of Clamex P-14 or Tenso P-14 in 80 pairs is the easiest place to start. Both use the same Zeta P2 groove, so you can try a detachable joint and a self-clamping glue joint with one tool setup.
Which materials can I use Lamello connectors in?
The P-System connectors are used in solid wood and common sheet goods such as plywood, MDF and particleboard, as long as the panel meets the minimum thickness in the table above. For solid surface, use the C-20 plastic biscuits. If you are working with an unusual material, send us the details and we will check the Lamello specifications with you before you buy.
Questions or larger quantities?
Need a quote on a bigger Lamello order, or not sure which connector fits your job? Submit an inquiry or call 403-250-3399 and we’ll help you spec it.