Replies

1. 
   RalphBarker | Nov 29, 2010 10:38am | #1

   Domino vs. dowel

   I don't have a Festool Domino, so I may be talking through my hat here. To me, though, the Domino is a loose tenon system, while dowels are more of an enhanced butt joint. Technically, I suppose the dowel could be considered a loose tenon, as well, just a dimensionally-challenged one. The dowel joint strikes me as a poor substitute for a mortise and tenon joint. The domino (and other loose-tenon systems) might be considered as the evolution of the M&T.

   If done properly, the loose tenon joint is, by some accounts, supposed to be stronger than a M&T, because of the glue lines being stronger than the wood, etc. Personally, I'm not sure about that, since the forces are concentrated in the last couple of inches of the structural members. In contrast, it seems to me, M&T joints distribute some of the breakage force along the length of the structural member. The attraction of the Domino and other loose-tenon systems may be more oriented to the speed of production.

2. 
   bones | Nov 29, 2010 02:10pm | #2

   I swear by the domino

   I bought the domino when it first came out and have not looked back sense.  I must say that I was a fan of the floating tenon before it came out anyway so it was a natural migration for me.   The ease of use and speed to assembly makes it worth it to me.   Here is a link to a piece I did back in 2008/09 and it's held up perfectly and it's a heavy piece.   If you truely want to know about it, I would go to a different forum.   No offense to FWW, but over at the FOG (Festool Owners Group) is where you will find anything related to Festool and those folks are very frank with responses.  Its at http://www.festoolownersgroup.com

   Here is a link to the piece that was done exclusively with the Domino

   http://forums.finewoodworking.com/fine-woodworking-knots/knots-gallery/cherry-hutch

3. 
   Don01 | Nov 29, 2010 04:02pm | #3

   Joint Strength

   Joe,

   If you have access to the FWW archives or magazines, Issue 203 (January/February 2009) has a Joinery Shootout. It gives some guidelines as to the relative strength of a number of joints. 

   The Festool Domino joint and the Dowelmax dowel joint are both in the mix as "Store-bought tenons". In this test, the joints made with the Dowelmax failed at 759 lbs, the Domino failed at 597 lbs.  

   I have never used either. I recently heard from another owner of the Dowelmax, that the Dowelmax dowels are better than generic.

   Seems that you spend a lot for the machine or jig, and then carry on spending on proprietary tenons. But they are fast and do the job.

   Don

1. 
   bones | Nov 30, 2010 10:50am | #4

   Issue with Issue 203

   The cost of the domino's is not that much and you can make your own if you choose.   I tried and then figured out what it took in time and effort and figured out it was worth the cost of the domino's just to buy them.  My time is worth something.  

   I remember the review and while you can play absolute numbers and sheer strenth, the design of the joint would not have been how I engineered the joint  i.e. 1/3,1/3,1/3 method.   I know over at the FOG people have made doors and no issue such as sag etc.   My Cherry hutch I made with the joint (FWW plans) weighs a ton as my finished stock was 7/8" thick minimum.  Not a single joint failure two years later.   It wan't cheap but it sure makes life easier.  I've have used dowels but the domino is much more forgiving and with the dowel if your off a hair, she won't go together.  With the domino laterally there is play and  if you can hit a pencil line your golden.   It's like a tablesaw, is it required,  no, you could use a nice LN or old diston to cut that wood, but it sure makes life easier.   Don't get me wrong, cost is a consideration, but if it's your only one, then Festool is not a brand to consider.