This little machine is amazing. I have been using mine (after waffling for months about the cost) for several months now. It just gets better and better. And I’m sure that I haven’t scratched the surface of what it can do. I use it for all of my panel glue ups. What used to be a struggle to get the panel dead flat is now easy. The dominos align the boards; I use a couple of cauls on the edges; and clamp away. When building chairs, the loose mortise is invaluable. I used it to cut small mortises the other day to to attach a table top with adjustable clips. Cut eight small mortises in under a minute.
What prompted this note is what I did with the domino this morning. Am building a Queen Anne Lowboy. Normally I would attach the front frame to the legs with M and T. Not now. Line up the mortises for loose tenons and it is done. Normally I would attach the side and back panels to the legs with a tongue and groove joint. No more. I took a leap of faith and used the aligning pins on the domino to space my mortises; did the same on the leg and the side panel. Did not use the wider mortise option. OK, now I dry fit. Son of a B. The leg and the panel fit together like they were made for each other. And I measured nothing. Zip.
If you are out there and contemplating purchasing a domino, go for it. Yeah, its expensive. But you won’t be sorry.
And a side note which has nothing to do with the domino. I am posting this note as I have many over the past year, and never cease to marvel at the internet and technology. Fellow woodworkers from all over the world will see this. How amazing is that? Have a great New Year. PMM
Replies
Here's a question for you PMM. Could the domino replace my Powermatic 719 Mortiser?
Jeff
I don't think you should think of the domino for replacing another mortising machine but rather a complement to it or as another tool in your bag of tricks.
The domino is quick and accurate and does a great job but it isn't going to work for every joint where a mortise and tenon is needed.
My multi router doesn't get used as much since I bought a domino but there is no way I would get rid of it especially were a larger mortise is needed.
Tom
I have a shop fox mortising machine. I don't plan to get rid of it as there are certain applications in which that would be better than the domino (large, through mortises for example), but by and large I use the domino for almost all joinery. PMM
PMM,
Seeing as Festool is the sole suplier of Dominoes (I'm talking the tenon, not the tool), are they expensive? For the sake of comparing one compressed wood shape to another, I can buy 1000 biscuits for about $40.Chris @ flairwoodworks
- Success is not the key to happines. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. - Albert Schweitzer
Morning Chris:
A few things in answer to your question:
1. the dominos are not compressed wood. They fit into the mortise with no tolerance whatsoever.
2. although there are different sizes of dominos, they average about 65.00 per thousand.
3. I know they seem similar, but they really are not. I doubt that I will ever use my biscuit joiner again. The domino cuts mating mortises for loose tenons with no play; tight as can be. Biscuits have considerable play, both vertically and horizontally.
It is the coolest feeling when you cut mating mortises; insert the tenons, and then fit them together (usually use a mallet to convince them). Almost feel like I don't need to glue. But of course I do. PMM
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