Solid wood carcase construction using the Domino Joiner
Hello, I’ve been woodworking for 30 years on and off as a hobby building every thing from kitchen cabinets to chest of drawers. Recently, I purchased a Domino Joiner and decided to build a TV stand out of Honduras Mahagony for my family room. I was in a bit of a hurry to set up my new wide screen TV so, I didn’t put a lot of design thought into the project. However, now that I’m committed to build a similar cabinet for my son, I thougth I might ask a question about appropriate glue joints with the Domino Joiner.
The first carcase I built was 18″ deep by 60″ long and 22″ high and the mahogany finished up about 1″ thick. I butt joined the Top and bottom to the sides using a row of 8 domino tenons I also had a center “H” section that was butt joined to the top and bottom. The cabinet had a 1/2″ ply back set into a rabbit that was glued in place. The doors slide in a slot cut into the bottom and top with a design I read about on Fine Woodworking.
My question is; Since the side to top and bottom joints are long grain to end grain glue joints will they hold up over time? The Domino Joiner was certinely fast but, should I have cut multiple mortise and tenon joints so that I had more long grain to long grain glue joints?
Replies
Don't worry
Jacko, I don't see any reason for your concern. Over time you might have an issue with the cabinet sagging at the center, but your joints will hold.
center support
David, Thanks for the input. I'm a amature hobbiest but, I had made the assumption that by securing the two center vertical dividers with multiple mortise and tenon joints to the top and bottom that I was adding stiffness to the structure. I may have assumed incorrectly so time will tell.
should be just fine
I bought the domino when it first came out and love it! I used it to build a cherry hutch that is going on 2 years and is holding fine. The key is design. As long as you don't assume one domino works for all joints you will be fine. To me it's simple slot mortise technology made fast. Here is a picture of the project and all 90 degree angles have domino's of various sizes and quantities per joint (depending on need). This sucker was made out of 5/4 stock finished down to 7/8" except for the solid beadboard. It's extreamely heavy. It suprised even me when I got it done that it took two of us to assemble it in three pieces. Base, then top section with doors and finally crown section. It's solid as a rock! Don't worry be happy.
Very nice hutch
Bones, thanks for your input and that is a very nice hutch. I understand about solid pieces being heavy and I remember reading from James Krenov's book that as he got older, his work got smaller and smaller. I built a tall entertainment center from 5/4 mahogany and had my friend come over to help me install it and his comment was "don't you build anything lightweight"? I'm 65 now and starting to look for more streamlined designs.
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