I am making a cabinet out of 17mm cherry. I am going to join the sides to the base with 5x30 dominoes. Is is okay to make 15mm deep slots in the 17mm stock? There is 2mm left, but that looks really thin. They will be up 2" from the edge, so the material should not be compromised. The alternative is to make 12mm slots in the sides and 20mm slots in the base, but that seems wrong unless it is necessary. (don't scream at me now, but I using the dominoes primarily for make sure it is square and even, the main joint will be pocket screws; so the dominoes don't really have to contribute strength to the joint.)
30mm domino in 17mm stock?
- Thread starter Toller
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clintholeman
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A couple of things you might want to consider. 2mm isn't quite enough, your instincts were right on there. Using 12 mm will be a much better solution, IMO.
The second issue, and I don't want to start WWIII about PS's here!!!, is that if you're going to use Domino to join the pieces, why not use Domino in lieu of the pocket screws - the joint will be much, much stronger. Its really a snap to do as well.
The second issue, and I don't want to start WWIII about PS's here!!!, is that if you're going to use Domino to join the pieces, why not use Domino in lieu of the pocket screws - the joint will be much, much stronger. Its really a snap to do as well.
ROb McGilp
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Hi Toller,
You really need at least 4mm between the end of the domino and the face of the piece. Even that is pushing things. You can get a situation where the glue gets trapped and pops the face. Better to use 12 in the face piece and 15 at the back.
Regards,
Rob
You really need at least 4mm between the end of the domino and the face of the piece. Even that is pushing things. You can get a situation where the glue gets trapped and pops the face. Better to use 12 in the face piece and 15 at the back.
Regards,
Rob
Tim Sproul
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I only plunge 12 mm into the face of 17-18mm thick plywood.
One nice benefit of the accuracy/reproducibility of the Domino is that you can go back and plunge a mortise deeper without compromising the walls of the mortise....so if you forget to change the depth when mortising into the edge...you've got an easy and fast fix. This, of course, means you have to realize your mistake prior to any glue coming into play....then the crosscut hand saw comes out with furious abandon to trim those waywardly long dominos.
One nice benefit of the accuracy/reproducibility of the Domino is that you can go back and plunge a mortise deeper without compromising the walls of the mortise....so if you forget to change the depth when mortising into the edge...you've got an easy and fast fix. This, of course, means you have to realize your mistake prior to any glue coming into play....then the crosscut hand saw comes out with furious abandon to trim those waywardly long dominos.
dirtydeeds
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personally 3mm (1/8 inch) would be a minimum for me in the given situation
a shogi screen carpenter would see paper thin as correct and do it by hand :
a shogi screen carpenter would see paper thin as correct and do it by hand :
clintholeman said:
I will use 12/20 as you all suggest.
I have to use pocket screws because I don't have clamps long enough to hold it all together; so the pocket screws substitute for the clamps. They actually work well for that, if you haven't tried them. But it is just as easy to use 4 dominoes per joint as two, so what the heck.
Toller said:
FWIW, I've used a simple ratchet strap to hold larger pieces together whilst the glue's drying - works very nicely. I use a piece of thin scrap material to protect the workpiece where the strap bears against the corners, as they can 'dig in' easily.
Nothing wrong with a 12/20 arrangement, but if you want symmetry in even the areas you can't see, then you can always cut the dominos down by 6mm and use 12/12
Cheers, Pete
