500 or 700 domino connector for 1 3/8" (35mm) thick countertops?

[bwehman]

Hey all! I have the 700 connector set, and see that Festool lists the minimum thickness the material can be is 30mm (~1 1/4"). I'm using them to join a big mitered corner on a kitchen countertop made of white oak. Basically the joint in the attached photo.

I know I *can* use the 700 set, but would the 500 set be better suited?

 

[luvmytoolz]

Myself I'd use either the 500 or 700 for alignment, and use benchtop joiners to actually hold them together.

 

[bwehman]

Myself I'd use either the 500 or 700 for alignment, and use benchtop joiners to actually hold them together.

Appreciate the insight. I used to use these too but way prefer the domino connectors. I've used the connectors for a ton of similar joints, just none on this thickness of counter before.

 

[luvmytoolz]

How thick is that timber, as the thicker the timber(within reason) the better the benchtop joiners work at keeping the joints tight and flush. They would still be my preference for a benchtop mitre over just Dominos.

Despite the claims to the contrary by some, Dominos do add strength so far as I'm concerned, but you're effectively gluing end grain to end grain, which normally never works out very great.

 

[dalep]

I would personally use the DF700, the connectors have a lot more meat to them.

I have not used a dog bone connector since 2016, I normally use 3 Domino Connectors, and 2 Dominoes and glue up.

 

[Jim_in_PA]

Myself I'd use either the 500 or 700 for alignment, and use benchtop joiners to actually hold them together.

The design of the 14mm Domino connectors is very appropriate for the task, not just for alignment. The design naturally draws the joint very tightly together, too, without having to crank bolts like with the more traditional joiner you show. Heck, I've used the 14mm Domino connectors for bunk beds and they are super solid...and get more lateral/racking abuse than a countertop.

 

[Birdhunter]

I'd use 700s, but augmented by Domino tenons glued on only one end. I see the connectors as pulling the pieces together but not adding a lot of alignment strength.

 

[Jim_in_PA]

I'd use 700s, but augmented by Domino tenons glued on only one end. I see the connectors as pulling the pieces together but not adding a lot of alignment strength.

That is a normal method to use the 14mm connectors...a few of them to draw things together and a few of the regular Dominos to provide additional support and alignment. In the bunkbed example I made above, each corner had one Domino connector and two wood Dominos. For the latter they were glued on one side of the joint and the other end of them was slightly abraded for a snug, but slip fit into the mortise without requiring forcing the joint together. (Dominos in "natural form" are quite tight in their mortises which isn't necessarily ideal for a knock down situation)

 

[Cheese]

I'd use 700s, but augmented by Domino tenons glued on only one end. I see the connectors as pulling the pieces together but not adding a lot of alignment strength.

I'd use 700s, but augmented by Domino tenons glued on only one end. I see the connectors as pulling the pieces together but not adding a lot of alignment strength.

That is a normal method to use the 14mm connectors...a few of them to draw things together and a few of the regular Dominos to provide additional support and alignment. In the bunkbed example I made above, each corner had one Domino connector and two wood Dominos. For the latter they were glued on one side of the joint and the other end of them was slightly abraded for a snug, but slip fit into the mortise without requiring forcing the joint together. (Dominos in "natural form" are quite tight in their mortises which isn't necessarily ideal for a knock down situation)

+1 on both of those ideas.