A creative way to use the Domino Joiner (aka a game changer)

[ChuckM]

Happened across this:
https://tinyurl.com/bzn8aph3 

 

[squall_line]

Technically, that's not a wrong way to use it...?  It is a mortiser, after all.  Probably decent dust collection compared to a router, too.

The tune is stuck in my head, though.

 

[Cheese]

That's interesting Chuck...thanks    for that. [smile]

 

[ChuckM]

Glad you liked it, Cheese.

Credits should go to this gent (and others) who are willing to take their time to document and share their Domino techniques.

 

[pixelated]

I used mine to cut a short dado to support a couple of 1/4 inch/6mm dividers in a spice cabinet, which was my first serious Domino project. It took a lot of set up to make sure the positioning was right, but was pretty quick afterward.
So far, it's the only time I've used the widest cut setting.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

I suppose that falls into the category of "It's not stupid if it works".
It is probably pretty good for dust collection, but I would think that there are better ways to accomplish that goal?

 

[ChuckM]

I'm pretty sure other ways can be used to cut those notches, such as a mortiser or a router used with a jig. Are they better? It depends on what criteria are used. I, for one, wouldn't go out and buy an XL just for that kind of job, but if I already had the big joiner, I might like the concept of bringing the tool to the work especially if the latter is big and heavy, or awkward to handle on a mortiser.

 

[AlexThePalex]

Technically, that's not a wrong way to use it...?  It is a mortiser, after all. 

Dunno what's wrong with it, they are still mortises, just all lined up and overlapping.

 

[RobS888]

Nice clean cuts, no dust, pretty cool.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

Nice clean cuts, no dust, pretty cool.

Well, they're not so "clean". If you look at the cheeks in the last few seconds of the video, you can see the ripples of the overlapping nature of this kind of cut. Functionally, as a bridle joint, I'm sure they are fine, but if the joint is exposed, that will show.
Lining them all up and cutting them at once is fine, but the cut would be smoother if it was done with a router and an edge guide. It would take a bit more rigging to do this with the parts vertical and work with gravity rather than against it, but the walls of the slot would be more even.
Don't get me wrong, the Domino is fantastic, but overlapping that many individual mortises does show.

 

[RobS888]

I see your point, it is a lot of plunging as well. Maybe I'll say no tearout, instead of clean.

 

[Packard]

I would normally do that on my tenon jig in the table saw using a dado head. But I am limited by the ceiling height.  I can to a height of 7' minus the height of the table saw and the jig.  Sometimes the parts are too long for that. 

I think I could make my router do those slots by creating a shelf on the edge.  But it would not be ideal.  I think a shaper could swing a large enough cutter to make that cut. 

I don't have a domino.  I probably would have made these cuts on the table saw.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

I would normally do that on my tenon jig in the table saw using a dado head. But I am limited by the ceiling height.  I can to a height of 7' minus the height of the table saw and the jig.  Sometimes the parts are too long for that. 

I think I could make my router do those slots by creating a shelf on the edge.  But it would not be ideal.  I think a shaper could swing a large enough cutter to make that cut. 

I don't have a domino.  I probably would have made these cuts on the table saw.

Oh yeah, a shaper is definitely the best way to do that, but having one is out of reach to many woodworkers. The power requirements alone can be an issue. The investment in space and money means the you really have to make use of it regularly for it to make sense.

 

[Packard]

Still thinking about this.  I think I would mount my router at 90 degrees and cut the slots that way.

This is approximately how I would do it, but building the mount would take longer than using the domino (which I do not have).

 

[ChuckM]

Still thinking about this.  I think I would mount my router at 90 degrees and cut the slots that way.

This is approximately how I would do it, but building the mount would take longer than using the domino (which I do not have).

I mildly recall that someone makes and sells a kit similar to yours for use with a router to mill mortises horizontally, and more.

 

[Packard]

Me too.  That is where I got the idea from.  If you have this setup the production should be quicker than the domino, but I suspect more people in these forums have the domino than that setup. 

I just Googled:  Router jig for cutting breadboard ends and this came up (and it looks like it could be made to work.  $70.00 though:
https://www.rockler.com/m-power-mhl...MIvYao8aOm8AIVgfOzCh0aHAEtEAQYBSABEgIVIvD_BwE

But if this were a one-time project, and knowing how lazy I am, I probably would just have used biscuits. 

 

[ChuckM]

I bought one of the CRB jigs in a clearance sale, and kept it for some time, but never got to use it, as all my needs have been met by the DF500. I sold it last year or the year before along with many other woodworking tools or accessories as I tried to clean up my shop for space.

I also sold my Delta benchtop mortiser a few years ago after I became efficient with using the DF500.

 

[Cheese]

Well, here's the Festool solution for only $365...
https://www.festoolusa.com/accessory/495246---of-fh-2200#Overview

[attachimg=1]

 

[Packard]

The router seems like it would be faster.  It is another option certainly. 

 

[Stan Tillinghast]

Link says "expired". That was quick.