Another First Domino Project

[Warren]

Good evening!
This afternoon, my son and I began his entertainment center....our first project using the Domino.  Eighty-five dominoes later, here is the dry fit of the first stage.

The wood is cherry, the design is his own.  There will be two shelves (one adjustable) that are not apparent at this stage, and two drawers (you can probably figure where they go).  Working with my son has been a real treat; he knows what he wants and he has a good eye for design. 

The Domino worked great!  I forgot one accessory I purchased; I should have been using the trim attachment, but we just held the small pieces with a measure of success, but it clearly would have been better using it.  There were a few moments of "Huh?" but by and large the process went smoothly.  We had one case where I didn't get the index pin set in the end of the preceding hole but we compensated.

I didn't spring for the Festool vacuum, but found an inexpensive and efficient way to extract the dust.  I have a shop vac with a 2 1/2" hose.  I bought a Rigid hose which goes from 2 1/2" with an 1 1/4" end that fits the Domino like a glove.  Total cost was $14.00.  I plan on putting the shop vac into a box to muffle the sound.  There is a video and plans on FWW.com.  Looks like a very good time-filler project.

WOW is this a great tool!  Incidentally, I have had great service from Bob Marino.  He has really gone the extra mile in making sure I am happy with my purchase.  If you are considering any Festool, I would recommend him without reservation.

Thanks for looking, and I will post a finished picture when it is done.  Be patient, though.  My son only comes home on weekends.

Warren White

 

[gkeas]

Impressive first purchase.  I jumped on the Domino after a few other Festool purchases from Uncle Bob.  I honestly think it is the single coolest tool I've ever owned.

Good looking project.  Welcome to the slope. 

 

[Lancashire Fusilier]

Did you find that using the domino you did more joints than you would have with out the Domino? By that I would imagine it unlikely that you would have done 85 traditional M & T joints on a project this size in the past. Would that be a fair assessment?

 

[Eli]

I'd put money on most people pocket screwing or biscuiting something like this without the domino. Trad M&T is a lot of work without the right setup.

 

[Warren]

Hi Lancashire,
Well, since the Domino is small and a traditional M&T would run most of the length of the item you are attaching, yes, there are more Dominoes than would be required traditional M&T joinery.  I have a Delta mortiser that I purchased a number of years ago and never took out of the box.  I just don't have space in my garage/workshop for something that size that I only use once in a while.  Most of the things I have done for the last few years that required solid connection that might have otherwise been M&T have been pocket screwed (where I could hide the screws).  I do like the strength that the Kreg pocket holes lend in cases that might otherwise require something more sophisticated.

One Shaker-style table I built was done with hand-cut M&T and dovetails.  This is just so much simpler and faster.  I am sure I overdid the number of Dominoes on the sides of the box, but I really wanted the strength I thought it would bring.  Over time I am sure I will learn what is optimum and what is overkill.  I didn't mention the number as something that I was right, and I am sure that I got carried away with the new tool and was enjoying myself a bit too much.

Incidentally, I wish someone would give me a clue about posting pictures.  There should only be one, and I would like it to be larger.

Thanks for a great forum, and to Festool for not only a great tool, but a fun one as well!!

Warren

Warren

 

[Eli]

I know there's a tutorial on posting pictures floating around. Dan will hook you up I'm sure. Excellent work BTW. Your son is stoked

 

[semenza]

Hi,

  Not sure about the double pic post. Maybe somehow you just attched it twice without realising. The pics in a post can be enlarged by the individual viewer just by clicking on them. At least thats how it works for me.

Seth

 

[honeydoman]

warren,  looks good. that seems like a lot of domonios. where does the 75 " plasma tv go? :

 

[Warren]

Honeydoman,
Yup it was!  Most of them went in the leg-to-side joints.  I could have done with many fewer, but when you're having fun, sometimes it's hard to stop! :-\

Semenza,
I tried to modify first photo and inadvertently added the second.  But clicking on it does bring up a larger version that shows the woods beauty.  Of course this is only a dry fit, so there isn't any finish.  My son has definite feelings about the finish.  He wants it natural, as do I.  I have taken a piece of the stock and put several coats of clear water-based sanding sealer on it.  I have explained that it will darken over time.  He doesn't like the curl in the legs; I love it.

Thanks for all of the kind comments.  He won't be coming home this weekend, so it will give me time to do some sanding and glue up the two shelves.

Warren

 

[brandon.nickel]

Warren,

A friend of mine has had a Delta mortiser on back-order from Woodcraft for over a month now.  Would you be interested in selling yours?  If so, PM me with model number and price info.

-Brandon

 

[Lancashire Fusilier]

Thanks for the info on the M & Ts vs Dominos. I guess there is no such thing as too many dominos then!

 

[Dave Ronyak]

Honeydoman, My son has definite feelings about the finish.  He wants it natural, as do I.  I have taken a piece of the stock and put several coats of clear water-based sanding sealer on it.  I have explained that it will darken over time.  He doesn't like the curl in the legs; I love it.

Warren

To slow down the photoreaction that darkens cherry over time, you can use a finish that is loaded with UV absorbers.

Dave R.

 

[Warren]

Hi Dave,
He wants it to darken, but naturally.  He doesn't want the piece stained or dyed.  I put a coat of the sanding sealer on, let it dry, and then put a very light stain on it, but he just wants it to do what is does without 'helping' it along.

It's fun working with him because he knows what the design should be.  I would have added a bit of flair to it, but he likes plain and simple.  As I mentioned, I love cherry, and it allows so much flexibility in finishing.

Warren

 

[Warren]

Paul,
(I am sorry I didn't look at your name before.  I thought the name I addressed looked particularly interesting and had a suggestion of a British linkage.  Your 'other' passion must be very interesting indeed.  I see that the Regiment has a long and prestigious history.  Well done!  I see also that J.R.R. Tolkien is among the past distinguished members.)

No, I am sure there can be too many Dominoes, and I am also sure I have found the number somewhere in this project.  Trust me, the next one will be more reasonable.

Warren

 

[Lancashire Fusilier]

Don't get me started on that one. You think Festools are expensive, hmphh!

Family served with them, military cross and bar WWI died of wounds at 20 years old in France. That got me into it, both mum and dad ex RAF too. Blah, blah, blah ad infinitum.

I am excited about projects that I can look at now that may be able to use a domino to simplify construction. I have a barrister's bookcase plan that I want to build and I think it could be a prime candidate for excessive domino use!