Another new Domino owner

[Clifford]

I got a Domino 500 Yesterday and tried it out today by doing the flipper alignment test, which came out perfect.

I was surprised that I needed to touch-up the end of the #5 domino with a quick swipe on some sandpaper so it would start in the mortise hole (poplar on the side grain).

I was also surprised that the two systainers were shipped in a big box with little padding and were allowed to just bang around against each other during shipping. Obviously not Festool's fault.  Still, everything is in one piece.

I'm building a one-drawer night stand and using the Domino for frame and panel sides and for attaching the webs  to the sides, and so on. I already built a 4-drawer version of the piece without the Domino, so I'll be interested if it helps as much as I hope it will.

This seems like a easy-going group mostly, so I'm looking forward to being a part of it.

Cliff J.

 

[Stone Message]

Hi Cliff

Welcome to the FOG.

Sometimes you will get a domino that might be a little tight. I suspect it is a moisture issue rather than a manufacturing one. The ends can also be a little square too.

The only thing to watch when putting dominos into man made boards or close to the edges of solid wood pieces is hydraulic locking. If you use a generous amount of glue in the hole then the glue can become trapped and as you tap away trying to get the domino seated the pressure builds up and can split the material.

If you find yourself having to use dominos in a critical area close to a finished edge or in thin MDF then sand the sides of the domino a little so that it can slide into the holes with a gentle push and apply a moderate amount of glue to the domino only.

Peter

 

[BarneyD]

The Dominoes will swell when they absorb moisture.  I like to keep mine in ziplock baggies.  But even this is not perfect. I've had good luck putting them in the wife's toaster oven at 225 for about 10 - 15 minutes.  Just enough to drive out any moisture.

Barney

 

[antss]

Biscuits exhibit the same tendencies . 
Most have slots pressed into them to help with the hydrolock, but they still absorb moisture if they sit a while.

I think it's just part of the deal when using these methods.

 

[clark_fork]

A few tips along the way for a table and getting used to the variety of Dominos:

[attachimg=1]

DYI Domino Guide

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Peter Parfitt tip: "Always have a scheme."

[attachimg=3]

Consider a 45 degree cut when joining aprons to the leg

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The Domino makes the perfect button system for securing the table top.

 

[Clifford]

Thanks for the thoughts, guys. The dominos went in just fine, but like the tenons I've been making for 30 years, they just required a light chamfer on the tips. I guess I didn't think of that, is all. I'd just opened the plastic bag so they hadn't had a chance to swell or anything.

So far it seems to be a straight forward tool to use. I expect to find all sorts of uses.

I've read all the posts and watched all the videos I could find before I bought it, so I'm hoping not to run into any real surprises.
Cliff J.  [smile]