Bench using dominos

[Gixxerjoe04]

My friend wants me to build him a couple benches for his gym, haven't built any before but thought it was a good chance to finally use my domino.  Had planned on making them similar to the one the wood whisperer made and has plans to,http://www.thewoodwhisperer.com/videos/outdoor-sitting-bench/
Plan on using white oak, just not sure what size dominos would be best for it.  I have the XL with the adapter.  Hoping to get wood that will finish around 7/8", the mills 4/4 is usually cut thick.  So was thinking around 8mm dominos to have the 1/3 rule, wasn't sure if 50mm long would be enough to support a lot of weight of people sitting on them, or if I should use longer ones.  Since I don't have any experience yet in the strength of the domino since I've only had it a month or so, figured I'd ask. 

 

[canadamike]

I saw Mark's bench, its a clean simple design. 8mm x 50mm dominos will be fine. If it your first time with the domino tool, you should do a few test cuts, so mill up some extra pieces. Also, keep track of your reference faces. I find its easiest if you keep the outside surfaces as your reference faces for all the mortises you cut with the domino tool (the outside face is where you will rest the supporting plate). You may already have this worked out.

Have fun with the build and show us some pics of the bench!

 

[Gixxerjoe04]

Will do, pretty excited to get started, hopefully going to pick up the wood tomorrow if it's not raining.  Another question I was wondering about.  For the slats going across the bench, thought about doing the center pieces with a snug fit, and the outer connection on the wide setting.  Prevent any potential miss plunges that could mess up the whole alignment.  Was afraid that might mess with the strength of the center slats, but with force going down on it, wouldn't think the extra space on the sides of the domino would make a difference, thoughts?

 

[canadamike]

If I understand correctly, you are thinking to cut tight mortises in the slats and wider mortises in the outside rails? That would introduce the chance that the slats may not be spaced properly if they moved in the rails during glue-up. Why not use the tight mortises on both the slats and rails, that way all your parts will be spaced correctly. If you do some practice cuts and ensure the pieces are clamped, you'll get good results. You could also use the centering jig on the slats. Mark the locations for the outer rails at the same time with a square. Not in my shop now, otherwise I'd take some pics. Peter Parfitt has some really good videos that might be helpful.

 

[Gixxerjoe04]

Oh yea, totally forgot about the self centering jig.  Will def have some practice to do before I plunge into my actual work pieces.  Gonna have some time to practice since I'll have to let the wood acclimate to my shop for a little while.

 

[HMR]

I've built 5 benches in the past couple years for local MMA gyms.  8x50 Dominoes will work fine.  I would use 4 per leg (2 going front to back, 2 going side to side on each leg).  My gym benches take a lot of abuse and they've stayed rock solid.  Also be mindful of how wet the benches will constantly get from sweaty people, wet towels and spilled water bottles.

 

[Gixxerjoe04]

HMR, two per apron end correct?  That's what I planned on doing, and using the indexing pins on my domino for that as my reference.  Finish wise, I had planned on using flooring finish.  On Marc's bench he used penetrating epoxy and a marine varnish, pricing that stuff would cost at least $150.  Guys on another forum suggested flooring finish since it's made to take abuse like that, which I though was a good idea.

 

[Gixxerjoe04]

Also using white oak since it's pretty rot resistant from what I've read, figured that's be the best locally sourced wood.  The only other wood readily available would be red cedar, but it's ugly and soft. 

 

[HMR]

HMR, two per apron end correct?

Correct.

I've never tried flooring finish.  Sounds like an interesting idea.  Keep us posted on results.

 

[canadamike]

Your finishing specs really depend on where the bench is going to be used. HMR's benches are in a super humid area, so epoxy is a good idea. If this is inside a home, you could look at something else less costly. I have used endurovar by General Finishes. It is easy to work with, brushes on well, and smooths out well as it dries. You don't need a sprayer for good results. Used this on many things from simple furniture and kitchen cabinets. Have a happy new year guys!

 

[canadamike]

Here is a post close to your thread.
http://festoolownersgroup.com/vario...your-favourite-project-with-the-domino-df500/

Just get in there and make some cuts with that awesome tool. Make some mistakes, its just wood. Mistakes are the best way to learn quickly.

 

[Gixxerjoe04]

So I've finally had time to work on the benches, got everything cut up and ready to go but decided to do some practice pieces.  Came across a problem I hadn't thought about..  My aprons are only 2.5" in width and I planned on using 8mm dominos, them being 22mm in width I believe and the apron being like 65mm or so, that's not going to leave much wood left.  Was also hoping to use the indexing pins to be able to do the same on the legs so accuracy is better.  Any suggestions on what I should do?  Even going down to 2 6x20x40mm dominos wouldn't leave much room and would be too short I'd think.  Would 1 10x24x50mm be enough in each apron?

 

[canadamike]

I'd be happy to help out...can you post a pic of your practice pieces (I assume they are the same size as your final pieces)?

 

[Gixxerjoe04]

I don't have any pics of my phone of my practice piece, finally came in for the day.  Here's a pic I took earlier for reference, one on the right is a 10mm while the left is 8mm.  Using one 10mm would break the 1/3 rule. 

 

[canadamike]

Hi,

The 1/3 "rule" is just a guideline. There are no rules in this craft, just some best practices. I would go with the 10mm domino and get on with your build. And the fun thing about building furniture or houses is that there are many ways to get a good result.

Cheers, Mike

 

[Gixxerjoe04]

Was talking with a guy last night, don't know why I didn't think about it before, ended up making my own.  Used the indexing pins to make a larger mortise and just made some wide stock.

 

[canadamike]

Looks great! Please post pics of your full build. Are you going to shape the seat slats similar to what Marc did?

 

[Gixxerjoe04]

Will post pics once I'm done. I'm not curving the slates or tapering the legs, planned to in the beginning but kinda drug it out longer than it should have taken and I just want to get it done haha.  Of course this is the first time building something this big and using my domino, so it has been a learning experience.