bunk bed w/Domino?

[Riparian]

Greetings fellow FOGers!

The bunk bed plans that SWMBO presented me with call for mortises that measure
1/2" X 3" X 1 1/2". Would using multiple 10mm Dominos give me equivalent strength,
or do I just need to suck it up and use traditional M+T methodology?

From what I've read of it, the Domino XL would be perfect, but airfare to Europe + 1200
Euros just isn't in my tool budget...  [eek]

Appreciate your input.

-Andy

 

[nclemmons]

I'd have to see the plans and wood joinery you are thinking about.  But I'm confident you could use multiple dominos for strength.

I've used them for tables and workbench legs with no issues.

I assume you will have to provide some kind of knock-down assembly for moving the bed. 

Share a sketch or photo and I'm sure you'll get some specific advice on approach.

neil

 

[Riparian]

I'd have to see the plans and wood joinery you are thinking about.  But I'm confident you could use multiple dominos for strength.

I've used them for tables and workbench legs with no issues.

I assume you will have to provide some kind of knock-down assembly for moving the bed. 

Share a sketch or photo and I'm sure you'll get some specific advice on approach.

neil

Thanks for your speedy reply Neil.

The joints in question are where the rails meet the bed legs. The rails measure
1 5/16" x 5" x 75", and the legs are 1 3/4" square by 74".

Barrel nuts are used achieve knock-down capability.

-Andy

 

[semenza]

Hi,

Across the 5" you could easily put three 10 x 50 Dominos. I think that would do it. I once used Dominos  for that type of joint. Partly to hide the joint, I made a shallow 1/4" deep mortise in the leg. The mortise was open on the top side.  Sized to capture the entire end of the rail. The Dominos were in the mortise. Worked quite well. This method gives the end of the rail a ledge to sit on.

Seth

 

[mouppe]

I have thought about using dominos for a bunk bed in the past, but I think you need something else as well.

There are a lot of racking forces on a bunk bed, which could loosen the dominos over time. Your glue joint is long grain to end grain- not the best. For this reason, beds- and bunk beds especially- should have the stretchers, headboards and footboards attached with bed bolts as well as dominos or M&T.

The need to knock down beds is another reason to use bed bolts.

 

[Alan m]

i think you should do like seth sugested and mortice in the entire rail 1/2 an inch. and use the bed bolts
for the dominos to be any good they would need to be glued.
the domino xl would be great for this but as its only just out over here there could be issues that would need fixing over here. you could buy the xl  dominoes and router the slots with a jig. this would be a lot cheaper than buying the domino xl. you could also make them your self

 

[Stone Message]

Greetings fellow FOGers!

The bunk bed plans that SWMBO presented me with call for mortises that measure
1/2" X 3" X 1 1/2". Would using multiple 10mm Dominos give me equivalent strength,
or do I just need to suck it up and use traditional M+T methodology?

From what I've read of it, the Domino XL would be perfect, but airfare to Europe + 1200
Euros just isn't in my tool budget...  [eek]

Appreciate your input.

-Andy

Hi Andy,

You might like to look at the thread in this area 'Do you use your Domino for most of your joinery'.

Why not try using your domino with a 10mm cutter and set the cutting width to its widest mark. This will cut a slot about 33mm across. If you also set the depth of cut to its greatest you get a hole 29 mm deep. Now go and make yourself some 'Stone Message Dominoes' which are 57mm long, 10mm thick and 33 mm across. I do not know how big your stock might be but I managed to get 2 of these in a piece of 3 1/4 inch stock. The photo below should help. If you can get more dominoes in then do so.

Take care.

Peter

 

[Kevin Stricker]

Without glue even oversized 10mm dominoes are going to be significantly weaker than an integral tenon.  The side walls of the mortices in the stretchers are much too thin, and they are only 2/3 the recommended length. If tested to breaking I would bet good money the domino joint has 1/3 to 1/2 of the strength. Dominoes are great but not in this application unless backed up with bed bolts or another mechanical fastener.

 

[Stone Message]

Without glue even oversized 10mm dominoes are going to be significantly weaker than an integral tenon.  The side walls of the mortices in the stretchers are much too thin, and they are only 2/3 the recommended length. If tested to breaking I would bet good money the domino joint has 1/3 to 1/2 of the strength. Dominoes are great but not in this application unless backed up with bed bolts or another mechanical fastener.

You are right - these joints have to be properly glued and I would favour a mitred cross piece (screwed to adjacent rails and about 5 inches long) on the inside of each joint for added strength.

Peter