Can I use the domino 500 to make a bench out of 4x4" and 2x4" timber?

[Stevenscustomguitars]

Hello,

I've just picked up the Domino and the systainer of dominos, trim stop and the other locating thingy and I'm planning to build a workbench using a softwood frame and custom mdf mft style top. It will be about 1.6m by 80cm. I was thinking 4x4" for legs and 4x2" the rest of the frame. I'll either make a ply torsion box for the top of a 4x2 frame. It will be my main bench for a while for track saw/routing using parf dogs and all assembly, sanding etc as well as hand planing and chiselling. I'll also be having t-track up one leg and across the width of the frame apron.

Having not used the domino before, is it suitable for making these joints? Should I be using lengths of the domino tenon cut to size and plunging the greatest depth in both pieces?

Any advice/photos on how to position the tenons would be really appreciated. Last time I did this I just bolted it all together but using the domino would be good practice before doing my cabinets.

Cheers
Dave

 

[RussellS]

The Domino 500 would work well for a workbench like this.  The 500 uses 10x50mm dominoes.  Its max cut depth is 28mm, total 56mm.  So your idea of plunging to the maximum and making your own dominoes does not get you much extra.  A whopping quarter inch extra longer domino.  I'd suggest using multiple 10x50mm dominoes in each joint for extra strength, and glue grip.  A 2x4 is 1.5 inches by 3.5 inches I believe.  The 10mm dominoes are 23mm wide, 10mm thick, 50mm long.  So on a 1.5" wide 2x4, you could cut the domino hole side to side and have 7mm wood, 23mm domino, 7mm wood.  Then stack them on top of each other leaving 10mm wood between the dominoes.  So on a 3.5" length top to bottom, you would get 8.5mm wood, 10mm domino, 10mm wood, 10mm domino, 10mm wood, 10mm domino, 10mm wood, 10mm domino, 8.5mm wood.  4 dominoes in the joint.  Strong enough.  About the only concern would be the depth.  50mm length gives you 1 inch of domino/tenon in each piece of wood.  Ideally you might want a longer tenon/domino.  But I suspect 1 inch depth is enough if you use a couple dominoes in each joint.

Please note I am not suggesting, or recommending, you build your bench like I described above.  1 domino side to side and 4 dominoes stacked in the end of each 2x4.  Just saying you COULD build it that way if you wanted.  I suspect it would take several minutes of beating with a 16 pound sledge hammer to break the joint apart.

 

[Stevenscustomguitars]

Thanks for the detailed reply. I think I understand. Having not played with the domino yet I'm not sure how to accurately locate multiple mortises as you describe so I'll have to look into it.

Cheers
Dave

 

[Birdhunter]

Halfinchshy has excellent YouTube videos on use of the Dominos. Also, New Brit Workshop has some good videos.

I'd practice on scrap before tackling your project. Stacked Dominos are tricky to do. There is some side to side latitude using the wide setting, but zero latitude vertically. Your technique has to be perfect to get pieces to fit together.

A good trick is to do a dry fit up using tenons that have had their edges sanded off. Sanding off the edges makes the tenons easy to pull out.

 

[Linbro]

Just my opinion, but I'd say the 500 is way undersize for this job. Especially if you're planing, chiselling etc.

 

[TealaG]

[member=14551]Linbro[/member]  Hi!  Curious...could you explain what size you think would be better for this situation?  Does he need a longer domino?  A wider domino?  Just trying to learn here.  THANKS!

 

[Holmz]

Just my opinion, but I'd say the 500 is way undersize for this job. Especially if you're planing, chiselling etc.

Maybe...

It seems like the job is being used to justify the Domino.

Whether the cabinets require a Domino is also uncertain. It depends on what kind of cabinets, and which materials.

As I just got a Lamello Zeta P2 I would suggest that the OP looks at them for the cabinets, to determine what tool to use.

There are 3 good options:
- Domino
- Zeta P2 (as well as regular biscuits)
- DD40

I have a DX700, and I think it could be plenty strong with the 500 sized dominos. It depends on the number and placement, so some sketch would be useful.
However, the bench may be better with traditional joints if it is designed for planing and general 'brute work'... If the OP could be bothered to do that and has chisels and gear for doing those joints.

It is also possible that dominos and lag bolts would be an option.

 

[Linbro]

[member=14551]Linbro[/member]  Hi!  Curious...could you explain what size you think would be better for this situation?  Does he need a longer domino?  A wider domino?  Just trying to learn here.  THANKS!

Hello TealaG - Longer, for more penetration, and wider for more 'beef'. There will be a lot of stress on the frame, and multiple small tenons won't be up to it. This is why there's a 700 Domino. Or, even better, through M&T joinery.

 

[AndyUK]

Or consider buying the Chris Schwarz Workbench Book and laminate your stock to produce the mortise and tenon joints.  [wink]

 

[sancho57]

It should work.  Use the 10x50 domino 2 for a joint. You shouldn't have any issues.

 

[grbmds]

Don't know for sure about using the largest Domino 500 tenons, but I would, for sure, use 4 per joint just to make sure. Another possibility is using threaded rods for all the joints. There is a Fine Woodworking article/video about this and possibly some other videos and references online. This is obviously not as traditional for a bench nor does it really follow logic completely, but I am currently using a bench I made with threaded rods that tie legs together with the cross pieces; both directions. I tightened them down when first assembled and then once after that and the bench has remained solid. The bench frame is completely of maple and the top was purchased from Woodcraft - 1 3/4" laminated hardwood top. I also created a cabinet box and installed drawers and shelves with doors underneath for weight and storage. The bench is heavy enough that it doesn't move when I work on it no matter what I do. To be sure about that, I installed a rubberized layer on the bottom of the feet to keep it in place. I also bought completely retractable casters from Rockler which allows me to move the bench in my shop but, when in place, retract the casters so that legs will sit flat on the floor. It's solid and the threaded rod joints have remained solid. Might be easier to buy a Domino 700 but this was a lot cheaper and the Domino wasn't available at the time I made it. Just saying there are other options besides mortise and tenon joint that really do work.

 

[Stevenscustomguitars]

Ok, so it sounds like I need to buy a domino XL then  [wink]

I think I'll build it with traditional mortise and tenon joints then. I remember watching this Bosch video that had some quick joints done with a router. I do have all the necessary hand tools but everything is packed away in my little shed whilst I finish the workshop. I'll probably do the bulk of the mortises with the router and could do the tenons with the mitre saw. The makita saw I have has a depth stop.


Thanks for all the comments.

Cheers
Dave

 

[leftistelf]

Done it 3x. Dominos work fine. If you think you need more support, double them. No reason to get the XL domino for a bench project.

Still, longer beefier dominos are always nicer

 

[lunchman]

Re: the threaded rod bench from Fine Woodworking

It's part of Season Two from their Getting Started in Woodworking video series. I built this bench some number of years ago (pre-Festool) with a circular saw, drill and router. Since it's in an alcove in my garage I opted to put it on heavy duty locking casters so I can roll it around anywhere I want. That gives me the ability to easily use the track saw and cut sheet goods without interference.

My benchtop is two 3/4" MDF laminated and screwed together and I went beyond their recommendations and edged the MDF with wood to avoid chipping. The shelf underneath provides adequate storage for my DeWalt chop saw and other tools and having a vise is a plus. It took me all of two weekends to build.  I have a number of 3/4" holes drilled near the vise for the bench dogs and Gramercy holdfasts I use.

It may be a "starter" workbench, but this has held up wonderfully and is quite sturdy.

Dom