A number of years ago I built an IPE deck and used the DF500 with the Sipo dominos. It worked just fine, but by the end of the project --- it wa a large deck -- I did replace the cutter bit. There were no issues with the machine making the mortises as long as you use the recommended technique about the pace of plunging thr machine. Good luck.
Hope you are still around and looking at FOG member comments. I am in the planning process of replacing my original back deck with some decent "harder" exotic wood. I have decided as described below to use my Festool 500 Domino System to construct a solid clamping system for the deck. Hopefully you will be willing to share your experience approach and how satisfied you are with the results.
To begin, I had a good price on the ipe I needed, but then my supplier found out there was none left in the warehouse. Now the price has more than doubled!. So, a friend at my supply source advised me to use Red Balau. He did his deck with it and is very happy. I have found, in my searching that Belau is not recommended in a humid environment, i.e., west of us on the other side of the Cascades they have that kind of climate. Here in Redmond, Bend area, we are over 3,000 elevation and an arid climate. Accordingly, I have ordered the Red Balau I need: - 6" X 5/4.
In reviewing the methods to fasten these boards to my deck joists, the preferred approach is to have them grooved and use metal clips. My next thought was, why groove when I have a 500 Festool Domino System? My supplier friend is not, however a Festool "Junkie!" So, I've been searching a couple days to see if anyone with such a system has used Dominos to clamp their decking. What I am thinking of doing is to make my own Dominos from Balau. - thickness: 5 or 6 mm, width: about 38 mm (about 1 1/2") and length: 50 mm (about 2"). The width and length look to be about the max I can go with 5mm thickness, slightly more with the 6 mm bit. I set the width to match the joist thickness. I plan to center the Dominos vertically with the thickness of the decking. Each Domino will be inserted without using glue allowing 1/4" between adjacent decking boards. I will drill one hole for a decking screw to hold the Domino in place using a Belau spacer under the Domino the thickness of which will allow the screwed in Domino to have a downward pressure on the planks in which it is inserted,. First question, is my general concept satisfactory for creating a clamping process for the decking? One more question: as I know I must allow for some expansion/contraction for the decking, what gaps should I allow for the thickness, widths and lengths of the Dominos?
Hotwheels, I will greatly appreciate any feedback/counsel you can give me about what I am planning. The two questions I have raised are key in my thinking but, what have I not asked?
Many thanks in advance for your anticipated feedback.
Regards,
Rex - ORGramps
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