Confirmat screws vs domino for shop cabinets?

[QuailRider43]

About to assemble a bunch of 3/4" melamine cabinets for the workshop.  I considered buying a Domino for carcass and drawer assembly, but the more I read on cabinet making forums, the more I liked the idea of just using confirmat screws + stepped drill bit.  The screw heads will be mostly hidden between panels, and will be covered with white plastic caps on drawer sides to blend with the melamine.  I'd love to hear opinions from people who have experience with both confirmats and dominoes.  While I don't mind having an excuse to pull the trigger on a Domino, the confirmat screw method appears to this inexperienced woodworker to be stronger and faster at a fraction of the cost.

 

[MGB]

I have fairly limited experience,

But for the longest time most cabinets around here were built with 18 ga. staples and confirmat screws, or pre-drilled #8's. In my opinion there's nothing wrong with that. I have a domino and honestly I'd only grab it if I need to hide fasteners. Or felt that I need as much strength as I can get.

Recently the cabinet company's around here have done away with concealing fastener's with plant on gables. For spec's anyway, I would guess they're using the lamello system...

I'm really curious to see, I've stared at my kitchen cabinets a few times trying to decipher how the joined the boxes. Guess I'll never know unless I tear one apart...

 

[Holmz]

I cannot help with the 'Domino versus confirmat screws' comparison on cabinets. Stronger and fast is probably correct.
I have done some Domino work and recently got a Lamello Zeta P2.

if you want to take apart your cabinets then the screws of the Lamello+ClampX would be your choice.
this could be because you plan on moving, you plan on the shop changing, or for a kitchen/bath, maybe you are planning on water or other damage.
The Zeta P2 is not cheap either, but it may be worthwhile if you are doing a lot of this sort of stuff.

The Haus-Boss has a laundry room and bathroom cabinet now in the work queue.

 

[grbmds]

I made shop cabinets out of melamine coated mdf and put them together with pocket holes/screws before I got my Domino. The pocket hole joinery has worked well and they are still solid after about 5 years.

 

[erock]

Glue'em and screw'em.

You don't need a domino for cabinet boxes.    It helps with assembly and adds some strength.  But it's not a must have for cabinets.

If you want an excuse for the purchase of a domino,  then use the domino on the doors and drawers.

Just my 2 pennies.

Eric

 

[Holmz]

Glue'em and screw'em.

You don't need a domino for cabinet boxes.    It helps with assembly and adds some strength.  But it's not a must have for cabinets.

If you want an excuse for the purchase of a domino,  then use the domino on the doors and drawers.

Just my 2 pennies.

Eric

^This man^ speaketh the truth.

(But I would still not glue them if you think you may want to pull them apart...)

 

[stvrowe]

I used confirmat screws for my first shop-built sysport with PB core melamine.  They work great and hold up well but, both pieces must be drilled simultaneously.  This means you have to have a means to clamp the adjoining pieces together and keep them square while you are drilling.  I found this to be time consuming so I don't use the confirmats anymore.  Since getting the Lamello Zeta P, I haven't used a Domino in cabinet construction.

 

[jt073]

The Confirmat screw and stepped drill system is good.  As said, the carcass needs to be clamped up square (and the hole drilled square) to drill the stepped hole.  For that reason, more than added strength, I use dominos to align the carcass components, then assemble the carcass on its side and drill the holes using a drill guide.  I do glue the dominos in as I figure it cannot harm to add some strength.

For the drill guide, I bought an old Porter Cable Portalign guide that after modifying the chuck arrangement, works fine with my T18 drill. 
http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/281928...19255-0%26rvr_id%3D984598548062&ul_noapp=true

Cheers

 

[Simon (UK)]

Recently used Confirmat screws for the first time in 18mm MDF. Used them in the same construction as dominos.
The Confirmats hold very well indeed. Best I've used in MDF edge.
They won't give you that Oooooo! feeling like using the Domino does though. Or is that just me?

S.

 

[sancho57]

I use 2 dominos and 2 screws per joint.

 

[Wonderwino]

I used both when constructing some MDF and melamine cabinets.  The dominos add strength and keep the panels aligned when drilling the confirmat holes.  If assembled without glue, they can be KD'd later.  I glued mine and they are "bullet-proof."

 

[Tinker]

Glue'em and screw'em.

You don't need a domino for cabinet boxes.    It helps with assembly and adds some strength.  But it's not a must have for cabinets.

If you want an excuse for the purchase of a domino,  then use the domino on the doors and drawers.

Just my 2 pennies.

Eric

^This man^ speaketh the truth.

(But I would still not glue them if you think you may want to pull them apart...)

I made the mistook of gluing joints and panels on the first bench with drawers I made for my shop.  I finally started rearranging about a year ago and the first bench i disassembled was that ancient first bench.  It was extending too far into the floorspace and drawers were too deep.  where screws  had contacted glue during assembly, the screws could not even be loosened.  I could not pry joints apart.  I final just went after all parts with my jigsaw.  I was afraid I might run into screws so i avoided using my TS 55.  Of course, using the jig saw with blades much less expensive than circular saw blade, I did not hit one screw. 

I have not added glue to any of my shop benches or cabinets since. 

from experience, many will probably get redesigned in time.

I now use domino for alignment on some pieces, but NO GLUE.  The strength is pocket screws.
Tinker

 

[Laminator]

Narrow crown 1.5" staples make excellent "clamps" to hold things in place while drilling & driving confirmats.

 

[Holmz]

Glue'em and screw'em.

You don't need a domino for cabinet boxes.    It helps with assembly and adds some strength.  But it's not a must have for cabinets.

If you want an excuse for the purchase of a domino,  then use the domino on the doors and drawers.

Just my 2 pennies.

Eric

^This man^ speaketh the truth.

(But I would still not glue them if you think you may want to pull them apart...)

I made the mistook of gluing joints and panels on the first bench with drawers I made for my shop.  I finally started rearranging about a year ago and the first bench i disassembled was that ancient first bench.  It was extending too far into the floorspace and drawers were too deep.  where screws  had contacted glue during assembly, the screws could not even be loosened.  I could not pry joints apart.  I final just went after all parts with my jigsaw.  I was afraid I might run into screws so i avoided using my TS 55.  Of course, using the jig saw with blades much less expensive than circular saw blade, I did not hit one screw. 

I have not added glue to any of my shop benches or cabinets since. 

from experience, many will probably get redesigned in time.

I now use domino for alignment on some pieces, but NO GLUE.  The strength is pocket screws.
Tinker

I have a domino, but the clampX are ideal for sheet goods.
If one has a domino, or needs to justify one, then a domino would work. But the ClampX is ideal, and gives another tool to justify.