DF700 connector spacing

[estley]

So, I'm building a bed, the rails are 8 inches wide (or tall depending on how you look at them), I'm going to use the DF700 connectors so i can disassemble it when/if we move. I've worked out that I can fit 3 connectors/dominos in there. Now the question is what goes where, does it make sense to have a domino in the center slot and connectors on the outside slots; connector in the center and dominoes on the outsides; all connectors... I honestly have no idea if it even makes a difference. Drawings attached, feedback appreciated.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

The OCD in my head would rather see the connector in the middle and regular Dominos on the sides....But logically, I think the connector should go on the bottom.
The top one would be under pressure, not tension. The middle one would keep things aligned and prevent twisting, the bottom one (connector) would hold against the tension trying to splay the leg outward.

 

[woodbutcherbower]

The XL Domino is a thing of true wonder - but like all tools, it's not a catch-all for everything. My opinion? Traditional stub tenons are your friend;
https://www.festoolownersgroup.com/member-projects/'carpe-diem'-the-15-hour-double-bed/

Kevin

 

[Crazyraceguy]

The XL Domino is a thing of true wonder - but like all tools, it's not a catch-all for everything. My opinion? Traditional stub tenons are your friend;
https://www.festoolownersgroup.com/member-projects/'carpe-diem'-the-15-hour-double-bed/

Kevin

Stub tenons and cross dowels? then you need to deal with the holes in the end (or make pockets for nuts, if you don't want them to show)
Sure that works (and might even be better) but it is also far more complex. The DF700 is easy mode for this kind of thing.

 

[Svar]

The OCD in my head would rather see the connector in the middle and regular Dominos on the sides....But logically, I think the connector should go on the bottom.
The top one would be under pressure, not tension. The middle one would keep things aligned and prevent twisting, the bottom one (connector) would hold against the tension trying to splay the leg outward.

I agree with that reasoning. If the legs are vertical, then connector in the middle is no brainer. But with splayed legs... I'd still put it in the middle because of OCD.

 

[estley]

The OCD in my head would rather see the connector in the middle and regular Dominos on the sides....But logically, I think the connector should go on the bottom.
The top one would be under pressure, not tension. The middle one would keep things aligned and prevent twisting, the bottom one (connector) would hold against the tension trying to splay the leg outward.

Funny, that makes a lot of sense, yet i didn't think of it for the exact reason you mention, OCD....

 

[ChuckM]

I'd put the connector in the middle, sandwiched by the dominoes, splay legs or not.

 

[luvmytoolz]

Given it's 8" high, I'd probably go connector - domino - domino - connector.

 

[Birdhunter]

I built a take down king bed using white oak. I think the rails were maybe 6” high and 1 1/2” thick.

I used one Domino at the top of the rails and one connector below.

The bed has held up over the past 5 years with no loosening.

 

[ChuckM]

Given the size of the DF700 connectors, that sounds about right. There must be enough "meat" left after the connectors are installed. Too many connectors or even unglued dominoes might weaken the structure.