Domino 6 on 13 mm thickness material

[Leovipe]

Sorry about the newbie question, I just got my Domino DF 500 and I am trying to work on a project to attach the domino 6 to 13 mm thickness material. Is this possible? If so, what adjustments on the machine I should make?
I was thinking to cut deeper the top part material(as attached picture) and less deep for the bottom part but it seems that even adjusting to the 12 mm deep the 6 mm bit cuts deeper crossing the bottom material. If I put some 1/4" material as first layer it works but I was wondering if there is some other option.
Using the domino 4 I can make this adjustments but the connection wont be stable for this project.

 

[ChuckM]

If 6 mm is used rather than 5mm, set the depth for the horizontal piece to 10mm and 28mm for the vertical piece and trim 2mm or so from the domino, because 6mm dominoes are 40mm long and the max depth of cut is 28mm.

Download the DF500 supplemental manual on how to do it ("Creating Special Plunge Depths"):
https://www.festoolusa.com/service/owners-manuals#DOMINOJoiners

Instead of tubes, I use Traxxas stampede/Rustler spring Pre-load spacers (TRA3769) to set the custom depths -http://www.rcboyz.com/product.php?productid=21195&page=1  (about $7.75US after shipping to Canada)

 

[grbmds]

Based on your picture, my opinion is that a 6mm Domino won't work for this application because the 6 is too thick for the material your joining (not because of the length). It would be risky because there is not enough material in what appears to be particle board to support the thickness of the Domino without problems. The general rule for Dominos (just like regular tenons) is 1/3 of the material thickness should be left on either side to truly support the tenon in its slot. I would want at least that in particle board and you don't have quite that. I might do a 6 in 13mm hardwood, but I even think that is questionable. A 5mm Domino might work but, since it's particle board, I think it would still be questionable. Others may disagree about both the 5 and 6 for your application.

 

[ear3]

Definitely would not want to use a 6mm domino on 13mm particle board.  If you go with 5mm, you will also have to reduce the depth of the plunge, either with a sleeve/stop on the domino post or with a thin piece of material double sided taped to the surface of the stock.  Even then you will have to be super careful about blowout due to the hydraulic pressure of the glue in the mortise -- use as few narrow mortises as possible to leave some space for squeeze out.

 

[Cheese]

As grbmds stated, Festool recommends the 1/3 rule. So if it's 13mm thick material, a Domino that is 4+mm thick would work. The problem here is the strength of the particle board. If this were solid wood or even Baltic birch I would chance a 5mm Domino, however because it's particle board I'd stick with a 4mm Domino.

I look at it this way, the 4mm Domino will be stronger than the particle board that is 4.5mm (13mm - 4mm/2) thick. So even at 4mm, the weakest link is still the particle board.

 

[grobkuschelig]

I second the concerns voiced above.
I have done 8mm Dominos in solid wood of 12mm thickness without problems.
So I am not against going against the 1/3rd rule.

BUT I would not take a chance on the particle board you are looking at.
This would seem way too brittle for me.
5mm would be the max. width I‘d try, if you have reservations against the 4mm.

 

[grbmds]

I’ve used pocket hole joinery to make shop cabinets out of the material in your picture and it does work well. Particle board is still an iffy material though. I did have one joint on one of these cabinets break loose and had to repair it. However pocket holes are still a good option unless you don’t want the joints exposed anywhere on the cabinet.

 

[Holmz]

A confirmit screw and bit do wonders in the MDF and chipboard.
I use a snappy tools bit.

If you want a hidden joint then a Lamello Zeta with the ClampX is ideal or the Tenso.

Having both the Domino and the Zeta it is no contest for sheet goods.
And as sheet goods are cheap and useful they can be use for a variety of things.
I have hardly used the Domino lately as I have been woking various sheets.

The Zeta does cost more, but in terms of usefulness I highly recommend it.
Howeevr if you are doing solid wood then the Domino comes into its game, and has some real strengths.

 

[DB10]

  If it was me and I didn't want to use pocket screws, I would instead of using 2, 6mm dominos across the depth of the cabinet  maybe use 3 or 4, 4mm dominos across the depth.

 

[grbmds]

  If it was me and I didn't want to use pocket screws, I would instead of using 2, 6mm dominos across the depth of the cabinet  maybe use 3 or 4, 4mm dominos across the depth.

I think using more 4mm Dominos is a great idea. Even the 4’s are strong. Once glued in place they become part of the wood bonded by glue and, if anything, should strengthen the particle board in the area of the joint. I