Domino connector system and 17mm ply

[mazdaq100]

Hi

I've just purchased the DF500 and the connector system KV-SYS D8 to make some bookcases out of 18mm white melamine birch ply. I ordered 18mm ply and just had it delivered cut to size but discovered that it is only 17mm thick. I assume 18mm was their nominal size but having built loads of stuff in the past out of standard birch ply, which has always been 18mm or sometimes a tad thicker, I'd never considered that this stuff wouldn't be 18mm.

So question is, can I get away with using this 17mm ply with the domino connector system? Instructions say a minimum of 18mm. Obviously, to make the connection, I need to drill a hole which is 15mm deep, which only leaves 2mm. Doesn't seem much. I have done a test piece on an offcut and I may get away with it but really unsure about whether to proceed.

Would be grateful for any advice, especially if others have encountered the same issue.

Thanks.

 

[mazdaq100]

Measured with some digital calipers and thickness varies between 17.1-17.35mm. Maybe I'm being pedantic and over thinking things but is a concern

 

[squall_line]

Having used the connectors, the only hesitation I would have is telegraphing/blowing out any non-connector dominoes.

That said, if the goal is true knock-down, any non-connector dominoes wouldn't be glued, so they wouldn't be as prone to blowout.

 

[mazdaq100]

Thanks - that's helpful. I was going to glue one end of the non-connector dominoes into one of the pieces and then leave the other end dry so it could be taken apart if the customer wished to do so.

But you're saying instead I could just fit both ends dry and should be OK?

Apologies if this is obvious - new way to building bookcases for me. In the past I have used dados with screws/glue to fix in place.

 

[Coen]

Glued dominos when it's supposed to be able to be taken apart are a hell.

Typical Ikea dismantled furniture breaks during transport when people don't remove the tenons and they get knocked, breaking the sheet goods.

 

[ChuckM]

If your test piece looked fine, I wouldn't think the slight difference from the recommended stock thickness is a huge concern. I once did a knock-down project using stock that was slightly below the thickness requirement (for the hardware used), it came out fine. I soaked the "weaker" spots with CA glue to reinforce them, just in case.

[attachimg=2]

 

[Gregor]

Glued dominos when it's supposed to be able to be taken apart are a heck.

Typical Ikea dismantled furniture breaks during transport when people don't remove the tenons and they get knocked, breaking the sheet goods.

This. Simply do not glue the normal dominos but let them float, the piece will be held together by the connectors.