Domino dry fit issues

[UncleJoe]

I was building some maple face frames today and when I did a dry fit I could not remove some of the dominos. In one case I had to saw off the domino and recut the slot. Could my dominoes have swelled too much in storage, I keep them in the systainer?  Is there a method to dry out swelled dominos like 30 seconds in a microwave or something?

Just looking for some input, I am a hobby woodworker not a production shop so my bag of dominos lasts a while.

As always thanks to everyone for their advice
Uncle Joe

 

[Sparktrician]

You can nuke them for 30 seconds, as you noted.  Then, store them in a sealed zip-lock bag to keep the humidity out.

 

[bertv]

To avoid this issue I use slightly sanded down domino’s for dry fit.

The microwave tip has been mentioned a lot. But I don’t own microwave (I cook from scratch, so no need).

 

[Packard]

I compress dowels for an easier fit by rolling them on a flat surface and pressing them down using a 12" flat metalworking file and rolling back and forth.  Unlike sanding, compressing allows the dowels to return to their original dimensions once exposed to the moisture in the glue. 

I don't use dominoes, but I would imagine that compressing the dominoes in a vise would accomplish the same thing.  Sanding small parts is not as easy as it would appear.

 

[guybo]

Hi, were the some on the tight setting? I ask because you did the dry fit and then they became stuck?

 

[ChuckM]

Microwaving does work, but a pair of vise-grip pliers properly tensioned will take care of any stuck tenons. I use 6mm and 8mm tenons the most, so I have two pliers set aside for those occasions without adjusting.

 

[4nthony]

You can nuke them for 30 seconds, as you noted.  Then, store them in a sealed zip-lock bag to keep the humidity out.

Just be sure to toss and flip them in the bowl between nukings otherwise some might still be partially frozen swollen.  [cool]

 

[Michael Kellough]

Microwaving does work, but a pair of vise-grip pliers properly tensioned will take care of any stuck tenons. I use 6mm and 8mm tenons the most, so I have two pliers set aside for those occasions without adjusting.

In addition, while dry fitting I sort Dominos into piles according to whether they are too small or too tight. The small ones get used for dry fitting. The large ones get nuked.

I keep a set small/normal Dominos for dry fitting that have chamfered ends. I just swipe the ends with a file to round the edges. It makes dry fitting much easier. Since they are not too fat I can usually pull them out with my fingers.

 

[guybo]

Hmm, the only problem has been on tight setting for me,and a video by ask woodman solve that by replunging 1mm over and the tenon pulls out by hand no pliers need.Try it yourself and report back. guy

 

[bertv]

Hmm, the only problem has been on tight setting for me,and a video by ask woodman solve that by replunging 1mm over and the tenon pulls out by hand no pliers need.Try it yourself and report back. guy

The same can be accomplished by sanding off a bit from the domino’s sides. That way you do not need to replunge, right?

 

[guybo]

Hi, true but since I'm already there a quick plunge costs no time.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

As others have mentioned, I keep mine in a sealed ZipLock bag. I use the heavy freezer type with the actual plastic zippy thing. Once in a while, I come across a tight one, but usually notice it going in, stopping before it gets stuck. Pliers will usually get them out, if you have a mishap.
I have come to trust my Domino and technique to the point of not bothering with dry-fit most of the time, mostly to save time. It has bitten me once or twice, usually when I missed one cut, but adding one more cut is not that big of a deal.

I have used the microwave on regular biscuits, but never needed to for Dominos. That has been quite some time ago though, I don't even own a biscuit joiner anymore.
I don't see the need. There is nothing that a biscuit can do that a Domino can't, but it doesn't work the other way. Domino can do plenty that a biscuit can't.

 

[Mike Goetzke]

I have seen it posted before about the tight dry fit but I have found mine to be on the looser than I'd like it side so I dampen them a bit. I found this same issue with an XL with small mortise kit and with my 500.

 

[Jim_in_PA]

The best method I've come up with for dry fit with Dominos is to create a set of them in each of the sizes you regularly use by very lightly abrading them so they make a slip fit without being sloppy and then...dye them an obnoxious color so you know they are your dry fit versions. Really...it will make your life a whole lot easier.

 

[Cheese]

The best method I've come up with for dry fit with Dominos is to create a set of them in each of the sizes you regularly use by very lightly abrading them so they make a slip fit without being sloppy and then...dye them an obnoxious color so you know they are your dry fit versions. Really...it will make your life a whole lot easier.

Agree with Jim 100%. I keep 10 of each basic size, sanded & marked with Magic Marker in a mini systainer to use for fitting. You don’t need to dry fit all the Dominos that are being used, only the ones that may present a problem during the glue-up. And you don’t need both 8x40’s and 8x50’s, make your life easy.  [smile]

 

[TDJMB]

Thanks for the good suggestions.  I'd just emptied a bag of Dominos into the Systainer - I'll put them in a bag.  And having a set specifically for dry fit is a great idea.

 

[ChuckM]

I, too, keep a bag of "undersized" tenons of all the sizes for dry-fitting purposes, but for the alignment mortises (tight to tight), I use the regular tenons only to be sure any misaligment issues are not due to the modified tenons.

 

[Sci]

A pair of Knipex pliers wrench is great for removing lodged domino's.

 

[rmhinden]

A pair of Knipex pliers wrench is great for removing lodged domino's.

That's what I use too.

Bob

 

[gwills]

I make my own dominoes (8-14mm) with a custom shaper cuter that I had made by Freeborn. The domino stock is thicknessed on the planer to the same thickness as the factory dominoes. The domino stock is usually about 15% moisture content. When I dry fit 100mm dominoes (stock or custom) they usually get stuck and require beating out of one side of the joint.  A C clamp or pliers is helpful but even this approach can be very time consuming.  The solution is to cut all of the dominoes to size then put them in the oven at the lowest temperature overnight.  You will be able to slide them in and out of the mortises with two fingers and little effort. I have been using this approach for many years and it always works.  I also use epoxy (System 3 T-88) to glue the dominoes because it gives me plenty of working time and the joints slide together easily.