Domino Justification Video

[smorgasbord]

Scott Walsh over on YouTube just released a video on the Domino, this time trying to justify its cost based on time saved. Obviously, pros have no problems doing this, but weekend warriors do/might. Here's the video:


The description has a pointer to a calculator where you can enter values for how much time you save, how many projects you do, how many joints per project, and how much your time is worth, etc.:
https://scottwalsh.co/pages/domino-calculator?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=product_shelf

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He came to 29 projects as his threshold. There are no enjoyment, mistake-proof factors.

He also did a strength test, comparing to router-cut wide mortises:
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And then to "real" Mortise and Tenons, with square corners:
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Here are the results:
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Interesting how much additional strength comes from the mechanical locking of the square cornered joints versus the rely-on-glue-strength rounded corners. And there probably is some additional strength from the pattern cut into the dominos that help prevent glue starvation, as shown also.

 

[squall_line]

I wouldn't have gotten into cabinet making or furniture making if my starting point was hand-cut M&T, personally.  I'm guessing there are other "heathens" like me out there as well, so if a tool helps lower the barrier to entry to those who can afford it, is there a harm in that?

Subtract the time it would have taken for me to learn how to hand-cut M&T, and the value of my time (which is much higher than an hourly rate now that I have kids), and my first Domino was justified before it even arrived.

The second, third, and fourth?  Or the Zeta P2?  Maybe not, but that's a completely different issue that probably requires couch time.

 

[Ebuwan]

I wouldn't have gotten into cabinet making or furniture making if my starting point was hand-cut M&T, personally.  I'm guessing there are other "heathens" like me out there as well, so if a tool helps lower the barrier to entry to those who can afford it, is there a harm in that?

Subtract the time it would have taken for me to learn how to hand-cut M&T, and the value of my time (which is much higher than an hourly rate now that I have kids), and my first Domino was justified before it even arrived.

The second, third, and fourth?  Or the Zeta P2?  Maybe not, but that's a completely different issue that probably requires couch time.

KIDS; key word. Before kids I scoffed at the Domino and whatnot. After kids, you would have to pry it from my cold dead hands.

 

[luvmytoolz]

Aside from the time and cost savings with tools of this caliber, using such a well designed precision tool is a just pure joy, and does elevate the work quality to some degree I feel!

 

[ChuckM]

Justification is a word that doesn't apply to me when it comes to woodworking as a hobby. I know quite a few hobbyists who couldn't and can't justify the many duplicate tools they have in their shops but they still keep them. One guy even has some commercial type of machinery that even a small furniture shop can't "justify" owning. And surely, I don't know how to justify having the Kapex in my shop.

If a hobbyist needs to "justify" something they want (to themselves or their significant other), they're most likely saying it in a tongue-in-cheek manner.

Before I owned the DF, I made above-the-average number of projects each year for a hobbyist. After I mastered it, I've made even more. I'm particularly interested in exploring its use outside its typical applications, especially in areas where other joinery methods (dowels, pocket screws, biscuits and traditional joints) are not as convenient or efficient to handle.

I've come across a few shopmade Domino machine videos (using a router and some jigs), boasting that they're the DF killer. I can only say you don't know what you don't know.

 

[DynaGlide]

I'm always interested in new/different machines/techniques to do things. I view it as an expansion to my skillset/capabilities. So far I'm up to Domino, Zeta P2, Pantorouter (recent addition), and of course I have the full suite of hand tools for when/if I feel like doing things that way.

I don't justify any of my stuff anymore. They make shop time more enjoyable. If I had to justify them, however, I have done several large projects for my home now that would have easily paid for every tool I own and I have several more large projects in the pipeline that will continue to do so. I was eyeing up a Castle pocket hole machine recently to do plywood drawers but after getting the Pantorouter I think I'll just roll my own maple dovetailed drawers for my cabinetry.

TLDR: I have been and continue to take on projects that justify the excessive cost of my nice tools.

 

[Jim_in_PA]

Dyna, that's kinda my approach...take advantage of what various tools can do if I personally find value in that. All of these things do what they do pretty darn well and that makes their use enjoyable.

 

[woodferret]

You can take the domino to something that's already assembled.

 

[Jim_in_PA]

You can take the domino to something that's already assembled.

That's also true for a biscuit joiner and other similar, but more advanced Lamello tools, doweling jigs and even a router, depending on the situation.

 

[luvmytoolz]

I've been using my DF500 the last couple of days on a mobile workbench, and it just struck me again what a sensational tool it is. Such a joy to use!

 

[squall_line]

You can take the domino to something that's already assembled.

That's also true for a biscuit joiner and other similar, but more advanced Lamello tools, doweling jigs and even a router, depending on the situation.

I put P-system slots in one of the cabinets in my 60 year-old house in situ with my Zeta, so yes, this is a strange point.  Unless comparing to a Castle line-boring machine or the like, most joining tools can be taken to the piece instead of vice-versa.

 

[Ebuwan]

I just trimmed out a bunch of windows, doors and base board, and used the DF500 a ton for it; its so nice how it makes every joint line up and reveals are all perfect. All of it was MDF and painted beautifully.

I don't think it made the trimming faster, probably slower, but it's all lined up perfectly. Used all 4mm Dominos.

The Domino on the window sill and my extension of the sill out is all nice and flush all the way. Green marks on the first photo is where i have dominos.

Its one of those things you almost look for excuses to use it. I like making picture frames from scrap, and 4mm dominos. I actually wish they made a slightly smaller domino than the 4 for the small frames. 

 

[billg71]

Nice work! Looks great, congrats and a hats off to you!

I just trimmed out a bunch of windows, doors and base board, and used the DF500 a ton for it; its so nice how it makes every joint line up and reveals are all perfect. All of it was MDF and painted beautifully.

I don't think it made the trimming faster, probably slower, but it's all lined up perfectly. Used all 4mm Dominos.

The Domino on the window sill and my extension of the sill out is all nice and flush all the way. Green marks on the first photo is where i have dominos.

Its one of those things you almost look for excuses to use it. I like making picture frames from scrap, and 4mm dominos. I actually wish they made a slightly smaller domino than the 4 for the small frames.

 

[woodferret]

You can take the domino to something that's already assembled.

That's also true for a biscuit joiner and other similar, but more advanced Lamello tools, doweling jigs and even a router, depending on the situation.

Was in ref to the OPs video where it's in comparison to a traditional mortise/tenon.  But if I'm gonna have argue some other random point, then the biscuit pales even worse in strength, the zeta connectors wobble, with the router being the closest in making a loose tenon joint, but unless you have a specialized jig, it usually tends to be pretty big and bulky to get the clamp access.

 

[onocoffee]

I would classify myself as a weekend warrior and borrowed a friend's DF500 for a small build last week and that convinced me. My local dealer still had one 500 set with the dominos and bits, and I just had to get it today.

 

[Jim_in_PA]

I would classify myself as a weekend warrior and borrowed a friend's DF500 for a small build last week and that convinced me. My local dealer still had one 500 set with the dominos and bits, and I just had to get it today.

Yea, it's one of those tools that can be "self selling" once it's in someone's hands for a few minutes. Congrats on your acquisition.

 

[Muttley000]

I can usually find a way to financially justify a tool, but really if it brings me enjoyment what is the point?  I also don’t try to financially justify taking my wife out to dinner, going to the movies with my kids, or spending some time reading forums on my iPad. If my business is buying a tool, that is different.

 

[Mini Me]

As soon as I saw a demo all those decades ago I said all those things as the influencer on YT. It was a game changer for the professional earning a living and you did not have to be a rocket scientist to work out why. I still can't work out why the person whose used machine I bought only ever used it to put in one Domino and then sold it to me for a huge discount. I have used it as intended and even used it to start a mortise and tenon and because it needed to be bigger excavated the rest by chisel. The Domino is a great device to make a splined joint when gluing boards together as well.

 

[DynaGlide]

Confession time: I bought a Domino before I knew what to use it for or even really much about woodworking. Everyone said how great and useful it was and I figured I'd find out later. I didn't have a workshop or a place to do woodworking really. I've done this sort of thing a lot over the years and so far it's worked out for me.

I paid ~$1,000 for a brand new unit w/ the tenon assortment systainer all brand new from a former Woodcraft employee. I know this because I found his employee receipt hiding under the plastic insert years later.

My initial gut reaction was correct. I don't use it often but when I do it's the right tool for the job. I'm always coming up with oddball situations where it helps save me. Like these Locking French Cleats

Or table buttons, or attaching hardwood lipping to a plywood or MDF shelf. I don't use it for cabinets anymore as I have decided it's too much fussing around for that work when screws and staples are faster and just as good/better.

 

[luvmytoolz]

My initial gut reaction was correct. I don't use it often but when I do it's the right tool for the job. I'm always coming up with oddball situations where it helps save me. Like these Locking French Cleats

In my book those French Cleats are all the justification required to buy a Domino! ;-)

Now you just need a Zeta P2 to...something...something...something...!