Domino Purchase help

[colevalleytim]

Hey Guys

those of you who own a domino, what size do use the most?  The sizes are so close, they seem duplicative.

I was thinking of using of starting with the 8mm and 5mm

Thanks
Tim

 

[Jesse Cloud]

Hey Tim,
I think the answer will depend entirely on what kind of projects you are making with the domino.  For what its worth, I lately I've been making tables, cabinets, and jewelry boxes.  I bought the assortment when the domino first came to the US.  Looking at the domino systainer I see lots of 5mm dominoes gone, lots of 10 x 50, a good amount of 8 x 40 used.  The 6 x 40 bag is still unopened.  As they say, your mileage may vary.

 

[Michael Kellough]

So far I've only used the Domino for edge joining boards and building knockdown jigs so I still haven't changed the 5mm bit that comes installed in the machine.

I was never satisfied with biscuits for aligning surfaces of boards so I ended up using splines to keep mating surfaces registered and the Domino has eliminated that practice and made the task much quicker. The dominoes fit so tightly that when strategically placed they can even align warped boards. The 5mm size is fine for 3/4" stock since I'm only using them for registration rather than strength. Fortunately Domino beech tenons seem to be priced by the pound so you get a lot more of the 5mm 'Os for your $$.

 

[Lou Miller]

You're going to find that you'll get a wide range of answers on this. For me, there's no question that the 6mm are the ones I use the most of. Everyone and their habits are different though. The thing about the Domino is that once you get it, you will definitely use it for things that you hadn't thought of prior to getting it. That'll mean using different sized bits quite regularly . I thought it was going to be a waste to get the kit of 4 bits, but it turned out to be the only thing that came in the extra systainer that I really get any use out of (I still have more than half the original dominoes because I now make my own). I use all the bits sizes, the 6mm the most, but I use all four sizes fairly frequently. I love the tool so much I don't pass up an opportunity to use it, ever.

And to think, I was one of the louder voices against the Domino when it first came out in NA. You couldn't pry it away from me today.

 

[Tim Sproul]

Tim

Tim's of the world unite!

Anyways, I use 6 and 8 mm the most.  The stuff I build is generally furniture scale - plywood cabinet boxes using 3/4 thickness (6mm dominos) sheets and things like solid wood furniture is generally using 3/4 to 7/8 thickness sticks (8mm dominos).

 

[The Dude]

Tim

Tim's of the world unite!

I am with "brother" Tim on his reply to his other "brother" Tim.  I will say that I have used the smaller guys in making recipe boxes for "momma's" friends.  Lou is correct when he stated that you never pass up an opportunity to use the tool.  Using the smaller Dominos on things like picture frames and such (say 1/2" stock schtuff) is pretty slick!

Brother Tim

 

[Eli]

Get the Dom systainer if it doesn't break your bank. It's nice to have all the options.

 

[Brice Burrell]

Get the Dom systainer if it doesn't break your bank. It's nice to have all the options.

Best advice yet, wow, Eli is good for some thing after all.