Domino to make windows

[Bunzena]

Hi.  New'ish to Festool and new to the Owners Group - although have been 'watching' for a year or two.  This is a fantastic resource.

I'm an aspiring DIYer and weekend wood-worker that discovered Festool around 2 years ago.  Starting with a TS 55R (plus assorted rails), I now have a Midi Dust Extractor and a EHL 65 EQ Planer.  Gradually upgrading from Bosch and Makita as and when I can afford - although the Festool 'infection' is taking hold fast!  Based on my small collection I can't fault them.  So cleverly thought through and just an absolute joy to use.  If I won the lottery - it wouldn't be a Porsche as my first purchase - I'd be down the tool-shop!

I have a question that may seem very basic - but would appreciate a view. 

I live in a Barn - converted back in 2006.  It was not done by us and the standard is pretty good - although the softwood windows that were put-in are shocking.  Almost every one on the ground floor is rotting - frame and window frame alike.

Some can be patched - but some really can't.  I'd love to have them replaced with hardwood copies - but the cost is going to be very high.

Although I'm still very much a novice when it comes to carpentry, I'd love to be able to start making my own replacements as and when I have the time.

My immediate thought is that making the frames would be so much simpler with a Domino.  But I'm not entirely sure if the joints would be okay for windows.  The windows would be painted but our house is fairly exposed.  Would the joints be okay - and any tips on glue? 

Any tips from anyone who has experience/views would be really helpful.

Many thanks.

 

[Birdhunter]

I live in a hot humid area of the USA, Atlanta, Georgia and I had problems with rotting window frames.

I (actually a contractor) replaced all the sills and frames with PVC moldings. This material never rots and can be painted like wood. The contractor said the PVC material comes in all the standard shapes of moldings.

If you decide to use hardwood, I suggest you use the Festool Sipo tenons and a good waterproof glue like Titebond III. I built a bunch of outdoor benches out of Ipe using the Sipo tenons. Two years of being in the outdoors and they are holding up perfectly. I used Titebond III on some of the benches and two-part epoxy on others. Both glues seem to be holding up.

 

[johntheoak]

I would check for leaks. The windows were probably not flashed correctly. To construct wooden windows
        correctly use a sash cutting shaper or router bit. Painted Pine should last for years. You could also use White Oak.

 

[Cheese]

I just recently replaced the Douglas fir windows in the garage. They've been exposed to the elements for almost 70 years. Easier to work with fir rather than hardwood.

 

[Brice Burrell]

I wouldn't use a soft wood for anything exterior on my own home, especially if it was plantation grown.  I can't tell you how much exterior pine trim I've replaced that was less than ten years old, some less than five years.  I know the op is from the UK so I can't offer any practical advice on materials that are readily available there.  Here in the states, I'd go for spanish cedar, mahogany or white oak.  However a clad window would be my first choice by a long shot. 

 

[Doug S]

I have a domino XL but still generally make windows with traditional mortice and tenon joints, the domino would be fine though.

There is some rubbish softwood around and I avoid it externally when possible.

There is a wood called accoya which is excellent for windows, it's expensive but very easy to deal with. It is actually a softwood that goes through a process that makes it into a kind of super wood, ment to last 75 years externally untreated.

They recommend using a D4 rated adhesive with accoya, pu type glues work well with it.

You are ment to contact building control when replacing windows, they will want some money off you and you have to fill in some forms to show your new windows comply with current regulations.

Oh and welcome to the FOG  [smile]

Doug

 

[bertv]

A nephew of my late GF did what you intend to do: he replaced all the rotten windows (and more) in the house he purchased (which by the way was previously owned by his wife’s parents) with hardwood ones. He used Festool equipment and dominoes to do that.
I gave him my partners’ Mini vac after she died. I own a Midi and that made her buy a Mini for the occasional sanding jobs in her cottage.

 

[petertheeater]

Hi there
I would second the Accoya comments and titebond III. You could possibly make your own dominos from Accoya. I've found the Accoya comes in numerous sizes and is very straight to begin with meaning less wastage.