Domino with built ins

[joiner1970]

I'm about to get a domino 500 and I reckon a lot of the work it will do will be making 18mm carcasses. I've used biscuits before and I've also got a kreg jig. I've been surfing trying to read as much info as I can but would like to know how other people construct carcasses with dominos.

I know you can set up with shelves clamped to sides as you would when biscuiting and I've seen the domiplate. What I'm curious to know is how many dominos do you use say over a 600mm deep unit and do you just use carcass screws or do you use pocket hole screws.

As I say I've got my methods pre domino but would like to hear how you existing domino users go about it.

Chris

 

[rmwarren]

Chris,

Full disclosure - I am a DIY only, but close to completing a recently constructed house.

I use the domino to align top/bottom to sides in cabinet boxes and pocket screws to hold them together. All my boxes are plain (frameless) and I add end panels to dress things up.

I register one domino off the front edge using the correct width mortise to align the panel edges and then switch to the over-sized mortise setting and add 3 dominos on a base cabinet, 2 more on an upper cabinet, all with glue & then pocket screws in between. I also like to use dominos to attach the screw strips at the rear, especially for upper cabinets where they are hanging from this strip. I think this adds a lot of strength. 

This is probably not up to a pro's specs but it works fine in my home.

RMW

 

[erock]

Chris,

  The one thing I would suggest would be to look into buying the Domiplate.  If you do a search on the Domiplate you will find a lot of guys that

build cabinets using 18mm ply use this Domino accessory.

I used it to build my kitchen cabinets.  It keeps the Domino centered on the plywood.  Speeds up the process!

A member here makes and sells them.  You can go to SENECAWOODWORKING.COM

I know you are across the pond, not sure what shipping would be.  But if you are going to use the Domino a lot, this is a must have accessory.

I am not affiliated with this FOG member or seneca woodworking.  I'm just a very happy customer!

Hope this helps a little.

Eric

 

[Sparktrician]

I'd echo Eric's comments.  I use my Domino with pocket screws occasionally when I have large projects that need to be held tightly while glue sets up.  I did this when I made the rolling Sysport, as an example. 

[smile]

 

[bwiele]

I'm currently building my own version of the Guido Henn wall out of 3/4 birch plywood.  I'm using dominoes for the case joinery.  Is there a consensus that the dominoes should be supplemented with pocket hole screws for strength, or is that to simplify the assembly process by avoiding the need for clamps?  This is very topical (and a bit time sensitive!) for me.  I assembled my first of 6 cabinets yesterday, expect to do the second today and will carry on from there!  Thanks in advance for your input.  - Brian

 

[joiner1970]

I'm currently building my own version of the Guido Henn wall out of 3/4 birch plywood.  I'm using dominoes for the case joinery.  Is there a consensus that the dominoes should be supplemented with pocket hole screws for strength, or is that to simplify the assembly process by avoiding the need for clamps?  This is very topical (and a bit time sensitive!) for me.  I assembled my first of 6 cabinets yesterday, expect to do the second today and will carry on from there!  Thanks in advance for your input.  - Brian

The screws are just replacing clamps if you had time you could just clamp ,domino and glue it would be just as strong a joint

 

[Deansocial]

For building cabinets the lamello zeta looks an awesome machine.

 

[Brice Burrell]

I'm currently building my own version of the Guido Henn wall out of 3/4 birch plywood.  I'm using dominoes for the case joinery.  Is there a consensus that the dominoes should be supplemented with pocket hole screws for strength, or is that to simplify the assembly process by avoiding the need for clamps?  This is very topical (and a bit time sensitive!) for me.  I assembled my first of 6 cabinets yesterday, expect to do the second today and will carry on from there!  Thanks in advance for your input.  - Brian

The screws are just replacing clamps if you had time you could just clamp ,domino and glue it would be just as strong a joint

I agree.  I'll use screws anytime that they will be out of sight.  My method is to use a maybe two Dominoes (one in the front and one in back) for alignment and screws to add strength and to avoid clamping, no glue at all.  If screws are going to be unsightly then I'll use only Dominoes every 6-8", glue and clamp.  

 

[rmwarren]

I'm currently building my own version of the Guido Henn wall out of 3/4 birch plywood.  I'm using dominoes for the case joinery.  Is there a consensus that the dominoes should be supplemented with pocket hole screws for strength, or is that to simplify the assembly process by avoiding the need for clamps?  This is very topical (and a bit time sensitive!) for me.  I assembled my first of 6 cabinets yesterday, expect to do the second today and will carry on from there!  Thanks in advance for your input.  - Brian

The screws are just replacing clamps if you had time you could just clamp ,domino and glue it would be just as strong a joint

Totally agree with joiner1970.

RMW

 

[upscale]

I'd echo Eric's comments.  I use my Domino with pocket screws occasionally when I have large projects that need to be held tightly while glue sets up.  

Instead of pocket screws, I use two Dubuque Shelf Clamps to hold my projects together while they dry. They're fast, easy to use and work quite well.
http://www.leevalley.com/en/Wood/page.aspx?p=69621&cat=1,43838

 

[Sparktrician]

I'd echo Eric's comments.  I use my Domino with pocket screws occasionally when I have large projects that need to be held tightly while glue sets up.  

Instead of pocket screws, I use two Dubuque Shelf Clamps to hold my projects together while they dry. They're fast, easy to use and work quite well.
http://www.leevalley.com/en/Wood/page.aspx?p=69621&cat=1,43838

Nice clamps, especially for smaller projects.  I just don't see them as appropriate for larger case projects where they haven't sufficient reach.  This is where pocket screws seem to shine for pulling case parts together as the glue hardens.  (Got to order some of those clamps...) 

[smile]

 

[peter halle]

Really great to see all the techniques.  I use the dominos only for positioning.  My starter one is not even set at the tightest setting.  It really doesn't need to be.  A pocket screw tends to only move the joining piece in one axis and the domino fights that.

Just my little addition to the discussion.

Peter

 

[Kevin D.]

I'm currently building my own version of the Guido Henn wall out of 3/4 birch plywood.  I'm using dominoes for the case joinery.  Is there a consensus that the dominoes should be supplemented with pocket hole screws for strength, or is that to simplify the assembly process by avoiding the need for clamps?  This is very topical (and a bit time sensitive!) for me.  I assembled my first of 6 cabinets yesterday, expect to do the second today and will carry on from there!  Thanks in advance for your input.  - Brian

The screws are just replacing clamps if you had time you could just clamp ,domino and glue it would be just as strong a joint

Totally agree with joiner1970.

RMW

I'm actually surprised everybody does not endorse this methodology of just Dominos alone and glue aside from those who don't have clamps on hand.

 

[Brice Burrell]

I'm actually surprised everybody does not endorse this methodology of just Dominos alone and glue aside from those who don't have clamps on hand.

As Willy sort of touched on in his previous post, pocket or otherwise, excel at holding larger assemblies where it might difficult to get clamps.  It's easy to get clamps on the outside edges but in the middle of a larger carcass cauls and plenty of clamps.  I'd rather screw and move on right away.  Another thing, and I might be in the minority here, I don't use glue if I'm screwing.  Plywood to plywood bonds aren't the best gluing surfaces and screws alone are more than strong enough.     

 

[Brice Burrell]

Really great to see all the techniques.  I use the dominos only for positioning.  My starter one is not even set at the tightest setting.  It really doesn't need to be.  A pocket screw tends to only move the joining piece in one axis and the domino fights that.

Just my little addition to the discussion.

Peter

I (mostly) use Dominoes for alignment too.  It is interesting, that you don't use the tight setting to align the edges.  Seems you might be missing out on an important alignment element.  I know you can manually align these parts during assembly but why go to the trouble if you can avoid it..... 

 

[Brice Burrell]

I see the suggestion for the Domi-plate.  I remember when it was created there was a great deal of interest.  I'm not sure I understand why it's important for the domino to be centered on the plywood.  What makes this tool helpful beyond what the stock domino does?  Please educate me.

I welcome PM's if you don't wish to share your response with others.

Personally, I don't see the value of the Domiplate as being able to center tenons in plywood.  Some people might but I don't.  The real value is that the plate attaches very solidly to the Domino and its used as the fence.  It is more solid than the Domino's fence so in theory using the Domiplate eliminates any potential error caused be the Domino fence.   

 

[joiner1970]

Just something to note is that most of our stuff in the UK is built in mdf or mfc we don't often use plywood for carcasses like you do in the US. Birch ply is used but only really on high end kitchens and such.

 

[bwiele]

Firstly, thanks to all of you for the input.  You are all a great resource!  I have a pocket hole jig which I can use to avoid the time and effort of clamping.  It will add a step to the build preparation, but it will simplify the assembly process.  And I can do it in a way that won't be visible.  Really glad I asked the question!

Second, I acknowledge that making built-ins for my shop out of birch plywood seems a little extravagant, but I haven't done any built-ins before and I'm trying to get some experience (with this material) in preparation for making some built-ins in my house.  And also, we've been in our house for 15 years and have no foreseeable interest in moving, so I'll enjoy these cabinets in my shop for a long, long time.  Lastly, when I'm done I'll be able to sell the 2 sysports that I have because I won't need them any more and from that I'll recoup most of my costs for the built-in materials, and my storage will be more efficient for my space.  [End of justification!]

Thank you again - I'm off to drill some pocket holes!!

 

[sancho57]

What Brice said…

2 dominos for alignment and to hold the sides ( 1 front and back) in position before I screw them together. Its a strong and quick assembly process. When using the elements or dogs with the MFT it adds to the speed of assy.

 

[upscale]

Nice clamps, especially for smaller projects.  I just don't see them as appropriate for larger case projects where they haven't sufficient reach.  This is where pocket screws seem to shine for pulling case parts together as the glue hardens.  (Got to order some of those clamps...)

I'm having trouble envisioning what type of shelving you have in mind when making that statement about insufficient reach. The beauty of those clamps is the fact that they work and it doesn't matter how long the shelving is.