Domino XL

[Neathawk Designs]

I've really been looking for a reason to take the plunge on the Domino XL... I have to build barn doors for 2 jobs, but that's at least a month away... I have this other little job - making a small table top (25" x 42") - made of Cherry, with a Maple Inlay that has a wedding date inlayed into it.  Can I use the Domino XL to do that?  Or should I just use my 500?  I was thinking of joining together Cherry boards that are 5/4 x 4... or 5x4 x 6.... or do I need to step it up to 8/4 to justify it?

Mentally the plunge has been taken weeks ago and I'm already on to other tools - like the CMS or maybe a drill... but for me -  it only makes sense to buy it when I'm ready to use it. 

 

[jacko9]

I have both machines so given the present and future work you have I would get the DF700 and the Seneca adapters for the smaller cutters so you have the capability of both machines.

Jack

 

[Neathawk Designs]

From what I'm reading... the Domino 500 would really be the too for the job... I read a lot about domino thickness, but I didn't see much info on the length... is there an ideal length? 

 

[NYC Tiny Shop]

I, also, own both machines. You may not need to go out a buy the XL 700 these builds. For the table top you only need the 500. For the barn doors, it depends on how you want to use the dominos. If it's to just join boards side to side, then the 500 is fine...but, if you want to build a big heavy framed door, then the 700 would be needed.

 

[Neathawk Designs]

Well Fortunately, we're building big heavy barn doors... so we are gunna have to get it!  But... we are changing up this table a bit.... I'm going to try and find some exotic hard woods, and then inlay epoxy... I think the larger deeper mortises will help prevent movement.  I'm going to shoot for 1.25 inches - so maybe I can get away with a 10mm domino that goes deeper than the 500 can go - that way it will be less likely to move or come apart.  Does that make sense?

 

[Donges]

Not sure if this helps you, but when i join 6/4 or 8/4 wood, I stack the 8 X 50 tenons, using the 500.  Works for me.

 

[Birdhunter]

My excuse for adding the XL to the 500 I've had for a year was building a bunch of outdoor benches.  Now that I've handled the XL, I am extremely impressed with its ease of handling and some features I wish Festool would add to the 500. I could have handled the job with the 500, but wanted the XL. It was a good decision. I bought both accessory kits to get the full range of cutters and tenons. It would be nice if Festool had a single kit with all the cutters and tenons in one package.

Find an excuse, buy, and enjoy.

 

[Neathawk Designs]

So... I now have the XL in my hands and 8/4" Sapele (sp?).  I have the 14mm cutter and 12 & 14 mm dominos to cut to length (sipo).... What size domino do you think should use?  Should I use gorilla glue?  Thanks.

 

[jacko9]

So... I now have the XL in my hands and 8/4" Sapele (sp?).  I have the 14mm cutter and 12 & 14 mm dominos to cut to length (sipo).... What size domino do you think should use?  Should I use gorilla glue?  Thanks.

If the 8/4 stock is already milled to 1 3/4" you could use either cutter but, personally I would use Titebond III glue over gorilla glue.  Titebond III has excellent strength, good water resistance and gives you adequate open working time.  If you make a complicated piece with a lot of glue joints use Titebond II Extend.  Sapele is easy to work with and is easy to glue joints.

Jack

 

[Birdhunter]

I got the following advice from my local woodworking store and I respect their expertise.

I am building a bunch of outdoor benches out of Ipe (an oily wood). I will be using Domino 700 8mm sipo tenons and stainless steel screws. They recommended a slow setting 2-part epoxy over Titebond II or III. Their rational is that the Titebond glues are water resistant, but not water proof. They and others recommended cleaning the glue surfaces with acetone first and then using the epoxy with the tenons.

I probably could have done the job with my Domino 500, but wanted a longer tenon for more strength.

 

[NYC Tiny Shop]

So... I now have the XL in my hands and 8/4" Sapele (sp?).  I have the 14mm cutter and 12 & 14 mm dominos to cut to length (sipo).... What size domino do you think should use?  Should I use gorilla glue?  Thanks.

I use the 14mm dominos with 8/4 and Titebond glue.

 

[tjbnwi]

No on the Gorilla Glue.

Tom

 

[Birdhunter]

I forgot to say that my local woodworking store  advised against Gorilla Glue for my Ipe outdoor benches.

 

[jacko9]

I forgot to say that my local woodworking store  advised against Gorilla Glue for my Ipe outdoor benches.

While I agree with you about the degree of water resistance, I did a crude experiment where I glued some rosewood pieces together with West Systems Epoxy, Systems 3 Epoxy and Titebond III glue.  After curing for three days, I used my mallet to break the lap joints.  The Titebond joint was the only joint to break in the wood fibers away from the joint interface.

I know it a non-scientific test but you might want to do some experimenting before joining an expensive project.  I did freshly sand all joints and wipe with acetone before assembly.

Just food for thought,

Jack

 

[Birdhunter]

Interesting. I think my store's only reservation about Titebond was its degree of waterproofing. It claims to be water resistant  while the epoxy they recommended claims to be totally waterproof.

Maybe, I ought to pin the tenons. Not sure what I would use for the pins.

 

[Neathawk Designs]

Thanks - the glue discussion is an interesting one.  I typically use Titebond III - and generally don't like using gorilla glue because it expands so much - but I recall it being suggested on the last Ipe deck that I did (in which case I actually made my own dominos and used gorilla glue which expanded and made a mess all over).  I think that's why I considered using it.  If Titebond will work, then I'm all for it. 

When you say epoxy... are you suggesting a 2 part epoxy?  There must be an easier way.  For this project, we are actually tinting epoxy and using it to fill a relief carving... I'm not sure if I have the patience to actually use it to glue up the boards.  I can see why it would be an excellent choice for outdoor use though - especially with Ipe - it will be rock solid.  We use Raka epoxy for our outdoor sign work (sometimes it's for coating signs, sometimes it's for glueing).  We haven't really felt the need to switch yet... I can't remember why we decided to start using them... but I think that they were more affordable to start with  - it could have something to do with clarity and UV protection as well.

I must say, I generally don't ask experience type questions on here, but I really appreciate the excellent feedback.  Thank you. 

 

[Neathawk Designs]

So I went with the Titebond III and 14mm tennons 140mm long.  I must say, these long tennons use a lot of glue.  I posted a couple photos of progress.

 

[jacko9]

So I went with the Titebond III and 14mm tennons 140mm long.  I must say, these long tennons use a lot of glue.  I posted a couple photos of progress.

Looking good!

 

[Birdhunter]

I don't like Gorilla glue because it bubbles up all over everything. If you catch it at the perfect moment in the drying process, you can slice off the "foam out". The stuff also turns your fingers brown, thus plastic gloves.

I plan to use the 2-part epoxy my woodworking store recommended even though it is far more expensive than Titebond. I just can't afford to have a bench fall apart and potentially hurt someone.

 

[jimbouk]

I dont know if you guys have it over there but cascamite is the best for weatherproof joinery in my experiance.