Dominoes or Biscuits?!

[Toller]

I am building a wood couch and am using the domino for joining the major structural elements.

The back is a frame with 10 slats.  Before I had the domino I would use #0 biscuits and all would be fine.  But now that I have the domino...

I read an old thread where people say they are getting rid of their biscuit cutters.  I am not thinking of that; biscuits are great for aligning panels and dominoes seem like overkill. 

In this case biscuits would work just fine, but dominoes might be somewhat better.  But it is 48 holes to cut; why use expensive dominoes and put wear on a $700 machine when biscuits will do?

I am hemming and hawing on this, and have to get cutting!  Any wisdom to get me over my dilemma.  (Though a dilemma is really two bad options; here I have two good options.  What would that be properly called?)

 

[cparson]

(Though a dilemma is really two bad options; here I have two good options.  What would that be properly called?)

A conundrum?

I can't help you with it though.

 

[Dave Ronyak]

With a 3-year guarantee (in USA at least) and the low price of dominos (and the possibility of making your own or sizing your slats and domino mortices to match), what's to fear?  I'd use the Domino machine for the added strength of the joints of the slat to the rails.  I've been using my Domino machine with factory 5mm dominos to add reinforcing decorative edges to plywood shelving.  Lots of dominos, fast and simple with strength and alignment.

Dave R.

 

[Eli]

Make the slats of a size they can be mounted directly in the domino holes.

 

[Dave Ronyak]

Make the slats of a size they can be mounted directly in the domino holes.

Exactly.  Don't overlook the fact that you can overlap domino mortices to accomodate wider and/or thicker slats than a single plunge of the Domino machine provides.

Dave R.

 

[Mike_Chrest]

Make the slats of a size they can be mounted directly in the domino holes.

overlap domino mortices to accomodate wider and/or thicker slats than a single plunge of the Domino

Wow, that's a great idea. I want to make a couch now. One of those folding futon jobbies. I always dreaded doing the slat part (think hollow chisel morticer=tedious)

This would be great for Craftsman style chairs as well.

 

[lynnsr]

Toller;

I'm a festoolie for every place it is best, however in this case "KISS"

 

[clintholeman]

I see no alternative but to use Domino.  10 slats is 20 mortises - at about a nickel a piece for the Dominos - I think they actually cost less, that is $1.  The biscuits may cost a tiny bit less, but in a couch, the total cost difference is going to be negligible and the strength difference significant.

 

[Lou Miller]

You didn't mention the thickness of the slats. Being that the thinnest domino is 5mm, that could very easily have an impact on things. If you try to put a 5mm domino in, let's say a piece of wood that is only 8mm, you're going to weaken it quite a bit. In a case like that, biscuits would be the better choice. I wouldn't be comfortable using the domino unless your slats were at least 1/2" thick or more. In fact, I don't think you can center a 5mm domino in anything that is less than 5/8" in thickness unless you use some type of shim while cutting the mortises.

In terms of putting wear on the machine... Are you serious? Trust me, 48 mortises isn't going to put any wear on that tool. I think 5mm dominoes are something like $.03 each. So you're talking about roughly 72 cents worth of dominoes. What will 24 biscuits cost? I don't know off the top of my head, but they have to be very comparable. Even if they are free, you're still only saving 72 cents. Is it really worth it?

I'd do what several others have already mentioned and just make my slats to match the mortises created by the tool. Overlap the mortises if you need them wider than what the tool can produce. Or just use the widest setting on the tool and make an integral tenon on the end of the slats that will fit into that mortise. No need to round over the edges either, just make them square.

 

[mastercabman]

why use expensive dominoes and put wear on a $700 machine when biscuits will do?

why not?  why did you buy the machine to begin with?   

 

[Toller]

why use expensive dominoes and put wear on a $700 machine when biscuits will do?

why not?  why did you buy the machine to begin with?   

Because it will do things the the biscuit cutter won't; like joining the parts that will require strength.

The top and bottom rail are 1.2" thick, and the slats are about 1"  I think it will be plenty strong without anything, but getting everything to line up would be a chore.

 

[John Stevens]

No disrespect intended, but I think you're wasting more time asking the question than you'll gain back in productivity.  Either will work for alignment, either will be strong enougy, and the cost difference will be marginal, except perhaps in terms of the value of your time.  Biscuits will be somewhat faster, IMO.  Hope this helps you cut your losses

Regards,

John

 

[Dave Rudy]

The more you use the Domino, the faster you'll get.  I like to use it for dinky projects because I just like to use it.  I'd say there is no good reason not to use the domino and every reason to use it.

Like John says, get off the computer and into the shop -- and dont forget to get us plenty of pics.

 

[Mirko]

Trying to justify cost on the 5mm Domino's? Come on just use the Domino, you would have wasted more "Time (which cost money)" humming and hawing about it, besides how much is life worth? to worry about a few spilled Domino's. my two cents.

Mirko