Dominos or dados?

ctfeet

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May 12, 2011
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I don'thave a domino yet but am considering one.  Wondering though if dominos would replace dados in cabinet construction. I normally would dado the sides for the top and bottom. Will dominos work as well and are they strong enough?

thanks for the help
Stan
 
Phew!  For a moment I thought "Dominos or Davos?" was going to be about rich and powerful folks meeting in Switzerland to discuss how rich and powerful folks can best run the world.  I was going to vote for "Dominos" because pretty much if you know what one is, you're somebody who actually makes things yourself.  The Davos attendees would probably learn a thing or two from hanging out with Domino devotees.
 
Sorry, it was a typo. That's what I get for typing on my phone with auto correct. It's been fixed.
 
Hi,

Yes, Dominos can replace dados for cabinet carcasses. They do a very good job. I find that Dominos with pocket hole screws (and glue) are  great.  No clamping needed either the screws do the job.

Seth
 
I like to use dados... I think they give rigidity to the cabinets.  An OF1400 router makes quick work of it.

I like the Domino, but it appears to me that using it increases costs for a carcase.
 
i would say it's a close call between dominos and router dados speed wise, strength wise the dado wins i think.
but tablesaw dados would def be faster, but i can only suppose since dado blades on a tablesaw is impossible/illegal in europe.
 
The domino is perfect for cabinets perfectly strong, quick,accurate. The dominos cost cents once you have the machine,  costs are tiny.

I used to use the dado for cabinets not anymore [big grin]
 
pugilato said:
The cost of the machine counts, doesn't it?

Well it depends on quite a few different factors, like whether the cost can be offset against tax,if you are making a profit/living with what you produce,how much faster you can produce the product, the expected service life of the machine,and probably about another dozen or so factors that do not spring to mind.

from my point of view(this may vary from others) the cost of such a usefull machine fades into insignificance....
 
I would guess most pro cabinetmakers with good cabinet table saws continue to use dados for speed & economy however Dominos are an excellent, strong choice for shops that aren't high production.
 
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