Dry fit dominos

[Jasonj888]

One of the things I really like about using dominos is the ability to completely dry fit a project, often without a bunch of clamps. The drawback is that I find myself sanding the edges of some of my dominos so that they will go in and out more easily during the dry fit process.

My idea is a set of dry fit dominos - slightly undersized and made of plastic. They could be sold in sets of 16 injection molded plastic pieces with the size on the side just like their wood counterparts. Maybe sizes could be color coded to match the colors used with the domino cutter sizes. Using plastic would allow less resistance when inserting and removing then causing less stress on the wood surrounding the joint. The undersize, maybe 1/4 or 1/2 mm would make them fit well enough for dry fit, but allow them to be easily removed.

if the plastic dominos were molded with a hole in the center of the widest part they could then be stored on a small bar or a wire loop. The hold could match the cutter size necessary to use as a quick reference to the tool needed.

If I had a 3D printer I would make my own set, instead I'm hoping Festool will do it for me.

 

[jacko9]

Great idea.  I made my own set by filing a 45 bevel on the edges and sanding them undersized.  I then painted the edges and keep them in a zip lock baggie.

The plastic ones sure sound like a better way to.

Jack

 

[Charlie Hill]

One of the things I really like about using dominos is the ability to completely dry fit a project, often without a bunch of clamps. The drawback is that I find myself sanding the edges of some of my dominos so that they will go in and out more easily during the dry fit process.

My idea is a set of dry fit dominos - slightly undersized and made of plastic. They could be sold in sets of 16 injection molded plastic pieces with the size on the side just like their wood counterparts. Maybe sizes could be color coded to match the colors used with the domino cutter sizes. Using plastic would allow less resistance when inserting and removing then causing less stress on the wood surrounding the joint. The undersize, maybe 1/4 or 1/2 mm would make them fit well enough for dry fit, but allow them to be easily removed.

if the plastic dominos were molded with a hole in the center of the widest part they could then be stored on a small bar or a wire loop. The hold could match the cutter size necessary to use as a quick reference to the tool needed.

If I had a 3D printer I would make my own set, instead I'm hoping Festool will do it for me.

+ 1, good suggestion.

 

[Jasonj888]

Jack09 - I was thinking about doing something similar, I hadn't thought of the bevel, thanks.

 

[sgryd]

Great idea.
I always end up trashing some dominos anyway when I have to pull them out with pliers after dry fitting. I'll file down a bunch and color them instead. if someone would make the plastic ones I'd buy them.

Thanks!
/Michael

 

[joiner1970]

I thought of this awhile back but did no more about it. I'm surprised no one else has ever mentioned having a set of plastic dominoes for dry fits

 

[rjwz28]

Mine are always tight fitting and would need vise grip pliers to remove and I would damage them in the process.  So I put them in the microwave for 1 minute and they go in and out easily.  Then I use the regular tight fitting ones when I apply glue and assemble.

Rob

 

[sgryd]

Sounds interesting. For sure easier than sanding them down. Do you have to micro them every the time? I.e. how long before they regain their moist level again?

 

[Kev]

Personally I'd like them in aluminium, they'd last longer!

I'd also like to have Dominos in brass (or similar, proper size) with a flush end for exposed Dominos ... imagine drawers, etc.

 

[tbellemare]

If I had a 3D printer I would make my own set, instead I'm hoping Festool will do it for me.

My BIL is a heavy at MakerBot.

Tom

 

[rjwz28]

Sounds interesting. For sure easier than sanding them down. Do you have to micro them every the time? I.e. how long before they regain their moist level again?

I don't know exactly how long they take to regain their moisture as I use others in the bunch for the final assembly.  They work for me every time.  Slip in and out very easily.  I keep all my dominos in plastic jars as I have high humidity here.  Without microwaving , I usually need to use a rubber mallet to insert them.

I may use the idea above and make some colored undersized ones with holes for dry fitting in the future.

Rob

 

[bkharman]

Funny that this topic is being discussed. I had come up with this notion of an "Alumino" for my own purpose of dry fitting.

I am looking at getting 20 each of my most common sizes and getting them cut from aluminum. Here is the sketch of what I was going to send out. The guy I was going to work on this with has the resources, but is low on time at the moment.

Curious that there is this much interest in it.

Cheers. Bryan.

 

[Jasonj888]

Great to see so much interest in this idea. I like the idea of aluminum and brass as well, they might work even better than plastic.

Does Festool ever pick up on these user ideas and run with them?

 

[Stephen B]

Great to see so much interest in this idea. I like the idea of aluminum and brass as well, they might work even better than plastic.

Does Festool ever pick up on these user ideas and run with them?

I hope they do, although with 3D printers coming down in price that could become the solution.
If Festool make them, they could be Festool Green.

I also like Kev's idea for metal ones.  LeeValley under licence to Festool?

 

[greg mann]

I think putting a hole in them would be useful for pulling them out. Since one won't know for sure which end will come out first I guess you need two holes. [unsure]

 

[jacko9]

I find that a good glass chipper pliers is good for removing stuck domino tenons.

Jack

 

[bkharman]

I think putting a hole in them would be useful for pulling them out. Since one won't know for sure which end will come out first I guess you need two holes. [unsure]

I thought about holes in my design but went with 2mm indents on both sides. Main reason was that smaller dominos would be hard to make holes small enough to be useful.