Edge Joining Ply w/ Domino

[Mike Goetzke]

(Be kind, this was my first use of my new domino.)

I searched the subject and got some good info. but want to be 100% sure I know how to make this joint in the most accurate manner.

This weekend I had to edge join two pieces of plywood. I've used a plate jointer for many years. I used a technique with the Domino that I had success with using the plate jointer. I place the piece good side down on my workbench, clamp it down with a Kreg table mounted clamp, lay the Domino jointer on the bench, and have at it. My surfaces were not as even as I expected. I know many write-ups suggest using the Domino fence set to 90 deg and index it off the appropriate faces of the boards but I used the workbench method w/o the jointer fence with my plate jointer with good success for years.

Any suggestions on edge joining appreciated.

Thanks,

Mike

 

[vteknical]

Mike,
I too am borderline riding the fence if my Domino needs to be sent in for service.  I have not made a perfect edge to edge joint to date.  I have changed the feed rate, hand placement, installed a new bit all to no avail. 

Victor

 

[Mike Goetzke]

Mike,
I too am borderline riding the fence if my Domino needs to be sent in for service.  I have not made a perfect edge to edge joint to date.  I have changed the feed rate, hand placement, installed a new bit all to no avail. 

Victor

Now I din't want to hear that ;D!

If I get time maybe I'll try using the Domino fence as reference instead of the workbench and see it that helps.

Mike

 

[Mike Goetzke]

Last night I had a second try at it - in hardwood this time. I set the fence to 90 and referenced off the finished face. My fit up was terrible! I then took my calipers and measured the distance from the finished face to the top of the slot. The slots progressively were moving further from the finished face - about 0.040" from the first to last slot (I machined 10 slots). I then remembered a post about needing to really tighten the height adjustment knob tight. After this I was able to get the slots to within a couple of thousands of each other ;D.

What concerns me is I really had to apply quite a bit of pressure to the height lock down lever (it felt like it was flexing). Is this normal & can the plastic lever take this abuse over time? Or are there any mods to help with this?

Thanks,

Mike

 

[Dave Ronyak]

Mike,

Some users who experienced a similar problem found that cleaning the mating surfaces of the Domino fence height adjustment mechanism with solvent to remove any machining lubricants has helped.  I had a slight problem with the fence of my Domino "creeping" downward the very first time I used it, but never thereafter.  I do not have to highly tighten the lever to keep the depth adjustment from creeping, just snug it up.  But I do take care regarding where I apply force when making a mortice. 

If you are referencing off the top surface of the workpiece, make certain that the base of the Domino is not also contacting the support table.  Many users recommend positioning the workpiece so that it overhangs the support table to prevent interference of the Domino base with the support surface.  This type of interference is very likely with workpieces of 3/4 inch or less thickness.  I apply downward pressure to the handle on the top of the fence to ensure registration of the Domino machine to the workpiece, and I very lightly grip the barrel or simply push the barrel from the plug end to make the plunge cut, thus avoiding any movement of the fence end of the machine relative to the workpiece.

If you are referencing off the base of the Domino, as you described, make certain that the work piece is clamped flat against the support table.  I have experienced some problems due to the workpiece being slightly bowed up and away from the support table.  Again I apply pressure only on the handle on the fence to hold the machine firmly against the table top and workpiece in alignment while lightly gripping or simply pushing the barrel of the machine from the plug end to make the plunge cut.

As you probably know, when referencing off the table top and base of the Domino, the mortice will not be in the center of 3/4 inch plywood.  Thus it is important to make certain that the finish surfaces of the workpieces to be joined are in contact with the table top when making the mortices.

Dave R.