I recently retired and am investing in my woodworking habit. As such right now, I'm in the middle of building all the cabinets for a lakehouse. So, I have picked up a Domino 500 (which has already changed so much of how I build). My question is in regards to research that tells me more about the strength of the Festool Quick Connect system. Flat packing would make transporting cabinets to the lake much easier. But I can't seem to get past the IKEA mentality (cheaper quality) and feel a glued Tenon and joint will consistently outperform a mechanical quick connect. Is there any literature that I can read that researches domino strength vs quick connect? I'm really trying hard to consider glueless assembly.
Festool Quick Connect system
- Thread starter RAW
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timwors
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My understanding of the Domino connectors is that they are designed primarily for pull-out strength, but have quite limited shear strength compared to tenons. For this reason Festool recommends using a combination of connectors and tenons. This would be particularly important for connections with a predominantly shear load (e.g. shelves).
Another benefit of the method Cheese suggests (connectors, tenons and glue) is that you might be able to avoid needing to clamp while the glue sets up.
Another benefit of the method Cheese suggests (connectors, tenons and glue) is that you might be able to avoid needing to clamp while the glue sets up.
Hi Cheese. To be as efficient as possible, I started using pre-finished plywood. Right now, with just dominos, I tape and sand down a strip where panels join. It's time-consuming and often requires a touch-up afterward. But I never thought about using glued tenons plus quick connects. If that would be adequate, then that's a whole new idea. Maybe the two outside connectors would be quick connects with one or two inside being a domino. Why didn't I think about that? [embarassed]
Michael Kellough
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Also consider the Lamello Zeta system. It’s made for the purpose.
With either mechanical system I’d still use a minimum of five mortises.
Mech at ends and middle and wood in between.
With either mechanical system I’d still use a minimum of five mortises.
Mech at ends and middle and wood in between.
Cheese
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RAW said:
Festool regards the Domino connector as something that just "holds the joint together" rather than a highly stressed joint connector. Most of the load carrying ability comes from the wood Dominos. Here's a typical bed joint recommendation for the DF 700 joint connectors.
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You should be able to use melamine glue (look for Titebond Melamine or Roo Glue) on your prefinished plywood. Use wood tenons for strength, and just clamp them together with the connectors. Or flat pack them with regular dominos, and glue/clamp them at the lake assuming you can fit the clamps. Or just use dominos/screws if you are going to have hidden side panels.
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