Glue-less Domino Dowel for Festool

[CrazyLarry]

Push fit connectors are not strong enough in this case because of how the force is acting. A possibility was to have a push fit with a screw inside like some hinges, but having normal screws had a stronger results because of the thread. Again because of how the force acts, thats also why it is possible with hinges and drawers. To make a proper cam, there would be more space required in the models, which we don't have. We also had to make it so it would be good in an overall picture, if we would have gone for the cam, the joint itself would be very weak.

But if the expansion is widthwise and driven by a separating spline rather than a lifting cam the force is symmetric and outwards at the edges of the domino not the faces which also gives a locking effect without weakening the joint.

I'm thinking of something akin to a hammer wedge in the middle of the connector you push in as you push the connector in, which then exerts just enough force to grip the edges and pull the connector inwards towards the base of the domino recess.

The locking screw is then just a 1/4 turn eccentric barrel in the female connector which pulls on the male connector again tightening force not clamping, a few N not 100's!!

Not at all suggesting a replication of rafix or barrel cam that would be completely retrograde for all the reasons you've given and undermine the domino centric approach.

I could envisage that an early compromise with this might be to make it all plastic and not reusable either to keep costs down.

Dominofix is also not made for the heavy duty work such as for the Festool ones. We are also not planning to make any for the same application area's as Festool, we dont want to compete against them, but add an addition for Domino and an alternative to other brands.

Totally appreciate this, entirely sensible and no doubt you are wary of the prospect of FT producing a follow up product for the df500 modelled on the current ones.

The problem is that we see Dominofix from a different point of view then our clients because we have been working on it for almost a year so we kind of know it inside out and many things what are logic for us are of course not for the client.

Hmmm lots of the comments in this thread cause me to think how others (your potential clients) make stuff, how they would like to make stuff and what they would like to see in a product that would make making their stuff, their way, easier!!! Isn't that the point of view that counts?

 

[The Interior Cafe]

Push fit connectors are not strong enough in this case because of how the force is acting. A possibility was to have a push fit with a screw inside like some hinges, but having normal screws had a stronger results because of the thread. Again because of how the force acts, thats also why it is possible with hinges and drawers. To make a proper cam, there would be more space required in the models, which we don't have. We also had to make it so it would be good in an overall picture, if we would have gone for the cam, the joint itself would be very weak.

But if the expansion is widthwise and driven by a separating spline rather than a lifting cam the force is symmetric and outwards at the edges of the domino not the faces which also gives a locking effect without weakening the joint.

I'm thinking of something akin to a hammer wedge in the middle of the connector you push in as you push the connector in, which then exerts just enough force to grip the edges and pull the connector inwards towards the base of the domino recess.

The locking screw is then just a 1/4 turn eccentric barrel in the female connector which pulls on the male connector again tightening force not clamping, a few N not 100's!!

Not at all suggesting a replication of rafix or barrel cam that would be completely retrograde for all the reasons you've given and undermine the domino centric approach.

I could envisage that an early compromise with this might be to make it all plastic and not reusable either to keep costs down.

Dominofix is also not made for the heavy duty work such as for the Festool ones. We are also not planning to make any for the same application area's as Festool, we dont want to compete against them, but add an addition for Domino and an alternative to other brands.

Totally appreciate this, entirely sensible and no doubt you are wary of the prospect of FT producing a follow up product for the df500 modelled on the current ones.

The problem is that we see Dominofix from a different point of view then our clients because we have been working on it for almost a year so we kind of know it inside out and many things what are logic for us are of course not for the client.

Hmmm lots of the comments in this thread cause me to think how others (your potential clients) make stuff, how they would like to make stuff and what they would like to see in a product that would make making their stuff, their way, easier!!! Isn't that the point of view that counts?

I mean more about general questions, i know what the clients are making. I'm a carpenter myself and because of i really needed these kind of domino's for a project, thats how it all started. You summed up some good arguments where you couldn't find the answer or it was not clear because we haven't made it clear enough. Thats why it is important for us to collect those questions and arguments so we can make a nice FAQ from it or write down the information more clear. We are hoping to have the video soon, because it will make a lot of things clear. So i mean those kind of questions. And again, this counts for everything, we cannot satisfy everyone and some people will not be in need for Dominofix. We have done over a 100 prototypes with all suggestions people have made, but because of the design, size, force, manufacturing process, application and a lot of other factors it didn't work as what we would expect.

We opted for the overall quality of Dominofix.

 

[Michael Kellough]

I am very favorably impressed with the patience of the folks behind Dominofix in answering excessively harsh criticism of a theoretical product.

It seems like it won't take too much longer for some woodworkers to get their hands on Dominofix and then we can find out what problems they solve, or don't solve.

Following the glue question, perhaps the plastic component (if very smooth) could be scuffed with coarse abrasive to add some texture that would key into hardened wood glue.

 

[The Interior Cafe]

I am very favorably impressed with the patience of the folks behind Dominofix in answering excessively harsh criticism of a theoretical product.

It seems like it won't take too much longer for some woodworkers to get their hands on Dominofix and then we can find out what problems they solve, or don't solve.

Following the glue question, perhaps the plastic component (if very smooth) could be scuffed with coarse abrasive to add some texture that would key into hardened wood glue.

Hi Michael,

Thanks for the nice post!

I think its very clearly and nicely said that it will solve some problems, and some not. But its good to have another option on the market that will please some. (But not all  )

 

[The Interior Cafe]

I would like to mention that all comments on here are not seen as criticism for us but as very valuable information.
With this information we can clearly put in our instructions how and for what the Dominofix can/should be used and for what not.

Dominofix is also not the right solution for everyone/everything. For some the Lamello/Festool system will be better.
Dominofix is also not the only/best/number one solution. But there are gaps in the market that will be filled with Dominofix.

With the information provided on this forum, we noticed that we will provide a link on our website to find out if Dominofix is the right solution for you or your projects. The product video that will come soon will also give you a better insight on the use/application of Dominofix.

Have a nice woodworking week with a lot of cool projects!

 

[greg mann]

I'd like to echo Michael's comments and add an observation: This is a product that is necessarily constrained by the Domino mortise itself. One of the complaints about Festool's offering is that it only is available for the XL version. Creativity is a whole lot easier when one has more space to work with!

Similar case in point: My wife and I just bought a pop-up camper. The refrigerator is at floor level so getting stuff in and out is not so easy. But where else can it be put when the roof needs to be lowered? This is a design constraint just like the size of a Domino is. There are tradeoffs to everything and this product is no different. I suspect most of us will be favorably impressed once we get a Dominofix in our own hands. I am looking forward to the video to better understand the proper applications for its use.

 

[The Interior Cafe]

Update on the manufacturing of Dominofix: Due to a small damage in the mould, the manufacturing will be delayed with 2 weeks. We are sorry for the inconvenience and the long waiting for those that have placed the pre-orders already!

 

[Claimdude]

Hello,
I subscribed to your newsletter and "liked" you on facebook. I went to place a pre-order of 50 count 8mm dowels, the drill jig and two sets of hole covers. When I view my cart the system is applying discount to the 50 count 8mm dowels only. It appears to from what I have read the 10% applies to the entire pre-order. Is that correct?

Thanks
Jack Lemley
Texarkana, AR 71854

PRE ORDER NOW WITH 10 % DISCOUNT!
No pre-payment required!
Dominofix Domino Dowels are now available for pre order in our web shop!

DOMINOFIX WEBSHOP

 

[The Interior Cafe]

Hello,
I subscribed to your newsletter and "liked" you on facebook. I went to place a pre-order of 50 count 8mm dowels, the drill jig and two sets of hole covers. When I view my cart the system is applying discount to the 50 count 8mm dowels only. It appears to from what I have read the 10% applies to the entire pre-order. Is that correct?

Thanks
Jack Lemley
Texarkana, AR 71854

PRE ORDER NOW WITH 10 % DISCOUNT!
No pre-payment required!
Dominofix Domino Dowels are now available for pre order in our web shop!

DOMINOFIX WEBSHOP

Hi Jack,

The 10% is only on the dowels. The reason for that is that we sell all accessories at manufacturing price. We dont want to add any extra costs for profit on top of our accessories to keep the price as low as possible.

 

[ear3]

I apologize if this has been answered already [member=59835]Dominofix[/member] but I was wondering if I could ask if any American dealers are carrying Dominofix yet?  Your website doesn't list any authorized dealers at the moment (I will make sure to mention it to my local brick and mortar folks -- and maybe [member=5]Bob Marino[/member] is considering it?)

 

[The Interior Cafe]

I apologize if this has been answered already [member=59835]Dominofix[/member] but I was wondering if I could ask if any American dealers are carrying Dominofix yet?  Your website doesn't list any authorized dealers at the moment (I will make sure to mention it to my local brick and mortar folks -- and maybe [member=5]Bob Marino[/member] is considering it?)

Sorry for the late reply! I just noticed my reply did came on when I did it few weeks ago! We are working with dealers at this moment and they will receive sample kits first before placing an order. As soon as we have agreements with dealers, we will put it online.

 

[The Interior Cafe]

We just received new samples after the mould fix and all is approved to go!
We are hoping that we can start shipping end of this month. Once again we deeply apologize for the delay! You can find photos of the samples on our Facebook pagehttps://www.facebook.com/dominofix/posts/333412236992703

 

[jmbfestool]

We just received new samples after the mould fix and all is approved to go!
We are hoping that we can start shipping end of this month. Once again we deeply apologize for the delay! You can find photos of the samples on our Facebook pagehttps://www.facebook.com/dominofix/posts/333412236992703

Hurry up! I wanna try some

 

[NL-mikkla]

and?

 

[The Interior Cafe]

Here is the video of the updated Dominofix 8MM Connectors.
They are still doing a bit of fine tuning in the mould to make the production process smooth. We hope to be shipping soon!

Dominofix 8MM Connector Video