Is a domino a good idea for my project: folding craft fair shelves

[JMcFly]

Good Evening to that what is the hive mind of the FOG...

My wife asked me to make her two shelving units, floor standing, to hold her excess craft fair stock so its not in bins under a table. She makes sewn items so they aren't very heavy, except for the heating pads which are about 2lbs each. 

My idea is to replicate the shelves in the attached photo, but instead of select pine 1x2's I plan on going with a bunch of excess 3/4" plywood (not baltic birch but cabinet grade from Lowes) I have laying around.

Would it make sense to just go with pocket holes like the builder of the shelves in the photo went or go with a domino joint because I have the tool and need excuses to use it.

thanks!

 

[ChuckM]

snip.

go with a domino joint because I have the tool and need excuses to use it.

thanks!

First vote for the DJ because it is such an expensive tool that it should not be underused. [big grin] [big grin] [big grin]

 

[Jiggy Joiner]

Yes, definitely use the Domino, mainly because those pocket hole joints look unsightly. I know pocket holes have their uses, and can be handy for repairs etc, and although we have a kit or two, I'm not a fan. I would much rather use a proper joinery method, as opposed to a butt joint and a couple of screws.

 

[RJNeal]

I would go with the domino joint with one or two pocket screws placed on the 2/4” narrow side of the rails. Only to assist in glue up.
Rick

 

[Bob D.]

Do these have to be knock-down units for transport?

I would use dominos either way.

 

[JMcFly]

Do these have to be knock-down units for transport?

I would use dominos either way.

Fold the vertical supports so it lays flat.  I only have a 6.5’ bed in my ‘94 F150 so all of the space needs to be used wisely.

Looks like dominos it is.  I have enough clamps to glue these up so no need for pocket holes 

 

[ChuckM]

I'd even use dominoes (glued into the rails, the horizontal pieces in the vertical supports) to attach the shelf pieces to add rigidity to the whole structure.

 

[Gregor]

I'd even use dominoes (glued into the rails, the horizontal pieces in the vertical supports) to attach the shelf pieces to add rigidity to the whole structure.

This.

Some 4x20 glued into the frame (protruding upwards only 5mm, to register into one shallow mortice in each shelve board) would secure them from sliding. To get the ability to vary the widths where the frames stand (meaning the ability to have different overhang of the boads to the outside) just add more mortices at the desired position(s) into each board.

 

[JMcFly]

I like that idea. I was going to use a piece of 3/4" for the shelves anyways and that idea is a lot more elegant than two butted up strips of plywood

 

[JMcFly]

I used the not select pine from Lowe’s which is probably a step up from the banana wood they usually sell. Kind of wish I had jointed the sides because one or two of them do have a slight curve.  But no one will see that, it will be hidden by a table.  Just need to sand them down and add a cross member to the lower portion for sand bags and they’ll be operational.  Also added white board fo the rear at the request of my wife.

Shelves Are just 3/4” ply with cleats to hold them in place.  Too much effort to add in dominos to put the shelves on honesty. Only had 4 Days to get it done after work

 

[ChuckM]

Looks good...you can still add the rail dominoes for the shelves after the event. It is a good exercise.