Jig for cutting dominos in short dowels

[lewisc]

I hope this makes sense.

I'm trying to work out how to cut holes in short dowels (100mm long, 30mm in diameter) to insert dominos on each side. I've come up with an idea for a jig which would involve clamping the dowel between two sections  - see the picture - imagine the same size jig on top of the domino clamping it down with screws.

I would then place the domino on top of the jig set at the right height and cut the holes, flip it around and cut the other side.

Any suggestions on improving this idea? Anyone tried it or something like it?

 

[eddomak]

I hope this makes sense.

I'm trying to work out how to cut holes in short dowels (100mm long, 30mm in diameter) to insert dominos on each side. I've come up with an idea for a jig which would involve clamping the dowel between two sections  - see the picture - imagine the same size jig on top of the domino clamping it down with screws.

I would then place the domino on top of the jig set at the right height and cut the holes, flip it around and cut the other side.

Any suggestions on improving this idea? Anyone tried it or something like it?

The Festool Domino Round Stop Attachment is certainly based on this principle but I guess since the specs say the minimum diameter is 35mm I guess that's out of the question. Also I don't know if there is a safe minimum working length to the dowel for the official accessory. So it looks like you're sort of scaling it down a little.

 

[lewisc]

I've looked at the Round Stop Attachment - the problem I run into is holding the dowels in place. It would be much easier if I could get some clamps on the back of it but they're to short to clamp and put the domino joiner on top.

I also figure it would hold it in place so I could get the same alignment on each side of the dowel.

 

[semenza]

  How about using a jig like you have shown with a top piece to clamp the dowel down. Set it up so that your domino will be centered by resting the bottom of the joiner on the flat surface in front of the dowel. In other words reference off the "table" surface with the fence in the vertical position  rather than using the fence in the horizontal position to reference off the dowel. The flat "table" surface could be and probably should be part of the jig.

    Also add a vertical backstop to the jig to push against. And put a mortise in the backstop that will align with the mortise in the dowel.

  Clamp the dowel into the jig, cut the first mortise, insert a domino, flip the dowel and push it into the backstop mortise, clamp down, cut second mortise.

    The backstop / domino / mortise will ensure that the mortises in the dowels are aligned in the same plane. Not twisted in relation to each other.

    The reference surface will also need side stops to keep the joiner in the right place.

Seth

 

[Cheese]

I'd use the bottom of the Domino to index off of, we already know the center line of the bit is 10mm off of the bottom so you just need to add a 5mm pad to the jig to center the domino on the dowel and then you'd have enough space to clamp the dowels.

 

[semenza]

I'd use the bottom of the Domino to index off of, we already know the center line of the bit is 10mm off of the bottom so you just need to add a 5mm pad to the jig to center the domino on the dowel and then you'd have enough space to clamp the dowels.

Yes, that certainly simplifies my suggestion.  [embarassed]

Although the set up with backstop mortise will ensure the alignment of the mortises in each end of the dowel, assuming that is important.

Seth

 

[Cheese]

Although the set up with backstop mortise will ensure the alignment of the mortises in each end of the dowel, assuming that is important.

I agree with you Seth, a backstop is needed to ensure consistent alignment of the domino's along with 1 or 2 rails/pins on the raised 5mm pad to ensure finding/locating the center of the dowels easily.

Without consistent alignment of the domino's, machining the matching mortises in the "other" parts would be a nightmare. [eek]

 

[clark_fork]

How about a length of 8/4 stock with a hole in the center. [  o  ]. You may have to use an old fashion auger. That way the Domino would rest on the top of the 8/4 and you could center the mortise in the center of the dowel.  Just slide the dowel into the hole, hold it in place with a center marked on the top of the 8/4 stock.

The Vee slot seems to have difficulties with clamping etc.

If you don't have a Domino, putting the dowel in a 8/4 block would be a good use of a horizontal router jig.

 

[bkharman]

How about a length of 8/4 stock with a hole in the center. [  o  ]. You may have to use an old fashion auger. That way the Domino would rest on the top of the 8/4 and you could center the mortise in the center of the dowel.  Just slide the dowel into the hole, hold it in place with a center marked on the top of the 8/4 stock.

The Vee slot seems to have difficulties with clamping etc.

If you don't have a Domino, putting the dowel in a 8/4 block would be a good use of a horizontal router jig.

That was going to be my suggestion as well Clark. Or to make it even simpler, have to parts of the stock on either side with the dowel pinned in between and set the fence stock accordingly.

If you need to have the dominos in both ends either parallel or perpendicular, you can put a domino in the back to have it line up properly when you mortise the other end of the dowel.

Cheers. Bryan.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[lewisc]

Awesome! Thanks for that. This is why I love forums.  It's more than just my brain working. I have a feeling that there should be some success with these ideas.

 

[clark_fork]

Let us know what are you making when you get it done. Squirrel ladder?    We are wondering why use Dominos instead of round mortises and insert the dowels, maybe split the end of the dowel  and insert a decorative wedge. 

I remain perplexed by this joint. Maybe you are on to something....

[attachimg=1]

 

[lewisc]

Let us know what are you making when you get it done. Squirrel ladder?    We are wondering why use Dominos instead of round mortises and insert the dowels, maybe split the end of the dowel  and insert a decorative wedge. 

I remain perplexed by this joint. Maybe you are on to something....

It's for one of my student's project. He's making a chair that uses the dowels to hold the back legs together - I'll try to find his plan and show you. The domino is new in my workshop so we're testing the limitations and how much we can use it. I've been impressed with the ease of use, alignment and strength for some other projects and I'm trying to make it work here. It's a great learning curve.

This is what I've come up with based on the suggestions - a bit rudimentary but it has given satisfactory results.

 

[Cheese]

This is what I've come up with based on the suggestions - a bit rudimentary but it has given satisfactory results.

That'll get it... [big grin]  Have fun with the Domino, I've owned the DF 500 for 4-5 years but I continue to be amazed at what it can be used for.  [cool]

 

[semenza]

Looks good. Rudimentary or not it seems to work.

Are you having to screw the top clamping piece down every time?  I think if you could place on the opposite side of the work bench or flip the jig fixture then a clamp could be use of the edge of the work bench.

Seth

 

[bkharman]

Looks good. Rudimentary or not it seems to work.

Are you having to screw the top clamping piece down every time?  I think if you could place on the opposite side of the work bench or flip the jig fixture then a clamp could be use of the edge of the work bench.

Seth

Looks like he has it on a swivel which should work great and be quick. The force of the Domino fence and bit are acting as a clamp which should keep the speed up.

Great job!

Cheers. Bryan.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[lewisc]

Are you having to screw the top clamping piece down every time?  I think if you could place on the opposite side of the work bench or flip the jig fixture then a clamp could be use of the edge of the work bench.

Looks like he has it on a swivel which should work great and be quick. The force of the Domino fence and bit are acting as a clamp which should keep the speed up.

It has two screws in it. One of them stays in place and helps to pivot the timber while the other is pulled out, I put a new piece in and screw it back down.

 

[lewisc]

After a few tries with the jig, we were getting mediocre results. The first few went well but because there was inconsistency in the dowel size, it didn't quite fit the jig as nicely as it should. With some more modification, I'm sure I could get it to work or get my student to keep practicing on his turning skills.

I had another idea and came up with this - see pictures. There's some projects that I'm happy to keep playing with - this has been one of them.

- Cut the timber to 40x40mm square and marked the centre line across the whole way.
- Put a domino in each end, halfway up and glue them in.
- Cut off the ends at 50mm long
- Trim the remaining square stock into 100mm lengths
- Use the centre line to cut the domino holes in the 100mm timber
- Clamp it all in the lathe and turn it

The results were very pleasing, everything was consistent and will align well. I did find that it had to be all cut from the same stock otherwise the centres don't match up.

 

[Anderson-Plywood]

I believe you can use the Festool Domino Hand Rail Fence!
We have it in stock, here is the link:
Festool Domino Hand Rail Fence

 

[Cheese]

I believe you can use the Festool Domino Hand Rail Fence!

Unfortunately, the Festool rail fence cannot be used for stock that is less than 35mm in diameter.  [sad]

The OP is using 30mm diameter stock.