Joining angled "rail and stile" with Domino.

[gstuartw]

I'm building an A-Frame style rolling clamp storage cart out of 3/4 plywood. The ends of the cart are comprised of 3 1/2 wide strips of ply in an A-Frame configuration. Essentially it's a pair of rails and stiles that are not joined at right angles.

I'm new to the Domino and unsure how to best use it for this purpose. Initially I assumed I could just mortise into each part on a 90 degree angle to the edge and not worry about the angles but assembly might prove to be an issue. I'd appreciate some advice on this. Is the Domino the tool for this particular joinery and if so do I need to make the mortises oversized or dare I say it… Should I be using pocket holes? [scared] [scared] [scared]

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[Wuffles]

My opinion (which is absolutely worthless, but sometimes ok for a laugh) is that you're bang on with the domino placement - it's what I'd do. Glue, then probably find something else to strengthen them too, perhaps pocket screws as you said.

If nothing else, the domino joints help with alignment (in my topsy turvy world anyway). If I tried to pocket hole screw that, it'd be sliding all over the place by the time I got the screws in.

Someone with more sense will be along imminently.

 

[Rick Christopherson]

I suspect that you are concerned about getting the parts to mate up during assembly, correct? Simply install your tenons in the shorter rails first, and the longer stiles will fit right over them. The tenons are perpendicular to the edge of the stiles, so it is just an illusion that they won't slide together.

 

[JCLP]

I agree with Rick. It's an illusion. Dominos are the way to go. Pocket holes are ugly, even with the custom caps you can buy from Kreg. The right glue, 2 or 3 dominos and clamp will create an extremely tight and solid joint. Cut a couple test pieces and practice. You know what they say, practice makes perfect. I spend a lot of time playing with the domino and I am always impressed on what it can do and how strong a joint can be. I haven't used a screw in a joint in quite a while.
Cheers,
JC

 

[gstuartw]

I agree with Rick. It's an illusion. Dominos are the way to go. Pocket holes are ugly, even with the custom caps you can buy from Kreg. The right glue, 2 or 3 dominos and clamp will create an extremely tight and solid joint. Cut a couple test pieces and practice. You know what they say, practice makes perfect. I spend a lot of time playing with the domino and I am always impressed on what it can do and how strong a joint can be. I haven't used a screw in a joint in quite a while.
Cheers,
JC

Okay, the idea of test pieces didn't occur to me, great suggestion. I'll be using 2 dominos, glue, clamps and pin nails so it all should work. Thanks to all who offered a response.

 

[Andy B]

tape or temporarily apply with a couple small dabs of glue wedges of the appropriate angles and bore thru these for a straight in-line domino orientation  for glue up. for the stretcher parts, bore mortises first then cut the angle.

 

[gstuartw]

tape or temporarily apply with a couple small dabs of glue wedges of the appropriate angles and bore thru these for a straight in-line domino orientation  for glue up. for the stretcher parts, bore mortises first then cut the angle.

Then there's that too. Means cutting new stretcher parts but it might be worth considering. Thanks.