Joining boards end to end using Domino

[oradba69]

We are in the planning stage of remodeling our kitchen.
Want to add a solid wood counter top. The length is about 6 metres and instead of trying to work with such long boards I was thinking of using shorter pieces (1.5m).
Use my domino to end join them up to 6 metres end then use these long pieces to edge joint (staggering the end joints) up to my desired width (about 650mm).
Any tips, recommendations, critique welcome.

 

[Birdhunter]

I'd be inclined to use a lap joint. I've butt jointed boards using Dominos and it worked, but lap joints seem to be easier to get perfectly aligned.

I do not have any empirical evidence, but I believe a lap joint would be stronger than a Domino butt joint.

 

[Ed Bray]

A lap joint would be much stronger than a plain butt joint due to the large glue area but would require some precision in cutting it on all pieces to ensure they line up correctly, however as this is supposed to be for a counter top then it should not be likely to carry much weight (unless you are cutting up elephant steaks on it).

A good butt joint (cut with a router using a masons mitre jig) and located with Dominos, glued and clamped together with worktop connectors will be more than sufficient for this task as typically used (elephant steaks notwithstanding).

 

[Holmz]

...
(unless you are cutting up elephant steaks on it).
...

He is in South Afrika...

 

[oradba69]

hehehe, thanks for the suggestions guys.
The end to end joint will be 'temporary' until it is part of the wider kitchen top.
Love elephants too much to chop them up and rather photograph them in their natural habitat.

 

[semenza]

Since all the boards will be joined along the edges I think the Domino end joints should be fine. Just be sure to support the end joined boards at the joint when moving them around.

Seth

 

[nickao]

A lap joint would be much stronger than a plain butt joint due to the large glue area but would require some precision in cutting it on all pieces to ensure they line up correctly, however as this is supposed to be for a counter top then it should not be likely to carry much weight (unless you are cutting up elephant steaks on it).

A good butt joint (cut with a router using a masons mitre jig) and located with Dominos, glued and clamped together with worktop connectors will be more than sufficient for this task as typically used (elephant steaks notwithstanding).

I agree a lap joint would be great and IMHO making a domino completely unneeded.

We are in the planning stage of remodeling our kitchen.
Want to add a solid wood counter top. The length is about 6 metres and instead of trying to work with such long boards I was thinking of using shorter pieces (1.5m).
Use my domino to end join them up to 6 metres end then use these long pieces to edge joint (staggering the end joints) up to my desired width (about 650mm).
Any tips, recommendations, critique welcome.

Use all the longest boards you can! A simple edge glue up with all long board and zero dominoes and butt joints will be far  better. IMHO, If your end goal is no gaps opening or the joints cupping or curling and you must  use butt joints a lap joint will be better than joining with a domino in this particular application.

 

[semenza]

Yes, I agree one piece long boards would be best.

Seth