newbie help with domino

[tenfingers]

So last night I got everything set up, but not fired up as it was midnight before I could
get out to the garage (honey-do-list). Nonetheless, I did fire up the domino and put in some test mortises
into scrap plywood. I've also read Jerry Work's manual, which did help (vs. the manual)

Question: to make a tall bookcase, I'm planning on using domino joinery for the top and bottoms using top
and bottom pieces' edges to side faces. I am going to put a middle fixed shelf in with a dado. This way I can reference
my hole boring 42" guide off the middle dado to do the top holes. Now, would domino joinery be strong enough for
approx. 29 inch shelf of textbooks? (if i decide to do middle shelf with domino?)

Thanks,
Martin

PS - yet to fire up the TS55 and OF 1400, but excited

PPS - I tried as hard as I could to see a fleck of dust while sanding with my ETS 150/3 and when using the domino. Where'd it go?

 

[butzla]

Absolutely.  I've done the same with biscuits with total success.  Make sure you use plenty of them (2" apart).

 

[cabinetboy]

Dominos should be plenty strong and if you are planning to put a face frame on your bookcase that will take alot of the weight as well.

Joe

 

[Dan Clermont]

Hi Martin

You should be fine. Use the registration pins and plenty of Domino's. Also make sure you Domino's are no more then 1/3 the thickness of the wood you are joining for maximum strength.

Have Fun
Dan Clermont

 

[tenfingers]

thanks for info.
I put a dado in the middle of the 78" bookcase for the fixed shelf. Next bookcase (I plan 3 - 5) I'll try dominoes. I think it'll be easier.
How do you guys line up the domino for a middle face domino? e.g., a middle shelf. My plywood is slightly less than 3/4" which makes exact placement difficult. Of course,
all you need is a consistent edge for both sides, but someday I may be faced with having to exactly place a board in the middle of the face of a board. Any ideas?

Martin

 

[Les]

How did you put the dadoe in the other book shelf? Probably with either a guide rail or straight edge. Set both sides next to each other with the bottom edge flush to one another. Clamp guide rail/straight edge to both pieces and cut dominos.
Check out page 17 of manual.

 

[tenfingers]

Thanks Les, I wasnt aware of that guide at the website. I did read Jerry Work's Guide tho.

Martin

 

[butzla]

John Lucas on his website has an awesome tutorial of how to cut dados to fit plywood's weird sizes.  Of course you'll need a Festool router now!
http://www.woodshopdemos.com/fes-dado-1.htm

 

[tenfingers]

I had read that in the past, but this weekend was a feasibility study weekend - would a beginner / early intermediate woodworker be able to build a square bookcase/cabinet?
I just used a 3/4 dado bit and did it in 2 passes with my OF 1400. It's a smidge oversize, but that's what filler's for . They are going to be painted basement shelves.

Martin

 

[Overtime]

"but that's what filler's for  ."

The Festools will help wean you from the need for fillers.  ;D
Also your tool collection automatically elevates you to intermediate level by defalt.

Nothing like that wonderful smell of Bondo filler - love it. Just used some today  ;D