Non-expanding Domino for Paperstone Countertop

[griph0n]

How much do dominos expand?  I know it's nothing compared to biscuits.  Wondering if I could use them to align countertop butt joints in paperstone or even corian.

I know there are plastic biscuits and am wondering if there are plastic dominos that don't have to be custom made andwould work with epoxy.

 

[Cheese]

I haven't tried your application however I wouldn't think the Dominos would expand much. Try a sample joint or 2 on a scrap piece of paper stone countertop. That'd be the best method to see if you get any telegraphing across the joint.

How can you afford that stuff ?...around here they're asking 2-3X the price of granite.  [eek]  I want to use it but it's tough to justify.

I fabbed these from some 10mm x 20mm aluminum stock. Epoxied them into some walnut. That could be an option also.

 

[ChuckM]

May I ask why or in what projects you would use aluminum stock as dominoes? Do you fabricate your own aluminum dominoes on the tablesaw?

 

[Cheese]

I purchased 10mm x 20mm aluminum rectangular bar stock and cut the pieces to length using a cold saw with a carbide blade. A 1mm x 45 degree chamfer was added to all edges. The DF 700 was used on the wide slot setting. This gave a nice snug fit.

The reason I needed this is to have a removable rear edge on a walnut countertop I’m making.

 

[griph0n]

Everything is expensive in the Yukon....  I can do the cutting and install myself with paperstone.  55 a square foot for raw paperstone, granite is 120 installed.  The butt joints drive me crazy.  Thought this would be an easy fix.  The aluminum is an interesting idea.  Thanks

 

[ear3]

That's a clever idea [member=44099]Cheese[/member] Did your add the divets  for excess glue?

I think people, myself included, don't take enough advantage of the possibilities of the DIY domino option.

 

[Dane]

I haven't tried your application however I wouldn't think the Dominos would expand much. Try a sample joint or 2 on a scrap piece of paper stone countertop. That'd be the best method to see if you get any telegraphing across the joint.

How can you afford that stuff ?...around here they're asking 2-3X the price of granite.  [eek]  I want to use it but it's tough to justify.

I fabbed these from some 10mm x 20mm aluminum stock. Epoxied them into some walnut. That could be an option also.

Just FYI- the Paperstone manufacturer sells scratch and dent slabs for a huge discount at this site:http://www.greencountertopsdirect.com/products/budget-panels

I've bought from them a few times- as long as you are fabricating it yourself and can deal with some irregularities, it's a good deal

 

[Cheese]

Just FYI- the Paperstone manufacturer sells scratch and dent slabs for a huge discount at this site:http://www.greencountertopsdirect.com/products/budget-panels

I've bought from them a few times- as long as you are fabricating it yourself and can deal with some irregularities, it's a good deal

Thanks for that...  I was blown away that recycled wood pulp would trade for 3x the price of natural stone. I wanted to love it...I wanted to embrace it...but second hand wood pulp going for 3x the price of natural stone just stood my head on end. I guess it’s a marketing thing.

 

[Cheese]

That's a clever idea [member=44099]Cheese[/member] Did your add the divets  for excess glue?

I think people, myself included, don't take enough advantage of the possibilities of the DIY domino option.

Actually Edward, the divots were included so that they would key the Domino when it was filled with epoxy. The idea was if you eliminate sharp 90º angles (think traditionally drilled holes), that the epoxy when agitated would make its way into the nooks and tapers of the aluminum domino. Aluminum because it oxidizes rapidly, tends not to achieve a strong surface bond, that’s the reason that special primers are needed for aluminum. The divots would provide a positive key that would lock the aluminum and walnut to each other. So far so good.  [big grin]
We’ll find out tomorrow morning.

 

[junk731]

I think if you lightly sand your domino to slip fit that you will get what you want. It doesn't take much, I made a set for for test fitting. Dominos typically only give you problems when using water based wood glues like Titebond products, stick to using epoxy which is recommended for Corian.

 

[Cheese]

Dominos typically only give you problems when using water based wood glues like Titebond products, stick to using epoxy which is recommended for Corian.

Great point...if you eliminate the water source you eliminate the Domino expansion. [doh]