Padauk Mirror Using the Domino

[The Woodentop]

Nice job.

 

[brandon.nickel]

Matt, I just want to throw in a caution that I didn't see mentioned.  This has been discussed before, but I'll repeat it for the new folks:

In your pictures you referenced the base of the Domino off the surface of the MFT, thus making the downside the reference on your wood.  When you dropped the fence onto the top of the wood, I'm guessing you still had it set to a 10mm offset (20mm total from base).  Your photo shows just how close that setting is to matching the 3/4" thickness of your stock.  In this setup it's very easy to make an alignment error while holding the Domino.  If you let the fence rest on the wood and the base rest on the table, you'll end up ever-so-slightly tilted. 

So, to avoid this common new-user error, make sure that the Domino is firmly set on the reference surface, whether using the base (10mm) or the fence (variable spacing).  I usually hang the end of the stock over the edge of the MFT to make sure that I'm not introducing any errors.

Nice photo essay!

 

[Matthew Schenker]

When you dropped the fence onto the top of the wood, I'm guessing you still had it set to a 10mm offset (20mm total from base).  Your photo shows just how close that setting is to matching the 3/4" thickness of your stock.

When I use the fence for an actual project (as opposed to just photographing it), I set the Domino on the work surface (MFT, for example), swing the fence down onto the face of the stock, then lock the fence.  I don't measure the thickness of the wood and then try to adjust the fence.  Instead, I let the thickness of the wood naturally determine the position of the fence.  Of course, as with all Domino operations, all your stock needs to be precisely the same thickness!

Matthew

 

[fidelfs]

  Of course, as with all Domino operations, all your stock needs to be precisely the same thickness!

Matthew

I know what you are trying to say but you cannot generalize about the thickness.  There are some project where the pieces have different thickness. 
I know, I know  8), I am being very picky. 

 

[Matthew Schenker]

I know what you are trying to say but you cannot generalize about the thickness.  There are some project where the pieces have different thickness. 

Yes, good point.  I guess I should have said this: if you mean to join two pieces of the same thickness, make sure they are in fact the thickness you assume!
Matthew

 

[bigbadpig]

nice project. Padauk is a great wood, I built a wine cellar door from Padauk not long ago.  My only regret is that the bright orange color turns to a grayish brown over time.  This happened despite using marine grade UV finish (epifanes) in an area with only indirect lighting.

 

[Woodenfish]

I had a question bubble up to the top of my dome. Why did you fully enclose the mirror inside a glued frame and not rebate the frame and brad a back on, like a picture frame. Wouldn't it make replacing a broken mirror (horrors!) harder to replace?

What's done is done besides... I've seen lot's of folks much uglier than Matthew using mirrors and ain't none of them broke neither. ;D

Paduak is one of my favorites. Nice project Matthew and a great idea for the location. 

 

[Eli]

I had a question bubble up to the top of my dome. Why did you fully enclose the mirror inside a glued frame and not rebate the frame and brad a back on, like a picture frame. Wouldn't it make replacing a broken mirror (horrors!) harder to replace?

What's done is done besides... I've seen lot's of folks much uglier than Matthew using mirrors and ain't none of them broke neither. ;D

Paduak is one of my favorites. Nice project Matthew and a great idea for the location. 

I'm not sure I would have done it different, I was just typing out loud in the spirit of inquiry.

 

[Matthew Schenker]

nice project. Padauk is a great wood, I built a wine cellar door from Padauk not long ago.  My only regret is that the bright orange color turns to a grayish brown over time.  This happened despite using marine grade UV finish (epifanes) in an area with only indirect lighting.

Yes, I know how padauk changes.  I've used it for some craft projects before and have seen this happen.  I warned my wife it would happen, but we figured it will still be an interesting piece even after it changes color.  In the meantime, we'll have the fire-red appearance.

I've seen lot's of folks much uglier than Matthew using mirrors and ain't none of them broke neither. ;D

It should be all right with me peering into it each morning!  The most hazardous stage of any project is the final building process, when it's still in the shop amongst a lot of sharp, heavy, swinging, spinning metal objects.

I'm not sure I would have done it different, I was just typing out loud in the spirit of inquiry.

Of course!  Asking questions is definitely in the spirit of the forum.  I wouldn't want it any other way.

Matthew

 

[Dave Ronyak]

I know what you are trying to say but you cannot generalize about the thickness.  There are some project where the pieces have different thickness. 

Yes, good point.  I guess I should have said this: if you mean to join two pieces of the same thickness, make sure they are in fact the thickness you assume!
Matthew

And I would add: make sure you are referencing off the intended surfaces.  To help avoid errors, dry position the frame pieces and mark the face or back sides before cutting the Domino mortises.  E.G. for your frame, if referencing the Domino off the MFT top, position the  mirror frame pieces with their outside (of the finished frame) faces down against the top of the MFT.  Or, if referencing the Domino off the top (outside of the finish frame) as described by Brandon, position the face side up and hanging off the edge of the table so the Domino fence will be your reference and not the baseplate relative to the MFT top.

Dave R.

 

[Scott W.]

Here is a nice project by Matthew I totally forgot about.

Nickao

Yep, nicely done and nicely documented. I forgot about it also Nick.

It would be cool if there could be a rotating "member project of the week" photo & link to the project thread on the home page somehow.

What say you Matthew?

Scott W.

 

[Matthew Schenker]

Here is a nice project by Matthew I totally forgot about.

Nickao

Yep, nicely done and nicely documented. I forgot about it also Nick.

It would be cool if there could be a rotating "member project of the week" photo & link to the project thread on the home page somehow.

What say you Matthew?

Scott W.

Interesting idea! I have been sharing just this kind of idea in the discussion about a new forum enhancement.  The enhancement I proposed would provide a home page on which we could display all kinds of thing, with recent projects being just one. possibility.

Click here to see what I mean.

To get more to the point click here.

Matthew

 

[Warrior]

Nice job Matthew!
I like that you trapped the mirror. I am glad you thought of that. I never liked making small mouldings anyway.

Eiji

 

[Matthew Schenker]

Nice job Matthew!
I like that you trapped the mirror. I am glad you thought of that. I never liked making small mouldings anyway.

Thanks!  But really, this was a totally simple project.  I just wanted to try out using the Domino slots as starter areas for grooves to hold the glass.

Actually, I was really just using this as an excuse to document the main features of the Domino machine (which is why I originally put it in the "Tools" section instead of the "Projects" section).

Matthew

 

[Warrior]

Simple is better. clean.

 

[Michael Kellough]

Matthew,

Nice review. For someone picking up the Domino for the first time this would be a good place to start. Your mirror looks very elegant and belies the simple construction which the Domino makes available to us. No offense meant here but the wall coloring looks a little bit like MDF, don't ya' think?  ;D

A friend owns a very high end television graphic design and animation company in Atlanta Primal Screen

He is extremely design conscious so I was very interested in seeing his newly renovated building about ten years ago. I understood that it wasn't quite finished yet but when we pulled up and he asked me what I thought of the color I was confused. I thought I was seeing that bright yellow foam that is placed under stucco but that was the color he painted the stucco and I was caught totally off guard.

Matthew, as Eiji says the design is very nice and clean. I just hope that glass doesn't break.

 

[Droc7683]

Great write up! Need to make a bathroom mirror soon. Will use these tips.