Putting a Domino in a short skinny piece?

[BillG]

I have done a fair amount with my Domino, but this particular one is kicking me in the nether regions so far.  Maybe it was just time to quit for the day.  I did a search, but did not find anything relevant to my question.

I have to put some mortises into some very short pieces of stock that are also narrow.  I am having difficulty clamping them and getting the mortise straight and true all around.  Below is a picture of my clamping method.  Does anyone have a suggestion on how I might improve this?  I've got 20 holes (10 sticks) to do this way.

Thanks.

 

[NYC Tiny Shop]

Call me a neanderathal, but I would just use the centering guide attachment and hold the piece with my left hand...be done in two minutes.

 

[BillG]

Call me a neanderathal, but I would just use the centering guide attachment and hold the piece with my left hand...be done in two minutes.

Neanderthal!    I've been in the business for over 20 years now, and I can still count to 10.  But you did give me an idea.  I am thinking if I clamp the Domino to the bench upside down and use the centering guide, I can do the same thing without feeling like I am going to stick it through a finger if something slips. 

 

[NYC Tiny Shop]

Clamp each piece upside down?  I would have them all done before you clamped the first one down! If you want a little safer than my usual way, use the T of the clamping element as a back-stop and secure the piece with the bessey hold-down clamp.

 

[sakurama]

See these on eBay all the time and I've thought of making some.

Gregor

 

[NYC Tiny Shop]

See these on eBay all the time and I've thought of making some.

Gregoreded

That's a fancy and more expensive way of doing the same thing that I described. 

 

[tjbnwi]

As Tiny said, invert the Domino. Your pieces are easy to handle.

I did this video last year.



Tom

 

[Stoli]

Have you tried Peter's 42mm "jig"?

 

[Trosey]

If you are putting the mortise in the end grain, I suggest using RC's SCG and clamping with the hold down on your Kapex. Easy, fast,

 

[NYC Tiny Shop]

If you are putting the mortise in the end grain, I suggest using RC's SCG and clamping with the hold down on your Kapex. Easy, fast,

Love this idea! Right in front of your face!  My new way for doing this! Thanks!

 

[flair woodworks]

As Tiny said, invert the Domino. Your pieces are easy to handle.

I did this video last year.



Tom

Nice demo, Tom.

 

[tjbnwi]

As Tiny said, invert the Domino. Your pieces are easy to handle.

I did this video last year.



Tom

Nice demo, Tom.

Thank you.

Tom

 

[Toxiq]

I had some similar problem, small/short pieces
What I did to solve this was clamp 3 next to each other, the one where you want to put a domino in, in the middle
This way you have a much bigger surface to align your machine
Once one was done, switch the pieces and do the next.

Make sure the the three pieces are aligned

 

[BillG]

As Tiny said, invert the Domino. Your pieces are easy to handle.

I did this video last year.



Tom

This is what I had in mind when I responded to him.  Paint me pink and call me a sissy, but there is no way I am holding onto a tiny bit of wood in one hand and shoving what amounts to a router into it with the other.  Thanks for the video. 

 

[tjbnwi]

You could install the centering accessory (Trim Stop) on the Domino, the would prevent sideways movement. The plunge could be done with a push pad, you fingers would be nowhere near the bit.

You have to be comfortable with the operations you're performing. It is your call on whether or not you wanted to use the methods I do.

Tom

 

[Stone Message]

Hi Bill

Yes, short pieces can be tricky but Festool have thought of that. Take a look at their Trim Stop. You can see how easy it is to use in this video:



and you will see that it can be used at right angles as well - a very versatile and useful gadget.

Peter

PS Thanks Stoli for the reference.

 

[BillG]

You could install the centering accessory (Trim Stop) on the Domino, the would prevent sideways movement. The plunge could be done with a push pad, you fingers would be nowhere near the bit.

You have to be comfortable with the operations you're performing. It is your call on whether or not you wanted to use the methods I do.

Tom

Tom, I am afraid I was not accurate in my last post.  I intend to use your method exactly, along with the trim stop.  I was referring to the advice to hold the Domino in one hand and my stick in the other and shove them together.  Technically that will work, but there are too many things with that practice that can go wrong and in a very bad way.  But your method will work and very safely I think. 

Peter, thank you for the video!  That is a very nice bench you have there, and similar to something that has never gotten any further than my imagination for going under my MFT. 

 

[gsdvorak]

I tried out Peter's 42mm jig idea on some skinny door stiles and rails yesterday- it worked wonderfully and was fast!  Thank You Peter!

Gerald

 

[Stone Message]

I tried out Peter's 42mm jig idea on some skinny door stiles and rails yesterday- it worked wonderfully and was fast!  Thank You Peter!

Gerald

Great news. Many thanks.

Peter