Table Top glue up with Dominos

[jyarbrou]

I'm getting ready to glue up a rather large table top (42" x 9') and I'm going to use the domino for the edge joining. In the past I've taken 2 boards, set glue on the edge and in the domino holes, inserted the dominos, then clamped the boards together. Let it set, then add another board, but this is time consuming.

So the question for you guys, do you glue your dominos in place? Or do you insert the dominos dry, then put glue on alternating sides and glue the whole top at once?

 

[bertv]

IMO The domino's are there to keep the boards in line, so I don't glue them in fully (eg whatever glue hits them is fine). The procedure: set the boards on the side (lightly clamp them together if necessary), add glue, spread with brush or roller, insert domino's, put together. Do this with pairs, for example: in case of 8 boards, pair 1+2, 3+4, etc. Then the first combination with the second, the third with the fourth. Last one is two parts, that probably work best when glueing them lying down. Clamp.

 

[grbmds]

On edge glued panels the Dominos are just an extra which can be glued or not, edge glued joints are already strong enough.  When I do smaller panels, I always spread glue on them but, since you are working against time, you could just leave them dry to cut on the time required to spread the glue. I think it really is your choice in this case. Gluing them would likely make an already strong joint stronger, but create stress because of the amount of extra time required while putting the panels together.

 

[Birdhunter]

I always do a dry fit assembly with Dominos in all the mortises then do the glue up as does Bert V.

I usually run the glued up pairs though my drum sander before gluing the final pairs together.

The dry fit takes time, but exposes any miscut mortises.

 

[jacko9]

I use the dominos as alignment aids and don't bother to place glue in the slots.  I also glue up in sections on large table or cabinet tops it just makes it a lot easier to get clamps on before the glue starts to gloss over.

Jack

 

[sancho57]

Since I glue both faces i don't worry about glue in the holes. The glue will end up there anyway. Will glue up one end of a domino so I'm good