Technique for using 4mm dominos in 1/2" ply

[Kodi Crescent]

This is not a question, but a technique I wanted to share.  I am building a toy box using 1/2" ply.  I was having some trouble plunging the Domino mortises into the plywood faces and edges because of the height of the domino cutter when compared to the plywood thickness.

After much trial and error, I found that if you place 4mm dominos under the edge of the ply before you plunge, you can get the correct height offset to have edges that match.  So if you need to plunge into the face of a piece near the edge, place the piece on edge on top of (2) 4mm dominos.  Clamp to the MFT fence and then plunge.

For the mating piece that needs mortises in the edge, place 4mm dominos under each corner of the workpiece to hold it off the MFT.  Plunge into this to create your edge mortises.  Once finished, your edges should mate correctly.

I hope this helps!

 

[Wim]

I guess you have an older type Domino. With my Domino (bought in November 2010) there is an extra step in adjusting fence height for the 4 mm bits and 1/2" ply. Works perfect. In another thread there was the possibility of filing away part of the stop of the vertical fence to lower the fence those few more mm.

 

[Kodi Crescent]

My Domino is about a year old.  I hadn't seen the post on modifying it for these.  I'll look into that.  Thanks.

 

[Sparktrician]

My Domino is about a year old.  I hadn't seen the post on modifying it for these.  I'll look into that.  Thanks.

RonWen's domino plate is also a great solution for dealing with 1/2" material. 

[smile]

 

[Chris Hughes]

I just bought my first bunch of 4mm domino and cutter.  Normally I build with 15mm stock because that is the smallest size stock my vs600 will accommodate so the 5mm dominoes worked great.  But my mentor is always giving me a rash about drawer thickness so I was happy to see the 4mm dominoes.

Any how I have an older style Domino which would not allow the horizontal plate to travel close enough to the cutter to center on a 12mm wide board.  Well for skinny drawers that is a problem.  After some observations I found that there is not a limit stop per say, but the horizontal fence crashes into the vertical face at about 9mm.  Using a small triangle file and being care to not remove any material not necessary for the two face to clear.  Thus I was able to move the horizontal fence to 5pm and void my warrantee at the same time.

If anybody wants photos of the modifications I would be happy to point out the place to file.

 

[Brice Burrell]

...If anybody wants photos of the modifications I would be happy to point out the place to file.

Chris, you must live under a rock (oh wait, Kalamazoo is pretty much the same thing [poke]) because someone already came up with the file modification and posted here. Sorry if I burst your bubble. It would still be a good idea to post pictures if it's not too much trouble.

 

[RONWEN]

...If anybody wants photos of the modifications I would be happy to point out the place to file.

Chris, you must live under a rock (oh wait, Kalamazoo is pretty much the same thing [poke]) because someone already came up with the file modification and posted here. Sorry if I burst your bubble. It would still be a good idea to post pictures if it's not too much trouble.

I posted instruction & a picture where to file the fence for 4mm / 1/2" ply adjustment (before I started using my Domino plate) but I can't remember which forum I did it on -- I think I was making drawers at the time.  I'll see if I can't find it somewhere.

 

[Chris Hughes]

Where is the love Brice? 

I heard earlier on the thread that the mod was posted on this forum but I could not find it so as usual I pushed my agenda. [tongue] 

 

[Brice Burrell]

Where is the love Brice? 

I heard earlier on the thread that the mod was posted on this forum but I could not find it so as usual I pushed my agenda. [tongue] 

Hmm, maybe I saw it was posted over on talkFestool and Kalamazoo sounds like a lovely place, really. [big grin]

 

[RONWEN]

I found my pictures but for some reason (even following Peter's excellent instructions) I can't attach them here.  [unsure]  (It's probably the drugs  [eek])

 

[PeterK]

Chris - you don't happen to be on Gull Lake?
All the rich pro's live there.  [big grin]

 

[Chris Hughes]

I live about 400 yards away from the north landing.  It is a very nice but somewhat pricey neighborhood.

Who lives on the lake?

 

[PeterK]

Buddy of mine from high school lives on the North end on the lake. Mike and Bonnie Rathbun.

 

[Chris Hughes]

Well if you are ever in the neighborhood drop on by.  Unless you are a sane mind and would prefer to send your time on the lake.

 

[Chris Hughes]

I said I would post photos of the spots necessary to file for the 4mm domino kit.  I used a small triangular file and was careful to remove only what was necessary to allow the fence to travel to 5mm from the center og the bit.