Using Domino for Large 8ft Interior Doors

[bluecpu]

Hello all,

I am a just beginner woodworker, but I appreciate value and quality so I am drawn to the Festool Realm. I have a large remodel I am learning on and I am seeking the experience here in
selecting correct tools for the projects that I have in mind.

For now, I am focusing on interior doors (of which I currently have none). My family is taking it in stride as I research and learn before making the move to actually do something useful.

I really like the quality that I have seen in TruStile Doors. Our architecture is updated arts and crafts, so we are basically simple lines for door design (flat panel, square sticking).

So now I am looking at 2' 8" doors at 8 ft and was looking at the domino to give me floating tenons between the stiles and rails.

I really like the idea of the domino but was wondering if I could make a joint strong enough for an 8 ft door.

I was reading Jerry Work's article on the domino and he showed a matrix of 2 x 4 large domino's in a table base. Looked really sturdy to me.

I was wondering if I could do the same thing at stile to rail connections in my 8ft door and have a quality joint.

Thanks for any input.

Bluecpu

 

[nclemmons]

Check out this thread from Eiji Fuller - beautiful doors made with Dominoes.

http://festoolownersgroup.com/index.php?topic=3317.0

I think they'll work fine - you just likely need to double them up given the door weight and thinkness.

good luck - and share photos in process.

neilc

 

[Tim Sproul]

Check out this thread from Eiji Fuller - beautiful doors made with Dominoes.

http://festoolownersgroup.com/index.php?topic=3317.0

I think they'll work fine - you just likely need to double them up given the door weight and thinkness.

I don't think Eiji used Dominos to join the rails/stiles.  Could be wrong....but I think Dominos were used for other joinery that wasn't so dependent on strength for a large frame.

Personally, I would want more than 25 mm of tenon when joining rails/stiles for an 8 foot door.

 

[bellchippy]

Made a pair of internal doors with domino'd rail and stiles, about 4ft x 6ft 6ins worked out fine.

 

[nclemmons]

Tim -

On second look at Eiji's doors, I think you are right. 

I had remembered his doors and did a quick scan and saw the small mortises, but it does look like he made them with a router for larger mortises than the Domino -

neilc

 

[bluecpu]

I have read through that whole thread, all I can say is wow. I think that is the type of door I am aiming at. I quoted what seemed to be a discussion directly related
to my question.

I guess I would like to know more about how deep a mortise the domino can make.  Seems like you could "multi-plunge" the domino to make extra wide mortises if you are willing to make your own.

Another question: What do you think about making tenons out of plywood? Seems like the two dimensional stability would be a good thing. Any Thoughts?

bluecpu

 

[fshanno]

I just made one with Dominoes.  No cope and stick at all.  Four in the top and middle, six in the bottom - 2 rows of three 8 x 50.

[attachthumb=1]

The panels are MDF with chalk board paint.  This is a pocket door, not as much stress as a passage door.

Routed and chiseled a profile after glue up.  Looks a little weird but I like it.

[attachthumb=2]

Grand kids have been coloring.

I think it will work fine on a 32" interior passage door with a hardwood frame as long as nobody heavier than 120 lbs. hangs on the knob and swings.

 

[bluecpu]

Couple of more details to add:

Bottom rail 8 3/4" attached to Stile 4 1/2" using a matrix of 2 x 3=6 domino's each side  ( 10 x 24 x 50 mm size)

That would give us 25mm ( 0.98 inch)  in rail and 25 mm( 0.98 inch) in stile x 6 joints a side at the bottom, with additional joints up the door.

Inner rails are 23" wide, stiles are 96 inches (8 ft). Door could be either 1 3/8" or 1 3/4" (just don't know yet).

I am trying to get the right tools.

Under consideration(prefer to get one if possible):

Festool Domino (I have lots of cabinets to do)
Mortise Pal
Leigh FMT
Jessm Zip Mortiser
Leigh M2 Mortiser

I will need to buy a TS75, CT22, Sander, Router, (basically lots of stuff).

So if the Domino will not get the doors done, I may need to re-sequence my plans.

So what do ya'll think.

bluecpu

 

[fshanno]

One thing to note is that the Domino is a mortising machine. It makes mortises, end of story.  The fact the Festool and Cincinnati Dowel offer such a limited assortment of loose tenons is regrettable but it in no way limits the length and width of mortises that can be made with the Domino.  You can make mortises of unlimited length and width with multiple plunges.  And you can quickly make any size loose tenon for scrap.  The only limiting factor is the maximum depth which is 28mm, a little over an inch.  Also, you are not limited to loose tenon joinery.  You can square the ends of a Domino mortise and cut tenons in your stock at the table saw or band saw or even by hand.  You can punch a mortise just about anywhere you want.  Even on partially assembled objects.

It's completely beyond me why Festool doesn't make tenons at least to fit all the standard sizes of single plunge mortises the machine can make, at least in the 8 and 10mm width.  But that's another story.

 

[GK]

Would say the Leigh FMT would be the best choice for making those doors as you can do a far bigger tenon than the dominoes.

The Leigh is also very simple and quick to set up and use.

GK