What size Domino tenons do you use the most?

[rjwz28]

I am ready to purchase a Domino and would like to know what size tenons you guys use the most and for what application?  I don't want to get the "whole Package" for $285 as I don't think I'll be using the smaller ones as much.  I mostly make tables (coffee, end, hall, dining) and some chairs and frames and stuff.  I'm thinking for sure I want the biggest size (10mm).  What others do you like to use?

Mahalo,
Rob

 

[PaulMarcel]

I easily use the 8mm the most followed by the 10mm.  That's 3 of the 6 bins in that big box and the box includes the bits; something to consider (3 because there are 40mm and 50mm long 8mm Dominos).  The 5mm are great for alignment; 6mm for thinner projects.

 

[mouppe]

I'm the opposite of Paul! I use the 5mm and 6mm dominoes the most. I rarely use the 10mm dominoes, but I have used all the sizes, even the 4mm ones. I am usually joining 3/4" stock, which is why I use the 5mm and 6mm ones most often.

I strongly recommend getting the set- it's tidy, comes with all the cutters, and is good value.

Richard.

 

[GAKnothead]

I almost always use whatever size best fits the mortises. ;D

But seriously, folks, am I the first and only one to ever accidentally cut through a domino which had mysteriously "shrunk"? [eek]

Be careful out there.

 

[RONWEN]

8mm the most followed by 4mm.

 

[stvrowe]

The size depends largely on the project.  By far, I use more 5mm than any other.  Followed by 4mm, 6mm, and 8mm.  I don't think I have ever used the 10mm since I have a slot mortiser.  If the need gets that large, I prefer larger tenons than 10mm. 

I do believe the set with Dominos and cutters is a good value.  You will quickly determine which you use most and then replenish with the large boxes as appropriate.
Steve

 

[MrToolJunkie]

8mm and 10mm by far, but agree with others that the set is a good value with the cutters.  You will use all sizes at some point.

Scot 

 

[ccarrolladams]

I had pre-ordered my first Domino machine, so I was one of many waiting at midnight to accept delivery from my dealer the night they launched. I also pre-ordered the assortment kit, which in those days did not include the yet to be marketed 4mm. Of course that Domino machine as the pins.

Having that assortment kit with all the cutters was very important because I could not be sure which size I would be using for a given project until I gained Domino experience. I did not want to be frustrated needing a size I did not have in stock.

Even before the 4mm came out in the USA I felt the need for a second Domino machine, which has the paddles. That time I waited to by the assortment kit until the 4mm were available.

As the stock of a given size dwindled in the kit I would order a box of that size from my dealer.

To answer the OP's question, I just checked my purchase records from August 2010 (when I opened my new shop) to 1 October 2011. In my shop all 6 of the cabinet makers working for me use Dominoes somewhat more often than I do.

Although my guess would have been that we use 5mm the most, because I use those so much, it turned out we purchased 300 more 6mm than 5mm. We use 10mm the least and about the same number of 4mm as 8mm. Those are all Birch for interior work. Over the past year we have increasingly done more exterior cabinets, for which we use Sipo. I bought an  assortment Systainer for the Sipo Dominoes. Since it came filled with Birch, I just removed those and put them used those to restock the other Systainers. I started with the minimum size cartons of each size Sipo. The only Sipo we have needed to re-order are 5mm. So I bought the large box of those.

 

[semenza]

The size most used depends  so much on what you build that I think you will find the answers here will include all of the sizes.  I build all kinds of stuff, so far the most used for me, are 5mm and 6mmx40. But it sounds like you will be using more of the big ones.

I would strongly recommend the Systainer kit. Because even if you use only two of the sizes 90% of the time, you will end up wanting the others at some point.

Seth

 

[Tezzer]

60% of mine would be 8x40 followed by 5mm followed by homemade 8x55x31

Cant remember the last time I used a 10 or 6mm Domino.

 

[Alan m]

i seem to use tham all fairly eavenly. i alsways have to change the cutter before i start. i know you say you dont need the systainer assortment but it is well worth it

 

[Wim]

6 mm is most popular with me, followed by 4 mm and 10 mm.
I ordered the systainer with the bits and domino's. So I have 6 bits and just 5 slots in the plastic bitbox. If I don't use the 5 mm bit that came with the machine, I place it reversed in the open slot of the bit I use at that moment. So all bits are under control.

 

[Stone Message]

Hi Rob - its me again!

Do the arithmatic to check the best way forward. I wanted all of the cutters and so the best deal (by far) was to buy the systainer full of dominoes and the cutters. If you do settle for one or two sizes and cost is an issue them consider making your own dominoes. I make all sorts of sizes that Festool do not sell - longer ones so that you can do a maximum plunge on both sides and extra wide ones that fit in both of the wider cutter settings.

Peter

 

[davee]

I use mostly 8mm but like most of the others find that I really use almost all sizes.  I probably use 5mm the least.  I didn't expect to do so, but find I use quite a few 4mm for 12mm drawer sides. This was a trick we learned at the training center.  It was definitely worth purchasing the systainer set in my case.
I've recently made quite a bit of outdoor products and have used the sipo dominos - mostly 8 and 10mm.

I have never used the widest domino setting previously.  I really like the pevious post suggestion of making my own dominos for use with the wide setting. 

 

[GPowers]

8mm, they are the only one I need to buy a replacement bag so far.