Which is stronger-Dominos or Pocket screws

[Hud]

I am wondering if dominos could be used to fasten particle board cabinets together that I have previously used Kreg pocket hole scres to fasten.  My real concern is the strength of the joint as these cabinets are wall hung.  I think that the fact that the domino will be glued into both parts it will be as strong or even stronger.  The material would be 3/4" melamine surfaced particle board. the joint would be a simple 90°.

 

[Sparktrician]

Both types of joints have a place.  I like using pocket screws in combination with dominoes.  The dominoes provide alignment as well as strength, while the pocket screws provide clamping strength while the glue on the dominoes sets up. 

 

[JonSchuck]

I hope dominos are strong enough as I just made one with all dominos but I haven't hung it yet.  It is my first wall cabinet.  If you use Titebond use Titebond II Extend as it has a longer open time.  My cabinet is 6' long with a partition and it takes a long time to glue all those dominos.  Even using Extend, at one point I had to use the clamps to squeeze the joint together.  And I only did one section at a time.  HD and Lowes in my area carry Titebond but not Extend.  But my trustworthy Festool dealer does. 

Does anybody know of a glue as strong as Titebond II Extend with a longer open time?  I realize I would have to have them clamped longer but I usually leave them clamped over night anyway. 

 

[semenza]

I hope dominos are strong enough as I just made one with all dominos but I haven't hung it yet.  It is my first wall cabinet.  If you use Titebond use Titebond II Extend as it has a longer open time.  My cabinet is 6' long with a partition and it takes a long time to glue all those dominos.   Even using Extend, at one point I had to use the clamps to squeeze the joint together.  And I only did one section at a time.   HD and Lowes in my area carry Titebond but not Extend.  But my trustworthy Festool dealer does. 

Does anybody know of a glue as strong as Titebond II Extend with a longer open time?  I realize I would have to have them clamped longer but I usually leave them clamped over night anyway. 

Lee Valley Cabinet Makers glue is 15 - 20 minutes. I looked up Titebond II Extend  which is listed at 15.

Seth

 

[bkharman]

I use Titebond III for everything. Mainly for its longer open time. I know it is overkill for a lot of projects, but it is worth it for me.

 

[wow]

I am also a Titebond III fan.

From the Titebond website for Titebond III:

Strength*        4,000 psi
Open Time       10-15 minutes
Chalk Temperature 47° F
Viscosity 4,200 cps.
Exterior Use      Yes**

My experience is that the workable time is a bit longer than that.

 

[PaulMarcel]

I like the Lee Valley cabinet makers' glue.  I actually get the 15 minutes with it whereas whenever I used any other product, you can take the lower number and halve it.  Problem with living in a place with negative humidity.

As for Dominos vs pocket screws: screws in particle board can pull out easier than a glued Domino.  Will it pull out before full load is in the cabinet? who knows; depends a lot on the design and structure.

 

[NiteWalkerGR]

Paul-Marcel, I used to use the lee valley glue too, and it does work as intended; but the drawback for me is that it's not water resistant at all.
So now I'm back to tbIII.

 

[semenza]

  I get a solid 20 minutes with the Lee Valley in my more humid (50%  - 70% over the summer months) environment. I also like that it is less runny than TBII or III. Very nice for use on vertical surfaces when dispensed from a Glu-Bot. And tan in color. I haven't used TBII Extend so can't compare to that.

Seth

 

[fshanno]

I've got several installations which include melamine wall cabinets.  Butt joints with glued dominos and no mechanical fasteners.  Including my own kitchen.  Titebond III.  I sure hope it works.

 

[Hurricane Whisperer]

I use Titebond III for everything. Mainly for its longer open time. I know it is overkill for a lot of projects, but it is worth it for me.

Same here.  I live in Houston.  It is hot here.  I haven't even attempted to use I or II.

Titebond III is fast enough to keep me moving but slow enough that I don't have a heat stroke trying to race the glue.

 

[Burn0ut]

I built a wall cabinet for trying out the strength with just glue and dominos. It didn't break until I had over 125kg loaded in it. But it was made of birch plywood and titebond 3.

 

[Toolpig]

Ditto -- Use both!  No need for clamps and doubly-strong!

Both types of joints have a place.  I like using pocket screws in combination with dominoes.  The dominoes provide alignment as well as strength, while the pocket screws provide clamping strength while the glue on the dominoes sets up. 

 

[fshanno]

I built a wall cabinet for trying out the strength with just glue and dominos. It didn't break until I had over 125kg loaded in it. But it was made of birch plywood and titebond 3.

How did it break?  How did you load it?  Did you take any pictures?

 

[Hifiguy84]

There was recently an article in fine woodworking where all joint types were tested.  Butt joints + glue were obviously the weakest.  I can't remember the strongest, but I remember it was not what I would have expected.  Dominos were 3/4s of the way up the scale. 

 

[Peter Durand]

There was recently an article in fine woodworking where all joint types were tested.  Butt joints + glue were obviously the weakest.  I can't remember the strongest, but I remember it was not what I would have expected.   Dominos were 3/4s of the way up the scale. 

I think the lap joint was the strongest. Could be wrong..

 

[waho6o9]

Don't get glue past it's shelf life.

I called Titebond because my TBIII was getting stringy and clumpy
and it was an old bottle so they taught me how to read the
date code.

My new bottle reads:

A401300120

A    means made in America
4    means made in 2014

& that's the important part for me anyways.

http://www.titebond.com/frequently_asked_questions.aspx

HTH  [smile]