Chair construction using dominos - advice would be great

[fobos8]

Hi all

I'm gonna be building a chair soon using dominos for the joints. I'm in the process of sorting out which domino sizes to use where and have a query I'd really appreciate some advice on.

This image shows where the slats join the lower back rail. YOU MAY NEED TO CLICK ON IMAGE TO MAKE IT BIGGER.

The slats are 24mm wide by 16mm thick. The only domino really which can be used to join the slats to this rail and the crest rail is the smallest domino which is 4mm thick by 17mm wide by 20mm long. This would mean 10mm of domino in the slat and the other 10mm in the rail. It would also mean that there would only be 3.5mm of timber around the curved sides of the domino (24 minus 17 = 7 divide by 2 gives 3.5).

Do you guys think this joint will be strong enough? If not what are my other options to still use the domino for this joint?

Best regards, Andrew

 

[Rob Platt]

Personally I`d tenon the slats but that`s not the question. I dont see a problem as long as you measure and cut accurately. There shouldn`t be any structural consequences in doing this.
all the best
rob

 

[Chems]

Yes!

 

[fobos8]

Anyone else got a view on this?

 

[Chems]

I can expand on my yes if it helps. The thing with the domino to remember is that although you are removing that material you are filling it back up with a perfect fit of beech and glue, so it will be just as strong (give or take) when the domino was in place as it was before you made the domino hole. I've gone much closer to the edges with dominos that you are showing there and they haven't fallen apart yet!

 

[fobos8]

Many thanks Chems for expanding on your yes

My fear was that the tenon created by the hole being cose to the edge would be weak but you have reasured me that it won't.

If they do break I'll send the chair over to you for repair!!

If I have time I might test the joint out by jointing a slat between two pretend rails, putting pressure on the slat and see, if/where it breaks.

Thanks again, Andrew

 

[Waka]

By all means do a test run, but I think you'll find that Chems is right, the joint will be plenty strong enough.

 

[Rob Platt]

Really wasn`t worth me putting in the effort was it?
all the best
rob

 

[fobos8]

thanks for your reply Rob.

I did consider tenoning the slats because I thought it would be stronger that way - and it probably would. But it looks like the domino route will be sufficiently strong and also a damn sight easier.

regards, Andrew