Using a Domino Jointer to build a Workbench

[TheDudester]

I am arranging to have a trial of a Domino Jointer for a day or so and would like to do something useful with it :?

I am building a workbench and wondered if using the Domino to create the mortice and tenon joints would be strong enough.

The construction of the base will be similar to this one here.

I do intend to use the space underneath for additional storage in the form of a plywood cabinet or something. For this reason should the stretchers be connected with coach screws instead of dominos, so I can lower them down when needed?

If any of you have used a Domino jointer, I would appreciate any help i.e. one domino or two on each of the joints, tight or loose etc.

Regards

D

 

[Slim]

I might have been dreaming, but I seem to remember a video with Steve Maskery testing M&T joint strength by hanging a bucket of bricks of them. If I remember correctly, the domino joint was as strong as a traditional M&T. So I would say you are good to go.

Steve, can you verify that this video exists, because I don't like the idea of dreaming about you! :shock:

 

[mister henderson]

I've seen a domino jointer working, and was quite impressed. I think the joints will be strong enough, especially if you double them up.

The stretchers could be done with pocket screws, or screws thoguth the legs and into the stretchers (not quite so strong as they would then be going into endgrain.

A workbench is subject to rackng forces, so if you want it to be really strong, make the back legs flush with the back of the bench, and put a 1/4" plywood back on it. That will be very effective, especially if you fasten the back to the rear stretcher as well

 

[TheDudester]

I might have been dreaming, but I seem to remember a video with Steve Maskery testing M&T joint strength by hanging a bucket of bricks of them. If I remember correctly, the domino joint was as strong as a traditional M&T. So I would say you are good to go.

Steve, can you verify that this video exists, because I don't like the idea of dreaming about you! :shock:

Doing a quick search, I came up with Steve Maskery and his Waggleometer :shock:

I've seen a domino jointer working, and was quite impressed. I think the joints will be strong enough, especially if you double them up.

The stretchers could be done with pocket screws, or screws thoguth the legs and into the stretchers (not quite so strong as they would then be going into endgrain.

A workbench is subject to rackng forces, so if you want it to be really strong, make the back legs flush with the back of the bench, and put a 1/4" plywood back on it. That will be very effective, especially if you fasten the back to the rear stretcher as well

Thanks for the advice. I am quite certain I will use two dominos unless there really is no need to.

Regards

D

 

[Steve Maskery]

Well I'm a fan of the Domino, but I wouldn't use it for this particular purpose.

The longest Dominoes are 50mm which is just 25mm into each member. If it was just a table, that might be alright, but for a bench that's going to take racking forces? I wouldn't risk it.

Loose dowels such as the Domino are just as strong as the equivalent trad M&T, but that's the point, the EQUIVALENT joint. I think if you were making your bench with trad M&Ts you'd make the tenons more than an inch long, wouldn't you?

The Domino is a fantastic tool, but it's not a panacea for all M&T joinery.

As to the videos on YouTube, I'm afraid I deleted them, mainly because of the flack I got. I received some very abusive responses, obviously some people didn't appreciate what I was trying to show. The ratings lowered the average for my other works, too, so I decided that they had been there long enough and removed them. But thank you for remembering!

Cheers
Steve

 

[TheDudester]

Well I'm a fan of the Domino, but I wouldn't use it for this particular purpose.

The longest Dominoes are 50mm which is just 25mm into each member. If it was just a table, that might be alright, but for a bench that's going to take racking forces? I wouldn't risk it.

Loose dowels such as the Domino are just as strong as the equivalent trad M&T, but that's the point, the EQUIVALENT joint. I think if you were making your bench with trad M&Ts you'd make the tenons more than an inch long, wouldn't you?

The Domino is a fantastic tool, but it's not a panacea for all M&T joinery.

As to the videos on YouTube, I'm afraid I deleted them, mainly because of the flack I got. I received some very abusive responses, obviously some people didn't appreciate what I was trying to show. The ratings lowered the average for my other works, too, so I decided that they had been there long enough and removed them. But thank you for remembering!

Cheers
Steve

Thanks for replying Steve.

What do you mean you deleted the videos on YouTube? I can find 11 videos of yours there.

Regards

D

 

[Steve Maskery]

I deleted the two which showed me testing the strength of tenons. I don't mind making films for people to watch, but I object when they get slated, especially as I'm not paid to do it! That's what you get for trying to be helpful sometimes, sadly.

I go so fed up with deleting abusive comments that the easiest thing to do was remove the two films.

Cheers
Steve

 

[kafkaian]

I deleted the two which showed me testing the strength of tenons. I don't mind making films for people to watch, but I object when they get slated, especially as I'm not paid to do it! That's what you get for trying to be helpful sometimes, sadly.

I go so fed up with deleting abusive comments that the easiest thing to do was remove the two films.

Cheers
Steve

That's depressing. I enjoyed those films and thought others would too. As far as I'm aware, there's only one loose tenon system of this kind isn't there?

Next time Steve, simply disallow the comments option (if still available on youtube), and remember that the vast majority of us appreciate the time and effort afforded us by those willing to have a go. Even if this were a commercial opportunity (and I just don't think it was in this instance), the balance of worth is redeemed by being net positive.

Ian

 

[Steve Maskery]

Thank you Ian, much appreciated.

Yes I think that there is only one Domino-style system, but loose tenons have been around for a long time. I've used them for years in preference to tenons (because of their speed of production, strength and efficiency) but I've cut them with a router and a jig or two.

The Domino is jest a very good way of doing the same job, it's fast and efficient but has limited capacity. It's the latter aspect which makes me doubtful about its long-term suitability for a bench.

S

 

[Slim]

That is the biggest problem with Youtube Steve. I don't understand why they censor the videos but not the comments. I know it would take an army to read all the comments, but why can't they implement a swear filter at the very least.

I tend not to read the comments because I find a lot of them extremely offensive.

I also enjoyed those videos. Keep up the good work.

 

[kafkaian]

Here's a loose tenon demonstration video for a table sander stand using a router for the various mortises and table saw for the stock tenons. Click

For a real project I would have made the stand multi-functional creating a cupboard out of it.

Steve - is the router jig similar to yours?

 

[Steve Maskery]

Steve - is the router jig similar to yours?

No! A motorized router lift? Well, I guess it's great if you have one. Mine is rather more prosaic, using a standard router, an auxiliary fence to prevent wander, and a pair of auxiliary vice cheeks which hold the work and set the travel distance. It's accurate, quick and reproducible.

There are lots of good things about the video. It was well lit, sensibly edited and it is clear he takes safety seriously He uses eye and ear protection and (sometimes) uses a push stick. He shows very clearly how he made the stand, but I have to say that I would expect more than that from 26 minutes of video. If that was all I offered I wouldn't have any customers at all.

On the other hand it is free.

Loose tenons are great, but they are limited to small and medium-scale joinery. I'd say that his example is good, but at the upper end of that scale.

If you can cut loose tenons on that scale, then I'd say that yes, make the bench. But the example in the video is on a different scale to the Domino.

Cheers
Steve

 

[TheDudester]

The arms and the feet are 1.5 inches deep so I imagine that 1 inch would be ok. I would be able to use two or even 3 dominos if that helps.

I am going to stick with the timber dimensions I have and more than likely will use a cabinet underneath to provide more rigidity if needed.

Regards

D

 

[Oryxdesign]

I deleted the two which showed me testing the strength of tenons. I don't mind making films for people to watch, but I object when they get slated, especially as I'm not paid to do it! That's what you get for trying to be helpful sometimes, sadly.

I go so fed up with deleting abusive comments that the easiest thing to do was remove the two films.

Cheers
Steve

I'm sad to hear that Steve, we should all be grateful to the people who are trying to help us on our way.

I think you probably could use the Domino successfully for the task but it wouldn't be my preferred way even though I do own and use one

 

[neilyweely]

ditto comments on youtube.

There are, unfortunately, some folk who really don't have a lot in their lives, and get off on slating others. We just have to try to ignore them.

I'm sorry, 'cos I would have liked to have seen them now.
For what it's worth, Steve, I joined the forum to gather advice, and knowledge, from folk such as yourself. Don't allow 'them' to make you cynical. We all know some of 'them'.
:?

neil