Anyone any good at dominos?

[SammyInnit]

I'm after something in the way of a domino system, or the fundamentals of a domino but without the hefty price.

I'm just a hobby wood worker and so it's a massive price tag that I simply cannot bring myself to spend on. I've looked at building a panto-router based on Matthias Wandels design but I want something a little more simple to use, and possibly hand held that could be well used in a small work area.

Are dual dowellers any good? Anyone have any other sort of recommendation? Think floating tenon type of thing but on a small easy scale just to hold joints together and rigid.

 

[Roger928]

A mortise and tenon jig is probably the way to go.
The trend one is around £200 quid and the Leigh over £1000 quid.
Or you could probably make your own.

A mortise drill and accurate bandsaw works well too.

 

[rsgaz]

or the fundamentals of a domino but without the hefty price.

A biscuit jointer is much, much cheaper than a domino machine. Very similar joint, if a tad weaker.

Gaz

 

[SammyInnit]

A mortise and tenon jig is probably the way to go.
The trend one is around £200 quid and the Leigh over £1000 quid.
Or you could probably make your own.

A mortise drill and accurate bandsaw works well too.

I've made mortise and tenon joints using my Bandsaw before but I was thinking more for speed and accuracy for little projects that need knocking up quick.

A biscuit jointer is much, much cheaper than a domino machine. Very similar joint, if a tad weaker.

Gaz

I've got a biscuit jointer I use for board glue ups now and again. Never really thought about using it for joinery otherwise. I'll give it a go

 

[rsgaz]

Have you seen the Beadlock jig? It makes 5 overlapping 3/8 inch holes, which you put a floating tenon into.

http://www.rutlands.co.uk/sp+woodwo...s-beadlock-system-beadlock-kit-rutlands+34802

You have to buy their profiled floating tenon stock though of course, unless you have a tilting router lift and could make your own with a roundover bit.

Gaz

 

[Deleted member 174758]

A biscuit jointer is much, much cheaper than a domino machine. Very similar joint, if a tad weaker.

A LOT weaker, I assure you. Biscuits are OK for assembling 18mm ply or MDF carcasses for interior use (beech isn't durable when used outdoors) , but Dominos can do frame and panel doors for exterior use with the correct (Sipo) Domino plates and the appropriate glue. Personally if I were on a budget I'd consider 1/2in plunge router, home-made jig and home-made loose tenons. TBH you can't really top the speed and accuracy of Dominos - that's why many workshops have adopted them - but the price is indeed steep