Thread: DIY Furniture: Dowelmax or Festool Domino?

Not hell bent, but I've bought the tool now, so I'll be using them for sure.

I think it is fair to say, given modern glues and a comparison of the multiple-dowel joint (MDJ) to a M&T joint, that the MDJ is at least as strong as the M&T, if not stronger.

I think it's fair to say that a multiple dowel joint is good enough for most purposes, if you're after a joint that is easy to make and you're not concerned with the aesthetics. For the rest, we'll have to wait and see.

SilentC: Aesthetically, it's hard to beat bare-faced, wedged and thru M&T joints, on that I'll agree.

Originally Posted by US-Oz

SilentC: Aesthetically, it's hard to beat bare-faced, wedged and thru M&T joints, on that I'll agree.

This one is easy and very accurate with the Domino

US-Oz stated in his first few posts that time was not an issue for him. For others, I suggest you consider it because it is significant. I'll use the following assumptions:

• the sample cabinet on the dowelmax website,
• cost of the dowelmax $285,
• cost of domino $1395
• cost of consumables NOT included (assumption is that users make their own in each case).
• Dowelmax takes 5 minutes for a five dowel joint
• Domino uses less than 30 seconds for a two domino joint.(5 vs 2 was selected because that is what the quoted strength tests used)
• average wage of a DIY user $20 per hour

Working with these assumptions you quickly realise that:

a dowelmax joint costs 10 times that of a domino in labour terms.

50 Joints
Dowellmax - $83.33 in labour and takes 250 minutes (4.5 hours)
Domino - $8.33 in labour and takes 25 minutes

Now give it some time and reasonable usage over 5 years. I reckon 200 dominos (100 joints) over a year, so:

500 Joints
Dowellmax - $833.33 in labour and takes 2500 minutes (45 hours)
Domino - $83.33 in labour and takes 250 minutes (4.5 hours)

Whether I am an amateur (which I am) or a pro, an awareness of the true costs of the craft are important. For me, time is a crucial element. 300 minutes doing joints? I'm lucky to get 300 minutes in the shop most weekends, I'd like to get somewhere.

Given that the strength of the glue is very good nowadays, a fast joining method is best in my view. Overall, the biscuit jointer may be the most cost effective, domino if you want strength.

If your hourly wage is greater than $20 then factor that in.

cost of consumables NOT included (assumption is that users make their own in each case).

Is that feasible with dowels? Can you make these compressed dowels at home?

It takes me about 20 minutes to make around 200 @ 56 x 32 x 10 Dominos, and if im making 8 or 10mm x 56 x 22 i could get an easy 400

Well said, Groggy.
Hidden costs and time will getcha every time.

Also, at the beginning of this thread there was an statement that the Domino needed "special tenons available only from Festool".
Now we hear you need compressed dowels for best results with the dowelmax
and
there is a company now making tenons to suit the Domino, which are cheaper than the Festool originals.
But making your own is the best way for those using lots or wanting their through joints to match the project they are working on..

Regards,

Rob

Originally Posted by silentC

Is that feasible with dowels? Can you make these compressed dowels at home?

To be honest I don't know. You can make your own dowels by buying a dowel plate and a hammer but they are not "compressed". I was trying to remove consumables from the equation and therefore the assumption you would be able to make them both (dowel and domino).

Yep fair enough. I just wondered because I have made my own dowels in the past for specific purposes, but it's not something I'd like to do a lot of.

Groggy, the only problem I see with your reasoning is the time per joint quoted by Dowelmax. I've got no idea how it takes five minutes to make a joint ... I don't think it would take me that long using a brace, and the brace is considerably slower than the electric drill.

It takes me between 21 and 24 turns of the brace to drill a hole to around 25mm to accommodate a 50mm dowel. If I use all five holes in each joint, 10 holes doesn't account for five minutes. Using an electric drill typically takes 2-3 plunges per hole (withdrawn to clear chips from drill), and I guess 2-3 seconds per hole. Like I said, puzzled by their numbers.

I'll get LGS to hold the stopwatch next week

LGS, you definitely don't need special dowels. I mostly use common-as-muck Haron dowels from the nearest hardware store.

US-Oz, let your exuberance settle a little, use the tool on a couple of projects, and you'll have a much better basis for discussion.

I've got no idea how it takes five minutes to make a joint

Perhaps it includes the time to fasten the jig, drill the holes, remove the jig, and tap in each of the 5 dowels?

I mostly use common-as-muck Haron dowels from the nearest hardware store

Do the makers of Dowelmax guarantee the results of their stress test if you don't use these compressed dowels?