Thread: Domino vs Dowelling Jig

A domino is really just an elongated dowel so there is not a lot between them. Set up is quicker for precision work with a domino so this could be a factor for repetitive work and may mitigate the cost difference. I like domino, but I am unsure of either value in chipboard - I just do not like weetbix! But I made my kitchen from it (melamine) with 50mm screws and its going fine..... so far.

Suggest you also post on FOG Forum; you will get honest and unbiased answers.


Cheers

Graeme

I switched from dowels to a Domino 500 and would never go back.

The ease of use is brilliant, precision is great but yes cost is higher.

Had a look at the Jessem jig video and I think that that particular one is also very good but in the time that it takes to drill a hole for one dowel the Domino has done the lot. The other concern is that I often have the dominos off centre depth wise. Changing the stop on the drill would be a PITA.

The small dominos can be used in places that the dowel jig might be very hard to fit.

BTW would still give you the same answer on the FOG.

I think there will be good arguments for both systems. I have never used a Dowelling jig, but I do have a Domino. I have used dowels where appropriate.

Where the Domino system wins is the speed of the accuracy - as long as everything tightens up properly (the various levers). It does have some ergonomic let-downs, but they are not deal breakers. The DE is excellent, and the shape of the tenons prevents twisting. It really is very fast to join 2 boards: lightly clamp together, quickly rule some lines with a square, unclamp, do the routing, glue-doms-glue, tap together and clamp up.

Out of the box, beware that the lever that holds the distance from the top of the board may need some adjusting (easy to do). Mine was not tight enough to prevent minor (and unnoticeable at the time of drilling/routing) slipping, and it caused me no end of grief with boards not being flush until I worked out what the problem was.

I can't offer an opinion on which is better as I haven't ever done doweling, but I do love my domino!!
I only use it occasionally but when I do I'm reminded that it wasn't a mistake to purchase one.

My major recommendation would be to spend the extra to get the set of cutters and dominos . It's a great way to get the set of cutters and I have found the versatility of having a veriety of sizes on hand is invaluable. To purchase all these bits after the initial machine purchase would be quite expensive.

Just my 2c

I have a Domino 500. The closest thing I've used to a dowelling machine is a BeadLock system. "sort of" similar to the Jessem jig.

Time is VERY LIMITED in the shed for me. So I've found the Domino invaluable to let me do very fast, very precise and strong joinery in a flash. This ability to let me get things done in my hobby was worth the extra price for me. I also got a Systainer of different Dominos and the 5 or 6 cutters. I've forgotten about the price.

My old BeadLock jig just doesn't compare. I couldn't get it to align joins perfectly, had to muck around with depth stops that would slip. It's not the Jessem, so not a true comparison.

For whatever reason, the Domino is a tool that really polarises people. People are either against it, or like me, would marry it if it were legal!

Edit: I've found a number of non-traditional uses for the Domino too. Such as using it to create grooves in table aprons to hold buttons to secure the top, used it to go all the way through in drawer side material and then use a contrasting timber for an 'exposed tenon' type of look. And while I had it out, even used it to put long grooves in timber quicker than setting up my router.

Both. As with all joinery, you need to pick the joinery method that fits the joint regardless of your ability to reliably make the joint. Dowels and dominos are suitable alternatives to the better integral mortise and tenon, dovetails and sliding dovetails for the majority of the work. Sometimes a domino is suitable, sometimes it is not and a dowel needs to be used. I recently completed construction of a baby cot for my younger sister made with dowel joinery. To do a great job, I needed to use integral mortise and tenon and blind dovetails and sliding dovetails. To do a pretty good job I needed to use dominos AND dowels (or just dowels like I did) because a single domino would have been an entirely inappropriate choice over two dowels on one of the smaller joints in the build.

For the work you have listed being melamine work and hardwood coffee tables, both methods are suitable therefore it's just a question of labour during the job vs upfront costs which is a pretty easy question to answer. If you have the money now, spend it now, otherwise save your monies and work hard for the future.

A past contributor to this forum did a three way comparison of Domino, Kreg Pocket and the Dowelmax....

Many thanks to everyone who provided answers

It seems there is a big case to be made for the Domino after all. Owning neither, it's easy to fall into the trap of thinking the Domino is a "fancy doweller", but it seems that isn't the case!

Much appreciated for the info - now to set aside shekels prior to 31-03

especially if you intend to do a lot of work with manufactured board. Melamine, MDF, Ply, Chipboard, etc

and that is a Lamello zeta P system biscuit jointer. Lamello Zeta P2 Biscuit Jointer HW in Systainer Case - Biscuit Jointers - Biscuit Jointers & Dowelling - Power Tools | Axminster Tools & Machinery
IMO, when it comes to joining pieces of manufactured board, the Domino comes 2nd or 3rd to the Lamello system perhaps on par with a regular biscuit jointer and screws, perhaps behind.

For basic solid wood joinery -- like that required for a coffee table -- the Domino is competing head-to-head with the Kreg system.

where the Domino really shines is in more advanced joinery where all sides of a joint are visible.

Originally Posted by ian

especially if you intend to do a lot of work with manufactured board. Melamine, MDF, Ply, Chipboard, etc and that is a Lamello zeta P system biscuit jointer.

Thank you for the link, I wasn't aware that these existed

Mind, the price tag on this is really making it a hard justification That is looking like being close to $2500 landed here, and no warranty to back it up (I am sure it's a quality unit, don't get me wrong, but where would one get it repaired here if it was needed?)

It's an interesting solution - for sure!

Lamellos are available in Australia -- the link to the Axminister site was just the first I found that was sort of comprehensive in terms of what the machine does.

I'm fairly certain that at least one forumite has one -- either personally or at work

Originally Posted by ian

I'm fairly certain that at least one forumite has one -- either personally or at work

have a browse through this thread Calling the Pro's - estimation of time
Lamello's P-system is discussed in post #15 and following. Plus some additional links.

Woodpixel will be weak at the knees again after that link Ian

Local link here: https://www.lincolnsentry.com.au/brands/l-r/lamello
You've gotta be doing a hell of a lot of them to justify the cost, not only of the machine, but of the $2-3 PER FASTENER.