carlb40":2dm6erqq said:
Watched some vids and saw how much more versatile the domino is to a biscuit joiner.
I've got a 500 Domino and an XL Domino, I've used them regularly for several years, so I'm pretty heavily invested in the Domino system. Domino has some great advantages, but like any other bit of woodworking kit they're not an instant passport to cabinet making heaven!
The fit of the domino tenons is very humidity dependant, and when they're tight they're unbelievably tight, meaning that unlike biscuits or traditional M&T's they're not always the best choice for projects that require multiple dry cramp ups, as you either have to risk damaging the workpiece when you disassemble it, or spend quite some time planing down dominos to achieve an easier fit.
For best results you have to calibrate the perspex viewing window, and I doubt more than one woodworker in three actually does this, so I'd guess there's a fair number of domino users out there who are wondering why sometimes the joint doesn't quite line up (something that doesn't afflict most biscuit jointers with their greater tolerance margin).
A domino joint is only ever as accurate as the workpiece components that you're assembling. I spoke to one chap who bought a domino hoping it would by itself take his woodworking up a level, but without perfectly square shoulders and perfectly prepared rails and stiles there'll still be gaps and sloppy glue lines. If you're taking components straight from an accurate panel saw and accurate thicknesser a domino is very slick, if you're a newcomer to woodworking preparing your timber by hand it's not quite so good.
There are work arounds for most things, but domino machines aren't very versatile when it comes to off setting the mortice a specific distance from an edge, and the finite range of domino biscuit sizes further restricts your options. I find that dominos are at their very best when the item you're building has been designed for dominos right from the outset. If you're working from a set of plans, in particular a set of imperial plans, you'll probably find yourself making some compromises.
I'm not trying to criticise dominos, as I said I'm heavily invested in them and wouldn't be without mine. But it's important to look beyond the hype. If you're happy with your existing making skills you may well find a domino can improve your efficiency, but if the reason for wanting a domino is to overcome shortcomings in technique then I think a domino is unlikely to deliver.
