Domino in mitred corner: how to clamp?

[abram godshall]

I am using dominos to apply an exposed decorative cabinet side to the face frame on a kitchen cabinet. The corner is a mitred joint. How do I clamp and pull the corner together to get a tightly fitting joint?

Thank you in advance,
Abram Godshall

[Frank Martin]

Assuming you will make the mitered piece separately before applying, this is one of the options:

http://www.amazon.com/Bessey-VAS23-Vario-Angle-Strap/dp/B0000224B3/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1268832520&sr=8-1

There are others to fo general miter clamping.

[Prashun Patel]

Corner clamps can work, but their big value is to help with alignment of the joint.

Since the Domino will align the joint perfectly, you only need something to keep pressure on the joint while the glue sets.

So, I'd just wrap it with some painters tape.

[Mark Duksta]

Use this stuff:

http://www.titebond.com/IntroPageTB.ASP?UserType=1&ProdSel=WNTitebondInstantBond.asp

I had to use it for a jig I was building. I had to accurately attach a couple of triangle pieces and had no way to clamp them.

This stuff is strong and bonds in about 20 seconds. I brought a glued up test piece to work (in an L shape) and challenged my coworkers to break the bond. No one could do it.

[Brian Kincaid]

... challenged my coworkers to break the bond. No one could do it.

I'm pretty good at bonding my fingers together. Is this stuff just fancy super glue or is there more to it?

-Brian

[Mark Duksta]

It's Super Glue for woodworking although you can use it to glue almost anything. It comes in three viscosities. The lightest looks like it would be good for cracks. I could see luthiers using this stuff. The heaviest is like a gel.

Check out this video:

http://www.popularwoodworking.com/article/Titebond_Sponsored_Video

[Jim Tobias]

Abram,
I'm not sure,but you may be having the same problem that I had when I tried the dominoes in the miterd corners the first time. The compression fit was so tight that I had trouble closing the joint. Of course, you don't want to "BEAT" the joint too much(damage the wood) to close it ands therein lies the problem. I was using the Bessey strap clamp that I often use for picture frames. It did not exert enough force to close the joint. I finally took the clamp off, pushed, beat it together on all 4 miters and then put the clamp back on it. I have not tried the dominoes on a miter like that since, but I imagine that it is due to using the tightest setting (#1) in order to get the most accurate fit. Next time, I plan to cut the domino mortices on the middle setting (#2) and hope that this will relieve some of the compression of the fit. Of course, that means the horizontal alignment of the miter will have to be adjusted but that is where the Bessey Strap clamp should do the job.

Jim

[Ben West]

Abram,
I'm not sure,but you may be having the same problem that I had when I tried the dominoes in the miterd corners the first time. The compression fit was so tight that I had trouble closing the joint.

Jim


To help ease the tightness of the fit, try microwaving the dominos for a minute or so before fitting. Like all wood, the dominos can absorb moisture and swell; microwaving removes some of this moisture and shrinks the dominos. After a minute or so in the microwave, I've found the fit to be much looser and better for applications like this.

[Chris Padilla]

Abram,
I'm not sure,but you may be having the same problem that I had when I tried the dominoes in the miterd corners the first time. The compression fit was so tight that I had trouble closing the joint.

Jim

You can either handsaw a few kerf lines in the domino or run the domino over your TS blade raised a skosh or simply cut a wider mortise as you suggested.

[Chris Padilla]

It's Super Glue for woodworking although you can use it to glue almost anything. It comes in three viscosities. The lightest looks like it would be good for cracks. I could see luthiers using this stuff. The heaviest is like a gel.

Check out this video:

http://www.popularwoodworking.com/article/Titebond_Sponsored_Video

It is CA glue...not Super Glue (the cheap stuff at the check-out counter). :)

[Jim Tobias]

Yeah, Ben, I microwave all dominoes for all applications after the first time I tried to use them. It definitely helps a lot. In the mitered corners of a fairly thin frame it can still be difficult to get it to close with the pressure from a Bessey Strap clamp. That is why I will probably use the middle setting next time. Shouldn't be a problem as the Bessey Strap clamp will keep the miter corners flush.

Jim

[Jim Tobias]

You can either handsaw a few kerf lines in the domino or run the domino over your TS blade raised a skosh or simply cut a wider mortise as you suggested. Chris, That sounds like a "Sawstop commercial!!:eek:

[Chris Padilla]

Chris, That sounds like a "Sawstop commercial!!:eek:

Just a skosh!

;)

skosh [ skōsh (http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/features/dictionary/Pronounce.aspx?search=skosh) ]

noun
Definition: U.S. jot: a little bit ( slang )
http://encarta.msn.com/xImages/dictionary/bullet.gifhttp://encarta.msn.com/xImages/trans.gifI'd like just a skosh more, please.

[Mid-20th century. < Japanese sukoshi]