Removing Dominos after Dry-fit

[John Goodin]

I recently acquired a Domino XL and have been using it build a double sink vanity. Learning to think in metric has not been difficult but trying to remove a domino tenon after dry-fitting is a bear. The current method is using channel lock pliers to pull, wiggle and swear, usually a lot. I have sanded some down a bit but that is a hassle and don't want to use them for the final glue up. Is there a tool or trick that works better than my current solution?

[Andrew Hughes]

I’ve noticed the same they can be so tight. I’ve given up buying them and make them myself for a perfect fit to suit my weather.

[Greg Quenneville]

I can’t recall where ai got this tip, but I have an assortment of sanded down dominoes for trial fits. They are all painted pink.

[Lee Schierer]

I suspect that Dominoes like biscuits swell with ambient moisture, which would make the tight fit. Some people store their biscuits in air tight containers.

[Brian Tymchak]

I suspect that Dominoes like biscuits swell with ambient moisture, which would make the tight fit. Some people store their biscuits in air tight containers.

Never used Dominoes. Are they compressed like biscuits?

[Larry Edgerton]

Put them in the microwave to warm then nicely. I live in a moist climate and even with Tupperware eventually the dominoes and lamello biscuits swell. Some use the oven, but I have found the the micro works fine.

[Tom Bain]

Swear louder ... it helps :D

[Clark Hussey]

Festool USA has a video on the domino sticking. It is normal for this to happen. Keep a pair Chanel locks around.

[Jay Michaels]

I've suffered the same problem, and I too have sanded some dominos slightly to allow an easier fit for dry-fitting, but that gets old after a while. But this:


I can’t recall where ai got this tip, but I have an assortment of sanded down dominoes for trial fits. They are all painted pink.

is an excellent approach. I'm going to adopt it now - keeping some sanded ones available only for dry-fitting; but using unsanded ones for the final assembly.

[Paul F Franklin]

Yep, I have a bunch of sanded dominoes that I use for dry fitting. Someone should make slightly under size dominoes for this purpose. They could even be plastic. Should 3d print some.

The sanded ones also come in handy when you need just a little wiggle room to adjust a joint a bit.

[Floyd Mah]

Use one of these: End nipper.

470285

Great for other tasks as well. Leaves a small crease without destroying the domino. Just grab the domino and give a wiggle (of the nipper).

[Bill Dufour]

I have a pair like these. The bend on the handle allows you to pull straight out much harder.

Bill D.

https://www.kleintools.com/catalog/high-leverage-side-cutting-pliers/high-leverage-ironworkers-pliers

[Bill Dufour]

They make plastic biscuits to use for take apart joints, like table leaves. Maybe they make plastic dominoes?
Bill D

[Jim Tobias]

I usually stick them in microwave for minute or so.....that works most of the time. Also, I do store them in air lock plastic bags.

Jim

[Jim Becker]

One solution is to keep a small set of "testing" Dominos in the size(s) you use that are very lightly sanded so they are not so tight. Dye them a bright color to provide a visual clue that they are for test use only. Dominos are supposed to be very snug which is great for actual assembly but a challenge for dry fitting. You'll also need to lightly sand the 14mm Dominos that are associated with any knock-down joinery using the Domino connectors so they can slip-in and slip out (while still not being sloppy) for knock-down functionality.

[Cliff Polubinsky]

I've found that sanding the entire domino isn't necessary. Just give the narrow sides 4 or 5 swipes on sandpaper.

For removing tight dominos I have a pair of pliers with non-marring plastic jaws.

Cliff

[Jim Dwight]

I agree with the other suggestions but will add one. I find that putting the domino into a vise on my workbench and then tapping the part away from it works better than pliers. The vise holds very well and only a tap or two on the part with a dead blow will get the domino out.

I make my own dominos and still have this issue at times. I remember a video where they tested fit of mortise and tenon joints and the looser ones were stronger. Maybe I am making the dominos too large. A less snug fit might actually be better from both standpoints.

[johnny means]

I use channel locks and a hammer. I tap the hammer on the flat of the channel locks to remove the Domino. Removes the biggest, deepest Dominos with very little exertion.

[Dick Strauss]

Turn your vise grips into a slide hammer. Buy a long bolt the same thread as your existing adjustment bolt. Then re-assemble the longer bolt in the vise grips but include a heavy wood block or metal block (with a hole slightly larger than the bolt diameter) on the bolt.

Clamp your piece in the vise grips and slide the wood/metal block back forcefully. It will pop right out of the slot.

[Dick Strauss]

With wood, make sure you put a big fender washer on first below the longer bolt head to keep from crushing the wood block.

[Tom M King]

Replacement adjuster bolts for Visegrips, to use in a slide hammer, are readily available:

https://www.amazon.com/OTC-205378-Grip-Wrench-Adapter/dp/B000OQJH90/ref=asc_df_B000OQJH90/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=321659827342&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=13886392899751248458&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9009786&hvtargid=pla-521022623030&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=62361624937&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=321659827342&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=13886392899751248458&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9009786&hvtargid=pla-521022623030

[Bob Falk]

I always sand mine before using....only takes a few seconds with rough sandpaper

[Lee Schierer]

I live in a moist climate and even with Tupperware eventually the dominoes and lamello biscuits swell.

The plastic used in tupperware allows moisture to pass through. Use a clear screw top plastic popcorn container or pretzel container or a glass jar.

[John Goodin]

Thanks. Lots of good ideas. I may go with making a test set and color code the various sizes since I can never read the numbers imprinted on the dominoes.