Hey all,

This thread prompted me to investigate building a benchtop domino jig, both to hold the domino and the material to be mortised.

I liked the design Carmonius Finsnickeri () came up with, but realized it's not height adjustable.  I.e. I frequently work with 1/2" and 3/4" stock, and the 10mm cutting height is fine for 3/4" but not so much for 1/2". 


Would be curious if anyone has ideas to enable height adjustment on this.

I came up with three:

1. Cut a pocket to recess the Domino machine in that design for the thinnest stock size (say 1/2"), then shim it up to other desired thicknesses (i.e. have a shim ready for 3/4" thickness, fabricate other thicknesses as needed).   Will this be accurate/repeatable?


2. Have multiple jigs for multiple thicknesses...seems crazy duplicative / wasteful / $$$ but probably most accurate and minimizes setup time and human error...doesn't seem reasonable

3. Have interchangeable bottom pieces (that holds the domino) for variable thicknesses - i.e. have one thickness cut for 1/2", one for 3/4", be able to fabricate more as needed.  Use Domino connectors or something like that to connect the two pieces of the jig .  Concern about accuracy with the connectors (getting repeatable heights).


Would welcome any feedback/thoughts - thanks!

That popped up here about a week ago.

Yep - missed that.  Thanks!

Quick and easy method would be build the jig from 2 layers. One layer would be full size. the top layer that would have the dovetail groves cut in would stop short where the fence is. this would lower the domino by whatever thickness the top layer is. say 3/4" for example.  then you would just need to have blocks of different thicknesses to adjust the height of the domino.  Obviously one would be the same thickness as the 2nd layer this would cancel out any deviation and result in basically what you have now flush with a 10mm to center of cutter height . But by having thinner boards that the domino would mount to, would lower it and center it better in thinner stock or vise versa.  I would also probably make base plate boards 6-8 wider than the domino so they could screw on to the domino and then the domino and plate would attach to the jig either with some star knobs or toggle clamps this would make attaching and removing easier.  It would also give the jig more rigidity after routing in all the grooves. 

But the double layer top is probably better than trying to shim parts individually each time if its more than a one off situation.  I would prefer to have one setup and burn through the parts quickly.  If its just a once and awhile thing then shimming the parts would work.  It would also depend on how precise you needed or wanted the domino centered.   

Here is a quick sketch up what I was saying.  I didnt get crazy with any details or scaling just a quick overall visual idea. The thinner the stock being mortised the thinner the mounting plate.  If you have a planer it would make it easy to make different and precise thickness mounting plates. otherwise you would be limited to standard thickness and adding washers if needed.  You could add some adjustment screws under the mounting plate for precise adjustments but you would need a screw in each corner and make sure they are all the same height so the mortise wasnt at an angle.  However in some applications it might be handy to angle the mortise... Hmmm. lots of possibilities.

Thinking about it more - I agree with @afish and @Svar - will go that route.

I can share cnc plans and details if there is interest.

The proposed jig might be useful for small pieces (small registration surface) and miters. For added strength and durability, I would make the shims of the desired thicknesses roughly the width of the jig's base, not just as a pocket.

Hi everyone, Ola here from Carmonius Finsnickeri. Nice that my jig is up for discussion.

As I say towards the end of the video, I either place a shim under the Domino (for thicker stock) or under the workpiece (for thinner stock) to acchieve a close to center cut. One fine thing with this jig is that the joints don't have to be in the exact center of the thickness as you never flip the parts upside down. With that said the shims doesn't have to be so exact that the locate the joint in the exact center. I don't cut new shims very often, strips in say 60mm width (and as long as the jig is, 300mm something) suits most operations. The shims under the Domino are simple rectangles that matches the sole of the machine.

For shimming I typically use plastic sheets, like acrylic, in different thicknesses.

p.s. You gave me something to think about though about adjustable height, that's good because I just finished my latest jig and need a new challange

@afish I totally agree with you if it's large volumes to do but other than that I'm not a fan of toggle clamps. Takes time to adjust to correct height and reach and pressure and they put large torque between the parts and risk to bend the jigs. Of course it depends a lot on what kind of work you do, but for what I'm doing all my toggles including Bessyes autopressureadjust whatever they are called are put in a drawer since many years...but I never do large volumes of anything.

@dupe no I need to be clear, I'm just building what @Ola C built and it's his channel - he deserves full credit both for the idea and video.  I'm just reproducing it (or my own variant of it).

I'm using a CNC so will be able to share the design if Ola is ok with it [I was going to reach out when I had something to show] - I've cut 2 prototypes, 1st I found some mistakes, 2nd I had a power blip and CNC reset...will hopefully finish this week (I hate it when work interferes with hobbies!).

Since the topic was active and you woke my interest for this jig again. I have something like this in mind, but made mainly in wood + a miniature low profile linear rail. Domino sits on a seperate wedge lift platform controlled with a screw and lockable in height. The wedge part the Domino is attached to doesn't move lengthwise, only the other wedge does. The lowest position for the platform would be well below the jig surface so even the thinnest pieces of would could be cut.


 

Don't know the price for the one I posted, just grabbed a random picture to Illustrated my idea.

There are also lab jacks/scissor lifts in quite robust deisigns like attached pic. These are not very expensive but I have no idea how stable or accurate they are.

You could also go for a traditional linear rail slider, standing up, and put the domino on an upside down u-bracket from the left side, and lock the U-shape on both sides when the height is dialed in. 

Search for lab jacks or manual lift on Aliexpress. Think this was about 100$. Not very cheap.

Thanks

It looks like Woodpeckers is manufacturing Ola's design, with some Woodpeckery variations.

https://www.woodpeck.com/mortisematch.html

Their height adjustment solution looks clever.

We have a modified version in pre-production right now - and ARE paying Ola royalties.  Will post info later today....

Cheers -

Rob