Get Festool Domino style joinery for pennies! 

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Just comes down to what's most important ... time or money. If time IS money like in a production environment, springing for a Domino is a no brainer. But if you're simply a hobbyist making one-off pieces of furniture for your home, a plunge router works just as effectively. That's a great tip with the splined fence, Stumpy!

The cut line for fence was brilliant, never thought of doing that.

If you are a woodworking professional your tools are your livelihood. For a home tinkerer like myself this is an excellent way to achieve the same. Thanks

I recall you made a similar video for a jig like this some time ago ...... I cannot begin to tell you how useful that was, I now make all my 'mortise & tenon' joints with a copy of that jig, slightly modified to suit my own needs, but a fantastically useful jig. BIG thanx!!

Classic Stumpy Nubs - practical, concise and unpretentious. One of the best woodworking channels. Thank you.

Nice quick jig. 3x3 Custom has also made an excellent jig that is a little more work but a lot more customizable. I highly recommend it.

As usual, well done James. Some nice improvements to your jig too. As others have added, there are lots of alternatives to Fesstool Dominoes. I've made lots of things, from huge doors to small furniture with mortises cut with chisels after drilling out waste. Later I got a small hollow chisel mortiser. Worked well, but not fast. When making dozens of windows, I found a used chain mortiser that greatly sped up the operation. Great for making big mortises on lots of things. But I bought a Domino jointer 15 years ago, and later an XL. They WERE expensive. But the time they save me makes them very worth while. I could have gotten by without the XL I suppose, but it has been used on probably 1000 or more mortises, and I'm happy with it. There are always ways to do things differently. The Domino is just an amazingly accurate machine that takes a lot of time out of set up. Not necessary, but for someone that does work with wood every day, it is a darn useful tool. I'm glad to pay for the accuracy and the ease of adjusting to each project need. It is not just the ability to "rout" deep mortises. It is the ability to quickly register from an edge to you slot, to change that register in increments, to go back again, to widen slots, to quickly change depths, etc. I certainly don't own a lot of Fesstool products, because while they are usually a cut above, the comparable drill, sander, etc, but I can get by with something considerably cheaper, but I do admire their commitment to quality. For the Domino, it is not just a better made product, it is truly unique.

I very much appreciate your meticulous, clear instructions. I always find I have a better understanding of “how and why” after I have watched your videos. You have a way of simplifying and incrementing your explanations that helps me very much. Thank you.

I have no problem with Festool other than price. If you have a high volume cabinet shop, go for it. The cost makes any Festool product unnecessary in a hobbyist shop. Besides, Norm showed us how to do loose-tennon joinery with a router 30 years ago. If it's good enough for Norm. . .

Festool TS55 and Domino, and CT36E are basically the only Festool I’ll own.

This is a great technique, and the bomb-proof tip on getting the fence exactly parallel alone makes the video worth watching. I remember the channel had a very similar video a few years back, with the main difference being that James lacked the Spock-in-a-parallel-universe goatee. Good to present this material for the benefit of those newer to the channel and as a refresher for long time viewers. Thumbs up for Tay Tools-they're great to deal with and have lots of useful vids on their own RU-vid channel.

Thanks Stumpy! One of those “It’s so simple” moments that you don’t know why you hadn’t thought of it before. Great tip!

You are a RU-vid gem, I have truly enjoyed your videos. Explained with intelligens and clearity. Sorry about my poor english.

Watching this makes my Domino’s worth the price tag even more

Now even happier that I have a Domino. Over the past 15 years it has saved me countless hours of set up and fiddling about. I use for all kinds of angled, offset and traditional tenon work. Save yourself a lot of headache and just use the Domino. Priceless.

Time is money especially if woodworking is a source of income a domino is worth every penny

When I first saw Festool products and saw the prices, I was appalled. Then I saw the design effort and engineering quality that goes into them. It's all about productivity with accuracy. If I was earning my living from woodworking instead of being a hobbyist, I'd want Festool.

Here's a couple of enhancements. First, make a set of jigs for common dimensions when positioning the fence. One for 3/4 in stock, another for 1 1/2" stock, etc. You could also take angles into consideration, and make jigs where the fence is positioned for 1 1/2 stock cut on a 45 degree angle. Second, make the gap the largest you think you will ever use. In the jig, add a mechanism that allows you to vary the length of the gap. You could simply use spacer blocks, or get fancier and use a bolt that can be adjusted. For the bolt idea, drill through holes through the two narrow strips before assembly. Thread one of the holes and insert a long bolt. When assembling the jig, make sure the bolt is facing inward. Then, use a long screwdriver through the other end to adjust the length of the mortise.

Such a great alternative. Thank you

James, you hit it out of the park again! I will be doing this in the near future. Thank you again for your no fuss, no mess, no hype style-much appreciated!

PS: Thanks to you I now only use 3M cubitron ...... fantastic product ..... plan to make a chisel sharpening jig as per another one of your ideas for using cubitron!!

This video really shows why the domino is valuable to people who make money through their woodworking. If you make a couple hundred of these joints eventually the time saved using the domino will have made it totally worth the money. but that doesn't apply to hobbyists

Thank you for showing us this again, James!

You always deliver good information-thank you. That is why watch your channel and take your lessons/information as solid advice to consider.

My favorite part is, he is using one of the more affordable routers to do a job just as clean as one of the most expensive tools does. Well played sir!

Another great video James. Thank you for the lesson 👍

I've always used dowels. They are quick and easy to use and all I need is a drill and an inexpensive dowel jig. I've never needed to use mortice and tenon. Should I reconsider?

It’s a nice alternative, but, you’ll have to pry my Domino from my cold dead hands.

Thanks for this! It's not so much the Festool machine that turns people off, it is the fact that this is realistically a tool only for professionals who make their living in woodworking. If you are not a professional, it is highly unlikely you are going to spend that much on a rarely used tool, and if you are a professional, you don't need some dimbulb RU-vidr droning on about how great it is. Thus nobody is interested. What is needed is more videos like this which demonstrate how you can get the same results as a pro without the expense.

Just wanted to say thank you. I didn't look back that far. Maybe other folks who missed it will now check it out .

This channel never disappoints

I'm a 'home tinkerer' that's been renovating and building cabinets, shelves, tables for about 20 years. I have a crap load of Festool machines, many of which I purchased 2nd hand, including the DF500 Domino. Never had any regrets or issues. That stuff doesn't seem to want to wear out. Must say though, once you've used a Domino, there's no going back!

I couldn't agree more about changing the channel when a RU-vid'r whips out their flashy domino tool. Great tip for lining up the fence. I was expecting parallel for the fence to be the failure of this option, but I learned something instead and am impressed. Cheers.

Jigs are Jigs, Tools are Tools. I always make throw away jigs, It's just cheaper. Whether I am making one or two pieces or twenty units. Once I find out the units sells... That jig gets stored with all the templates, plans, pictures and any video for the next selling season. Great video! Shoot, I even make jigs to make high profit planters. Make it once and production run begins. Keeps everything uniform and body parts away from high speed metal cutting devices sheathed in tungsten carbide! With a good jig instead of 10-20 a day hundreds can be made. More profit!

Sure yeah, if you aren't using it for a business or your business hasn't found enough jobs to justify the tool. I own one and I'm glad i chose to purchase the domino. There's more uses than just floating tenons with this tool, by the way! But yes, if you are a weekend woodworker or just started a business it may not be an option and that's okay. But it's definitely worth the price.

Thanks Stumpy

So much a router can do and you showing how to make a jig to go and do mortise joints is an added bonus.

Good video, it works. I might use it for a special unavailable size domino, however time is of the essence for me, so the domino is my preference. Of course I own one, but if you are only going to do a few, and don't want to pay fesstool a lot of money, your suggestion is great!

Such a simple jig enables one of the most useful joints. IMO this is the joint that all beginning woodworkers should know and use. I like the version that has adjustable slot width, which is not much more complicated.

Great jig! With the new stubble, you're channeling your best Andy Dufresne look from Shawshank Redemption.😊

Simple, logical, and useful. Thanks for another good one!

Great idea and help to visualize the process. Thanks.

What a great idea for the wood workers that are not in production or regularly requiring loose tenons. For that "once in a while hobbiest", this is a great option. Thank you for sharing!

Thank you sir for another great perspective and another approach. Thank you so much for all you do. I’m a novice wood worker but I’ve learned so much watching your videos.

Thanks Professor Nubs for another great method that works great and saves money.

Excellent presentation and jig!

Great vid and tips James. If you own a woodworking CNC, it is super easy to whip up quick, custom jigs like this, any length and width 🙂

It would be nice if you showed and demonstrated the jig BEFORE moving forward into building it - that aids understanding and comprehension

I love mine.

Wow! I have so much to learn! This really helps and inspires me! Thanks!

What a great idea.

Stumpy, you’re the man 💪

Perfect example of why the domino is a thing. That's a whole lot of work compared to just picking it up and going to town. For a DIYer who does this twice a year, this method sure is adequate but there are two distinct groups of people for whom the domino was made: 1. Pros that do this three times a week where the time savings will amortize the domino inside a year and a half 2. People like me, who have a high motivational threshold to begin a project because they think way too much about all the work involved. And have the spare change to buy it. The latter of point two is where I diverge from that group :D.

Another great video, James! Thanks again!

What a great idea! Thanks for sharing this.

thanks

James one more nice video...before I had Mortise Pal (not avaible anymore)...I did like your mortise jig I add a threaded rod and a T nut at edge and make the slot longer and the threaded rod limited how long I can go...congratulations from Brazil

One thing that nobody points out is the bushing for the router. I believe most newbies will have no problem getting the bit or making the jig but get lost on the bushings. Like how to get them. Do they work with 'my' router. Do I need to buy a different router. Can I get a bushing for my trim router. And so on. Maybe do a video on router bushings and accessories?

I like my $30 yard sale biscuit joiner for alignment, and dowels and glue for my joints. Heck of a lot cheaper, and pretty nearly as strong as a Domino thingy. Dowels have been around for several thousand years. Will Dominos last that long? All you need is a drill and a jig you can make for yourself or buy for a few bucks. My plunge base is gathering dust in the cabinet, since my router is all-but permanently mounted in my table, and a new one for my trim router costs $100. Just sayin'.

The Domino is done before any of the substitutes get started. Perfect every time, and lots of choices for sizes. Plus, one kitchen project pays it off.

Thanks James. I really like your idea! And so much easier than using a chisel. You are truly a master! 😊😊😊😊❤❤❤❤

Great! The video is amazing and has caught my interest. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

This workaround is nice, but anyone doing a volume of work will want the expensive, accurate and devoted tool as it requires less steps and is possibly less prone to error.

Great job 👏🏻

Your short review on the new 3M Sanding Disk. This is an incredible leap forward in sandpaper technology. My good pal and neighbor was a sales rep for 3M. He was KING on body shop abrasives. I gave him two disks to try out. Dave could not believe it. Dave is going to call his old contacts at 3M. I hope I can gain some insight for you on what & how. Soon hopefully. TS Portland

As someone who's used methods like this for years and some of the stuff the wood whisper showed in a video as well. There's places where the domino certainly still outshines. Mainly on mitres and small pieces. And obviously time wise is way faster. But with that price I can't justify having both domino. So I own the smaller one since I use it more. If on the off chance I need something bigger I use the router jig options. It was hard to justify buying when I did buy it years ago. But I never regretted it. I was happy to sell my track saw. Not that I don't love them. But you pay a premium for the festool and the only difference using my Bosch one instead is I don't have the festool cord and it was nearly half the price when I got it on sale. And since the only other festool items I have is a Sander and the domino, I don't care for the cord. It's not that big of a deal to me. Plus I always considered cutting one cord to put a twist lock on it. Since I did that with every other tool I have. They all have a twist lock camlok connector on them that I can go from tool to tool.

Well done James, us domino folk do this also, we also would use a router (probably green) with good chip removal. I like your presentation. Well done! And yes, it’s all about the woodworker, the tools don’t define us, they only help facilitate the process!

As a domino owner I still use this method to cut large mortises. I made a large door a year or so ago and wanted beefy mortise and tenons so the router method was the way.

Ok now THIS just might be my favorite jig vid

Good idea and explanation. Thanks

Excellent idea! I have seen a router mortising machine before but was as expensive as the Festool domino. I like this idea. One thing to note, is the specs of the jig may have to be changed or remade for different width stock. After a couple of projects, I bet you won't need to make a new jig anymore. Thanks.

I believe that the 3m cubitron paper is good stuff. I have been using the regular sheets of 3m sand paper and it cuts quick! I really wanna try the cubitron stuff on my orbital sander.

The router method is always a good option especially when you need a larger mortice than your domino can cut. You can't beat the domino for speed and accuracy in a production workshop where time is money. Unfortunately the domino appears overpriced to most amateur woodworkers however in my experience as a professional woodworker the domino has paid for itself very quickly in time saved. I believe that taking the time to learn how to cut joints by hand gives you a much better understanding of the process before moving on to using power tools and machinery.

Best replacement for domino is not some half baked domino like contraption. Get a great doweling jig like Dowelmax or Jesem if you cannot justify Festool domino.

Is this a copy of Peter Millards jig? @10MinuteWorkshop

Great! and thank you....rr Normandy, France

I'm honestly surprised that Milescraft doesn't make one of these, looks like they make something for self centering but not sure if it would work for doing it on the opposite surface if it's not centered

Great idea James. My rule: if you’re doing a process more than twice - make a jig for it. I like your method much better than Domino wanna be tools which are often hundreds of dollars, and make joints that are half as strong as a loose tenon. Thanks for keeping our imaginations alive.

I cut several of these on a past project, but just used a router guide. Just add boards so it's balanced. Marc Spagnola has a video on it. This also looks like a great jig.

James. I agree that your jig works very well for larger projects like the door and even smaller ones using 3/4" material, however it would not work so well on narrow mitered stock such as for picture frames, where small dominos/loose tenons are useful. Of course, the loose tenon joint could be replaced with splined joints for the frames, however splines might not be acceptable for the appearance of the finished frame. Woodworking is always better when one has alternatives to consider in design and construction, thank you for sharing.

Great tips As always James Thanks for sharing

I just use dowels. They've never not been able to do the job.

Would the jig be strong enough if it was built with the 3or4 inch piece of plywood glued to the spacer strips then glued to a piece of plywood a little thinner than the offset you wanted (from the face of the work piece to the closest edge of the mortise), glue the fence on and finally add another piece of plywood to provide support to the router?

Can you cut mortise on an angle? For example can you cut a mortise on a 22.5 degree angle and on a 5 degree angle to join three pieces of wood together?

Genius. Thank you!

Top notch like always! Thank you sir!

Re-invented the wheel, this is as old as I can remember. But if time is money (and for a pro it is), then this is the reason the Domino was invented...😉

Thanks for the money saving tip.

Right tool for the right job, right? I use both methods depending on the project, as I'm sure you do, as well. I like the simplicity of the jig you make.

I got around using a domino for along time and that’s fine of course. I used one once at a friends shop and I was hooked. The domino makes joining pieces so fast and exact that it’s a real game changer in saving TIME. If you got time to kill there’s no point in the domino but if you are limited on time it’s impossible to beat.

Festool is a bit like Snap-On, they make "some" very good tools at a very premium price. They also make a bunch of slightly better than middle of the road tools at a very premium price. Even marginal research can illuminate those tools that will do the same task at the same rate of production at far lower dollar outlay. It's worth the hunt. The branded marketing is there for a reason, to get you to buy into the sales pitch. Once in a while the sales pitch is accurate.

I get smarter watching your vids. Thanks.

Well that certainly makes loose tenon joinery less expensive than the Festool route. Although I wouldn't say it is exactly free. You need a router and router bit. Although I expect most shops do have those. I really like your method of aligning the jig's fence. And apparently the only critical measurement is the thickness of the tenon. You indicate that length and width can vary without compromising the joint. Thank you for sharing. Have a great day and stay safe.🙂🙂

ok, I tried the cubitron and I must admit it lasts longer and doesn't gum up. I think it's bewitched, it's so good.

Get a pantorouter! It’s all you need for m&t at any angle, dovetails, box joints, dowel joinery. Perfect results every time!

What a great idea! Thanks.

Fantastic! Thanks a bunch for all the info and tips, James! 😃 Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

Brilliant! I'll bet Festool will love you!

Thanks... i hv seen so many guys use the router. Just get the good bits for the router.... much cheaper.... very cheap. Thats what am getting.... another router.