No Domino? No Problem! - Use Your Router for Loose Mortise & Tenon Joints

[@woodwhisperer]

Links to stuff referenced or shown in the videos (products are affiliate links): Essential Joinery (autographed copy) - thewoodwhispererguild.com/product/essential-joinery-book/ Essential Joinery Book (Amazon) - amzn.to/2Y32JM1 Hank Chair Guild Build - thewoodwhispererguild.com/product/hank-chair/ Dining Chair Guild Build - thewoodwhispererguild.com/product/dining-chair/ Festool Domino - amzn.to/2RrBoAw UP-Spiral Router Bit - amzn.to/2Y1wJId OF1400 Router - amzn.to/2IuzlZy White Charcoal Pencil -amzn.to/2IUE31S White Mechanical Pencil - amzn.to/2N251de

[@gavsharpe2607]

I ve looked at a lot of mortise and tenon vids using router - was concerned about ‘dead centre’ on mortise..concerned about tenon part etc - your tutorial is by far the best - great content presented at the right speed with common sense and clarity..thanks😁..first channel I’ve subscribed too

[@pctatc66]

gotta love the motorboat in the beginning!

[@frankschafer1505]

For me it was an instant buy, when it came out and it paid off several times since then. But for hobbyists it might be too much to spend.

[@scottroy6195]

$1500 in Canada. Yup way too expensive for this hobbyist. Therefore it's evil!

[@steve-adams]

Wow, this made something click that I’ve been mentally wrestling for a couple of years. I’ve avoided projects like this because I wasn’t quite sure how I’d do this, but now I see that it’s actually simpler than I expected. Thank you!

[@Antares_451]

New to wood crafting and looking to joint some 45° miters but not looking to buy another tool so definitely gonna practice this method. Thanks for the video with step by step guide.

[@baby1971baby1971]

I'm used to larger, corded routers kzbin.infoUgkxfQ5_mgwq6PcudJvAH25t-I4D-3cTPz4z so this was a different experience for me. Basically, this is an incredibly sweet machine, fits well in the hand, etc. It has slightly less power than I'm used to, but that's understandable. Maneuvering freehand takes some practice. These days, it's especially nice to be able to avoid power cords. This is above the level of a hobbyist but below a pro level.

[@BrilliantDesignOnline]

First content I have seen by you and you truly are a Wood Whisperer. Video shots, lighting, script and descriptions are all excellent, concise, understandable with no waste. Bravo. I am a metal worker and a CNC guy, but you beckon me to the dark side.

[@TheKnightArgent]

I. Love. This. Video. Long overdue, it really shows how easy it can be to get similar results. Thank you SO much!

[@uriuriuri]

Man that last setup for the weird angle was a life saver!! Thank you for the tip

[@philliparudolph9595]

what I like about the router method is that if you feel the joint needs beefier dominos it's easy

I bought the book before finding the channel. What a treat!

[@micahdawgsucka]

You gave credit to the designer!!! Woodworkers don’t always do that! Good job!

[@stevesculptor1]

Nice one. And good to hear the correct term for this work 'Joinery' so many don't the difference between carpentry and joinery

[@BruceAUlrich]

Great video, Marc! I like how you used a scrap block cut at the same angle to support the router.

[@2handsomeforlaw]

I bought a Domino new 6 years ago, and now the second-hand price is more that I paid for it, so it is essentially free :D

[@oxintheshop]

Just got one and love it I used to say I won’t own festool ever....... well that it has changed now my new favorite tool company. Plan to upgrade lot with festool but obviously will be slowly. First project was a coffee bar I did film it too

[@jesseanderson4807]

Marc, thanks for the video and the ideas. I think the big hangup for a lot of new woodworkers, is they they see 'everyone' on youtube whipping out a $1k tenoning machine every time the person in the video didn't want to do hand cut dovetails. I'm not saying that there is anything wrong with either of those methods, but to someone who is just trying to learn, it could feel a little overwhelming and exclusionary. So they swing all the way to the other end of the spectrum and give Kreg all their money for pocket hole jigs! I love that you explained how it could be done another way, but whiners shouldn't stop you from using the machines you've obviously worked very hard to earn. Looking forward to getting your book!

[@blakenorthrup]

The purists should just take a chill pill. Sometimes quick is good, especially when this tool seems to work like a boss. I'd use it daily if I had one, and hope to one day. Keep up the great work man, and don't worry about the haters!

[@chrisbaylis4733]

OMG, we have your book. And then i just stumbled across your channel. It is a great book.

[@MintStiles]

For practical joints, the Domino is excellent. Definitely a good choice for loads most furniture will see. But it’s nothing that cannot be replaced by a cheaper, and just as accurate dowel system - only a drill required. A pinned or wedged M&T is superior as it has also a tight vertical ends, but is difficult (if you are new) to cut and has a learning curve. dovetail seem to scare people for some odd reason but it’s remarkably easy to cut if you are methodical. When it comes down to it, a Domino compensates for deficiencies in craftsmanship in a way, but NO ONE has time to learn to do everything. I would say focus on the end product and its applications instead of worrying about the method used to achieve it.

[@Wastelandman7000]

Agreed. The results are the big deal. If someone needs a domino, that's fine, but, I doubt the customer is going to be upset if their furniture uses dowels instead. And dowels do the same job and are cheaper per joint unless you make your own, which adds more time to the project. The important thing to the client is does it look good and does it hold together. I yes, the method is irrelevant so long as it gets the job done. Happy clients mean a happy life LOL

[@MintStiles]

@@Wastelandman7000 I do M&T, dowels (for most) and pocket holes. I love pocket holes because they are so easily repaired and honestly has no practical difference than wedged M&T. If someone wants something to last 250 years, then I'll consider something nicer.

[@deldridg]

My wife bought me a Festool Domino system because I was taking too long hand-cutting. Great tool but where's the joy in it? I still occasionally pull out the drawers on furniture I hand made years ago to enjoy the dovetails, through wedged tenons etc. There's the joy!!! Great vid mate and cheers from Aussie Land! Dave PS. She also bought me a Leigh dovetail kit as I was taking too long making drawers a few years ago. I'm currently taking my time sanding (I'd love a decent drum sander...). :-)

[@GregsGarage]

Wonderful explanation of the loose tenon. Norm would be proud!

[@BradsWorkbench]

The domino part had me in tears 😂 probably watched it 5 times!

[@seanp1602]

Brads Workbench me too!!

[@darinnetherland3466]

Same here!

[@vasilikozhushner7208]

yup I too got a good laugh out of it.

[@DrThunder88]

Comedy gold!

[@weldabar]

I like the floating M&T joint. I think that sometimes though they are not made deep enough. With Festool Domino you have a set limit. So I actually prefer to use the router. They are more versatile in both diameter and depth, as a trade-off for speed.

[@darinnetherland3466]

Great video. Thanks for the joinery tips. Now you can use the domino as much as you want and just link to this video to keep people quiet. You got a ton of work to do with the videos after the projects are built, so it makes sense for you to use certain tools for speed. Us weekenders that don’t have KZbin channels can take the time to jig a router. Also for every person complaining about you using the domino instead of maybe the router, I’m sure there’s someone who would complain at them for using power tools at all!

[@SwapnilBhartiya]

Festool Dominos have lots of limitations. This is a great solution. Thanks.

[@afidram]

Last step, get yourself plans to the Morley Mortiser.. Nice job, Marc. I too, have a Domino and I agree it can make you feel like you didn’t work hard enough at times, but I quickly get over that.

[@fr33ourminds]

That white pencil is what I've been missing my whole life! Great video just for that

[@wernerxldata]

Cool stuff !! While I have nothing against smart tools like the domino it's cool to see alternatives using just afforable equipment. In the end it's about creativity and having fun building something. I found clamping the piece with the surrounding guidance wood easier if you put them upside down on a flat surface first, then clamp them, turn around and put them in a vice, normally no corrections needed ;)

[@dsdragoon]

Great tip even for the Domino users! There are joints when the available dominos just will not do the job.

[@WallyboisWoodworking]

I use the XL and your so right. Great machine but sometimes not the best choice

[@MichaelOlsen-Engineer]

Marc, Lee Valley is also carrying your book. I just finished reading it, and as always my friend your writing is exceptional. What a great read! I now have my second favorite book for teaching and both are yours. Thanks for being an excellent craftsman, eloquent author, and most of all a friend.

[@ManorWood]

Great video ! Very clear and shows it’s just slower not impossible. Which is the same for most wood working more tools bigger tools just make it quicker

[@AlexSlarve]

People should just buy a Domino and get over it... It's amazing! Great Vid Marc!

[@bobartex1812]

😂

[@charlesgoff6429]

Makes the setup look easy.

[@b1k3m0r3]

But I don't have a Festool router!

[@markdesign1354]

You can sharpen a spoon edge and dg it out.

[@amdenis]

Waa, waa, waa... but then again, I don't have an Incra fence.

[@ThekiBoran]

But I don't have a pot to piss in!!!

[@Tomd8002]

Yeh, why not a good old hand cut mortice and tenon joint?

[@barrynorman3906]

Yeah and my legs don't work but that's another matter. My Festool does and it's great. Then again so does my Mercedes !!

[@darinnetherland3466]

Crying domino part was pure gold! Laughter out loud pretty hard and rewatched it.

[@allent555]

Fantastic video showing different techniques to get the same result. It would be interesting to know the time differences between using Domino and using the Router method for the same project.

[@ronh9384]

Good video and an interesting project and subject matter. For those that don’t have a Festool domino or a Festool router and fence there is a company called Micro Fence that makes an excellent micro adjustable fence for routers but they are expensive. For those on a budget (me included) there is the M-Power CRB-7 system that will do the mortising job and more if you get the complete kit. Ron

[@Wastelandman7000]

True. Or you could do it with dowels. LOL

[@garenne0169]

One more demonstration that router is the most versatile tool in the shop 😁👍🏼

[@filmthatbuild]

Video with festool domino on it is not a turn off for me, in fact it's an inspiration to save up and buy one someday, for now, I just built my own mortiser jig, and produced a build film about it, im a good video editor, I know, but my woodworking is still not good hehe

[@xyzcreate]

I don't have a domino jointer, but I love seeing it used in projects. It's just so cool!

[@LutherBuilds]

I personally like to use my finger nails to make my mortises. I let them grow out to the length that I need the depth of my mortise to be. This limits me to the species of wood that I can use, of course, but I don't have any excuses. Plus there's the added benefit of being able to make a mortise any time of the day, wherever I'm at. Who needs a router. My grandpappy used to use his toenails for mortises back in his day.

[@markevans7584]

I use my beaver teeth

[@Shipwreck0316]

I’d like to see you do a video on the uses of a Festool domino. Not necessarily a review or tutorial, but just where you like to use the domino to speed things up and where you use traditional joinery instead and why.

[@bryanrush_tba]

This is a amazingly helpful video for my woodworking. I make dining table sets and wanted something stronger than pocket holes to attach runners to legs that was also "affordable" to implement. I seriously owe you money for the value you brought in this vid!

[@NastierNate]

Great video. Festool didn’t invent floating M&T joinery, so I’ve never understood why people hate the Domino so vehemently. Hopefully this can free you up to use the tools and techniques you’d prefer to use.

[@calebreasons]

I appreciate your FREE content you create for us! I don't know why people complain about making a job easier! I also don't know why people complain about an instructional video that they opt in to watching of their own free will. People are just lazy! I can't afford a domino for as little I would use it but I'd love to get one some day and appreciate this vid to bridge the gap! Thanks!

[@rchavez5056]

But I don't have a router, or white pencil. 😂🤣

[@TNH91]

Just use dowels instead, then you can probably just use a drill bit on each body

[@vickeryanimalhospital1508]

Hey Mark. Would it not be easier when you were routing the mortises on the ends to set all three boards (workpiece plus two supports) upside down on a flat surface, clamp them together, and then flip it right side up and put it into the vise. It seems like it would just be very difficult to get them exactly flush the way you did it. Love your content. Keep it coming.

[@morgansmaha]

I had carpel tunnel surgery a few years back, both hands at the same time. Trust me, it extended my career.

[@frankfrank6541]

Thank you for simplicity.

[@Gazooo29]

I was taught with a biscuit jointer, if Festool was more priced right you would see more shops having them.

[@justplanebob105]

Great explanation of an awesome idea. Thank you! I already have a 90 degree DIY jig made up that I think will work for this.

[@christofix]

0:20 I was rolling over the floor!!!! Well explained video again my friend! Greetings

[@jasondoust4935]

There's no two ways around it; the Domino is a terrific tool. And when you use one, you see why it costs as much as your first car did. But thank you for this terrific work around. :-)

[@75triviaguy]

Thanks for the link to the white mechanical pencil. I have been looking for something like that for a while now.

[@akbychoice]

Very nice examples of how to make woodworking more enjoyable.

[@Valtrach]

Wow... Great video. You are the shop teacher I wish I had way back when... Thank you for your time.

[@gpdoyon]

Nicely done, sir! I appreciate your Festool alternative and especially your Festool animation. "Aw yeah!" :)

[@BearCreekWoodworking]

The Domino start is SO FUNNY!!! Awesome useful video Marc!

[@BedfordJoshua]

When the domino reacted to the laughter... it cracked me up! Well done.

[@ronin2963]

I love that chair

[@MrCrymet]

nice method! but you have to admit that using the domino is way more efficient and saves a lot of time! thats why i use it in my shop, its the most important machine for me.

[@MrBrewzr]

I don’t know if he did this on purpose, but he totally trolled us. A big reason people don’t get the festool domino is cost, then in showing how to do the joint with a router, he pulls out the festool router, the most expensive router on the market. I found that hilarious, and I loved this video, just like all of his videos. By the way people should use whatever tools work for them.

[@ramivuorinen]

There is a lot of cheaper router options that have the same functions as Festool's does. He uses a Festool router because he has one at hand.

[@jessicaalvis7063]

You deserve 500 comments for this great video ❤

[@murphyrp01]

Great. Needed to see this. I just can’t justify a domino right now so this is something that will work well

[@spicemasterii6775]

First video I watched of you. Subscribed within 10 seconds. Awesome content

[@AB-nu5we]

I do have a DF 700, but as you've nicely shown, it's not necessary to have one to do a job like this. Very nice demo.

[@olivepressdesign]

Domino?! Domiyes!! Great video Marc. 🙏

[@ctenos45069]

Nice video, Marc. I would love to have the Festool, but can’t justify it for my small shop. I have done exactly this procedure, and it works great.

[@DoItProjects]

Still one of the best educators in woodworking today. Thanks! Question: would a pair of dowels give comparable strength to these loose tenons?

[@pingpong9656]

Some bed frames use two thick dowels (1/2") to transfer load from rails. Lots of strength.

[@JohnnyDS6557]

You have significantly more surface area on a loose tenon than on a dowel. More surface area, more contact for glue.

[@tom1tomek1]

A very nice video. And logically thinking, we can build almost anything using your method. But for that purpose, we would love to have your table saw, lots of clumps, and a very nice professional working bench. A very hefty router with accessories would be handy too. Unfortunately, many of us don't have money or space for all these tools. So Domino Joiner is not a luxury. It simply compensates for the tools shortage. With Domino Joiner, I can build a big door on one square foot, flat table. Cheers, keep on posting.

[@zzgarden]

You can never have too many clumps

[@lordrichard8184]

No festool domino??? No problem!! Just use your festool router!! LOL!! Great video and info!!

[@amdenis]

If they complain about the Domino, tell them they can buy a much lower priced, pretty decent option like a Triton TDJ 600; or if it is the "crafts thing" that bothers them, tell them to take a look at a video on building your own Domino alternative, like pantorouters, pin routers, etc. There are several good ones. Personally, I have made enough MT joints with chisels and saws to last me a lifetime. Give me a few good power tools like a TS, BS, and spindle sander, and a few good chisels and planes, and I'm one happy camper. Personally I would rather spend the time focusing on design and other work than building every single joint fully by hand, but that's just me...

[@mimsphilip59]

Brother that is nice piece of furniture and nice techniques. You should definitely teach furniture building classes.

[@xl000]

meh.. My friends always tell me I should open a pizza parlor when I cook a pizza.

[@paulangus715]

Thanks Marc, always appreciate your knowledge transfer videos!

[@btdga]

PantoRouter. Not cheaper, but more versatile than a Domino and easier than a handheld router.

[@eherlitz]

Kind of incomparable, right? One is a tool where you bring your tool to the workpiece and one is where you bring your workpiece to the tool.

[@jonathanolson4553]

I could build that if I had $1000 worth of deadpool t-shirts!

[@kostyakrohmal1740]

Hey! Thanks a lot for the instructive video! I do not know English, but the movements are clear. I will try to make the same chair. I wish you good luck. More good videos! Konstantin. Ukraine.

[@criscrisan8569]

Great! Now I need a router for the mortices! 🙄 And clamps for the supports, and a table saw.... It never ends...

[@manuzach]

great idea! my of1400 suddenly became more useful!

[@douglasmarcondes4194]

You gave me a lot of ideias for my router...thanks a lot bro

[@MadebyJester]

Yup. I used a Domino in one of my videos and heard endless bellyaching about it. Honestly, the backlash made me reluctant to make more videos.

[@rockindel1]

thanks for sharing , this is awesome for us hobbyists with working with a budget

[@heatherwhaley7623]

Festool makes a great line of tools. A little more expensive, but you get what you pay for. I notice that you are using a festool router and guide fence. Once again, a far better router than most other brands. I'd rather use the tools that I can afford and not worry about someone else's hurt feelings.

[@gjoh5]

Thank you so much for this. Just don't have the cash for the domino. So many great tips in here. Can't wait to give them a try.

[@chrisw1462]

Round the tenons so they look nice? Lol.. Who's going to see them? Still, rounding them is a good idea, because squaring your mortise is a LOT of work. Thanks for your efforts at keeping the attention of us poor non-Festool-affording folk. It really is a bit depressing when you see a nice project using a specialty tool you may never have. Festool makes well engineered tools, and I understand they have to get that R&D money back somehow, but MAN those prices!!!

[@NorthwestCraftsman]

Phenomenal as always. Thank you.

[@natetaylor23]

Holy Crap !!! This is the best Vid on KZbin...

[@cooking.with.rob.official]

Excellent tutorial, thank you 👌🏼🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿👍🏼

[@jason-hh6lu]

I especially like the white pencil.

[@StephanUijthoven]

I love my little Domino. And the big one too.

[@EngineeringVignettes]

I have a morticing chisel and a hammer... :)- Seriously, a good demo of traditional routered mortices. Cheers,

[@AngieWilliamsDesigns]

You made that look too easy. I totally want to try this!

[@fathmi]

Good video. How would you do it for joining two mating tight curved edge?

[@fisioserv]

excellent video. wouldn't a dowell system work as well? I am a beginner enthusiat

[@RobotPete]

Very well explained. Thanks Marc

[@Alabamawoodshop]

👍 Great job on explaining how to use the router if you don't have a domino thanks.

[@nathanmccook133]

Rocklers bead lock system is another good alternative to the domino and still alot cheaper to get

[@steveowen1815]

Thank you for this. I want a domino so bad, but haven't bit the bullet yet. I'll try this out first!!!