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

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The Festool Domino was introduced in 2007 and I was fortunate enough to work with Festool at the time. So the Domino came into my shop has been something of a blessing and a curse ever since. The people who can afford one and love it tend to embrace it for the time-saving invention it is. There really isn't a faster way to create a mortise and tenon joint. But for those who can't afford it, don't want to buy it, or generally don't like the brand Festool, the Domino is the worst thing to happen to humanity since
But what about that fancy router? I'm using a Festool OF1400 which is one of the best routers on the market. I use it for it's creature comforts like dust collection, ease of handling, and micro-adjusting edge guide. This technique requires NONE of those creature comforts. If you have a router that plunges and has an edge guide, you can do this technique.
Stuff shown in the video (affiliate links):
Essential Joinery (autographed copy) - thewoodwhispererguild.com/pro...
Essential Joinery Book (Amazon) - amzn.to/2Y32JM1
Hank Chair Guild Build - thewoodwhispererguild.com/pro...
Dining Chair Guild Build - thewoodwhispererguild.com/pro...
Festool Domino - amzn.to/2RrBoAw
like to use an upspiral bit for this work - amzn.to/2Y1wJId
OF1400 Router - amzn.to/2IuzlZy
White Charcoal Pencil -amzn.to/2IUE31S
White Mechanical Pencil - amzn.to/2N251de
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[@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

[@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!

[@pctatc66]

gotta love the motorboat in the beginning!

[@TheKnightArgent]

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

[@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.

[@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!

[@micahdawgsucka]

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

[@philliparudolph9595]

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

[@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.

[@BruceAUlrich]

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

[@jessicaalvis7063]

You deserve 500 comments for this great video ❤

[@morgansmaha]

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

[@paulangus715]

Thanks Marc, always appreciate your knowledge transfer videos!

[@uriuriuri]

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

[@GregsGarage]

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

[@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!

[@Valtrach]

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

[@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

[@lordrichard8184]

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

[@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.

[@SwapnilBhartiya]

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

[@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!

[@eatdrinkwineguy]

Thank you so much! About to start a product in a couple of weeks and want to make a strong beveled joint but no domino. Looks almost too 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 !!

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

[@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...). :-)

[@frankfrank6541]

Thank you for simplicity.

[@rockindel1]

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

[@darinnetherland3466]

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

[@akbychoice]

Very nice examples of how to make woodworking more enjoyable.

[@brentodb7458]

Thank you. I'm a beginner and this is perfect to know!

[@periodcraftsmen]

Marc, Great video packed with great information. Thank you!

[@fr33ourminds]

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

[@gkhaled1]

Marc I always always always learn something new from your videos. Great woodworking skills combined with great teaching skills make you deadly :)

[@chrisbaylis4733]

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

[@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!

[@charlesgoff6429]

Makes the setup look easy.

[@Polarzbek]

That is down-right impressive! Bravo!

[@kevinetheridge6153]

I really appreciate this video. Nicely done, as always.

[@xyzcreate]

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

[@RobotPete]

Very well explained. Thanks Marc

[@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.

[@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

[@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

[@BearCreekWoodworking]

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

[@barbarabuscema5148]

Thank you. Appreciate your tutorial.

[@gpdoyon]

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

[@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.

[@MultiTom1956]

Thank you Marc 😊

[@stevesculptor1]

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

[@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.

[@douglasmarcondes4194]

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

[@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

[@spicemasterii6775]

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

[@NorthwestCraftsman]

Phenomenal as always. Thank you.

[@ronin2963]

I love that chair

[@themakingbank]

Fantastic video!!! Love the blue tape/ca glue trick!!!

[@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!

[@cvzphotography]

Thanks for making this.

[@robmaule5715]

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

[@FredMcIntyre]

Thanks for the info Marc! 😃👍🏻👊🏻

[@jonwills4670]

Thank you for sharing this information!

[@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.

[@Alabamawoodshop]

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

[@MOSTAFA131160]

very helpful video, thank you.

[@olivepressdesign]

Domino?! Domiyes!! Great video Marc. 🙏

[@jonathanolson4553]

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

[@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 ;)

[@jimbrown8818]

Awesome tutorial! So helpful.

[@jfivecoat]

Beautiful chair!! Great video!

[@MrBennyboyC]

That was really useful. Thank you

[@walterrider9600]

thank you Mark.

[@jacovorster4724]

clear instruction. subscribed!

[@dennisdickson6210]

Great explanation and great show.

[@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.

[@DIYPD]

I laughed so much with the festool domino! 😀

[@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.

[@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!

[@Jaimedevos]

This is awesome, thanks!

[@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!

[@christophernewton5016]

This is great creative advice!

[@kelllylipp1041]

Nice. Thanks. I still think I'm going to like my Domino! Congrats on your book.

[@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.

[@SamStGeorge]

Great fine work

[@vChilem]

Outstanding lesson!!!.

[@woodwhisperer]

Thank you kindly!

[@psymon25]

fantastic video thank your so much for this will certainly be useful going forward

[@AlexSlarve]

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

[@bobartex1812]

😂

[@michaelkerwin6525]

Thank you for sharing

[@natetaylor23]

Awesome. Great info thank you.

[@75triviaguy]

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

[@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. :-)

[@StephanUijthoven]

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

[@christofix]

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

[@Cyan2002]

Project looks great and wonderful instruction! I've been one of those people that has wanted a domino but this is a great alternative until it is in the budget. I've been out of the loop for awhile, what happened to your wrist?

[@EngineeringVignettes]

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

[@diycharger1760]

Good video. Thanks

[@simplyepicaudioengineering001]

You are a beast Marc!

[@kb6dxn]

I have both and it was great when making my walnut front door. But, I still do things the other way as well. It just depends on what I am doing.

[@natetaylor23]

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

[@murphyrp01]

Very useful video.