When not glued, or glued only into one side of the joint, the domino positively locates two pieces in two planes if all the domino mortises are cut at the narrow setting. When not glued, or glued only into one side of the joint, the domino positively locates two pieces on one axis while allowing them to move in the other axis if the domino mortises are cut at a wider setting. The compression side is kept in registration by the strength of the domino tenon while the tension side is strengthened by the glue joint along the fact of the tenon.
You are not sure whether a domino joiner or a biscuit joiner suits your needs best. Starting with the type of joint they make: loose tenon the domino joiner, biscuit joint the plate joiner. In short, the Domino joiner beats the biscuit joiner in every matter. Domino joiners are way more expensive than biscuit joiners. As opposed to the classic mortise and tenon joint, the tenon is detached from both joining pieces, “Floating” around and inserted into two mortises, which are cut with the domino joiner. After this short introduction, let’s start comparing the domino joiner and the biscuit joiner. This is what I found out when searching if I whether get a domino joiner or a biscuit joiner.
dewalt biscuit joiner vs festool Related Question:
Is a biscuit joiner the same as a Domino joiner?
While a biscuit joiner will AT MOST go 1/2″ into each side of the wood, a domino joiner will go almost 3″ into each side (remember, 1/2″ the tenon length goes into each piece). Which means a domino joiner will assist with both alignment AND structural rigidity of the joints.
Does anyone besides festool make a Domino joiner?
That is the Triton Duo Dowel Jointer TDJ 600. I purchased this tool and paid around $200 for it. You can check the current price here: (Amazon link). If you are on a budget and cannot justify the expense of a Festool Domino, then the Triton Duo Dowel Jointer may be an option for you.
Is a domino stronger than a biscuit?
The biscuit joiner cutter is shallower than the domino limiting the lateral strength compared to Festool Domino. Biscuits are made from beech wood and have a short grain which is not as strong as a timber with a straight grain which I make my Festool dominos from. The Festool Domino has a greater glue area.