What are Domino's?

The Festool DOMINO tenons - for absolutely twist-proof connections and maximum stability.

The term "Dominos" in the context of Festool refers to the pre-fabricated, solid wood tenons that are the core component of the Festool DOMINO joining system.

In woodworking, a Domino tenon is a type of floating tenon, which is used to create strong, precise joints by being glued into matching slots (mortises) cut into the two pieces of wood being joined.

Here is a breakdown of what they are and how they work:

The Tenon (The "Domino") Material: Made from compressed, solid hardwood (typically Beech for interior use and Sipo Mahogany for exterior/weatherproof applications).

Shape: They are flat and elongated (oval-shaped), not round like dowels. This flat shape is key because it makes the joint 100% rotation-proof, ensuring perfect alignment between workpieces.

Features: They have embossed glue pockets and longitudinal grooves on their surface. These features help the glue spread evenly and expand, resulting in an exceptionally strong mechanical bond.

Sizes: They come in various widths, thicknesses, and lengths to accommodate different material thicknesses and strength requirements. (e.g., 4x20mm up to 14x140mm, depending on the machine used).

The Tool (The DOMINO Joiner) The special Festool DOMINO joiner (available in models like the DF 500 and DF 700 XL) is the machine used to create the required slots.

It uses a unique, patented cutting action, the spinning cutter bit also oscillates (swings) side-to-side  to quickly and cleanly mill a perfect, oval-shaped mortise (slot) in the wood.

Festool is acutely aware of its corporate responsibility to use resources and energy efficiently across the world, to that end, Festool is making the procurement of raw materials from responsible forest management a defined company goal.

Festool Tenons are made from all natural, solid hardwood for strength and stability originating from sustainable, responsible forest management and other controlled sources. The DOMINO connectors provide frame, rack and board connections that will impress with extreme precision and stability as well as maximum flexibility and their unique efficiency.

Right out of the box there’s a palpable sense that the Festool Domino DF500 is no consumer/pro-sumer joiner. The tool oozes professional quality

Richard Kent www.protoolreviews.com

The beech tenon serves as a true floating tenon in mortise and tenon applications such as furniture, cabinetmaking, casing, and frame-work. The flat, elongated design will not rotate, ensuring perfect alignment for both edge and face gluing. Suitable for both plywood and solid wood applications, the dense beech tenon will not expand or move through material, leaving you with clean, flat, and consistent surfaces. The Domino Tenons are embossed with glue pockets, and are approximately 2 mm shorter than nominal length, allowing space in the mortise for glue.

Made from solid hardwood for strength and stability. Available in Beech (for interior) & Mahogany (for exterior) wood. Various size tenons available for DF 500 & DF 700 DOMINO joining machines.

The Domino tenons are fast and easy to use. The first Domino is positioned in a precision cut elongated hole, the next Dominos are inserted in wider holes with play so that the joint can be aligned effortlessly, resulting in strong, stable joints. What's more, system accessories offer virtually unlimited joining possibilities, even narrow strip material and round poles are easy to join.