Rick, when would you chose to use a dovetail, Pocket hole or domino. They all join wood but when should I use one over the other? - Andy

Firstly, it really depends on what project(s) I’m working on as to what joinery method I use.  Several joinery methods are available today and some more flexible than others.  Here’s just a few:

Dovetails

I use dovetails primarily for drawer box construction.  I use Porter Cable’s 24” OmniJig (7216) , Leigh’s Dovetail Fixture and the Keller Dovetail Fixture to do my dovetails.  I also occasionally do hand cut dovetails.  I find the hand cut dovetails a lot of fun and they add an element of "rusticity" to my projects.  Porter-Cable will soon be releasing their new dovetail fixture.  I have seen this fixture at both IWFS and AWFS.  It looks impressive and seems to function well.  Hope to see it soon.  The Porter Cable OmniJig is a great tool and a “Rick’s Choice.”

Pocket Hole Joinery 

  I do a lot of pocket hole joinery, particularly in cabinet box construction.  Pocket hole joinery utilizes an elongated hole and a self-tapping screw to form the joint.  Pocket hole are typically cut in the back of the material. Pocket hole joinery is easy to do, fast and makes a strong joint.  Additionally, it is relatively inexpensive to do.  I currently use the Kreg K3MS "Master System" to complete my projects.  Kreg also offers other systems to accomplish your pocket hole projects from hobbyist to commercial applications.  Note:  Pocket hole joinery is used quite extensively in cabinet box and face frame construction.  The Kreg K3MS is a great tool and a “Rick’s Choice.”  

Festool DF500Q Domino Joining System

  The Festool DF500Q is an impressive and flexible tool. It cuts various sizes of mortises for installation of loose tenons.  Most any joining application you can think of, the Domino can handle it.  It's a great system, however, of all the systems I’ve used for joinery, at $750, the Domino is the most expensive to get set-up and use.  Note:  This tool might be a little cost prohibitive for the average DIYer. 

Plate or Biscuit Joiners

I also use plate or biscuit joiners.  Plate or biscuit joinery utilizes an elongated slot and a biscuit or plate to form the joint.  I use this system primarily for laminating material together for table tops, etc.  I also find this method of joinery easy to do, fast and relatively inexpensive.   I currently use the Porter Cable 557 Plate Joiner .  I have found the 557 to be the most flexible plate joiner on the market.  By the way, the 557 not only cuts for #0, #10, and #20 biscuits, it also cuts for face frame (FF) biscuits.  Great tool and a “Rick’s Choice.”

BeadLock Joinery

A very simplistic joinery system.  The BeadLock system utilizes a drilling fixture and drill bit to produce a Mortise which utilizes a tenon, cut to length by the end user, to fit the mortise.  The depth of the mortise is determined by the length of the drill bit.  You can actually control the depth of the mortise by utilizing a depth stop collar.  Additionally, router bits are available to mill your own tenons.  Ease of use and the cost associated to produce this joint, make this a great choice.  This tool is a “Rick’s Choice".

Thanks again for the inquiry and Happy Joining!

Rick P.

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