Walked into a custom shop in Nashville and flipped my whole approach to face frames

I was dead set on pocket screws for face frames for 10 years. Then I visited this shop called Southern Custom Cabinets back in March. The owner showed me how they do everything with a Festool Domino and glue. I watched them assemble a 48 inch frame square and flat in under 8 minutes with no clamps. That convinced me to drop $900 on the tool and try it myself. Has anyone else switched joinery methods after seeing it in person?

2 comments

2 Comments

benbrown29d ago

Under 8 minutes with no clamps? Come on, that can't be real." I'm calling shenanigans on that one. I've been in shops where guys are fast with dominoes and glue, but watching them assemble a 48 inch frame square and flat that quick without a single clamp sounds like some kind of magic trick. I mean, I get the domino is a game changer for alignment, but no clamps at all? My joints would be sliding all over the place if I tried that. I'd have to see it with my own two eyes before I believed it.

evah4029d ago

Hold on, @benbrown, you caught something real there. No clamps for a 48 inch frame? That's just asking for trouble. I've seen dominoes do some pretty slick things but they don't magically hold a joint tight while glue sets. Even with perfect fit, you're gonna have some creep if you don't squeeze it. Honestly, that sounds like a claim from someone who either has a camera angle doing the work or they're counting time after the clamps are already on. No way a frame that size stays flat and square without at least a couple of straps or corner clamps. My joints would be fighting me the whole way if I tried that. Just think about it, one little bump and the whole thing goes out of whack. Yeah, I'm with you on needing to see it to believe it.