What is a domino joint?

• A. A domino shaped disk that when inserted in a slot with glue swells to form a tight bond.
• B. A joint formed by two pieces joined with nails.
• C. A joint formed by a dovetail pattern.
• D. A butt joint reinforced with glue.

Answer: (A)

The idea being tested is how a domino joint works and why it’s chosen. A domino joint uses a domino-shaped wooden peg cut to fit matching slots in two pieces; glue is applied to the peg and slots, and when the pieces are clamped together, the peg pulls the pieces tight and the glue fills the surrounding surfaces to create a strong bond. This setup provides a larger glue area and good alignment, making it faster to assemble than traditional mortise-and-tenon and generally stronger than a simple butt joint with glue. It differs from joining with nails, which relies on fasteners rather than a glued, bored-in peg; from a dovetail pattern, which interlocks in a distinctive angled shape for strength, but is more complex to cut; and from a butt joint reinforced with glue, which has less glue surface and generally weaker resistance to pulling apart.