Cutting the Dots in Wood for Dominoes

Dominoes are thought to have originated in China during the 12th century. The game grew in popularity and spread throughout Europe in the 1700s. Dominoes are a popular table game consisting of 28 unique tiles that are roughly two inches long, one inch wide and about three-eighths of an inch thick. Since early dominoes were made of wood, making your own set can give this timeless game a rustic handmade look that is sure to garner compliments.

Prepared wooden blanks, 2 x 1 x 3/8 inch
Dark wood stain such as walnut or ebony
Pencil or chalk
Hand clamp
Drill press
3/8-inch round carbide drill burr with 1/4-inch shank

Instructions

- 1
  Apply two coats of walnut or dark wood stain to your domino blanks and let dry overnight.
- 2
  Insert the carbide bit into the chuck of the drill press and tighten.
- 3
  Set the depth gauge on the drill press to where the carbide bit slightly penetrates the surface of the domino blank.
- 4
  Drill several test holes or divots in extra domino blanks that are the same thickness as your project pieces. Continue to drill and test until satisfied with the depth and bottom curvature of your holes. Lock the depth gauge on your drill press.
- 5
  Draw with a pencil the dots on the face of each domino. If pencil marks are too hard to see, you can use a light-colored chalk.
- 6
  Line up the pencil or chalk marks on your domino blank beneath the head of the drill bit and secure the blank into place with a hand clamp.
- 7
  Turn on the drill and adjust to medium-high speed and proceed to drill divots in all of your marked domino blanks.

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