Lamello Zeta P2

[Albert]

I bought the Lamello Zeta P2 about 2 weeks ago from our local dealer, I intended to use it on a new project, the system is good for what it is designed to do, T slotted joints, and you insert the type of connectors you want to use, there is a range of connectors designed for various purposes.

The usage of this tool is almost the same as a Domino, The P2 is extremely easy to use. and some error/misalignment is ok but not by much.

However after completing a trial unit, I decided to return the unit, get a credit for it less some $$$, and exchange for something else.

There is only one reason for this:

The trial shelf will sway 100-200mm if lightly pushed from the side of the top panel.

The shelf measures 1600mm high x 800mm wide x 500mm deep. there are 5 shelves roughly 300mm apart, each shelf has 4 joints joined onto legs thats 65mm wide x 45mm deep, the shelf has 4 legs - the glue wont help as the contact area is only 65mm x thickness of the panel (18mm) and the contact area is almost taken over by the joint.

I have been making shelf like this with Domino and used Domino XL connectors and I dont have any issues of the shelf being wobbly.

I think the reason is that I am relying on 4 joints of 5-8mm deep into the wood panel to hold its integrity, where as Domino connectors (XL) you get at least 40-50mm into the shelf.

I have traded the Lamello in for a Festool Vac Sys.

Let this be a warning to others who may want to build similar shelf using Lamello Zeta P2, you may need to:
1. Increase the contact area + glue
2. Use Clamex P14 (I used P10)
3. Introduce a bracing by means of back panel or a tie.
4. Decrease the spacing between shelf and decrease the width of the shelf - I doubt this will work as the fundamental has not changed - you are relying on a shallow joint.

Some photos of the Lamello sitting next to my Domino XL

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[Arron]

Thanks for the update, Albert.
Very sobering.
Can you show us a photo of the shelf. I can’t quite visualise it from your description. Just wondering how it relates to what the Zeta is designed to do.

Cheers
Arron

[Albert]

Thanks for the update, Albert.
Very sobering.
Can you show us a photo of the shelf. I can’t quite visualise it from your description. Just wondering how it relates to what the Zeta is designed to do.

Cheers
Arron

Here is a sample of a shelf I built with Domino.

Screen Shot 2019-01-22 at 11.14.56 PM.jpg

This is 1.9m high. there is no wobble at all.

[ian]

Albert, thanks for sharing your experience with the Zeta-P2.
I don't think the Zeta is intended for use with the shelf unit you posted in #3. From what I've read it's primarily intended for use where all the connecting pieces are manufactured board. the shelves and verticals

[Albert]

Albert, thanks for sharing your experience with the Zeta-P2.
I don't think the Zeta is intended for use with the shelf unit you posted in #3. From what I've read it's primarily intended for use where all the connecting pieces are manufactured board. the shelves and vertiand

Thanks Ian. I thought I give it a try, you never know until you try it out - I must say during the assembly, when first 2 joints were connected and locked in, it is very tight. but as soon as I joined the second 2 joints, the wobble is unstoppable.

It was a costly exercise though, this simple swap costed me roughly $300 USD, the shop I bought from cant give me a full refund because I have used it, and also I have used a pack of Lamello joints, so, yeah.

hopefully VAC SYS will function as advertised, it can hold 30kg or 1m2 per unit - I highly doubt I will regret buying it.