Lamello Zeta P2

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

Attachment 448223

Attachment 448224

Attachment 448225

Attachment 448226

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

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 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

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

Attachment 448307

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

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

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 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 vertiand

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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.