So, the launch of the Domino XL is nearing in the U.S. and Canada (official date coming soon), so I wanted to poll the members and get their opinions. For those of you who own the Domino, what do you like best, what are the advantages that you've found over other joinery methods, how has it changed the way you do joinery? Sure, I could ramble off a few dozen answers on my own, but I'm always interested to learn more about how our customers use the tools.

For those considering the Domino XL, do you already own the original Domino DF 500, what is compelling you to consider the Domino XL, and what do you hope to gain from using the Domino XL over your current processes? Do you have any questions about the Domino XL (other than price and launch date)?

Any feedback would be appreciated!

Thanks,
Shane

Do you have UL approval?

The Domino was a game-changer for me.  Joinery was drudgery until this convenient, fast, and repeatable system was introduced.  For sheet goods, a biscuit system helped line joints up, but the lack of strength was a deficit.  Domino joints rectified that problem.

The interim challenge has been, "what to do with larger joint connections?"  Should I "stack" the dominoes two-deep?  Or even four-deep?

So to answer the question, if I find myself planning projects that need larger joints, I will be ordering the new Domino machine.
 

My sentiments as well.

For cutting mortisses, I started out with a drill press attachment. One of the worst investments I ever made.

So I gave it away, and bought a dedicated mortissing machine. It was much better, but still not perfect.

And I have a tenoning jig.  Very labor intensive, both machines. Not to mention, allot of layout work and pre-planning.

And shoulder cuts, and cheek cuts, and centering tenons and mortisses. A royal pain.

The Domino was definitely a game changer.  I bought one fairly early, as mine has the pins.

It's perhaps my favorite tool now. The mortiser and tenoning jig sit and watch how it should be done.

I think that the perhaps the best feature is the fact that the tool goes to the workpiece, rather than the workpiece going to the tool.

That expands all posibilities, and limits none.

It's also a blessing to be able to cut pieces to exact size, rather than having to add for tenon length, and eliminates any shoulder cut issues.

I greatly enjoy all of my Festool, but the Domino is unique - as others mentioned a game changer.  I am in process of selling my benchtop morticer.  I have 10 doors for a new build and am waiting for the XL to come available.  I think the two sizes will compliment each other.  I'm looking forward to the official launch date to be released!

Shane,

The Domino was an impulse purchase for me almost 4 years ago and at first it seemed useful but, I still was looking to purchase a horizontal slot mortiser.  

However, after building several pieces of solid hardwood furniture, I realized that the Domino is so much handier than a stand alone mortising machine.  The layout process alone for standard mortise and tenon joinery took longer than just cutting the joints with my Domino.

I will purchase the new XL machine for the increased size capability when doing large case work, large table and doors.  I won't be giving up my smaller Domino since it is so handy right down to the #4 tenons on thin pieces like blades on small cabinets.

I have been building furniture for over 35 years and I can definitely say for myself that using the Domino has cut my production time by a factor of 10.

I forgot to mention in my original post that the Domino was the first tools that I have purchased in 35 years that had an effective dust collection system.  This feature alone drove me to continue to buy Festool products and the more time I spend on this forum the more items I find to buy

I'm still surprised that you do not have XL, the question is why?
a lot to say about the XL 700, but you need to first try df500, whatever it was clear what I mean ..
I spoke with many people having Festool tools, and they do not have Domino, or appears at the last moment)) I do not understand this.
I took the best from Festool - it's DF500 and DF700.

The Domino was my third Festool purchase ... saw, dust, Domino ..  No wood touches another piece of wood without a domino.  It is easy and brain drain free to use.  I make large panels from small pieces, all using glue and dominos.  My cabinet doors rails and stiles are all dominoed together.  My poor biscuit cutter is lonely

Glad to share my experiences, Shane.

Having used the Domino 500 while on trips to Europe prior to its USA launch, I pre-ordered one from my primary dealer. Of course that one had the pins. I also bought the assortment set with the cutters. About a year later I bought a second Domino 500, by which time they had the paddles. I find both work fine, especially when used with appropriate accessories. From buying my first Domino 500 until I opened my shop in mid 2010 a whole lot of my cabinets used Domino joints. We still use Dominoes for certain styles of cabinet doors and drawer fronts.

The floor style mortiser I bought a long time ago remains in storage. Such a machine has no place in cabinet construction in my experience, yet I have not sold it because it could well be useful for some furniture designs I hope to prototype now that my administrative chores are reduced at the cabinet shop.

I have pre-ordered the Domino 700 XL. As has been the case with Festools introduced after 2006 I find all kinds of new uses for them once they are in my hands. I can experiment on scrap material as time allows. Now I simply will have more time to do the experiments. Frankly, as with the Domino 500, I really like the concept of taking the mortiser to the work. This should make the Domino 700 XL especially useful.

Still, with the sort of parts used in furniture, it often makes good sense to use a floor mortiser. So in an ideal world both Dominoes and floor mortisers are available to the furniture maker.

Not so long ago Festool took a chance bringing out the 4mm Dominoes, which have proven to have so many uses. I have faith this will be the case with the Domino 700 XL.

just teasin

First I would like to repeat that this is a very unique tool.  I love the alignment accuracy when gluing up multiple boards or even on miter joints.  I never had much luck in the past when using a biscuit joiner.  The DC is very good.  The unit comfortable in my hand and the plunging action is smooth.  I like the stepped height stop for fast adjustments based on material thickness (I learned that from Steve Bace at the Cabinet Class from at The Festool Store).  This machine has definitely changed how I build my projects.

Edit:
At this time I don't have a need for the 700>

I took up woodworking as a hobby about 4 yrs. ago after I retired from my last day job of 22 years.  I fooled around building the normal "stuff" a newbie builds for a couple years.  Then I went to my dealer to pick up a new SawStop Pro model with a Incra positioner and was fascinated by the Domino he had on display. Needless to say, I came home with a new saw, a Domino and a CT 26 vac.  I am now a professional rookie.  Everything (mostly cabinets) is truly square and the floor is clean.  My whole family keeps me busy building (no charge) projects for there homes(ho-hum) and I give the Domino full credit for this accomplishment and its fun to use. (after a short learning curve)  So in answer to the subject:   Whats best about the Domino for you?   Square and fast!

Thanks for all of the feedback so far. Some really good information here. The Domino is my favorite tool. It's just so fast and easy. If the house was on fire and I could grab one tool, that'd be the one.

The best thing I like about my Domino.... No more fussing with setting up the router to do mortisies... a much stonger joint... and people are impressed when they see me use it...

I am looking forward to the 700 to compliment my 500 on large furniture joints and to allow for making large exposed decorative and structural hardwood tenons in furniture.