Beginner, needs purchase advise

[keithwwalker]

Hi,

I have been purchasing quite a few Systainer3's over the last few months, and I purchased the SYS3-SN/4 drawer glides.
Wondering if people could give advice on which domino joiner to purchase to make a storage unit for the SYS3's, and is there is track guide that templates the holes to be drilled.

I don't know the Festool lineup too well, so any help is appreciated.

I want to keep things simple to start out, using MDF of appropriate thickness, but easy to replicate, because I can see this turning into a workshop desk storage metaverse.

Would also want an edge router(?) to slot the MDF so that the back of the shelve units have 1/8 inch plywood to stiffen it up.

Thanks
Keith W

 

[luvmytoolz]

Which Domino to get will depend on what you want to do initially, and what you may anticipate you'll want to do once the door to joinery has opened up for you. Either tool is absolutely fantastic, and in a class of it's own!

If doing mainly panels, tables, cupboard doors, etc, the 500 will be more than adequate. If you're wanting to do large joinery like solid timber doors 35-45mm thick, the XL700 would be the better choice.

Personally I think if you had to buy one, the XL700 would be the better choice, as you have the largest options, plus the 8mm cutter will generally do almost anything smaller you'd need. If you needed to go smaller still for some projects, you could buy the Seneca adaptor that will allow you to use the 500's cutters.

This is another thread asking the same:
https://www.festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tool-reviews/domino-500-vs-700/

They're not a trivial purchase, so these videos might be handy:

 

[Cheese]

Here's a chart Festool released for choosing Domino sizes. Make an honest appraisal on what you plan on building with the Domino in the future. If you're going to be building full sized doors and large tables then the DF 700 is your tool. If it's going to be thinner materials from 1/2" to 1-3/16" then the DF 500 will be easier to live with.

My preference would be the DF 500 because it's smaller and 4# lighter in weight. For my projects, it's the DF 500 85% of the time with the DF 700 at 15%.

[attachimg=1]

 

[keithwwalker]

Thanks for the feedback! I will look at the videos tonight.

I am glad you all mentioned doors as I have a two stall garage door with lift up single panels.  They are beat up and it looks like I could use a domino joiner for those as well. 

Keith W

 

[mcooley]

For furniture specific uses and more I'd look at the Pantorouter. I also have a DF 500 but the Pantorouter is a great machine with a lot of versatility and the build quality is excellent.
https://www.pantorouter.com/?gclid=...w_VOIBQaDtk5XZxMV42JhExuaJOhDz4MaAtM0EALw_wcB

 

[luvmytoolz]

One thing I will add with the Dominos that was touched on earlier by another, the DF700 is a considerably bigger and heavier design than the DF500, but I actually find the handling and usability superior to the DF500 as the front handle is nice and large and makes holding it aligned and firmly plunging very easy.

A lot have commented they prefer the smaller size of the DF500, but for me anyway, I prefer using the DF700 as I find it easier to use because of the design. And as a consequence I find it faster and more easily accurate in placement for production.

 

[SilviaS7]

If you're doing cabinets for the SYS3 guide rails, this video from Sedge on making cabinets for the SYS-AZ drawers will be super helpful.  The SYS-AZ and SYS3 guide rails aren't identical but the process is going to be very similar. 

 

[woodferret]

If you're only using the SYS3-SN/4, just staple/screw together your cabinets and use a 1/2" spacer between boxes to set the next rail.  Forget holes.

Sticking Fulton's quick installation videohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?t=134&v=bzOzg4ahlF8

If however, you're just using this as an exercise for using said tools, then what other people said...

 

[keithwwalker]

Wow, that looks quality!  I won't be building furniture so much - and want to stick with hand tools.

For furniture specific uses and more I'd look at the Pantorouter. I also have a DF 500 but the Pantorouter is a great machine with a lot of versatility and the build quality is excellent.

 

[keithwwalker]

Just a slight update, I went out and purchased a TF500, it should be enough for my needs. 
I have not used it yet, but I sure brushed up on all the vids on YouTube.  I feel I have a good knowledge on how to use it and the accessories while flimsy plastic can be augmented with some nice third party add ons like the Seneca Domiplates.

I kinda want to wait for the TS60 tracksaw to come out, does anyone know the release date?

I also want to cut slots in the 3/4" plywood for 1/8" plywood back to stiffen the systainer3 boxes.  What would be a good machine for that?  I also need to cut 1/8" slots into the edge 1x4's for a garage door project.

Thanks
kww

 

[luvmytoolz]

Congrats on the DF500, you'll love it!

For the slotting, depending on how deep, a multi tooth slot cutter with a bearing like the below is normally my go to. Standard biscuit cutters are 4mm so will give a fraction extra room.

 

[SoonerFan]

Enjoy the DF500!  Amazing tool with lots of applications. I started my domino journey with the 500 and then years later added the 700 when I had a specific need.

Just a slight update, I went out and purchased a TF500, it should be enough for my needs. 
I have not used it yet, but I sure brushed up on all the vids on YouTube.  I feel I have a good knowledge on how to use it and the accessories while flimsy plastic can be augmented with some nice third party add ons like the Seneca Domiplates.

I kinda want to wait for the TS60 tracksaw to come out, does anyone know the release date?

I also want to cut slots in the 3/4" plywood for 1/8" plywood back to stiffen the systainer3 boxes.  What would be a good machine for that?  I also need to cut 1/8" slots into the edge 1x4's for a garage door project.

Thanks
kww

 

[keithwwalker]

Maybe someone can help again, I seem to recall a company making an upgraded version of the Festool router accessory narrow edge fence that was also self-centering, does anyone have the link?
I think it was aluminum construction

This lets the tool plunge vertically down instead of coming in from the side.

Congrats on the DF500, you'll love it!

For the slotting, depending on how deep, a multi tooth slot cutter with a bearing like the below is normally my go to. Standard biscuit cutters are 4mm so will give a fraction extra room.