Can I use XL 700 with DF 500 connector set?

[Len R]

Hi all and happy holidays! I'm building a knock down dining table with 3/4" thick aprons.  The DF 500 connectors are the appropriate size but I only have an XL 700.  However I have an 8mm bit that fits on the XL.  As the 500 connectors work with an 8mm bit, is there any reason I could not use the XL 700 with an 8mm bit to install the 500 connectors? (the XL 700 connectors are too large for 3/4" stock. 

Thanks,

Len

 

[Jim_in_PA]

As long as the depth and position is correct, I do not seen any reason why you can't do what you propose.

 

[Len R]

Thanks, that's what I thought.

 

[Cheese]

You'll just need to purchase the drill guide 203164 and the drill bit 203165.

 

[Len R]

Slight complication. One half of the 500 connector set requires a plunge depth of 28mm.  The 500 has a 28mm depth setting, but the XL700 does not. I suppose I can set the plunge depth to 30mm and add a 2mm shim to the face plate to arrive at 28mm depth. Any other ideas?  Or where I can get material that is exactly 2mm thick?

Thanks.

 

[Michael Kellough]

requires a plunge depth of 28mm

Is that a minimum depth or maximum. If minimum the 30mm is not a problem.

 

[smorgasbord]

I suppose I can set the plunge depth to 30mm and add a 2mm shim to the face plate to arrive at 28mm depth. Any other ideas? 

You could 3D buy a set of those Seneca spacers for 5/10/12mm depths and cut one down to give the appropriate depth (shorter is deeper cut):
[attachimg=1]

Or you could subscribe to buy the 3D plans and maybe modify those, or you could design and print your own.

If you haven't thrown it away, the translucent plastic spacer that comes with the DF700 could probably be cut down and used to limit the depth to 28mm.

 

[Len R]

requires a plunge depth of 28mm

Is that a minimum depth or maximum. If minimum the 30mm is not a problem.

An exact plunge depth of 28mm is required.

 

[Len R]

I also don't know if the mortise width is different on the 500 from the 700 using an 8mm bit.  If it is the 700 won't work.

Does anyone know?  I looked at the manuals and they seem different but it is unclear.

 

[smorgasbord]

I also don't know if the mortise width is different on the 500 from the 700 using an 8mm bit.  If it is the 700 won't work.
Does anyone know?  I looked at the manuals and they seem different but it is unclear.

The connectors use the "tight" setting, and I don't see why the tight setting would be different on the two machines.

 

[squall_line]

requires a plunge depth of 28mm

Is that a minimum depth or maximum. If minimum the 30mm is not a problem.

An exact plunge depth of 28mm is required.

I've used the connector set quite a bit.

It's a minimum 28mm depth.  30 is just fine.  The accessory that drills the face hole registers from the edge of the board, not the depth of the mortise.

I also don't know if the mortise width is different on the 500 from the 700 using an 8mm bit.  If it is the 700 won't work.
Does anyone know?  I looked at the manuals and they seem different but it is unclear.

The connectors use the "tight" setting, and I don't see why the tight setting would be different on the two machines.

The "spec" sheet for each model shows the maximum mortise width only, for some reason.  The real meat is in the manual itself.

To wit, the DF700 manual, on page 12, shows the "tight" setting at 13.5 mm center-to-center, page 10 of the DF500 manual shows 13 mm center-to-center.  This is more than close enough to be workable for the connector system.

 

[Len R]

Great info, thanks! I will do a test joint and report back. Much appreciated.

 

[luvmytoolz]

I also don't know if the mortise width is different on the 500 from the 700 using an 8mm bit.  If it is the 700 won't work.

Does anyone know?  I looked at the manuals and they seem different but it is unclear.

I've actually done the tests for all settings on both, the 700 will be 0.5mm narrower on the narrow setting compared to the 500.

Mind you, although I think it unlikely, you'd need to factor at least a very small percentage of variation between models on average.

 

[alltracman78]

The 8 and 10 mm dominos are the same part for the 500 and the 700.
A few mm depth difference shouldn't really matter.
If you're that concerned a small piece of dowel or something should work.

 

[Len R]

Ok, I used the XL700 with an 8mm bit and it works perfectly with the 500 connectors. And yes, a 30mm plunge depth is fine.

Thanks everyone for your help and information!!

Len