check this out DF500 offset base
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whitesys
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If I am not mistaken, it looks to me as if the outriggers are the same extrusion as the Story Stick Pro (dual purpose track). Just turned upside down.
Since I already have the 48" story stick pro and some flip stops, I may just order the offset base without the case and the XL 700 spacers.
Since I already have the 48" story stick pro and some flip stops, I may just order the offset base without the case and the XL 700 spacers.
crsowa
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So what's the prognosis on this accessory?? I don't even have a domino, but I am thinking about this piece, because the domino will most likely be my next purchase (and a CT). I have been making new furniture for my house when I have time.... and a new dining room table and chairs are on the list. My other dilemma is whether or not to get the 500 or the 700XL... not sure i'd "need" the larger one too often... just nice to have it when I do.
tiralie
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crsowa said:
Get the 500 and use it and then figure out if you need the Woodpecker base.
I don't think it's necessary because I think the domino is well designed and the accessories that come with it are well thought out.
Your particular needs may vary, but you can't know till you start working with the domino.
Tim
crsowa said:
I'd agree about using the Domino and then deciding (although the one-time tool timing seems to make that difficult). In general, especially for furniture making, I'd say that the Woodpecker Offset Base accessory would be less useful. I see it more useful where you are doing repetitive, more regular mortises, like in cabinets (face frames, etc.) and joint plywood, maybe making drawers. However, furniture tends to be a bit more irregular and, while the Domino would seem to have many uses in furniture joints, they may be more unique in each piece. So, buy it, use it, and then decide what jigs and accessories you can actually use.
Jesse Cloud
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I made my dining table and set of 6 chairs with the 500, though I used a router for some of the chair joinery. Actually, I'm getting the offset base expressly for furniture making. With chairs, for instance, its critical that you get your compound angle joinery spot on and repeatable (every chair in the set needs to have the same geometry). I can do this with a router jig, but the domino is much harder to jig up. I'm thinking the offset base, maybe with a couple of custom threaded holes, will make an excellent platform for building a domino jig for complex joinery.crsowa said:
woodwreck
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As they say, when you are standing in the swamp it is easy to forget your original goal was ....
The initial issue with Domiplate was Fence Drift. So, now we have added a $400 WP item albeit pretty classsy, to a premium priced $1,000 tool. For a tool system whose motto is "Faster, easier, smarter..." or some such thing, we are morphing into a Neiman Marcus Christmas catalog (although some think Festool prices might have been derived from that in the first place). :
Per my initial inquiring post under aftermarket accessories/Seneca before I found this thread, I'll go back to re-examining the tightening mechanism of the existing fence. But now I'll also examine some of the concepts exemplified in home brewed versions of the WP item - thanks for the enlightening disucssions everyone.
The initial issue with Domiplate was Fence Drift. So, now we have added a $400 WP item albeit pretty classsy, to a premium priced $1,000 tool. For a tool system whose motto is "Faster, easier, smarter..." or some such thing, we are morphing into a Neiman Marcus Christmas catalog (although some think Festool prices might have been derived from that in the first place). :
Per my initial inquiring post under aftermarket accessories/Seneca before I found this thread, I'll go back to re-examining the tightening mechanism of the existing fence. But now I'll also examine some of the concepts exemplified in home brewed versions of the WP item - thanks for the enlightening disucssions everyone.
It is definitely true that the Domino, in and of itself, is a "complete" tool. It does make the creation and assembly of a mortise and tenon joint significantly easier, faster, and better. I found that right out of the box. That doesn't stop me from trying to improve on things by spending more money. It's a flaw, I agree and one that leads to the conclusion that the tool should be used and, in using it, you will find what it is that it doesn't do for you. For most, I would guess the Domino could remain the complete solution.
Master Carpenter
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I'm seriously considering buying it this time around. Any reviews from people who bought one from the first batch? Do you use it? Often? Has it changed the way you use your domino? I'm not domino crazy, I don't look for a way to put dominos in every project, but when I need it, it's an awesome tool. the spacers to center on different thickness materials look like something I would use. The bar with all the flip stops not so much, but Maybe I will find it speeds up production.
I bought the whole set the first time (minus the thicker spacers and no adapter for the 700XL). I love the offset base itself and almost always use it with the DF500. It allows me to ensure that the machine doesn't shift during plunges; in other words, greater leverage and stability during plunging. This isn't a general problem but I have had the DF500 move just slightly on occasion and I don't ever get that with the offset base.
As for the extensions, Woodpecker's agreed to a modification of the extensions included; 2-12" sections each of the sections that extend from 6" to 30" (I think 30") because I really didn't think I would have any use for extensions out to 54" but could have use for doing work up to 30" on either side of the center. So far, I really haven't used the extensions period. I just don't do that kind of work and it's been easier to just mark where I want the Dominos because it doesn't generally matter.
I do use the spacers. There have been situations where I wanted the Dominos centered in the thickness of the wood; sometimes just because I'm a perfectionist and sometimes necessary. It's a handy feature for me. In fact, since the taller spacers are being offered, I may order them this time. I did have a need for one of them awhile back.
I recently acquired the 700XL and will likely buy the adapter this time also.
In general, I think the base itself and the spacers have been very useful for me; the extensions not really. To some degree it depends on the kind of work you do. If you join multiple long pieces, the extensions might be worth it. Depends on how much you do that.
I am a "hobby" woodworker and am not really concerned with efficiency; just satisfaction with my work and as high quality work as I can produce. I'd have to say it is always faster to merely mark the location of the Dominos across the boards to be joined and make sure you exert enough pressure to keep the machine from moving.
It's a cool addition, very accurate, very well machined, and the results are always perfect when I use it. I would say, though, that the results with the Domino alone are generally virtually perfect also. So, it's definitely a choice and not a requirement for high quality work with the Domino. The Domino is my favorite tool ever, regardless.
As for the extensions, Woodpecker's agreed to a modification of the extensions included; 2-12" sections each of the sections that extend from 6" to 30" (I think 30") because I really didn't think I would have any use for extensions out to 54" but could have use for doing work up to 30" on either side of the center. So far, I really haven't used the extensions period. I just don't do that kind of work and it's been easier to just mark where I want the Dominos because it doesn't generally matter.
I do use the spacers. There have been situations where I wanted the Dominos centered in the thickness of the wood; sometimes just because I'm a perfectionist and sometimes necessary. It's a handy feature for me. In fact, since the taller spacers are being offered, I may order them this time. I did have a need for one of them awhile back.
I recently acquired the 700XL and will likely buy the adapter this time also.
In general, I think the base itself and the spacers have been very useful for me; the extensions not really. To some degree it depends on the kind of work you do. If you join multiple long pieces, the extensions might be worth it. Depends on how much you do that.
I am a "hobby" woodworker and am not really concerned with efficiency; just satisfaction with my work and as high quality work as I can produce. I'd have to say it is always faster to merely mark the location of the Dominos across the boards to be joined and make sure you exert enough pressure to keep the machine from moving.
It's a cool addition, very accurate, very well machined, and the results are always perfect when I use it. I would say, though, that the results with the Domino alone are generally virtually perfect also. So, it's definitely a choice and not a requirement for high quality work with the Domino. The Domino is my favorite tool ever, regardless.
grbmds said:
Thanks for posting your experience. Does it work well vertically on an edge where you would have to normally use the festool vertical stop attachment? The videos don't show this and that was the concern I had. Horizontal plunging seems very solid.
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