Considering purchasing a Domino

[MavDog]

I figure it is time to take a step up from my Dewalt biscuit cutter.  I use this a lot but it looks and sounds like the Domino is a much better solution.  I am thinking about getting a Domino and wondering what I should get with it.  It seems like it makes sense to spend the extra $50 and get the set that comes with the trim stop and cross stop.  Should I also get the Systainer assortment?  If I don't need that what size tenons would be good to start with.  Are there any good third party accessories that would be good to get also? 

Also those of you with a biscuit cutter do you still use it or does it sit on the shelf collecting dust now that you have a Domino?  Thanks for the help.

 

[mouppe]

The Domino was my second Festool purchase after a rotex sander. I bought the set with the trim stop and the cross stop, and althopugh I rarely use them it is worth having them from time to time. I also bought the systainer with all the domino cutters and tenons and I have used all the various sizes at one time or another. The systainer now comes with the 4mm tenons as well as all the other sizes.

The domiplate by RonWen, one of the members on the FOG is a very useful accessory. That's all I have.

I cannot stress how much the domino has changed my furniture building. I have not only used it for mortise and tenon joinery, but mitred picture frames, edge alignment, drawer sides (instead of dovetails), etc.

I do wear ear protection when I use it, as although it is not very loud, it is quite a whiny sound and can get irritating after a dozen mortises or more.

Hope this helps
Richard.

 

[tbellemare]

The size cutters and Dominos you will need depends on what you want to do with it. For someone that will likely use all sizes, the Systainer assortment is a good idea. If you don't foresee using all the sizes, it can be overkill.

You can also get the Domino Systainer empty and fill it with the sizes you use if you like the neat storage but don't have a use for all 5 sizes.

Tom

 

[Rob-GB]

I got the full kit, that is the Domino with trim stop and cross stop and the domino systainer assortment including the set of cutters.
Have used four sizes of domino since and run out of 10x50 and 8x50, bought the big box replacements last week to keep me going.
Also have the handrail fence just in case I need it, that and the 4 & 5mm cutters are the only things not yet used and I have only had it 8 weeks!

My biscuit jointer was retired on day one, still have it in my spare room where it is likely to remain.

Get the whole lot because once you start using it all solutions are suddenly Dominoesque. ;D

Rob.

 

[ajones]

The domino was my first festool, and probably the best. get the big box of domino's with the cutters and sell your biscuit jointer..

 

[GPowers]

I agree with everyone else. I also bought the Domino Kit and the Systainer of Domino. It is nice to have all the sizes as you start finding all kind of uses for them.

 

[jonny round boy]

+1 on getting the domino assortment systainer!

 

[Wonderwino]

The Domino Systainer assortment also comes with all the necessary cutters.  Only one is included with the bare machine.  You will want to use tenons that are about 1/3 the thickness of your material or slightly less.

I used the heck out of mine once I bought it, more than I ever thought I would.  I have had to restock several sizes of tenons in my systainer more than once.  I still have my PC557, but I haven't used it in the three years I've owned the Domino.

 

[Wood_Junkie]

Definitely sell the biscuit joiner and get the Domino.  That right there is a tremendous upgrade.

I got the Domino set, but did not buy the Domino assortment with all the cutters and tenons.  I also got the empty Domino systainer... then decided I only needed to use a Sys1 for my needs and built my own insert.

So, a year later, here are my lessons learned:
- I have accumulated each cutter and Domino size (incl 4mm), *except* for the 10mm.  I have a few projects I'm thinking about which *may* use the 10mm, but I think I can get away with the 8mm.
- I have completely filled the Sys1 Domino container, and will probably revert back to the original Sys2 configuration with the stock insert.  Some of the Dominos I have purchased are Sipo, which don't come in the assortment, FYI.
- I have now spent as much money on the cutters and accessories as if I had simply bought the entire assortment.  But the evolution was perhaps worthwhile.
- The Domino rocks.  Absolutely rocks.  Make M&T joinery so fast, so easy, and very precise.

Doooo iiitttt!  [big grin]

 

[AdamM]

The Domino was my first Festool purchase about a year and a half ago.  I bought the Systainer assortment as well and still feel that was the right way to go.  Considering I don't think I've used the 10mm cutter yet or maybe only once or twice, I probably could have gotten by with buying things as I needed them.  However, having it all organized in a Systainer I can attach to the Domino systainer and having the full selection to choose from makes the Assortment a good investment.

I think the only case in which I'd advise against the assortment is if you tend to only do very small work or very large work and thus would only need a small subset of the available sizes of Dominos.

Something else worth mentioning - the Systainer in the Assortment has a foam top that keeps it sealed up a little better.  In theory this keeps the dominos from changing size when there are humidity swigns or at least reduces the size change.

 

[GPowers]

Something else worth mentioning - the Systainer in the Assortment has a foam top that keeps it sealed up a little better.  In theory this keeps the dominos from changing size when there are humidity swigns or at least reduces the size change.

Plus the foam keep the Dominoes from get mixed up. It fill in the gap, at the top of the Systainer, so the dominoes do not co-mingle into other compartments.

 

[grobin]

The domino was my second festool after a PS300.  I tried a friend's biscuit joiner and was underwhelmed.  I got the domino assortment with the cutters and added the 4mm as well.  I also got a CT as my old vacuum was pretty worn out.  Its a great tool and the full kit is worth while.  I have a project coming up where I will be using the 10mm Sipo tenons.  So fat I have used the 4mm, 5mm,8mm (mostly).  I am primarily building bookcases and will be at it for some time as I have over 18,000 volumes.

I got Rick Christopherson'sMGS-20 guide stop and it solves the problem of needing to repeatably plunge mortises at small distances.  Whether you will need that or not I can't tell but it has been handy for me.

 

[grobin]

Better source for the MS-20 guide.

 

[RONWEN]

I figure it is time to take a step up from my Dewalt biscuit cutter.  I use this a lot but it looks and sounds like the Domino is a much better solution.  I am thinking about getting a Domino and wondering what I should get with it.  It seems like it makes sense to spend the extra $50 and get the set that comes with the trim stop and cross stop.  Should I also get the Systainer assortment?  If I don't need that what size tenons would be good to start with.  Are there any good third party accessories that would be good to get also? 

Also those of you with a biscuit cutter do you still use it or does it sit on the shelf collecting dust now that you have a Domino?  Thanks for the help.

I don't have a biscuit joiner however since I LOVE TOOLS I'm fascinated by the new Lamello Zeta cutter  http://www.axminster.co.uk/lamello-lamello-zeta-biscuit-jointer-240v-prod831205/?source=emailclub&dm_i=5f&9dos=13wg1f&ouft=1 

I would say that of all Festools the Domino will change how you do woodworking the most followed in the distance by the MFT, TS saw, RO sander, etc.

 

[Jesus Aleman]

I purchased the domino with the 5 cutters thinking that I would use most of them.  I have primarily used the domino for alignment (face frames, solid wood edging on plywood, plywood carcasses) in the last year. This only requires the 4mm and 5mm cutters.  The 6 mm takes care of most of my joinery needs.  I have used the 6 and 10mm cutters maybe 1 or 2 times.  However, I'll be building some outdoor furniture and a table in the next couple of months where I expect to use the larger cutters.  If you can afford it, get the package.  If you can't, I suggest you get at least the 4 and 5 mm cutters and assorted tenons.

 

[Kevin D.]

What I realized after having used a Domino for the first time over the last few months is you have no idea how versatile and applicable it is to so many different things you can do with it.  And I only just started.  Like the Brits say, "Great piece of kit".

I got the tab style set and the sys dominos as well.  Want to get a second compartment unit at one point for sipos.  I also have the MSG-20, although I've yet to use it.  Like to get Ron's thingamajig.  Ron, you should put a link to it in your signature, or are you distributing via email/pm only?  Been meaning to go look at the box building thread to do this finally, just ain't got the time lately.

 

[John Stevens]

Should I also get the Systainer assortment?  If I don't need that what size tenons would be good to start with.

Hi, MavDog.  I use my Domino machine mainly for joining case parts made from nominal 3/4" plywood and hardwoods 3/4" thick or thicker.  The recommended size domino tenon for 3/4" ply is 5mm, and I think I'd get along fine if I only had that size.  However, I bought the systainer with the 5, 6, 8 and 10mm cutters and have used them all.  The 8mm and 10mm domino tenons are good for 2x3 and 2x4 stock (utility shelves and the like) and joining thick hardwood legs to cases.  Hope this info is useful for you.

Also those of you with a biscuit cutter do you still use it or does it sit on the shelf collecting dust now that you have a Domino?  Thanks for the help.

I owned a Lamello biscuit joiner before I owned the Domino.  I still own it.  I use it almost exclusively for the Lamello hinges.  I also use it for making drawers with stock that's thinner than 3/4" but one of these days I'm going to buy the 4mm cutter for the Domino and I'll be using the 4mm domino tenons to make drawers.  There are other things you can do with a biscuit joiner, like make 4mm grooves in one pass, or grooves of 4-8mm in two passes, or cut hand-holds in drawer and door faces, but how often are you going to do that?  And you could do that with a Domino, it would just take a little longer.  Possibly the main reason I haven't sold the Lamello is that it's built like a Festool and will last forever, so it's nice to have around just in case I drop the Domino and it needs to be serviced.

Regards,

John

 

[jonny round boy]

I don't have a biscuit joiner however since I LOVE TOOLS I'm fascinated by the new Lamello Zeta cutter  http://www.axminster.co.uk/lamello-lamello-zeta-biscuit-jointer-240v-prod831205/?source=emailclub&dm_i=5f&9dos=13wg1f&ouft=1 

Saw that a few weeks ago - looks interesting, and I'd love to know how the mechanism works. And, it makes Festool stuff look cheap...

 

[richard.selwyn]

I don't have a biscuit joiner however since I LOVE TOOLS I'm fascinated by the new Lamello Zeta cutter  http://www.axminster.co.uk/lamello-lamello-zeta-biscuit-jointer-240v-prod831205/?source=emailclub&dm_i=5f&9dos=13wg1f&ouft=1  

Saw that a few weeks ago - looks interesting, and I'd love to know how the mechanism works. And, it makes Festool stuff look cheap...

Jonny - I had a lengthy demo from one of the Swiss guys who developed it at W10.  It is very clever, but at the risk of criticizing a brand that I like very much (I've just bought a Lamello glue pot and it's great) the mechanism almost seemed a bit "Heath Robinson"  If I remember rightly, as you slide the machine forward to make the cut, at the end of the sliding movement a piece that sticks up from the housing engages a small pin in a hole in the side of the round knob you can see on top (same style as the knob on the Top 20) and turns it, thereby causing the cutter to move up and down to make the perimeter groove needed for the fixing.  It means you can use the same machine for biscuits and Clamex (to quote the Axminster blurb: a special vertical mechanical drive (VMD) engaging when the jointer is at full plunge, moving the cutter up and down in one full turn and only then disengaging to produce the ‘T’ slot. The undercut function can be switched off and a 7mm slot will be produced, a ‘Bisco’ biscuit can then be used)

I am not sure why they didn't just make a dedicated machine, because the Zeta does not offer the flexibility of the Top 20 - you cannot adjust the height of a regular biscuit.
I also don't know what the "bisco" is - there's no sign of it on Lamello's web site.

I am doing a job that would be ideal for the clamex - demountable panels for a theatre set - but cannot justify the huge price.

As an irrelevant aside, I was surprised to hear that Lamello has only around 50 employees from the guy I was talking to.  When I teased him that the Zeta sounded like a bag of nails compared to the Domino, his answer was it was because Festool wouldn't sell them the Domino motor.  Nice to see that the Swiss have a sense of humour too.

Sorry to have rabbited on

Richard

 

[jonny round boy]

Thanks Richard - I read that the knob on top was turned to move the cutter vertically. I wondered how you could hold the front of the machine down, plunge it & hold it in, and turn the top knob, without growing a third hand...