Consolidated Q&A for Domino XL DF 700 Joiner

[peter halle]

Hi Tom!

Welcome to the FOG.

I hope that Rick Christopherson pops in here to answer you question.  After reading many of these types of posts I believe that the universal motors can work on your hertz.  But Rick can answer better than I.

Peter

 

[Tom Walsh]

Thanks for the welcome Peter

Tom

 

[tjbnwi]

I believe universal motors refer to motors that can run on AC or DC current.

I checked my 500, TS 55 and DTS 400, all the motor plates read 120v~60 hz. If you run a motor wound for 60 hz. on a 50 hz. supply, you are giving up 17% (rounded-10/60=.166667) of the RPM, Wattage and cooling efficiency. The motors may be wound for this, the ones I checked do not indicate, on the plate, this to be the case. Someone with a 700 will have to check the motor plate to see if it is dual hertz listed/compatible or not.

Tom

 

[Rick Christopherson]

I believe universal motors refer to motors that can run on AC or DC current.

I checked my 500, TS 55 and DTS 400, all the motor plates read 120v~60 hz. If you run a motor wound for 60 hz. on a 50 hz. supply, you are giving up 17% (rounded-10/60=.166667) of the RPM, Wattage and cooling efficiency. The motors may be wound for this, the ones I checked do not indicate, on the plate, this to be the case. Someone with a 700 will have to check the motor plate to see if it is dual hertz listed/compatible or not.

Tom

Your own posting explains why it is a non-issue. Universal motors do not care about frequency of the incoming power. The rest of your posting is pertinent to Induction motors, where frequency is important. For these tools, it does not matter.

 

[Tom Walsh]

Hi Rick

Do you own or have access to a domino 700 xl. Could you tell me what the spec is on the motor plate.

Would be greatly appreciated

Cheers.................Tom

 

[Rick Christopherson]

Hi Rick

Do you own or have access to a domino 700 xl. Could you tell me what the spec is on the motor plate.

Would be greatly appreciated

Cheers.................Tom

Yes, Tom, I have both tools; but that is not the basis for my answer. The basis for my answer is my knowledge of tools. That knowledge isn't always apparent, because some days I just don't feel like writing long discussions on topics. This happens to be a topic that I have already discussed at length, but tonight, I am preparing for a significant business meeting tomorrow. Suffice it to say that your hand-held power tools are relatively immune to changes in frequency.

 

[darita]

I'm sure I'll be corrected if I'm wrong...there's an adapter that will allow the use of 500 cutters on the 700.  With that in mind, can the 700 be used to cut mortises for all of the 500 sized dominos?  And, if that's the case, then can't the 700 then be used for all sized dominos?  I just don't know how the adapted mortise widths compare.

 

[kono0014]

The 700 has been out a while now and I am curious if there has been anyone that has purchased the 700 and regretted their decision.  There seems to be quite a few people that chose to purchase the 500 and never regret that decision but I am wondering if there are those that wish they had the 500 after owning the 700.  In the next 6 months I will be doing mostly case work building all of the cabinets in our new house but do have to build an entry door, table, and bed as well.  Frankly don't want to buy both.  I will if I have to but here is my cost breakdown/justification (at pre-4/1/2014 pricing):

1275 (700 set) + 825 (500) = $2100         
1275 (700 set) + 69.95 (Seneca Adapter) + 69.95 (Seneca Domi-Shims) + 15 (shipping) =  $1429.90

That works out to be about a $670 savings for being able to do all of the sizes.  You could get by without the shims and obviously there is additional cost in dominos and bits.  Is my logic sound or am I missing some cost that is going to surprise me and eat up my savings quickly by not just getting the individual tools?  Is the 700 so challenging to use on smaller/thinner stuff that it would just end up being a pain?  I have read nearly every post on the 700 across the web and there doesn't seem to be a ton of 700 users which may answer my questions or there is a fear of the larger domino that isn't justified.  Not sure.  Hence the questions to the 700 owners.

 

[bkharman]

The 700 has been out a while now and I am curious if there has been anyone that has purchased the 700 and regretted their decision.  There seems to be quite a few people that chose to purchase the 500 and never regret that decision but I am wondering if there are those that wish they had the 500 after owning the 700.  In the next 6 months I will be doing mostly case work building all of the cabinets in our new house but do have to build an entry door, table, and bed as well.  Frankly don't want to buy both.  I will if I have to but here is my cost breakdown/justification (at pre-4/1/2014 pricing):

1275 (700 set) + 825 (500) = $2100           
1275 (700 set) + 69.95 (Seneca Adapter) + 69.95 (Seneca Domi-Shims) + 15 (shipping) =  $1429.90

That works out to be about a $670 savings for being able to do all of the sizes.  You could get by without the shims and obviously there is additional cost in dominos and bits.  Is my logic sound or am I missing some cost that is going to surprise me and eat up my savings quickly by not just getting the individual tools?  Is the 700 so challenging to use on smaller/thinner stuff that it would just end up being a pain?  I have read nearly every post on the 700 across the web and there doesn't seem to be a ton of 700 users which may answer my questions or there is a fear of the larger domino that isn't justified.  Not sure.  Hence the questions to the 700 owners.

I am not sure if you were ONLY looking for folks that regretted, or if you are also looking for folks like me that absolutely love it.  I only bought the 700 knowing full well that 80% of my work was going to be casework and ½ or ¾ ply/mdf.  I can say that with the Seneca parts (bit adapter and plates and soon to be height gauge) the machine runs like a Porsche.  It might be considered a Cayenne Turbo S because it is bulky, but man is it nimble.  I don't ever feel like it is a lug that I have to tote around, but when you put it on a case and mortice a hole, it feels very solid.  The only awkward thing vs. the 500 is that if you do a lot a shelves that are in the side of a panel, you can't "flip" the shelf down and use it as a reference to mortice the accepting side.  You have to work off of a centerline.

Other then that, the added cost is a bit higher, but a lot lower (as you discovered) than purchasing both.  Some folks on here, swear by the 500 for casework, and they may be right, but when I went to Woodcraft to try them both out, I fell in love with the precision and heft of the 700.  It just feels like the more mature, seductively sexy older sister.

Good luck and let us know what you end up with... and seriously, try to test them before you make the decision.

cheers.  Bryan.

 

[jacko9]

My experience owning both machines is that I don't regret buying either and have use for both of them.

Jack

 

[kono0014]

Thanks Bryan.  Decision made.  Ordered the 700 before the price bump.

 

[bkharman]

Where are you located?

I am glad I could convince you...  Although, I don't feel I convinced, just stated what worked for me. I love my XL. I think it is the best money I have spent in at least 20 years.

Let know how it goes!

 

[ScotF]

My experience owning both machines is that I don't regret buying either and have use for both of them.

Jack

I am newer to the XL club but so far I like both Dominos and have no regrets.  The XL is an engineering marvel -- one of Festool's gems IMHO.

Scot

 

[tbellemare]

They made a mechanical bird.

As we say in Texas, 'nuff sayd.

Tom