DF 500 grip?

[pingvinlakrits]

Topic has been up before but I never really got much of a response to my solution for an added grip.
FOG:ers probably don't think it is fancy enough.
http://festoolownersgroup.com/festo...domino-df500-frankengrip/msg395480/#msg395480

I have used it a few years now with zero issues and this very day I was joining acoustic trim/panels and really enjoyed my add on grip. It really saves the underarm from fatigue and for drop down plunges it adds stability. It is rock solid and after a few years use and abuse it hasn't shifted a bit even though I swing it around by the handle all the time.

Horizontal plunging works the same and I actually think it works even better since the forward momentum really pushes the Domino against the fence at the correct angle whereas you might tilt it up slightly grabbing it down by the cord if you are not used to the machine or simply not careful enough.

After comparing my unit to my colleagues unmodified unit I can say that I think the Domino DF500 is ergonomically flawed.

I also have the Domino XL 700 and it is heavy to handle but for actual plunging / mortising I prefer it over the DF500 - that is before I modified it to make it more like the bigger sibling. I was going to try to make a fancier handle but I never got around to it and after a few thousand mortises after adding the grip I am reluctant to change anything since it simply works so well.

 

[Doug S]

I get on fine with the 500, but I know some wrestle a bit and thought another handle might help, similar to how the 700 rear handle helps?

I use the 700 by pushing from the back, the handle feels wrong because it is higher than the cutter. I only use the handle for carrying it.

 

[Jiggy Joiner]

Topic has been up before but I never really got much of a response to my solution for an added grip.
FOG:ers probably don't think it is fancy enough.
http://festoolownersgroup.com/festo...domino-df500-frankengrip/msg395480/#msg395480

I have used it a few years now with zero issues and this very day I was joining acoustic trim/panels and really enjoyed my add on grip. It really saves the underarm from fatigue and for drop down plunges it adds stability.

After comparing my unit to my colleagues unmodified unit I can say the Domino DF500 is ergonomically flawed.

I guess all said and done, we all have our own unique ways with some things, even down to holding a knife and fork?

 

[ChuckM]

Topic has been up before but I never really got much of a response to my solution for an added grip.
FOG:ers probably don't think it is fancy enough.

I have used it a few years now with zero issues and this very day I was joining acoustic trim/panels and really enjoyed my add on grip. It really saves the underarm from fatigue and for drop down plunges it adds stability.

After comparing my unit to my colleagues unmodified unit I can say the Domino DF500 is ergonomically flawed.

That additional handle of yours is an interesting take, though I can't form an opinion on it unless I try one. I have no issues with the current handle as is. I don't like the DF700 handle at all as it is is not in line with the cutting action.

To me, the design flaw lies not in the barrel but in the aux (fence) handle which does not allow you to get the machine a good grip on the workpiece when making vertical cuts. I am thinking about replacing it with a shop-made loop handle (like the DF700's) for vertical mortising. That way, you can hold the machine down on the work.

 

[pingvinlakrits]

I get on fine with the 500, but I know some wrestle a bit and thought another handle might help, similar to how the 700 rear handle helps?

I use the 700 by pushing from the back, the handle feels wrong because it is higher than the cutter. I only use the handle for carrying it.

I push the 700 from the back of the handle, works fine for me but I get what you are saying.

On the Frankengrip DF500 the balance is actually better and it really helps keeping it steadier than without. I've done 7-800 freehand mortises last couple of weeks with the DF500 and I've only missed _two_ of them (one of them today, error due to awkward positioning of body/machine and workpiece...) though they have all been fairly critical in placement. None of my misses ruined the work piece but I had to glue one up and redo.

 

[pingvinlakrits]

Topic has been up before but I never really got much of a response to my solution for an added grip.
FOG:ers probably don't think it is fancy enough.
http://festoolownersgroup.com/festo...domino-df500-frankengrip/msg395480/#msg395480

I have used it a few years now with zero issues and this very day I was joining acoustic trim/panels and really enjoyed my add on grip. It really saves the underarm from fatigue and for drop down plunges it adds stability.

After comparing my unit to my colleagues unmodified unit I can say the Domino DF500 is ergonomically flawed.

I guess all said and done, we all have our own unique ways with some things, even down to holding a knife and fork?

Yes, of course. But I can't see how anyone can think the Domino DF500 is an ergonomical masterpiece.

 

[pingvinlakrits]

Topic has been up before but I never really got much of a response to my solution for an added grip.
FOG:ers probably don't think it is fancy enough.

I have used it a few years now with zero issues and this very day I was joining acoustic trim/panels and really enjoyed my add on grip. It really saves the underarm from fatigue and for drop down plunges it adds stability.

After comparing my unit to my colleagues unmodified unit I can say the Domino DF500 is ergonomically flawed.

That additional handle of yours is an interesting take, though I can't form an opinion on it unless I try one. I have no issues with the current handle as is. I don't like the DF700 handle at all as it is is not in line with the cutting action.

To me, the design flaw lies not in the barrel but in the aux (fence) handle which does not allow you to get the machine a good grip on the workpiece when making vertical cuts. I am thinking about replacing it with a shop-made loop handle (like the DF700's) for vertical mortising. That way, you can hold the machine down on the work.

Yes, I agree. The main reason for putting on the extra grip was for vertical mortising enabling me to steady the DF500 way better for horizontal plunging. It also helps steady the machine when using the on/off switch which makes it a bit too easy to accidentally plunge into the workpiece when starting the machine.

With a rafters square I can line up the machine and hold it by the added grip and help balance it out when doing plunges further in along a line of a shelf/cabinet.

The grip I added is simple to remove without damaging the machine and it is dead easy to restore the machine.

EDIT: the grip might not be for everyone but it has really improved the handling for me. I am a high volume Domino user at times and before adding the grip my underarm was straining a bit if I did 20-80 mortises one session - that is all gone now.

 

[ChuckM]

On the Frankengrip DF500 the balance is actually better and it really helps keeping it steadier than without. I've done 7-800 freehand mortises last couple of weeks

Your additional handle would make perfect sense for that high number of cuts.

 

[pingvinlakrits]

Chuck; yes, at first I was adding the handle since I was doing a lot of shelving and grew tired of the Domino meandering in idle while trying to align everything with the machine running.

I have since improved my technique as well as approach to those applications but the grip is one of the steps in ensuring a better workflow. The extra weight is minimal and is offset by better ergonomics. The XL700 can't really benefit in the same way since it is a front heavy machine even with the handle.

For one-off boxes and carcasses I don't "mind" the regular Domino. But, after using my colleagues DF500 on site for the very same things I do it made it clear for me that my simple add on makes even the regular workflow a bit better for both horizontal and vertical plunging.

I am contemplating an even more streamlined solution - if I can think of one. There has been a price hike on Festool gear this year but even so a dealer had a "firesale" on a few items, the Domino DF500 included which brought the price down to about what you pay for them second hand (!). The number of units they had on sale gave me the impression that Festool had a hard time selling the DF500 without the biscuit-SYS since the units on sale were the kit without them. I don't mind as I have both the Domino biscuit SYS as well as a storage box with compartments for my surplus Domino biscuits in the workshop so I didn't want to pay for more biscuits anyway.

I have started sourcing stuff for a more svelte grip for the new DF500 but time is scarce at the moment.  Since I use the DF500 on two different sites at the moment (not including the workshop) I figured it actually makes sense to get another for permanent residence in the new workshop we are moving into on the 15th of April.  8)