DF 500 vs DF 700 need help choosing the right fit for me

[Mustangpwr]

Not to beat a dead horse but.

I am in the market to get a domino jointer. I currently have plans to build an exterior door (36"x96"ish) along with a number of cabinets. My future plans are for mainly smaller projects but I also want to make some larger tables/ beds/ benches that need to be very strong. I know a that the DF 500 would fulfill all of my needs however I don't want to get one and find out that I need something a bit bigger for a few select projects. The same goes in reverse I don't want to get something to big and wish I could make smaller cuts or regret not having the lighter tool .

I have seen an attachment from Seneca woodworking to put the smaller cutter heads on the DF 700 which in theory would give me the cutting ability of the DF500 but the flexibility of both machines. Let me know your thoughts! Thanks so much.

 

[bkharman]

A few words about the adapter and plates and soon to be thickness gauge...

Love them all!!

I would never move away from my 700 with the adapters to also cover the 500 range. There are some things that aren't so simple, but all in all, awesome piece of kit to own and use. The extra weight and layout make it a great tool. And that outweighs the minor gripes.

 

[nclemmons]

If your mostly doing smaller work, I'd save the money and go with the 500.  You are only building one exterior door, and you could do that with the 500 with four to six dominos per rail/stile connection and hold it fine.

I have the 500 and it's great for cabinet and furniture work.  I did assemble an exterior 32" door with it and it's still holding years later.  I've also done bed frames.  And I would use it for a table.

You could go with the larger 700 and the Seneca adapters.  But it might be overkill given how you've said you would be mostly using it.

I like the smaller size, smaller systainer, and broader range of Dominos including the small ones personally. 

If I needed to go larger on the occasional project, I'd probably cut them by hand, like I used to do before the Domino 500!

Both are great -

neil

 

[bkharman]

If your mostly doing smaller work, I'd save the money and go with the 500.  You are only building one exterior door, and you could do that with the 500 with four to six dominos per rail/stile connection and hold it fine.

I have the 500 and it's great for cabinet and furniture work.  I did assemble an exterior 32" door with it and it's still holding years later.

You could go with the larger 700 and the Seneca adapters.  But that seems like overkill given how you've said you would be using it.

neil

Other than the cost, i don't agree. With the adapter and plates, I actually do more casework and other small domino work (5 and 6 mm) than large. I went to woodcraft and tried them both and really liked the feel, heft and control of the 700.

I would suggest that the OP does the same. You won't be able to try the adapter, but you can try the base in both, maybe try the 8mm bit and see what you think.

 

[jacko9]

I have both, If I were you I 'd buy the DF700 with the Seneca cutters for 6mm and 8mm.  The DF 700 is better balanced and a pleasure to use.  The DF 500 can't cut the larger joints so you will eventually need to get the DF 700 eventually so, be smart and go big!

Jack

 

[sicd_steve]

Hi as with Jacko9 I also have both and each one works perfect for what ever your doing, I tried the Seneco cutter extension on the 700 and for doing general cabinet work it's a bit large, as the machine is larger but has a nicer feel than the 500 and it's smooth as silk when cutting.

but if you can't afford both I go the 500 as it's more versatile and generally used the most

 

[batcave]

I have the 500 because they didn't make the 700 then. Which ever you choose, pocket holes will help fill the gaps. You can plug visible holes. They work great and don't require clamps. Clamps are expensive for a 96 inch door. Also the 5mm and 4mm dominoes are more cost effective for the small projects.

Kevin

 

[RussellS]

I'd buy the DF700 with the Seneca cutters for 6mm and 8mm.

Pretty sure you do not need the Seneca adaptor/cutter to cut an 8mm Domino with the DF700 machine.  The DF700 machine accepts 8,10,12,14mm cutters directly.  You do need the Seneca cutter for 6mm Domino with the DF700.

 

[ali]

DF500 for sheet goods and thin timber

DF700 for heavier work.

DF700 is a nicer unit though, not as cumbersome as I thought it might be. But you probably could get away with a DF500 for most work. Depends on what you do.

Best to buy one of the sys-assortments too for the cutters. They are pretty expensive alone.