DF 700 with seneca, depth and fence height?

[threesixright]

HI All,

Sorry: another DF 500/700 thread!  :-[

I'm on the fence for a DF 500 or 700, like more of you. I have (same) dilemma:

1. Buy the 500 and for some bigger projects fix it differently
2. Spend a bit more and convert the XL into a 500 with the seneca adapter.

I'm assuming since there is some overlap in the tenons, that from 8 mm and up the XL will perform very well. So my questions are mainly about 5 mm & 6 mm tenons.

1. Do you need to change the fence for the thinner material or can you set the factory fence for 15 and 18 mm thickness?

2. With regard to the depth: does the factory scale allow for shallow depths like 12 or 15 mm?

3. Last, it seems that seneca kit only comes in imperial? Is there a metric version?

I'm mostly concerned about the usability on the smaller tenons. Isn't 700 is overpowered and heavy to use with the thinner material?

Really curious of people having hands on experience with the smaller (5 en 6) tenons.

I'm pretty sure 80% of my projects will go up to 8, maybe 10 mm. But too be able to use the bigger tenons seems a attractive option.

Let's leave the higher price out of the equation. Its expensive and for sure there are means to get this type of work done. Noted

Thank you!

--
Rog.

 

[jonnyrocket]

I was in the same dilema. In the end I picked up both off the reconditioned site (Dilema solved).  Of course, this only works if you aren’t in a hurry and can watch the site for what you are after. Both have performed perfectly. Wheb they arrived,  I would have sworn that they were unused.

 

[threesixright]

I was in the same dilema. In the end I picked up both off the reconditioned site (Dilema solved).  Of course, this only works if you aren’t in a hurry and can watch the site for what you are after. Both have performed perfectly. Wheb they arrived,  I would have sworn that they were unused.

Hehe. Yeah that’s actually option 3 [emoji41]

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[rmhinden]

Sorry: another DF 500/700 thread!  :-[

I'm on the fence for a DF 500 or 700, like more of you. I have (same) dilemma:

1. Buy the 500 and for some bigger projects fix it differently
2. Spend a bit more and convert the XL into a 500 with the seneca adapter.
.....

Definitely a recurring thread

I got the DF700 with the seneca small mortice kit and like it.  I have used it successfully for mortices down to 4mm.  My reason for going with the this setup include:

- I like the ergonomics of the DF700 better, makes up for the additional weight (the DF500 is also heavy)

- The depth gauge allows for two preset lengths.

- The mortice width with can be adjusted when the machine is not running.

- Of course, it can do deeper and wider mortices.

Your mileage will vary.

I suspect you will be happy with either machine.  Or as [member=66966]jonnyrocket[/member] said, get both.

 

[threesixright]

Thanks!

So you can set the height and the depth to any value? The manual explain the depth is minimal 15?

Sent from my X using Tapatalk

 

[ScoFF]

I also got just the DF700 with Seneca adapters, then got the DF500 bit kit and all it's assortment of loose tenons in the systainer.
I have yet to make a larger sized tenon above 8mm but it's there when I do larger projects.
I do find it bulky but I have put up with the size just like I did the TS75 tracksaw, no 55 here.

I recently built the Domino Dock designed by Ramon Valdez that holds the DF700 in a cradle and clamp that to my bench which makes doing small parts extremely easy and safe.  Check it out if you haven't heard of it, the guy sells plans to make it of you can buy one from him.

I also made things that clip on to a depth plunge post (from 1/2" pvc pipe I believe) that act as depth stops to limit the plunge depth since it's minimum 15mm I believe.  Sometimes when you do a mortise in the face of thin stock and you don't want to go through.    With all that stuff it's not too big for anything.