DF500 or DF700

[SoonerFan]

I have read everything I could find on this subject and watched lots on YouTube.  I will get to test drive both this weekend at my dealer's Domino Demo Day.  I want to buy during the sale and lean toward the 500 based on my needs. 

That said if I show up this weekend and they have a "Domino 600" which has the 700 form factor.  And this "600" handles 4mm to 14mm tenons.  Has a little more tenon depth than the 500 but not all the way to the 700 and is priced right between the 500 and the 700.  I would buy this new Domino 600.  If this happens I will be sure to post some pictures  [big grin]

 

[Daver]

If I show up this weekend and they have a "Domino 600" which has the 700 form factor.  And this "600" handles 4mm to 14mm tenons.  Has a little more tenon depth than the 500 but not all the way to the 700 and is priced right between the 500 and the 700.  I would buy this new Domino 600.  If this happens I will be sure to post some pictures  [big grin]

The Domino 600 is currently on sale in the US for 11% off until June 29th. It's only available online, and only one dealer has it. Their website is: domino-unicorn.com

Dave

;D

 

[Birdhunter]

The idea of a Domino 500 with the  700 form factor is wonderful. The jigsaw comes in both barrel and D handle models so why doesn't the 500? There are several 700 features I'd like to see on the 500. I especially like the D handle, flip flop width changer, and the 3 pop in pop out stops on each side of the cutter.

 

[Crox G]

I opted for the 700 last week, and I'm glad I did. As I said above, I'm building some doors, and the 70mm depth of the 700 will make for a strong joint. I got the assortment of 8mm and 10mm dominoes, and a box of cut-your-own 12mm in Sipo for use in the doors.  The 8mm should be fine for 3/4 inch stock, and I can't imagine wanting anything smaller.  If I need the smaller stuff, I can get a Seneca adaptor.

After the first couple of cuts with the 700, I didn't notice the weight or size, because it's so well-balanced and designed.  I made a mock-up door of pine, and all the joints were level, flat, tight, and rigid.  What a joy.  I agree with Peter Parfitt and others that it is a marvel of engineering and a pleasure to use.  The hairline arrived spot-on, with no adjustment required.  No regrets. 

The Supplemental Manual rocks!

Crox

 

[SoonerFan]

If I show up this weekend and they have a "Domino 600" which has the 700 form factor.  And this "600" handles 4mm to 14mm tenons.  Has a little more tenon depth than the 500 but not all the way to the 700 and is priced right between the 500 and the 700.  I would buy this new Domino 600.  If this happens I will be sure to post some pictures  [big grin]

The Domino 600 is currently on sale in the US for 11% off until June 29th. It's only available online, and only one dealer has it. Their website is: domino-unicorn.com

Dave

;D

Dave,
Thanks for the tip.  I went to domino-unicorn.  They had a 1 minute sale on the Domino 600 for $1 and that includes a sys4 full of tenons.  Only catch is I cannot take pictures or let anyone else use it.  Otherwise I'd loan it to you sometime.

 

[Daver]

If I show up this weekend and they have a "Domino 600" which has the 700 form factor.  And this "600" handles 4mm to 14mm tenons.  Has a little more tenon depth than the 500 but not all the way to the 700 and is priced right between the 500 and the 700.  I would buy this new Domino 600.  If this happens I will be sure to post some pictures  [big grin]

The Domino 600 is currently on sale in the US for 11% off until June 29th. It's only available online, and only one dealer has it. Their website is: domino-unicorn.com

Dave

;D

Dave,
Thanks for the tip.  I went to domino-unicorn.  They had a 1 minute sale on the Domino 600 for $1 and that includes a sys4 full of tenons.  Only catch is I cannot take pictures or let anyone else use it.  Otherwise I'd loan it to you sometime.

I missed the sale.  [tongue]

 

[SoonerFan]

Well there was no Domino 600 at the demo today so I picked up 500 with the trim and cross stops.  Added the DF500 tenon assortment as well.  The 700 was an terrific machine but for my needs it was overkill so I decided to save the money.  Might use the money I saved on a Parallel Guide or an LR32 Set.  First chance to use the new 500 will likely be next weekend.   Cannot wait.  

 

[NEW2FES]

I think there are so many of these posts as it is an expensive purchase and hard to decide.

I have tried the 500 and not the 700. Question I have is do people feel the extra weight and size of the 700 actually help in keeping the machine in place while making the cuts? The problem I have with dowels, mortise slot, or whatever another machine is the clamping doesn't always overpower the tool doing the cut or the tool doing the cutting causes the actual jig to move.

Does the extra power and size create a more stable and less movement plunge? The problem seams to be magnified in hardwoods.

Thanks

 

[jacko9]

I think there are so many of these posts as it is an expensive purchase and hard to decide.

I have tried the 500 and not the 700. Question I have is do people feel the extra weight and size of the 700 actually help in keeping the machine in place while making the cuts? The problem I have with dowels, mortise slot, or whatever another machine is the clamping doesn't always overpower the tool doing the cut or the tool doing the cutting causes the actual jig to move.

Does the extra power and size create a more stable and less movement plunge? The problem seams to be magnified in hardwoods.

Thanks

I have both Domino machines and use them exclusively for hard woods and my experience is that the 700 is easier to use for the large 10,12 and 14mm slots I cut.  I never have problems cutting in the hardest woods if you let the cutter do it's job and don't rush the cut.

Jack

 

[bkharman]

It isn't that the extra heft helps hold it in place better, it is just the weight itself.

Think of it if you have ever driven a heavy car such as a Benz or Beemer. That extra weight makes the car feel more substantial vs say an accord or Camry.

I am sure for some, it may help, but to me, the 700 feels very solid on hand and the 500 felt like a toy.

Good luck. Bryan.

 

[eddomak]

Hi,

I haven't posted much since there are so many more people with experience, and I have not had a lot of hours under my belt with the DF500 (and none with the DF700).  I just thought I would chime in to say that I find that gripping the relatively large barrel of the DF500 and then plunging in a way that the barrel is likely to slip meant that I would need to grip a lot harder than I would like. Maybe gloves would help with the grip. To put things in context, I have medium sized hands, and am a rockclimber (so I would consider my grip strength to be adequate.).

I can imagine the DF700's handle with the narrower grip, combined with something on the tool body to push against (without slipping) would make it easier to use in this regard.

 

[copcarcollector]

 I just thought I would chime in to say that I find that gripping the relatively large barrel of the DF500 and then plunging in a way that the barrel is likely to slip meant that I would need to grip a lot harder than I would like.

Try pushing from the back of the machine where the cord attaches, instead of holding the barrel.

 

[eddomak]

Thanks for the tip - I found myself needing to do this in the end - part of my hand overhanging the back to provide that bracing/pushing action.

 

[abgoto]

I have the DF500 with domino assortment, and I have ordered the DF700 with the 12/14mm Domino assortment. I did not order the 8/10mm assortment because if I need to cut a mortise that size, I will use the DF500. I also cannot think of a situation where I would need a mortise 80 or 100mm deep for an 8 or 10mm tenon so I would not need that feature of the DF700.  Is anyone using the 8x80mm, 8x100mm, 10x80mm or 10x100mm tenons where a 50mm tenon would not work?

 

[Birdhunter]

I am using 8X50 Sipo tenons for some Ipe benches I am making. Ipe is also called "ironwood" so I wanted the extra power and depth from the 700.

I mentioned before that I have both the 500 and the 700. I greatly value the power and ergonomics of the 700. It's a wonderful tool. I prefer the 500 for small projects.

The best of both worlds is to buy both machines.

 

[jacko9]

I am using 8X50 Sipo tenons for some Ipe benches I am making. Ipe is also called "ironwood" so I wanted the extra power and depth from the 700.

I mentioned before that I have both the 500 and the 700. I greatly value the power and ergonomics of the 700. It's a wonderful tool. I prefer the 500 for small projects.

The best of both worlds is to buy both machines.

+1

Jack

 

[abgoto]

I am using 8X50 Sipo tenons for some Ipe benches I am making. Ipe is also called "ironwood" so I wanted the extra power and depth from the 700.

I mentioned before that I have both the 500 and the 700. I greatly value the power and ergonomics of the 700. It's a wonderful tool. I prefer the 500 for small projects.

The best of both worlds is to buy both machines.

Thank you for the reply. I have bought both machines. In theory, you could have used the 500 for the Ipe benches.  I'm wondering if it is worth the extra expense to buy the D8/D10 Systainer for the 700 or should I buy the 8 and 10mm cutters for the 700, or just plan on using the 500 for 8 and 10mm mortises? 

 

[MrToolJunkie]

I just added the cutters - I really like getting the longer Domino stock and cutting to size, but it is an extra step so not as quick as the pre-cut stuff. I think you might actually get more yield with the longer material than you do buying pre-cut, but it might be negligible.

 

[abgoto]

I ended up ordering the 10mm cutter for the DF 700. The 8/10 assortment did not provide any savings over buying the individual components and I'm not sure which size dominos will be used the most. With the 10mm cutter, I can do a direct comparison between the DF 500 and DF 700 on an upcoming project.