DF700 vs. DF500

[Ebuwan]

I have only the 700 (was I think my second Festool tool?)

I bought the Seneca Woodworking RTS-500 cutting adapter for the 700, and it allows me to cut the smaller mortises with the bits for the 500 no problem. Did a whole bunch of spindles that were less than 3/4" thick for a stair railing.

I haven't run into anything that needed a 500 size domino that the 700 gave me hassle for; maybe there are some specific use cases you would have to use a 500, but i've never run into one yet.

 

[Getmaverick]

I skipped the 500 all together and bought the 700. I went with the lamello zeta p2 to compliment it. Now i have the best of both worlds. [big grin]

 

[DeformedTree]

How about a different path, buy a Mafell DDF40 to go with it.  If you need something bigger than the DF500 dominos, you can go to a 12mm dowels on the DDF40, plus you have a tool for doing 32mm cabinets. There is also a DD40P which can do 16mm dowels.

 

[blues]

How about a different path, buy a Mafell DDF40 to go with it.  If you need something bigger than the DF500 dominos, you can go to a 12mm dowels on the DDF40, plus you have a tool for doing 32mm cabinets. There is also a DD40P which can do 16mm dowels.

Exactly what i did.  King of the hill is 700. I use it with the connectors. For all other smaller builds it's the very accurate ddf40. Dowels are cheap.. i also use pre glued dowels. At times i use 23 gauge pins to secure the build.  Just perfect and quick. 

 

[pettyconstruction]

I think for most the D500 is a better machine for starters since it’s less money. The D700 with the Seneca is a nice option, but I felt the heft of the tool was better for dimensional lumber, furniture, doors, gates, outdoor decks, tables, etc. [member=53591]Blues[/member] What was your opinion of the Lamello zeta? I think there process is very nice and it would be a toss up between the DD40 and the Zeta for me?

I think the two machines are very different in they’re application ,
The DD40 ,like the Domino,is a alignment tool,where as the Zeta is a clamping / alignment tool.
I really like the Zeta and want to get one,but I think the combo of the DD40 and 700 Domino is a great choice.

I currently have a 500 Domino and would like to add a Lamello Zeta to the mix.
Charlie

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Jim_in_PA]

ADDING the Domino 700XL to do the heavier work isn't a horrible thing IF you have the work for it.

For me, I only have the 700XL and have never really used the smaller sub-8mm Dominos to-date, although I have the means to do so with the Seneca adapter and Festool cutters. I use the system for heavier/bigger jobs as I rarely do cabinetry and when I do, I'm perfectly happy with screws and glue.

 

[Bertotti]

ADDING the Domino 700XL to do the heavier work isn't a horrible thing IF you have the work for it.

For me, I only have the 700XL and have never really used the smaller sub-8mm Dominos to-date, although I have the means to do so with the Seneca adapter and Festool cutters. I use the system for heavier/bigger jobs as I rarely do cabinetry and when I do, I'm perfectly happy with screws and glue.

Apologies for resurrecting this older thread. I have been waiting for a df500 but I can't help but think maybe I should just go pick up the df700 Virtually anything I do 3/4 and smaller is glued and screwed or joined with dovetails or finger joints. I am working with predominately 4/4 and 8/4 hardwoods now or some softwoods but mostly hardwoods. Cherry, Maple, Black Walnut, Bubinga, and it's all between 4/4 and 9/4 in thickness. Tables, shelves, doors, I like heavier shelves I am tired of sheet goods in my house. And I think the store's idea of double dominoes is ok I think I would rather have larger dominoes. Is my way of thinking off? I do have an origin if I want smaller holes now and then I can make a jig for the of144 if I need repeated quickness or the origin itself for one-offs. Any thoughts from you all would be appreciated. But I am inclined to step up to the DF700 and have been tossing this thought around since I decided on the DF500 but it wasn't available in the store but on order so I am waiting. They had the DF700 and it might fit my needs better. I just don't want this to be a case of just being impatient. Thanks everyone.

 

[Birdhunter]

The 700 sounds reasonable based on the work you do. Suggest buying the full assortment of tenons and cutters.

 

[Bertotti]

I have almost pulled the trigger on it a couple of times over the last week. I did like the idea of double tenons but I just can't come to terms with the smaller tenons. I am not convinced I would use them at all. I have also discovered I like working on bigger projects with larger thicker wood. Thanks again!

 

[derekcohen]

ADDING the Domino 700XL to do the heavier work isn't a horrible thing IF you have the work for it.

For me, I only have the 700XL and have never really used the smaller sub-8mm Dominos to-date, although I have the means to do so with the Seneca adapter and Festool cutters. I use the system for heavier/bigger jobs as I rarely do cabinetry and when I do, I'm perfectly happy with screws and glue.

Apologies for resurrecting this older thread. I have been waiting for a df500 but I can't help but think maybe I should just go pick up the df700 Virtually anything I do 3/4 and smaller is glued and screwed or joined with dovetails or finger joints. I am working with predominately 4/4 and 8/4 hardwoods now or some softwoods but mostly hardwoods. Cherry, Maple, Black Walnut, Bubinga, and it's all between 4/4 and 9/4 in thickness. Tables, shelves, doors, I like heavier shelves I am tired of sheet goods in my house. And I think the store's idea of double dominoes is ok I think I would rather have larger dominoes. Is my way of thinking off? I do have an origin if I want smaller holes now and then I can make a jig for the of144 if I need repeated quickness or the origin itself for one-offs. Any thoughts from you all would be appreciated. But I am inclined to step up to the DF700 and have been tossing this thought around since I decided on the DF500 but it wasn't available in the store but on order so I am waiting. They had the DF700 and it might fit my needs better. I just don't want this to be a case of just being impatient. Thanks everyone.

I have the DF500 and am not considering the DF700, possibly ever. Like you, I work with hard woods and predominantly 3/4” thicknesses. I am far more into traditional joinery than mechanical fasteners, and prefer good old mortice-and-tenons and dovetails, both cut with hand tools. As a result, should I build something as large as a door or a large table (both of which I have done and see more in the future) requiring heavy-duty joinery, I would simply use a hand-made/machined M&T joint. Hence no DF700.

Regards from Perth

Derek

 

[Bertotti]

Yes and that is my approach currently. I wonder how much more efficient I can be with the DF either of them. I want to get more efficient. Perhaps this is not the path, I predominately just edge glued panels 3/4 and under with a biscuit to help alignment but lately, the biscuits don't fit right, they all seem too narrow and they don't do any aligning at all just waste my time. Everything moving forward is 4/4 or bigger. This would only be for panels. All other techniques are large mechanical hand cut or jig cut joints. That said if the 700 can save me some time I do not have to do all hand-cut joints. I like to be able to break down the tables so I use wedges or pins I can knock out. It is a large enough cost that I need to be sure I am buying something I will use. Thanks for the help.

 

[Cheese]

Pull the pin on the DF 700 and give it a good workout for 30 days, nothing to lose there.  [smile]

I used biscuits for years but once I purchased & used the DF 500, the biscuit jointer went down the road within a couple of days. Good riddance...like your experience, the biscuits were more work than they were worth. At the time that's the best that was offered, but time has moved on.

 

[Bertotti]

The funny thing is the biscuit joiner worked great for years until I needed more biscuits. I can't find a decent biscuit anywhere and maybe the joiner is getting some slop making the hole wider. But it's gone already A novelty I hope I can share with grandkids someday, hey look at this silly thing we used to use unless I scrape it for the motor, there are always uses for a solid motor. Now I just use chisels and routers to make what I want. Will this process be faster once I figure it out? I have never used the 30 return in this case that might be the best choice. Thanks for reminding me. My local store has one and only one. I won't be able to get there until Thursday and if it is still there I will consider it a sign if not I'll pass. When I can't make up my mind I leave it to fate or the luck of the draw.

 

[Bertotti]

Thanks, everyone. I went in for it today but the DF700 sold before I got there. So they are going to put the next one that comes in on hold and I did tell them I wanted the domino systainer with it. Is the Connector systainer worth getting? I have never liked the knock-down stuff in the boxed desks and such that we get at local stores but I am guessing Festools is probably a much higher quality? But I don't know that let me know what you think if you have the time. On a bright note they did have the pl850 so I now have the planer for a project I am starting. I'll share in the projects area once it gets going. Thanks again!

 

[Jim_in_PA]

Both size of the Connector system are very worthy for anything knock down or that needs to be final assembled on-site due to size or clearances. Festool did a really good job designing both sizes for sure. That said, don't buy those things until you have an actual application for them.

 

[Bertotti]

Thanks! I'll pass on those for now any current big project is in my own home so everything I need is already here for constructing bar tops and tables.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

I did essentially the same, but not voluntarily. I had a DeWalt biscuit joiner for years, but as soon as I got the DF500 it just sat in the case totally abandoned. It was destroyed in a fire, thus the involuntary part, and I didn't see the need to replace it. The DF500 was one of the first things replaced.
If I absolutely had to cut biscuit slots, I could put the regular blade into the Lamello Zeta. I do have one, but never used it. I haven't used any of the Festool connectors because of the Zeta too.
I have seen them in use, but never done it myself.
I have thought about getting a DF700 for years, but just never pulled the trigger. Apparently I don't actually need one? I'd still like to have it though, I'm close enough to retiring that I may never do it.

 

[Lincoln]

I had the 500, but sold it to buy the 700 - it's a much better tool in every way, except weight. But, you get used to it very quickly. I have the Seneca plate and cutter adapter, so I can use the 6mm cutter for exposed domino joints on drawer boxes.
I still find biscuits to be very handy.
I use a Mafell doweller for cabinet work.

 

[Birdhunter]

I find there are two types of tool buyers. One type buys a tool when he/she has an immediate need and cannot do the job without that tool. The second type, a new tool they can imagine a need for somewhere in the future and places an immediate order. The second type cruises the woodworking shows and stores just to look and often returns with a treasure.

 

[mino]

I had the 500, but sold it to buy the 700 - it's a much better tool in every way, except weight.

...

I use a Mafell doweller for cabinet work.

The DF500 is a cabinet maker's tool.

So your choice there was not really DF500 vs. DF700 but it was DF500 versus Maffel DD40.

A completely different discussion and - for a pro - it makes a lot of sense to lean on the DD40 between the two for bulk work and add DF700 to tag along where the DD40 cannot be used.