Domino 500 compare pins to paddles?

[bmorretta]

Hello all,
I have an older Domino.  It has the pins for the alignment.  I am considering upgrading to the paddles alignment fence.

I would appreciate thoughts and opinions from those with experience using the Domino with pins and paddles. 

Is it worth the expense to upgrade from the pins to the paddles.

Thanks for the time.

Bobbie

 

[Grasshopper]

I personally wish I had the pins.  My two cents.  I am not a fan of the paddles myself.

 

[waho6o9]

My paddles are retracted for ease of use.

Keep what you have is my vote.

 

[sae]

I bet you could trade w/ someone who feels strongly the other way.

 

[Renovatedspaces]

If we were closer and yours is in good condition, I'd trade you.

 

[Ed Bray]

I had a DF500 with paddles, I hated them and locked them into the body. I now have a DF700 with pins, they are much better and I actually use them a fair bit. Saves measuring.

 

[rljatl]

I believe you could swap just the fence with someone. 

 

[bmorretta]

Folks,
Thank you for taking the time to share your experiences and perspectives.  It is appreciated. 

Given the collective feedback, I will stick with what I have.

Regards,
Bobbie

 

[Stone Message]

Good decision. The pins were great but the paddles are a retrograde step. Mine are locked back all the time.

Peter

 

[Doug S]

Festool had to change from the pins to the paddles because they got sued by Mafell for copying the pins on the Mafell duo doweller. The original domino with pins is worth a premium.

Doug

 

[sae]

Domino newb question, are the pins on the pin-model springloaded to retract into the fence?

 

[Stone Message]

Festool had to change from the pins to the paddles because they got sued by Mafell for copying the pins on the Mafell duo doweller. The original domino with pins is worth a premium.

Doug

Were those pins different from the ones on the DF 700? The DF 700 ones are quite good although I must admit that I don't use them.

Peter

 

[Grasshopper]

I didn't realize you could lock back the paddles. Just did it and don't expect to be retracting them ever again!  Thank you FOG!

 

[bmorretta]

Domino newb question, are the pins on the pin-model springloaded to retract into the fence?

Yes the two pins are spring loaded and will retract when pushed.

Bobbie

 

[bmorretta]

Festool had to change from the pins to the paddles because they got sued by Mafell for copying the pins on the Mafell duo doweller. The original domino with pins is worth a premium.

Doug

That is an interesting point I never heard.  As I was thinking about moving to the paddles I was puzzled about the "improvement".  It was not clear to me how the paddles were an improvement.  That was the reason for starting this thread to ask the question.  I was kinda wondering what I was missing...

Thanks for the insight behind the change.

Bobbie

 

[JBird]

All you guys who are retracting your paddles never to extend them again are missing one of the dominos most important features, which is the ability to accurately reference the edge of the two pieces you are joining so that at least one domino will be in perfect allignment. I can't think of a single joining operation my domino has performed where I haven't taken advantage of this feature. This is what makes glueing and assembling work contracted with dominos such a joy.

 

[Doug S]

Peter, the pins on the original domino are different to on the 700, they are just a 5mm (or 6mm) sprung rod. They are a pain sometimes because they get hooked up in mortises you have just cut if you slide it over them. You can lock them in by pushing them with your finger and giving them a quarter turn I think but never do this.

Doug

 

[Grasshopper]

I prefer to layout my mortises individually. I've never used the paddles to reference an edge because I mark the mortise locations with a pencil line and my square.

It always bothered me how the paddles would get in the way as I plunge into the workpiece, so I won't be looking back after locking down my paddles.  This has been especially annoying to me with smaller stock.

My two cents.

All you guys who are retracting your paddles never to extend them again are missing one of the dominos most important features, which is the ability to accurately reference the edge of the two pieces you are joining so that at least one domino will be in perfect allignment. I can't think of a single joining operation my domino has performed where I haven't taken advantage of this feature. This is what makes glueing and assembling work contracted with dominos such a joy.

 

[peter halle]

Whenever the discussion of pins versus paddles comes up there is mention of a patent issue with the old pins.  When I inquired about this years ago I was assured that was not the case.  The engineers had heard many comments from users saying that they were not using the pins  and that there were complaints with the pins pulling the domino out of position if the pin hit an existing mortise at just the wrong location (edge.)  Thus the paddles that can be locked out of the way.

I am only passing on what I was told directly by someone at Festool.

Peter

 

[Bohdan]

The pins can be adjusted to have zero error in the left to right setting but the paddles only have one fixed adjustment (the alternative paddles that they supply with the domino) and you have to settle for a slight error which can only be fixed by filing or sanding the paddle.

Not really a Festool quality adjustment!!!