Domino 500 or XL?? First Festool DIY purchase...

[OXCanada]

So this is my first post to the group and I am in need of serious help!  I am about to start a couple of projects and want to purchase my first Festool, the domino. I'm sure it will be a slippery slope from here and my debit card will feel the pain but the tools look fantastic.

The debate, which domino to get? From what I have read it depends on what projects you do. For me I am going to build a bed, a large mirror and a seating bench this fall. I struggle with a decision because 90% of my builds would use the larger dominos on the 500 or the smaller dominos on the XL. Would the 500 work for these types of projects or should I drop a little more and make the leap to the XL?  I also want to build a kitchen table at some point as well...

I would prefer the 500 based off of price and weight but I like to buy the right tool and keep it for life. I don't think I can go wrong but it's all about the best investment.

Thanks for the help!

 

[Kev]

[welcome]

I think those projects tend to put you in XL country!

I've ended up with both and I've also got the Seneca cutter adaptor - so I'm probably not the best to give advice!

If you were making things like cupboards, drawers, picture frames, etc ... 500 is your choice.

Don't forget you'll need a DC.

Kev

 

[Wooden Skye]

I have the 500, but if I was to do it over, I would get the XL and the Seneca adapters. 

 

[adugas]

[welcome]

I was faced with the problem a year ago as I had to build a few large outside benches and tables. Then I question myself if what am i going to be building with it after? The more I thought about it I finally come to the conclusion to get the 500. I based my decision on my small shop and I would be probably making smaller tables and chairs and stuff and if the odd larger project come up I could just use double up the domino at the joint.
In the end and now year later I'm glad I end up with the 500 as I've been helping friends build small garage storage areas in their new homes for them.
That what work for me [thumbs up]  [2cents] 

cheers

 

[stvrowe]

I agree with Kev.  I also have both but no Seneca adapter as I don't have the need.  For the projects you describe, if I had to settle for only one, it would be the XL.  Regardless, you have 30 days to decide so if you feel you made the wrong choice, it could always be corrected.

 

[Birdhunter]

I bought the 500 several years ago but I had to overcome my resistance to the price. Now, I wonder how I did without it.

Recently, I had to build 8 Ipe benches. The 700 was perfect. It had the power to cut mortises in one of the hardest woods in the world.... even end grain. The 700 is a well balanced machine with excellent ergonomics.

My projects tend to be mostly medium to small size with a few large ones. Accordingly, I use the 500 more than the 700.

If I had to own only one Domino, it would be the 700. I can figure out a way to make the 700 work on medium size stuff and, maybe, even small stuff. I can't make the 500 do the really big stuff.

 

[PreferrablyWood]

[welcome]

I was faced with the problem a year ago as I had to build a few large outside benches and tables. Then I question myself if what am i going to be building with it after? The more I thought about it I finally come to the conclusion to get the 500. I based my decision on my small shop and I would be probably making smaller tables and chairs and stuff and if the odd larger project come up I could just use double up the domino at the joint.
In the end and now year later I'm glad I end up with the 500 as I've been helping friends build small garage storage areas in their new homes for them.
That what work for me [thumbs up]  [2cents] 

cheers

Seems like a fairly good strategy, Edmontonian is right on the mark on this one..

 

[itchy]

Based on the larger projects you describe the Domino XL would be your best bet. I build smaller projects so I have the Domino 500, if I were to do larger builds I would just add more dominos with my 500. I will agree with a previous post prior to my Domino 500 purchase I had difficulty with the price but now I have it I don't know how I live without it. I have complete confidence in the strength of the domino joints.

 

[altiplano]

I recently bought the 500. I tried to talk myself into the 700, but it seemed it would do most of what I needed and wanted to save time on.

The occasional large project can still be done with loose tenon joinery using a router if you are so inclined... I recently built a platform bed with big loose tenons, bigger than xl tenons and it only took a little extra time to lay out my mortise cuts with the router and making the tenon stock is easy and fast.

I'm not a pro so time isn't money for me and for occasional larger jobs there are other solutions, I was worried I would miss out not getting the XL, but no regrets.

If you like the 500 get the 500, save the cash, save on the adaptors, extra cutters, etc. and know you can still build everything you want.

 

[Birdhunter]

If you buy the 500, I suggest you buy the Senaca Domiplate. If the 700, the Domishim. These aftermarket accessories greatly improve use of the Dominos on 3/4" and 1/2" joints.

I bought several other Domino after market accessories and they don't get out of the drawer.

 

[roblg3]

If you can float it for less than 30 days, buy both and try em out!  Return the one you don't like [big grin]

 

[Carl Prentiss]

Obvious mortise size aside, if most of my work were to be in the overlap zone, I much prefer the fence on the XL.

 

[OXCanada]

Thanks for the help! I think I will end up with the 700 and get the accessories.

Can't wait to turn out some projects!

 

[shed9]

Thanks for the help! I think I will end up with the 700 and get the accessories.

Can't wait to turn out some projects!

Good choice.

As pointed out up there by Kev, don't forget dust extraction - this is quite key with a Domino. Doesn't have to be a Festool vac but who are we kidding, it's only a matter of time if you haven't already got one.