domino 700 and sheet goods

[apro_arch]

I got a Domino XL for a really great price and I'm wondering how many folks use this with 3/4" sheet goods for building cabinets, bookshelves etc.

 

[Birdhunter]

The smallest 700 cutter is 8mm and 3/4" plywood is 19mm.  This leaves a tad over 5mm either side of the mortise. This can work if you are very careful glueing in the tenon. If you use too much glue and force the tenon in, you can blow out the plywood. Seneca offers adapters for the 700 to use smaller cutters. I have not used the adapter and cannot speak to its use. There have been posts citing warranty risks using the adapter. I cannot speak to that issue.

The best solution is to buy the 500 as a companion to your 700. 

 

[Getmaverick]

I do all the time, along with pocket screws. Its great for when you need the face frame to align with the side panel, or for fixed shelving that you don't want pocket screws exposed. I have also used it to extend panels for larger built-ins that needed to be more than 8'. If I worked with smaller materials less than 3/4" I would invest in the 500.

 

[Svar]

Seneca offers adapters for the 700 to use smaller cutters.

In addition Seneca offers customized 6 mm and 1/4" cutters for DF700 (no need for adapter). They aren't cheap though.https://www.senecawoodworking.com/products/6mm-cutter-for-domino-xl

 

[Birdhunter]

I looked at the Seneca site blurb on the 6 mm cutter. I think it said they grind down a larger cutter.  It sure how that works

 

[Rudymejia12]

I bought the domino 700 with the seneca small mortise kit. I was able to use it on 3/4 and 1/2 with no issues. I thought taking on and off the seneca adapter was a pain so i bought the domino 500. I actually like the 700 more then the 500. I thought the lighter tool would be better but the 500 isn't much lighter. I do like using the 500 for shelf and centering in panel dominos.

 

[Stone Message]

I agree with [member=15289]Birdhunter[/member] - the best solution is to buy the DF500.

I think that I am right in saying that the rotational speed of the DF700 is lower than the DF500 and so using any adapter will mean a reduced speed on the circumference of the cutter. I assume that this may lead to poor quality cuts or greater strain on the cutter.

Peter

 

[Birdhunter]

Another advantage of owning both machines is that you are not limited in the thickness of material you can use. There is some overlap between the 500 and 700, but not much. I use the 500 about 90% of the time. But, building bed frames or benches highlights the advantages of the 700 and big tenons.

If you do buy the 500, strongly suggest you buy the assortment kit with all the cutters and tenons. I keep a spare #4 and #5 cutter as these are the most likely to break.

 

[Poindexter]

Another advantage of owning both machines is that you are not limited in the thickness of material you can use.

This.  The 700's shallowest plunge is to 15mm, and there are plenty of times you'll want a shallower plunge.

EDIT:  I should say "there are plenty of times I've wanted a shallower plunge."

 

[Crox G]

I have the XL 700 and Seneca's shaft adaptor for use with the 500's cutters.  I use them often with no trouble at all. I take my time in plunging, and the mortises are usually perfect.  I have never wished for the 500.  I don't have the full-length 6mm cutter.

Seneca also makes the plates for centering mortises in 3/4" and 1/2" stock.  They are very useful, enabling the use of the Domino's fixed offset settings.

 

[Gregor]

Another advantage of owning both machines is that you are not limited in the thickness of material you can use.

This.  The 700's shallowest plunge is to 15mm, and there are plenty of times you'll want a shallower plunge.

EDIT:  I should say "there are plenty of times I've wanted a shallower plunge."

You can always put a sacrificial spacer in the way, strip of plywood with the thickness the amount you want to reduce the plunge depth by, just clamp it on like you would a solid wood edgebanding for glueup (but not overhanging to be trimmed later, you want it flush or a tiny bit below the reference surface to not get in the way)...

 

[Poindexter]

You can always put a sacrificial spacer in the way, strip of plywood with the thickness the amount you want to reduce the plunge depth by, just clamp it on like you would a solid wood edgebanding for glueup (but not overhanging to be trimmed later, you want it flush or a tiny bit below the reference surface to not get in the way)...

Duh me  [doh]

Thanks!

 

[grobkuschelig]

You might also want to check out the "spacer" solutions available to clip onto the Domino plunge-rods.
This was suggested on FOG, can't remember the make at the moment.

I only have a DF500, so I can't say what you will need for the XL, but they are basically small plastic C-shaped rings that clip onto the plunge-rods and limit plunge depth like a depth stop.
Works a treat with my 500! And very repeatable without any "sacrificial waste generation" [emoji41]

 

[grobkuschelig]

There it is:

Traxxas spring clips!

Please check, if these would be fitting for the DF700 as well.
If you search the forum you might find a couple of threads about them, where this might be clarified.

Sorry for not being more helpful. [emoji51][emoji56]

 

[Cheese]

There it is:
Traxxas 3769 spring clips!

Thanks for that, I've been looking for these for awhile  [big grin]  and they're in metric thicknesses for easy math... [cool]