Domino assortment

[sherbin18]

Hello all-

I am planning to buy a Domino in the next week. I was wondering if it is really cost effective to buy the systainer'ed assortment or if I would be better off getting a few of the dominos that I think I would need, study my usage and then just buy the sizes I use the most (and have just a small assortment of the others).

Assuming of course that my smaller assortment would fit in the Domino case.

Any advice would be appreciated.

--Steve.

 

[Brice Burrell]

Steve, that's a good question. I bet you're going to get mixed replies here. If you aren't going to travel with your Domino you don't need a Systainer to store the tenons in the shop. If the type of projects you do most often will only require one or two sizes of tenons why spend the extra money. If you have a good local dealer so you can pick up cutters and tenons as needed it makes sense to hold off buying the tenon Systainer.

 

[Wood_Junkie]

I had picked up a stacking storage thing from Target back around Halloween, for about $11.  It has three medium sized trays, and a lid, and they all stack and latch together.  Kind of a ghetto Systainer setup.  But the footprint is about 6" x 10", and about 6" high.

The trays were the perfect size/volume for a full pack of Dominos (up to the 8mm size).  I used that for a few weeks, and thought it was great.

But, then the green fever took hold of me, and all things must be grey and green  [wink]  , but having already purchased some of the bits, and already having several bags of Dominos I didn't want to buy the full $260 package.  Also, I didn't feel a Sys2 was necessary for holding tenons (I don't have every size), and the bits can store in the Domino tray.

Soooo... short story long, I made a 1/4" ply insert, like the one that comes in the Domino case, but put it inside a Systainer 1. Good perfect size for my needs and storage setup.

Now, with all that said, there are some new and unopened Domino assortments that have been listed recently on Ebay and other online classified places.  They seem to be going for about $200.  If I had known about them prior to doing the tap-dance above, I would've picked up one in a second.  For $260, the value is *barely* there, assuming you will use all sizes at some point.  For $200, the value is definitely there, as it equals the cost of the cutters and Systainer alone... So at that price, the tenons are basically free.

Addressing your pseudo-question about fitting a small assortment of Domino into the main Domino case... fuggedabout it.  I can't believe how much volume a bag of tenons takes up (I'm talking about the "small" bags, for $15.50).  IIRC it's about the same volume as a small cantaloupe melon...  You *might* be able to get one bag of 5mm in there, but no chance for two, or the 8mm/10mm.

 

[ForumMFG]

I would just buy the complete set.  Think about it, if you buy everything at once you save.  If you don't buy it and then find yourself needing a different size bit, then you have to buy each one individually and then pay more for it as you buy each one.  Now, if you don't plan to use different bits, then I think your right.  Why buy the whole kit.   I've had the domino for 6 months now and i've had the opportunity to actually use it for only 3 months becuase my shop is down since I moved and I've used all the different bits already.  With that said, it was on just 1 or 2 different projects and 1 was my cabinet makers bench which required 2 or 3 different sizes.

 

[sherbin18]

Thanks for the input.

A few months ago, I bought a fishing tackle box with an upper compartment and lots of closed "trays."

I think I will piece together the assortment as needed. My dealer is very close and has everything (except the full systainered version) in stock.

-- Steve

 

[fshanno]

We've all had the same debate as you but I bet very few who bought the kit regret it.  I use every bit size and I've emptied even the 6mm bin once and it's getting low again.  All the others have been emptied and refilled several times.  You are already buying a hand tool that's priced like a stationary floor tool.  You can get a decent table saw for the price of the Domino.  If you're going to be a bear, be a grizzly. 

 

[PaulMarcel]

I bought the tenon set a year and a half ago.  I have no regrets, for sure, since 2 months ago I had to refill every size (well, no refill on the 5's yet as the assortment already had 2 bags and I don't do enough panels).  In my case, the Woodcraft is far enough away that I don't like going there without a list and a need.  Also, the guy is horrible at stocking consumables...

I like the idea of putting it in a SYS1, although I'd have to dump the bags into their respective pigeonhole.  As it is, I leave them in the bag in the pigeonhole since I like to put the bag on the bench while working.

 

[Neill]

Steve,

We all work differently.  If you are the type who plans your projects ahead of time and then goes out and buys what you need when you need it (no matter what the wait time for on-line and out-of-stock items) then I would suggest you do just that.

On the other hand, if you like having all your materials and supplies available at the spur of the moment or if you don't know what you need until you need it and don't like waiting to complete a project, than I would suggest you buy the kit.

Personally, I bought the kit at the time I bought my Domino.  I have not regretted it even though as a hobbyist I have not come close to using up all the dominoes or using all the bits.  I feel good knowing they are there when I do need them.

I know that the kit can be cost effective but the convenience was important to me.

Neill

 

[Wim]

I bought the tenon box and the full set of cutters together with the Domino. I don't use it as much as the average user on the forum I guess. But I love the concept. I have used all sizes but the 8 mm. If you have wood with a lot of different thicknesses, you may need the full range of Dominos. Otherwise it is better to buy what you need when you need it.

 

[MartinW]

I'd agree with most of the posters here and get the set.  If you don't have the right size domino at hand then you're going to be tempted make do with a smaller size.  Even in your supplier is only a 10 minute drive away it's still going to be an hour before you get back to your project.

Martin.

 

[Peter Hamilton-Scott]

My wife told me that when she got my Domino they added the domino assortment Systainer for a much reduced price. Perhaps that's because she ordered such a lot of stuff from them? I think the UK price was about ?130 at the time but she got it for about ?30+. It's definitely worth having. Plus, you you have lots to choose from if you want to experiment with new techniques and joins.

 

[peter halle]

I find that having the assortment on hand allows for design flexibility and the use of a properly sized domino versus designing around what you have on hand.  Sure some sizes get used more often than others, but unless you always do the same work, the others will get used eventually.  I have added the small SIPO assortment just in case as well as outfitting for the 4 mm sizes.  All these in combination with the accessories allows me the use the domino more often than before because they are all there in a compact setup just ready for my urge.

Peter

 

[Neill]

Steve,

As noted by Tom at Tool-Home, he now has the new Domino assortment which includes the 4mm dominoes and cutter for $270.

Nice...

Neill