Domino DF500

JCLP

Member
Joined
Oct 27, 2013
Messages
955
Just picked up my new Domino DF500. What a machine. Using it for doing casework for a 16' long bookcase and cabinets for a client's library. All I can say is WOW. Very precise and time saving.
 
Did you buy accessory case with it?  I am looking at making that my next purchase and just wondering what accessories are necessary.
 
Great tool and even better with the Domiplate. I use my Domino with plywood and the Domiplate eliminates positioning error resulting from the fence creeping. Watch the Halfinchshy videos on YouTube. They really enhanced my understanding of the Domino.

A neat trick from Halfinchshy is to use the exact width cut on one piece and the wider width cut on the other piece. This allows for adjustment on the glue-up. He also does a good job explaining calibration.

I still use my biscuit cutters, but not often.

I don't use any of the accessories that came in the kit, but having a wide selection of tenons and cutters is great.
 
+1 on Paul Marcel's Domino videos, especially the piece on calibrating the Domino 500. Mine needed calibration, out of the box. Enjoy it. It certainly makes things easier and faster. 
 
I bought the Domino with the extra accessories and with the Domino kit with extra cutters.  I would also recommend the 4mm domino cutter which comes in real handy doing smaller work like drawer blades, etc.

After you find out how incredible useful the Domino 500 is you might do like me and buy the XL700 as well, I've never regretted having both machines.  These two machines totally replaced my horizontal mortising attachment that was sold off with my first table saw.

Jack
 
The Domino is one of the finest tools I ever bought.

Got the original pin version, the 4mm accessories, the Domiplate, and a few other accessories.

Gave my Freud biscuit joiner to my son.

;)
 
Cochese said:
After digging out my HF plate joiner today and realizing what an absolute waste of ex-dinosaur and metal it is, I yearn for the Domino that much more. I'm trying to hold out until the 19th of next month.

What happens on the 19th of next month?
 
barnowl said:
The Domino is one of the finest tools I ever bought.

Got the original pin version, the 4mm accessories, the Domiplate, and a few other accessories.

Gave my Freud biscuit joiner to my son.

;)

I have the "paddle" version which means you cannot (I think) use them to index from the mortises when using 4mm bit. Is it possible to change from paddles to pins?
 
barnowl said:
The Domino is one of the finest tools I ever bought.

Got the original pin version, the 4mm accessories, the Domiplate, and a few other accessories.

Gave my Freud biscuit joiner to my son.

;)

I agree, my son got my Lamello Top 10 and he was happy to have it but, he's going to have to wait a number of years before he inherits my Domino!

Jack
 
Charlie Hill said:
barnowl said:
The Domino is one of the finest tools I ever bought.

Got the original pin version, the 4mm accessories, the Domiplate, and a few other accessories.

Gave my Freud biscuit joiner to my son.

;)

I have the "paddle" version which means you cannot (I think) use them to index from the mortises when using 4mm bit. Is it possible to change from paddles to pins?

A number of folks on here might have purchased the paddle head as an upgrade to the original design.  You might want to create a new post to see if any member wants to sell the pin head.  I have the pin design and the paddle design on my XL700.  I like both designs and have found ways to use both.

Jack

Jack
 
I have not used one biscuit since I bought my Domino. I like it for joining face frames and many other things. I don't use anything but Dominoes to assemble cases and trim and I just made a mistake on a measurement on one and was able to cut it down and put it back together without worrying about cutting through any fasteners. It saved the project. 
 
CoStruct said:
Did you buy accessory case with it?  I am looking at making that my next purchase and just wondering what accessories are necessary.

Would appreciate any more answers to this too, please? All the accessories and add-ons add £££s (or $$$s if you're the other side of the river) so would like to know what people find really useful? Domiplate looks good, what about the Trim Stop? Cross Stop or anything else?
 
ali said:
CoStruct said:
Did you buy accessory case with it?  I am looking at making that my next purchase and just wondering what accessories are necessary.

Would appreciate any more answers to this too, please? All the accessories and add-ons add £££s (or $$$s if you're the other side of the river) so would like to know what people find really useful? Domiplate looks good, what about the Trim Stop? Cross Stop or anything else?

I purchased all of the accessories and when you buy them in kit form they are fairly priced.  However, I mostly don't use them and rely on the pins or paddles and mostly thin pencil marks.

If your short on funds buy the domino assortment that includes extra cutters.  You'll have to rely on others as far as the trim stop and cross stop, I have them but never use them.  I also have the Domiplate but since I don't do a lot of sheet goods, I don't use it very much.

Jack
 
I am letting my credit card cool off from the holidays, but the Domino is next on my list of Festool purchases.  I have a POS Harbor Freight biscuit joiner I bought years ago, and it gathered dust until recently.

I used it to cut slots in the top frame of my homemade "MFT-XL" workbench. I used "Z-clips" to anchor the MDF top to the frame, so I did not have to use any screws thru the top for securing it. Seems like I finally found a use (albeit limited) for this tool.

 
Okay reading this post I have realized that I have no idea where my biscuit jointer is.  I have not seen it in quite a long time.  I'm going home tonight to look for it and list it on EBAY.
 
Back
Top