Domino first use and now I am thinking

[Wooden Skye]

This weekend I took the European Cabinet class at Woodcraft in Allentown, PA.  First it was a great class and I decided to take the class because all the tools used would be Festool.  I walked away confirming that I plan to buy the MFT/3 and the clamping elements.  I was also impressed with the Domino and prefer it over my biscuit joiner.  After using there is no comparison.  I also use beadLock for loose tenons, and I like it, but there are limitations.  One nice thing is I can make my own tenon stock on the router table.  I am starting to design new cabinets for our kitchen which is why i am looking at the domino.  I am looking at the DF500 set ($875) which includes the trim stop and cross stop. With all that said, I do have some questions for the group. 

1) do most of you buy the domino assortment?
2) Is it worth it because of the extra domino cutters included?
3) or is it better to buy the empty systainer and buy the dominos I will use most?  I mostly use 3/4 stock or plywood. 
4) does Festool have a way to make your own dominos like I can do with the beadLock?  I doubt since they are in business to make money?
5) has anyone tried making there own?
6) for $50 I figure the trim and cross stops are worth it, am I correct in this thinking?
7) what other accessories should I consider?

I know this is a bit of a long post, but I have gotten some good advise prior to getting my TS55, which I really like so far.

Thanks
Bryan

 

[truck90278]

First off  [welcome] to the FOG.  Now your going to go down the path of no return, it is a very slippery green slope. 

I bought the domino assortment and would recommend to do that - for the cutters it is worth it alone, plus you have the full assortment available. Also suggest buying the DF 500 set. You may not use the accessories a lot, but they are there when yoy need them

Other items needed - extra clamps

You will also need a dust collector with the Domino - makes a lot of chips - Festool states dust extraction is required for the Domino.  I suggest either a midi or the CT26.  Frequently there are package deals that you can save a few bucks

With the MFT/3, you'll probably be picking up the TS55 before you know it,  Suggest to get a 55" rail (or larger) with the holes, so in the future when you decide you would like the LR32 system, you have the rail, it is only a few $ more than the standard rail.  The extra rails will be needed when breaking down sheet goods - easier to take the say to the material than the material to a table saw.

I would also suggest if possitble to take one of the Festool classes - they are available in Indiana and Las Vegas.  I would suggest the "Introduction to Festool class".  You get a full hands-on class for 2 days and typically the class is 6 or 8 people and the instructors are great.

I started with only the MFT3 and the TS55, Once you use these tools, it is hard to not seek MORE of them

 

[MarkF]

1) do most of you buy the domino assortment?
2) Is it worth it because of the extra domino cutters included?
3) or is it better to buy the empty systainer and buy the dominos I will use most?  I mostly use 3/4 stock or plywood.  
4) does Festool have a way to make your own dominos like I can do with the beadLock?  I doubt since they are in business to make money?
5) has anyone tried making there own?
6) for $50 I figure the trim and cross stops are worth it, am I correct in this thinking?
7) what other accessories should I consider?

1) I did.
2) Yes
3) Get a bag of the sizes you plan to use and keep them in a dry location.  They swell slightly when kept in a humid environment and can make insertion difficult.
4) No
5) I have better things to do with my time.  Woodcraft has "Tuffer Tenons" on clearance if you need to save money.
6) The trim attachment is good to have.  The cross stop has not been used very much.
7) A small dead blow hammer, a large dead blow hammer, supplemental operator manuals from Jerry Work and Rick Christopherson, lots of scrap for practicing plunge  technique and developing a system for laying out the mortises, a flush cut saw for dealing with mistakes.

 

[PaulMarcel]

This weekend I took the European Cabinet class at Woodcraft in Allentown, PA.  First it was a great class and I decided to take the class because all the tools used would be Festool.  I walked away confirming that I plan to buy the MFT/3 and the clamping elements.  I was also impressed with the Domino and prefer it over my biscuit joiner.  After using there is no comparison.  I also use beadLock for loose tenons, and I like it, but there are limitations.  One nice thing is I can make my own tenon stock on the router table.  I am starting to design new cabinets for our kitchen which is why i am looking at the domino.  I am looking at the DF500 set ($875) which includes the trim stop and cross stop. With all that said, I do have some questions for the group. 

1) do most of you buy the domino assortment?
2) Is it worth it because of the extra domino cutters included?
3) or is it better to buy the empty systainer and buy the dominos I will use most?  I mostly use 3/4 stock or plywood. 
4) does Festool have a way to make your own dominos like I can do with the beadLock?  I doubt since they are in business to make money?
5) has anyone tried making there own?
6) for $50 I figure the trim and cross stops are worth it, am I correct in this thinking?
7) what other accessories should I consider?

I know this is a bit of a long post, but I have gotten some good advise prior to getting my TS55, which I really like so far.

Thanks
Bryan

Welcome to the FOG!

1) I bought the assortment and always recommend people do the same unless you have some very specific use for the Domino.  You'll use them all in different situations.  I've refilled mine twice (except the 5mm... got a lot of those).

2) Yes, you save on the cutters and Dominos and you have a handy partitioned storage box to boot.

3) For 3/4 stock or plywood, you'll use 6mm and 8mm Dominos.  You'll definitely find use for the 5mm Dominos as alignment guides and keys.  That leaves a bag of 10mm Dominos with no predetermined use; cuz they are big you don't get as many in the assortment and I'm pretty sure a couple leg/apron joints later, you'll have put a dent in that bag, too.

4) No.

5) Yes, and I do for many different situations, usually when making larger Dominos utilizing the wider mortising settings and/or deeper depth settings needing longer Dominos.  Or when needing to patch a Domino I burned through; d'oh!  Never make the standard sizes; I buy those.

6) When you get them in the kit, they cost $50 for both (well, when I got my kit).  Separately, they are $50 each.  If you do face frames much, the trim stops can be useful.  The cross stops are useful for laying out an evenly spaced set of mortises, which is handy for panel glue-ups.  If either sounds useful, get the kit since the other, then, comes free.

7) A pin-style fence   Since you said you'll be working mostly with 3/4 stock, you might consider RonWen's Domiplate; many people who make cabinets of standard 3/4" stock love it.

Have fun with it!

 

[Wooden Skye]

Thanks to everyone for the responses. 

Paul, I really enjoy your videos.  Your video on the MFT and then the use at the class I took sealed the deal for me on that.  I am planning on purchasing this weekend.  I will definetly add the domiplate to my list.

 

[semenza]

The Domino really changes the game on assembly doesn't it Bryan?

One thing to note on the double plunge idea besides what has been mentioned (unless I missed it) is that it can cause accuracy / alignment problems if it is not exactly in the same location and angle.  I have done it with succes (but with the vac on also). I generally  avoid it unless I actually want the mortise a tiny bit loose on something where it doesn't matter.

Seth

 

[Jesse Cloud]

Good advice above.  Here's a couple more things....

At least for me, its darned near impossible to predict what sizes of dominoes I will need, so I'm glad I got the assortment.  Over the years, I have used some of every size.

Download Rick Christopherson's supplemental manual - lots of good tips.

#7, per the above get a short piece of 1/2 inch pvc pipe, scrap is fine if you have some.  Rick shows how to make a custom depth stop, so you can cut mortises in between the depth settings on the domino - very useful for tight spot joinery.

 

[fdengel]

It is possible to make your own Domino tenons:

http://www.talkfestool.com/vb/festool-tools/2461-domino-frustration-suggestions-please.html

http://www.woodworkforums.com/archive/index.php/t-105470.html

http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tools-accessories/type-of-wood-for-domino-tenons/