Domino joiner which one?

[rumble-chicken]

Adding another opinion,  I bought the XL 700 along with all the Seneca adapters and find that it is too cumbersome and heavy for alot of the tasks that I do.  As soon as I am able to I will likely add the 500 as ~90.00% of the work I do would be covered with this device.

The XL 700 was great for a bed project I worked on, but like other people have said it really depends on what you plan to do with it.  The adapters are a good workaround, but I prefer having the right tool for the job. (when i can afford it)

 

[#Tee]

the on off switch on the 500 is crap. alot of times its hard to switch on and i end up moving away from my reference mark. being its the smaller counterpart it weighs less which causes it to move more and less stable during plunges. i went to the 700 with the seneca adapter and never looked back...yes its heavier and the on switch is a dream and its super stable all of that alone is enough to switch..unless you like being limited to smaller jobs.

 

[Holmz]

I wonder if the OP is even reading the responses.

+1

 

[grbmds]

I suggest the DOMINO XL.. does everything the 500 can do (with Seneca attachments) AND allows for much bigger joinery.  The 500 can't do both where the XL can.  Simple choice for me.

I heard somewhere in the web a few weeks ago, saying that attachment causing damage to the XL and void the warranty ...

Good lord, I have one that never been used and now really really hesitate to try ...

I'm sure there are many who will disagree with me, but the 500 and 700 are not designed with the same work in mind and are two very different tools. Can you use the 700 with the Seneca adapter. I'm sure you can and Seneca makes high quality stuff. I do not believe Festool endorses the Seneca adapter and, therefore, may not necessarily cover damage done which they feel can be attributed to use of the adapter with the 700. Will they do that? Probably not, especially if the user doesn't identify that the tool has been used with the adapter.

I have always believed in using the right tool for the job. I've tried square mortise chisel sets to cut mortises on my drill press. I have used cheaper combo hammer/regular drills for trying to drill in concrete. I even started out in woodworking believing that I could use a radial arm saw for all kinds of saw cuts and in place of a table saw (lucky I still have all my fingers and am alive). I have always found out that, when you have a job to do, find the right tool and use it. For smaller scale projects the 700 is just too big. For the larger projects, the 500 is too small. Just my opinion and I'm sure others will encourage you to get the 700 with the adapter because, based on their experience or information, that's the best option for them. Search on the FOG and you'll find the same discussion many times. There is no resolution except that your needs should govern which tool you buy.

 

[curiousdork]

I'd evaluate your needs.  I purchased the 500 after much consideration.  I don't regularly work with large panels and if I do it's usually 4/4 stock.  The 500 can go as small as 4mm which is great for smaller boxes.  If I need to build a bigger table then I'd do a double tenon.

 

[Tyler Ernsberger]

The op still hasn't post back to say the thickness of the materials he is using.  Knowing the thickness of material will help determine which machine will work best for him.

[member=64291]Tombstonetommy[/member]

 

[ChuckM]

http://festoolownersgroup.com/festo...allel-to-fence/msg505866/?topicseen#msg505866

Gregor's response given in the above thread explains why using the DF700 with an adapter cutter for small jobs doesn't sound as simple as it appears. The DF500 is designed with the balance and weight in mind for smaller jobs that DF700 is not designed for.

I bought the DF500 before the DF700 was released, but if I had to make a decision today, I would still pick the DF500 as I don't plan to make doors, etc., projects that even double or triple dominoes can't do. For the next two years of projects I have in mind (cabinets, bench seating, shelves and chairs), none of them will need a DF700 to build.

Chuck

 

[Gregor]

http://festoolownersgroup.com/festo...allel-to-fence/msg505866/?topicseen#msg505866

Gregor's response given in the above thread explains why using the DF700 with an adapter cutter for small jobs doesn't sound as simple as it appears. The DF500 is designed with the balance and weight in mind for smaller jobs that DF700 is not designed for.

The 700 is bigger, this has up- and downsides. The ability to make big mortices (among others for the new connectors) is something that won't ever be possible with the 500. As it's heavier it feels a bit easier to reference and stay in place (higher inertia as of the weight), but that might be me. What I like is that the fence scale is absolute and not as 'middle of what you selected), but that might also be me.

I have the seneca adapter, the 700 works ok with the smaller cutters as long as your workpiece is big enough (or you clamp together several ones to form the needed reference surface). I like how the machine holds itself in place, it seems to be more balanced than the 500 I tried before getting the 700 - as long as you have your workpiece clamped in a way to hold the machine as intended (horizontal or < ~30° tilted downwards at the front, YMMV in what's comfortable for you) it's for me a no-brainer to operate it precisely by just aligning the mark on the workpiece with the cursor on the fence (or I use pins) hold plunge and be done. The smaller cutters make a little rougher holes, this might come from the 700 running a bit slower (as the bigger the bit the higher the angular velocity of the actual cutting edges on it), but as they vanish in the joint anyway I live with it without further thoughts.

The 500 might be better in case you plan to exclusively use the

 

[SS Teach]

Welcome to FOG. You will find a great deal of great information on this site. But you will also find a great deal of conflicting opinion concerning sanders, saws, routers, and Dominos. Each opinion is based on user experience with the tools, cost factors, and projects in need of a particular tool. I based my decision to go with the 500 on the following factors; two cabinet projects my wife assigned when I mentioned the Domino, cost of the 500 and Domino sustainer versus the 700 and systainer,  the adapter and Dominos for the 500 adapter. Since the LR 32 was also needed for the projects money was becoming a factor. Dominos aren't inexpensive. You can find less expensive sanders, saws, or routers, but only Festool makes the Domino. Lastly I have no desire to make doors or other large projects. So read the reviews, watch YouTube videos, consider what future projects will be, what your budget is and make the best decision you can. If you don't like your choice you have 30 days to return it for the other. Best of luck.

 

[Matt Worner]

I, unfortunately for the bankers who'd love to keep my money, am one of those "What colours does it come in?  I'll take one of each." kind of guys.  I got the 500 when it came out and grabbed the 700 when IT came out as I ran across some BIG jobs that the 500 just was not adequate for.  Naturally, being as it's your dough and not mine, I'd say get both, but only when you run into (a) project(s) that you need them for.  If nothing else finding a project that you need a domino for will probably have you making something that will make the Mommy happy enough to have not to cavil at the cost. 

 

[Vondawg]

I'm with Holmz and Paul g.....I think some of these questions get posted and then OP  IS gone....not to be a jerk but the FOG has a great deep source of info in the "search " and there is countless YouTube vids too...I know....but people like to type on and on

Edit...sorry I guess we're here to help and promote the tool line. Apologies.

 

[Paul G]

Edit...sorry I guess we're here to help...

Personally I find it hard to help without having any idea what the OP wants to build.

 

[semenza]

I am in the market for a domino joiner but which one do I go for
Any advise would be welcome

[member=64291]Tombstonetommy[/member] 

    Hi,

  Welcome to the forum!  [smile]

    Lots of good input above.

    What type of things do you plan to build?

Seth

 

[Tombstonetommy]

Mostly shaker style doors
More smaller gauge gear that's not saying I won't build stuff out of 4 x 2 say a few internal doors etc

 

[Sazerac819]

Go big or go home!  [big grin]  XL 700 for the win as it can do all. 

Then again, it is a heavy and unwieldy beast compared to the 500.  I suppose if you are doing production and you can't take breaks, then the 500 if all you are doing is smaller projects.  If you are hobbyist and can take a break, then get the XL700. 

As others have said, if you have the dough, get them both. 

I have the 700 at this point as I am putting together large projects, but I definitely see the benefit of a lighter unit on smaller projects. 

Cheers,
John

 

[Paul G]

Mostly shaker style doors
More smaller gauge gear that's not saying I won't build stuff out of 4 x 2 say a few internal doors etc

That describes how I got started with Domino, I first got the 500 and now just got the XL. If starting today I would be tempted to begin with the XL and use the Seneca adapter. But if budgets allow figure on getting both tools.

 

[Vondawg]

Mostly shaker style doors
More smaller gauge gear that's not saying I won't build stuff out of 4 x 2 say a few internal doors etc

That describes how I got started with Domino, I first got the 500 and now just got the XL. If starting today I would be tempted to begin with the XL and use the Seneca adapter. But if budgets allow figure on getting both tools.

ditto! I use the XL with the smaller bits [offered/Seneca] when needed and seems once you get used to its size its no problem...when you need big [doors/gates you got it !

 

[DrD]

[member=41086]Vondawg[/member] ...sorry I guess we're here to help and promote the tool line. Apologies.

This is a great point!  Maybe we should start another thread - Why Are We Here?

I joined to learn, and that changed all too quickly into taking umbrage at other's comments which weren't what I considered to be constructive.  Then came WOW - whose stated goal was to be the most helpful person on the FOG - rip.  He singlehandedly shifted my paradigm back to learn, and attempt to help by sharing experiences with the Festool tools I own and use.

So, does it really matter if the op seems to be absent?  He started a basically good discussion regarding the merits of 2 Festool tools!

Happy Good/Glorous Friday and Easter Everyone!

 

[Vondawg]

I hear you Don...you always add good helpful perspective and Your heart is known.
Thanks and you and the pups enjoy as well !

 

[Tyler Ernsberger]

I'm not a believer in the Seneca Adapter.  Buy the right tool for the job you are doing.  Plus using the adapter voids the Festool Warranty. 

I went through this same issue two years ago and went with the 500.  The reason why I chose the 500 is because of its size.  I looked at the work I was doing and future work and the 500 would do 98% of my projects.  Since then I bought a 700 two months ago for a big project that I had.  The project allowed me to get the 700 with out any money out of my pocket.  After using the 700 I will never sell my 500.  The 700 is a big machine designed for big projects.  The 500 is an awesome tool that I use on everyone of my cabinets jobs.  It's easy to control and I can use it all day.  The 700 is a great machine for what it's designed for.  No way it's a replacement for the 500.