Domino Jointer - Looking for feedback/opinions

[mr tinx]

Hello FOG,
i have just joined your forum as i am about to purchase a Domino Jointer, I keep hearing nothing but good reports about this tool and wanted some further feedback from seasoned users so please if anyone out there has anything to say i am all ears
many thanks
Graham

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Tinx,

Welcome to the forum. This section of the forum is for questions posed to Festool. I'm going to move your post over to the general Festool Tools section of the forum as you'll get more feedback there.

You may be interested in some of the reviews by forum members, many of which are videos:

http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tool-reviews/video-review-of-festool-df-500-domino-joining-system/
http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tool-reviews/reveiw-of-the-festool-cutter-domino-tenon-assortment-systainer-(495-664)/
http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tool-reviews/reveiw-of-the-festool-cutter-domino-tenon-assortment-systainer-(495-664)/
http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tool-reviews/video-review-of-festool-domino-assortment-kit-(495664)/
http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tool-reviews/review-of-festool-domino-df-500-q-set-(574-283)-prototype-done/
http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tool-reviews/video-review-of-festool-df-500-domino-joining-system-(574307)/

Thanks,
Shane Holland
Festool USA

 

[Alan m]

[welcome] tot he fog.
you will love the domino.
you should get the systainer with the domino assortment at the same time as you will save money adn probably need it any way.
also if you use a lot of 1/2"or 3/4" stock you should consider ron wen s domniplate jig. its a life saver .

dont change the width setting with the machine off

always use extraction

 

[Jesse Cloud]

Welcome Tinx!

I've had the Domino since it first came to the US (3 or 4 years ago) and I my opinion of it rises every time I use it.

The only problem I have with the Domino is that since it is so fast, I sometimes want to go faster, faster and if I go fast enough I will make an error.  You still have to position the tool carefully and plunge steadily.

Some folk will make one mortise and then use the pads or pins to register the tool for the next mortise.  I am not a fan of this process.  Any small error will be cumulative and by the time you go a few feet, you will probably have inconsistently spaced mortises - which is no problem if you can be inconsistent in exactly the same way on the mating piece - good luck with that! [tongue]

I use the Domino for everything from quick and dirty projects to fine furniture.

 

[ccarrolladams]

Hi Graham and Welcome to FOG!!!

Like others I was waiting at Midnight to take delivery of my first Domino the day they went on sale in the USA. Of course the original Domino mortisers had register pins. In many ways I like those. By the time I needed a second Domino they had the flip up paddles, and they still do. I also like those.

I am so happy I bought the Systainer with the assorted Dominoes and cutters with each of those first two machines. Not only did I save money on the cutters, it is nice to have a Systainer with an assortment of Dominoes when using the machine. Subsequent to my purchases of those machines the 4mm Domino and cutter were introduced for use with thinner material, such as 1/2" (12mm) plywood.

My other suggestion is to do what you can to make pals with an experienced user of the Domino. Because the cutter rotates and oscillates in use, this machine vibrates in different ways than any other woodworking tool you have ever used. Being coached on the tricks with scrap will save you much frustration. Do yourself a big favor by saving a bunch of scrap on which you can practice.

Once you are confident about using your Domino you will continue to find uses for it.

Oh, yes, always use dust extraction with the Domino!

 

[waho6o9]

Hi Graham

Heed the suggestions of the fine folks above and you'll be fine. I have nothing to add except:

Welcome to the FOG. Festools rock  [smile]

 

[dltflt]

Welcome to the FOG first.  I have not used mine very much but when I have it has worked flawlessly.  It is worth the price you have to pay.  I also agree about getting the sustainer full of dominos and the different size cutters.

 

[peter halle]

Graham,

Another welcome from me.  The guys have offered great advice.  The only thing that I would add is to get some scrap and practice a bit before your first project.  There is a learning curve as to how best holding it and plunging with it works for you.  Test plunge speeds.  Learn to listen to the sounds it makes both not plunged and while plunging.  Get comfortable before jumping into a project.

Just my 2 cents worth.

Peter

 

[mouppe]

Welcome to the FOG, and enjoy using the Domino. I look forward to the moment in every project when I lift up the systainer lid to pull out the Domino. Unfortunately because it's so damn efficient, it goes back in the box all too quickly!

As others have mentioned, get the Domino set with the extras, and the domino assortment systainer. All sizes are useful from time to time.

My [2cents] would be to look out for 2 common beginner errors.

The first is to always ensure the domino is not resting on the workbench when plunging- it should be resting on the workpiece. If you stock is thinner than 3/4" or so, you may not be registering properly.

Second, mark the centre line of the mortise on the face side of the two pieces you are mortising. It is really easy to mortise in the wrong place on the second piece.

 

[Ken Nagrod]

Welcome to the forum, Graham!  You'll want the 'pin' model Domino.  [poke]

 

[PeterK]

Another to welcome you here. You will find that using the Domino on solid wood is quite easy as the density of the wood will be consistent. Using it with plywood will feel quite different as the plys are all different densities and can change as you move down the edge. This can result in the machine wanting to jump or slide a little. As others said, practice with some of the current project cutoff pieces to get the proper feel.
Pete

 

[adubeau]

Welcome...

You can't go wrong and getting the domino with the systainer assortment of tenons which includes the additional cutters......  I have had mine a few weeks and really enjoy using it.... the only gripe I have is the settings for the fence height is in metric...  and requires that I use my digital caliper for metric measurement of stock thickness...  *sigh*...

 

[semenza]

Hi Graham,

Welcome to the FOG !  Tons of Domino stuff on here, including some creative and inovative uses.

Seth

 

[Peter Fish]

Hi Graham
and welcome to the FOG not sure which side of the pond you are on but if it's Cornwall UK check out this set on EBay 260827438830 the photo's depict the much admired earlier pin model which some say is better than the later model !
I have no experience of the latter as mine is the pin model and it is a great tool, (do ask the seller if the pics are of the item for sale)
If you get one be sure to check out the reviews of the "Domiplate" a marvellous add on aid made by a member here "Ron Wen" which is a great piece of kit
Whichever you choose I hope you enjoy it
Peter

 

[mr tinx]

Hello Again,
what a warm welcome to this forum and thank you everybody for your input, Sold is the reply from me , I'm off to get myself a Domino Jointer and Accessories  [eek] especially after watching Shane Hollands video recommendations
And thank you Peter (Festool Fishy) that is the exact one i'm watching and hoping to win on
kind regards
Graham

 

[Waka]

Hello Again,
what a warm welcome to this forum and thank you everybody for your input, Sold is the reply from me , I'm off to get myself a Domino Jointer and Accessories  [eek] especially after watching Shane Hollands video recommendations
And thank you Peter (Festool Fishy) that is the exact one i'm watching and hoping to win on
kind regards
Graham

Graham

Welcome to FOG.

Hope you get the one you're after, you won't be disappointed, I've had mine a couple of years and am still learning.