Domino or Powermatic 719T

[bronco71]

Another vote for getting the domino.  I used to prefer traditional joinery as well and felt like I was cheating when I got my domino. 

But if, as you state, time is limited for you as it is for me(hobbiest with a full 40hr + week job) the domino is the tool for you.

One of my biggest problems was that my projects were taking forever.  I was feeling overwhelmed and losing interest because I had no sense of accomplishment.  I would find myself staring at the tablesaw, router, router table, mortiser and agonizing over another set of bit/blade changes, height adjustments, and clean up.

All that went away with the domino.  Break down lumber, machine to size, build and finish.  Done.
I have also made a point to mix in some smaller projects between all the massive pieces my wife wants to make sure I get that sense of accomplishment to keep me motivated to keep improving my skills.  I have had enough interest in what I have built so far that later in life/post retirement, I think I could make a few bucks building for others to help supplement the tool addiction ;D

Good luck.

 

[Iceclimber]

Yeah but i like to make really nice stuff not just stand amongst and admire my pile of tools overpriced tools i cant use because i spent all my money on them.

That and id rather make "nice stuff, really nice stuff" and figure out how to do it with less tools than make a bunch of "meh kinda stuff". For me taking the time to make things really really nice is worth it as it is my workshop and where i spend all my free time. Plus ill die in this house so doing it right the first only makes sense.

Next for me is probably a Roubu style workbench. I have been toying with the idea for a while. I keep putting it off because of cost. Sure i could afford to build it out of home center pine right now. On the other hand id spend the rest of my life looking at it wishing i had just slowed down taken my time and waited till i could afford and source the exact lumber for the project i really wanted! Yes i know im just gonna beat the crap out if it. Thats fine with me and I'm excited...

But yes you have a point. Part of the Domino problem is i also need a panel saw. I can get that 5 horse Industrial SawStop for $1800 but i cant get both right now. I did just confirm i can put a few hundred dollar deposit  down on the SawStop and hold it for a few months. I can have a lot of things but i cant have it all. Buying the saw and the Domino does me no good if i have no $$$ left for stock. Sure its Football season and thst kills lots of my free time at the moment. That is soon to be over though so worshop time will be back in full force very soon. Yes i guess i want to work with stock as nice as my tools. Its i high quality problem...

 

Just get the donino you've been trying to convince yourself for a while

Just a thought if you you'd made your bench/kapex station out of ply or MDF like everyone else you would have plenty of spare cash for festool lol

 

[Iceclimber]

You make a good point about time..

Things do take forever when you are building them in a traditional manner and have a full time job. To date i don't have a full time job so its no big deal. For the next couple months thats gonna change but its only a couple months.

Part of me kinda likes that things take time and progress so slowly. Taking a piece of rough stock lumber that really looks like nothing special and milling it, planing it sanding it, all ever so little at a time till it glows like a piece of art is very satisfying to me. If nothing else i really enjoy woodworking and making more furniture cabinet type stuff vrs the general carpentry i do for work as is it forces me to slow down and pay attention only to what it is i am doing. 

Its a lot like ice climbing was. You have to be 100% in the moment at all time. Or yoga and meditation which i also practice daily that also require one being in the moment 100%.

I also have to consider my home is very small. Only 1100sq ft bungalow. Well my basement shop is another 1000sq ft and i do have a 600sq ft finished attic but the staircase is so small you cant get real furniture up it. I already have some very nice furniture i have purchased over the years and only so much space left for the things i make. So if they take me forever its kinda a good thing..

Still I'm going buy the Domino as i know it will also make me money.

to

Another vote for getting the domino.  I used to prefer traditional joinery as well and felt like I was cheating when I got my domino. 

But if, as you state, time is limited for you as it is for me(hobbiest with a full 40hr + week job) the domino is the tool for you.

One of my biggest problems was that my projects were taking forever.  I was feeling overwhelmed and losing interest because I had no sense of accomplishment.  I would find myself staring at the tablesaw, router, router table, mortiser and agonizing over another set of bit/blade changes, height adjustments, and clean up.

All that went away with the domino.  Break down lumber, machine to size, build and finish.  Done.
I have also made a point to mix in some smaller projects between all the massive pieces my wife wants to make sure I get that sense of accomplishment to keep me motivated to keep improving my skills.  I have had enough interest in what I have built so far that later in life/post retirement, I think I could make a few bucks building for others to help supplement the tool addiction ;D

Good luck.