Domino Owners: What's best about the Domino for you?

[dltflt]

First I would like to repeat that this is a very unique tool.  I love the alignment accuracy when gluing up multiple boards or even on miter joints.  I never had much luck in the past when using a biscuit joiner.  The DC is very good.  The unit comfortable in my hand and the plunging action is smooth.  I like the stepped height stop for fast adjustments based on material thickness (I learned that from Steve Bace at the Cabinet Class from at The Festool Store).  This machine has definitely changed how I build my projects.

Edit:
At this time I don't have a need for the 700>

 

[Kev]

Well I'm a pretty pathetic case ... I got the Domino so that I could do the sorts of joins that would alternately require skill that I just don't have and will probably never find the time or tenacity to develop.

I'm picking up my 700 XL in the next few days as part of the same excuse.

Now my pants are showing  [embarassed]

 

[karbyen]

I took up woodworking as a hobby about 4 yrs. ago after I retired from my last day job of 22 years.  I fooled around building the normal "stuff" a newbie builds for a couple years.  Then I went to my dealer to pick up a new SawStop Pro model with a Incra positioner and was fascinated by the Domino he had on display. Needless to say, I came home with a new saw, a Domino and a CT 26 vac.  I am now a professional rookie.  Everything (mostly cabinets) is truly square and the floor is clean.  My whole family keeps me busy building (no charge) projects for there homes(ho-hum) and I give the Domino full credit for this accomplishment and its fun to use. (after a short learning curve)  So in answer to the subject:  Whats best about the Domino for you?  Square and fast!

 

[James Watriss]

Only have the original. I was an early adopter, so I had issues with the fence, but wasn't about to give up the pins for a fix.

Honestly? The tapped holes on the bottom have proven to be the game changer. The fence works well enough, but Ronwen's domiplate, (though it revealed the lines scribed on the bottom to be inaccurate) and my subsequent mods to the plate for mounting clamps, has been HUGE.

I don't expect Festool to endorse any specific 3rd party jigs. But the presence of those mounting points has allowed a LOT of crowd-sourced jigs to expand the capabilities of the tool. On its own, it's a formidable machine. Mounted into a more expansive production setup, it becomes something even bigger.

More mounting points on the fence, and the option of a plunge lock, might be worthy additions to future iterations.

The ability to use Festool as a system is a huge strength. The fact that alpha users can further tweak and improve upon that system is what really has me sold. There's always room for growth.

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Thanks for all of the feedback so far. Some really good information here. The Domino is my favorite tool. It's just so fast and easy. If the house was on fire and I could grab one tool, that'd be the one.

 

[Rembo]

ok, my two cents worth to this topic

 

[adubeau]

The best thing I like about my Domino.... No more fussing with setting up the router to do mortisies... a much stonger joint... and people are impressed when they see me use it...

 

[RDMuller]

Accuracy and repeatability!

 

[RONWEN]

I am looking forward to the 700 to compliment my 500 on large furniture joints and to allow for making large exposed decorative and structural hardwood tenons in furniture. 

 

[mouppe]

Domino XL review from the UK.

http://www.woodworkersinstitute.com/page.asp?p=2377

 

[Timtool]

I still wish the XL had a 16mm cutter and that it could go 75mm deep, i used it this week on a set of doors with a 3-point lock system that requires a 16mm wide slot, 75mm deep.
Festool cannot not know those are industry standards, i still got around doing it with the 14mm cutter, with a second pass 2 mm lower, and after that making the slot 5 mm deeper by hand with a chisel. When making several cuts next to each other you need to hold the tool firmly and cut with caution, i had it jump a few times which triggered some kind of safety mechanism that stops the tool. Clever feature that i don't think the DF500 has!

 

[Wim]

For me it was the most innovative tool available to hobby- and pro-woodworkers. It was an ideal tool to make up for my limited skills. The moment I saw the Domino demonstrated it was a must-have for me. I recently made a door with 5/8" dowels where I would have used the XL-dominos if I had the Domino XL. So I will order one as soon as they are available in the USA.

 

[RONWEN]

I still wish the XL had a 16mm cutter and that it could go 75mm deep, i used it this week on a set of doors with a 3-point lock system that requires a 16mm wide slot, 75mm deep.
Festool cannot not know those are industry standards, i still got around doing it with the 14mm cutter, with a second pass 2 mm lower, and after that making the slot 5 mm deeper by hand with a chisel. When making several cuts next to each other you need to hold the tool firmly and cut with caution, i had it jump a few times which triggered some kind of safety mechanism that stops the tool. Clever feature that i don't think the DF500 has!

We won't have the 700 available here in the U.S. for awhile yet but once I have mine I intend to look into manufacturing/offering some cutter sizes that Festool doesn't offer.

 

[jvang]

the opportunity to make strong joints simple and easier. thanks festool

 

[MrToolJunkie]

Shane,

As others have said, repeatability, accuracy and speed are the main benefits of the the Domino 500 -- this is my primary joinery tool and having the Dominos prevent twisting helps ensure a tight joint that is square.  The small sizes allow for small face frame assemblies (like picture frames) and it is a great tool to use.  The one thing I really like about the 700 is the different pins for more repeatable cuts from a reference edge.  This allows for more flexibility when using multiple mortises.  I wish the guide stop was supplied with longer rods so that you could measure a repeatable offset more than the 150 - 200 MM (I do not have one in front of me to confirm how long you can go).  Having larger size tenons and cutters of the 700 is a plus for bigger work like doors and larger pieces of furniture.

Scot 

 

[Kevin D.]

I want an XL primarily for this summer for a bunch of outdoor uses primarily, but I also feel I love my Domino 500 so much, I feel the baby needs it's mama/papa XL to be a complete family.

 

[Kev]

I want an XL primarily for this summer for a bunch of outdoor uses primarily, but I also feel I love my Domino 500 so much, I feel the baby needs it's mama/papa XL to be a complete family.

I've got a 700XL in my boot - with both accessory systainers - gotta find some time!!!

 

[Kodi Crescent]

I create hidden joints instead of butting and screwing things together now.

 

[Rembo]

I finally got rid of the old ..
loaded XL today and gave him a rest every 50 slots, high heat at the bottom.
will be milled at room locks. for some of the router is (70 mm), not for others (75 mm). added to the course for another five millimeters and it would be perfect!