Domino vs biscuit question

[JLB builders LLC]

Im looking at both methods and would like to know if anyone here finds that they need both. Does one work better for a certain project over the other.

I like the new Festool XL  and the new Lamello Zeta, both have a hefty price tag for me since it wouldn't get as much use as some of my other tools.

The Lamello has some nice fasteners other than plain biscuits.

 

[fluff]

Hi There

Just a thought, Lamello have two versions of some of the 'T' slot type connectors, (I'm thinking of the Clamex knock-down type), you can sling an 8mm kerf blade in an ordinary biscuit jointer and get most of the advantages of the Zeta for the cost of the blade (admittedly the non-zeta fittings are probably not as strong but I have yet to have issue as the surface area of the fitting is much larger than other knock downs).

I'd love a zeta as currently I use my mafell LF19 and a 4mm spacer to create the 8mm Slot, but the purchase of new Planer Thicknesser put pay to that. The Domino XL looks fabulous, but when the Joints are getting that big I'd prefer to go with a traditional Mortise and tenon  anyway. I use the clamex fttings for built in furniture (makes one man fitting doable and I can pre finish everything) I also use for ftting face frames to lacqured shelivng units and the like along wth the self gripping bscuits.   

So basically you could try a Clamex 'S' ftting using a Biscuit Jointer if you have one, and see if it will do what you want. The cost of 18 pairs of Clamex S in a kit in the Uk is £38ish (a lot less than £1159.00 for the Zeta)

Not sure I've helped much.

Regards

Fluff

 

[ajones]

Hi

The standard domino pretty much makes the ordinary b,jointer obsolete

I have the zeta and have many uses for that, although if  budget is important you could use clamex s rather than p

I was going to buy the xl but I'm not buying festool at the moment

What I would say is the xl and b,jointers are not really made for the same tasks ie;I would not biscuit a door but I would domino xl.

just get a b,jointer and a xl and you have all the bases covered.

 

[semenza]

I would say that there are some things the biscuit joiner is  not so much better for, but maybe faster and handier. However there are plenty of joints that the Domino will do better and also some that the biscuit joiner won't do.

The Domino (with the exception of special biscuits) will do everything a biscuit joiner can do and more.  It is a bit slower at some tasks, but not enough that I care compared to the advantages.  I especially like that the work piece will stay together with Dominos on its own while putting clamps on or driving pocket screws.  I havn't used the "clamping" biscuits which I think would do the same job, not sure.

I kept my biscuit joiner for  about 1 1/2 after buying the Domino, then sold it.  If  I start using the special biscuits I will have to buy again, but so far it hasn't come up.

Seth

 

[upscale]

I kept my biscuit joiner for  about 1 1/2 after buying the Domino, then sold it.  If  I start using the special biscuits I will have to buy again, but so far it hasn't come up.

Fully agree. If I had to classify the two devices, I'd say the biscuit joiner is for alignment and the domino is for joining, although it can be used for alignment and adjustment too. And yup, it's about a year after I bought my Domino and I'm just in the process of selling my biscuit joiner ~ not because I thought I might need it at some point, but because I kinda forgot all about it sitting there lonely on the shelf while I indulged myself with the Domino.  

 

[tiralie]

I use both. I would not give up either one.
They both have their uses in my work.

Agreed.
I find the Lamello is faster for panel glue up or shelf edging.
For cross grain joints for example, where a tenon is not in the budget (time) and a pocket screw would be visible the Domino is the best hands down.
Tim

 

[Rob-GB]

I have to say that while I agree biscuit joints have a place, and an elevated one,( in my honest opinion,) in the workshop I have not used mine since getting the Domino. I do use pocket screws a lot more these days too, sometimes in conjunction with a Domino joint (they act as a pernament clamping force while the glue dries) when normal clamping is awkward.
It is great though to have all of these options available when a situation arises but the Domino has better alignment qualities so remains my go to solution. [big grin]
Rob.

 

[Neill]

I agree with Rob.  I bought my DeWalt bisquit joiner about 15 years ago.  I used it and liked it a lot.  When I bought my Domino about two years ago, I just stopped using the bisquit joiner.  I just have not come across the situation that the Domino did not work out.  As long as I have both, I will keep them.

Last summer I bought the CMT Enlock at a huge discount from Woodcraft, about $80.  I played around with it a bit and have bought more of the keys and router bits, since it appears that it is going to be discontinued.  It seemed to work well but I just have not found the project to use it with yet,

Neill

 

[JLB builders LLC]

Thanks guys. I think I will look into the Festool XL, Im leaning more that way. Knowing me I might get the Lamello but more like next year.

I want to pick up the LR32 system and a OF1400 soon sense work is crazy busy and the money is flowing in, then when I get some down time I can play/mess around and learn how to set it up use it.  lol

 

[John Stevens]

One more thing.  I like to use the Lamello biscuit joiner with their hinges, and the biscuit joiner can also come in handy for oddball tasks like slotting.  Last spring I used it to do a through cut on a rail of a louvered door--too small an area for a TS55 or even a hand saw.  A plunge router might have worked, but the set-up, even for my OF1000 with a guide rail, would have taken much longer.  And with the Lamello, the process was totally dust free.  You just never know when the biscuit joiner will come in handy for things other than biscuits.

Regards,

John

 

[JLB builders LLC]

Yeah my friend has one and we built a floating pier out of iron wood using the lamello and special biscuits, plastic with a hole in the center for stainless steel screws. Looked great with the hidden fasteners and is still floating. He puts linseed oil or something on it every year. We did that in 2003 or 2004.

I like having the best tools even if they do not get used often, when u need them u do not always have time to go out and buy them or wait for online orders.

 

[semenza]

So are you going to wait for the XL or go with the 500?  You may find that the XL is not as all purpose due to the larger size Dominos.

Seth

 

[JLB builders LLC]

So are you going to wait for the XL or go with the 500?  You may find that the XL is not as all purpose due to the larger size Dominos.

Seth

I will have to compare them. With the XL coming out there seems to be sales and more popping up on Ebay of the 500.

The 500 does look pretty handy.

 

[upscale]

I will have to compare them. With the XL coming out there seems to be sales and more popping up on Ebay of the 500. The 500 does look pretty handy.

I'd suggest that you can only compare them in general function and appearance. As to usage, they'd be used in different areas in my opinion. The 500 model does great for cabinet work. The XL model, well, it's for larger applications.

I wouldn't suggest even for one minute, that they're interchangeable or that one would replace the other.

 

[JLB builders LLC]

I will have to compare them. With the XL coming out there seems to be sales and more popping up on Ebay of the 500. The 500 does look pretty handy.

I'd suggest that you can only compare them in general function and appearance. As to usage, they'd be used in different areas in my opinion. The 500 model does great for cabinet work. The XL model, well, it's for larger applications.

I wouldn't suggest even for one minute, that they're interchangeable or that one would replace the other.

"I think we are going to need a bigger boat" lol

 

[upscale]

"I think we are going to need a bigger boat" lol

Let me guess. Your name is Noah and you've got a few pets.  ;D

 

[semenza]

The smallest diameter the XL cuts is 8mm. Which means, going to your original question, that it will not do many (most?) of the bisquit joiner jobs. I think you need both, or maybe all three  [big grin]

It depends somewhat on what you mainly build. But I think the most versatile of the three is the Domino 500, it can do the bisquit joiner jobs , plus other joints, and most of the larger things too.

Seth

 

[Ken Nagrod]

Seth,

Sounds like you need breakfast.  [smile]

[attachimg=1]

 

[JLB builders LLC]

"I think we are going to need a bigger boat" lol

Let me guess. Your name is Noah and you've got a few pets.   ;D

Jaws

 

[upscale]

Oh, I know where the "bigger boat" line originated. I just figured that you needed the bigger Domino XL to build a boat that "Jaws" couldn't shred. Thought Noah's ark might suffice. (My reasoning takes some strange paths on occasion.)