Domino vs biscuit question

[JLB builders LLC]

ah lol

 

[mouppe]

I checked out the XL recently and was very impressed. Festool have improved several areas of the original domino. If I was to buy one or the other I would buy the XL and figure out another joinery method if I needed smaller tenons.

There is some overlap between the two, but the smallest XL tenon is 8mm thick. Lengthwise, almost any permutation is possible which is fantastic.

Richard.

 

[RONWEN]

I checked out the XL recently and was very impressed. Festool have improved several areas of the original domino. If I was to buy one or the other I would buy the XL and figure out another joinery method if I needed smaller tenons.

There is some overlap between the two, but the smallest XL tenon is 8mm thick. Lengthwise, almost any permutation is possible which is fantastic.

Richard.

My first thought about the XL was "who on earth needs it?" but the more I realize the possibilities the more I know I'll have to have one.  The sizes open up choices for all sorts of furniture slats & cross members.

The mortise sizes the XL offers are 8, 10, 12 and 14mm.

 

[Sparktrician]

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.  

Upscale, you nailed it.  I also have a biscuit slot bit for my router that, when used in a router table, allows me to do a stopped dado on the edging and the shelf edge, should I choose to use biscuits for alignment.  If I need alignment only, and not a lot of strength, I may choose to use the biscuit, but if I need strength, the domino is clearly the tool of choice. 

[smile]

 

[stvrowe]

Since purchasing the Domino, the biscuit jointer has been relegated to cutting slots for Knapp knockdown fasteners.  I also use the jointer for cutting slots for table top fasteners.  I haven't used a beech biscuit since getting the Domino.