Domino XL and DF500 assortment good combo?

[ChiknNutz]

Having vacillated on the Domino for a few years now, planning to finally get one.  Intending on the XL due to the overall capability, ergonomics and the fact that I will be needing the larger capacity.  However, it's hard to swallow another $1000 for 3 sets of tenons, so am planning to get the set intended for the DF500 first, then add as needed.  I am also getting the Seneca adapter at the same time, of course.  The projects I undertake are mostly all for personal use and vary in size/shape/use/etc., so it seems like the wide assortment might give the most opportunity to try it out on multiple projects.  Research indicates that 8mm tenons do seem to come up as the most used size.  For me, I can see 6, 8 and 12 to perhaps be of most used but it's hard to say right now.  Any sage words of wisdom to cast for this initial purchase?

 

[Birdhunter]

I use 5mm the most often with 3/4” material and 8mm with 1” and bigger. I have both Domino machines and use the 500 probably 80% of the time.

If you are going to buy the 700, I suggest you buy the full set of cutters and tenons.

I recently bought the Mafell DDF40 double Doweler and find it fantastic for things the Dominos are nota good fit for.

 

[rmhinden]

For what it's worth, when I got my Domino XL, I purchased the assortment that include the 8 & 10mm bits (498204).  After that I bought the Seneca kit, and smaller bits and dominos (Beech / Sipo) as needed.  At some point, I also got an empty domino systainer. 

Bob

 

[ChuckS]

If you aren't sure, you can get what you need for now, and decide later what your projects really require.

Remember, you can always make your own if you can't justify to buy bulk of certain sizes. I recently made some to a custom length using beech.

 

[Stone Message]

I am sure that the Seneca adapter is a good bit of kit but remember that the DF700 operates at a slower speed than the DF500 and so for the smaller cutters you need to take care as they can be put under some strain when used with the DF700.

Peter

 

[rst]

When I bought my 500 I bought the assortment but really have only used mostly the same widths.  When I bought the 700 I decided to buy the lengths instead and to cut them to length as needed as I really do not need large quantities at once.