Domino XL Should I or shouldn't I?

[FOGNewbie]

Hello Forum members! I am thinking of getting a Domino XL in a month or three. I have a Domino 500 and love it. I just would like to make bigger tenons and be able to disassemble things such as bed frames. I looked into a Lamello biscuit joiner a couple of years ago (online), but it didn't seem to have connector options for bigger pieces, plus it was more expensive.

Any one have experience with the new connectors? Any opinions on the Domino XL? Does it perform as well as the 500? If you have one are you happy with it?

 

[estley]

i have both, love them both. I get the feeling that the smaller dominos fit more snugly, i might be wrong. The large machine is very different ergonomically, the handle is slimmer allowing for a tighter grip which makes the weight difference not as noticeable.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Birdhunter]

I have and use both. I use the 500 a lot more than the 700 due to the type of projects I do. The 700 is, I think, a better designed machine. It handles well in spite of its size. I bought the full kit and the two cutter/tenon sets. If I were to do it over again, I would not buy the large cutter set.

 

[rst]

I have both 500 and XL.  I bought the 500 first and bought the tenon and cutter assortment set.  I recently bought the XL just before the price increase.  This time I did not buy the assortments and instead bought the cutters (CMT) and the 750mm tenon sticks so that I can cut tenons as I need them and not have sizes that I do not need.

 

[flair woodworks]

I own both and am glad to have both. The connector system is very robust and easy to use.

 

[Poindexter]

It all depends on the size of your projects.  You can always double or quadruple tenons with the 500 and you can get a Seneca cutter adaptor for the 700 to make either one more adaptable to varying projects.  Either way, the 700 will never cut shorter than 15mm (although the 500 is only 3mm shorter) and the 500 won't cut 70mm deep.

With that "lurker statement" out of the way let me respond to your request...

I only have a 700XL and use it to build office furniture, many varying home projects, and picture frames.  Picture frames are where the 500 would be better suited, but I do use the Seneca adaptor to get a 5mm cutter onto thinner stock.  My furniture is a modern style that is more square with the beauty of highly figured wood grain being the star.  The domino is perfect for hiding the joinery, while speeding up the job, and being strong enough to stand up to daily abuse.  Most pieces I've done incorporate around 100 dominoes, so the 700 gets a lot of use.

I'm definitely happy with it.  I haven't used the new connectors, nor have I compared it to the 500.  For the kind of work I do, investing in the 500 hasn't made sense to date.

 

[FOGNewbie]

Thanks for all of the responses!

I have much to think about. The good thing is most everyone seems happy with the 700XL. I don't think I'll have remorse if I buy it.

Again, Thanks!

 

[Tyler Ernsberger]

I have both machines and feel like each is  designed for the the work it's supposed to do.  I'm not a believer in the Seneca Adapter. 

I use the df500 95% of the time.  It has a great weight and balance and can be used all day long with out fatigue.  If I had to sell all my Festool and keep one tool it would be the df500.

The df700 is a beast of a tool,  great for big joints.  Typically the df700 isn't a tool you would use all day long but if you did it would be a tiring day. 

Really look at if NEED the df700, bc the df500 is a great tool and im my option you will use the df500 more than the df700.

 

[grbmds]

I have owned the DF500 for about 2 years and it is a favorite tool in my shop. It is one of the most innovative and useful  tools I own. I recently acquired the 700XL and, from my limited use of it so far. think it also is a great tool just like the DF500. If you have to choose one, the 500 is most likely the one that will be the most useful to you unless you will be making very large projects. If creative, the 500 could be used for many medium sized projects also.

I would not recommend buying the 500 with the Seneca adapter for 500 bits. The 500 and 700 are definitely two different machines made for very different types of projects. I believed that prior to getting the 700 and, after using the 700 for only a short time, I believe that even more strongly. I wouldn't even think of using the 700 with an adapter for any of the smaller projects I have made in the past, including drawer boxes, a night stand, some shop tables/storage. The 500 worked just fine and I wouldn't have wanted to balance the 700 for some of the narrower pieces I joined.

Just my opinion, of course, but the 500 is one of the most versatile and useful tools I own.

Just my opinion, but

 

[Holmz]

Hello Forum members! I am thinking of getting a Domino XL in a month or three. I have a Domino 500 and love it. I just would like to make bigger tenons and be able to disassemble things such as bed frames. I looked into a Lamello biscuit joiner a couple of years ago (online), but it didn't seem to have connector options for bigger pieces, plus it was more expensive.

Any one have experience with the new connectors? Any opinions on the Domino XL? Does it perform as well as the 500? If you have one are you happy with it?

The Lamello is great, but just NOT for that.

Your other option are the special connectors that are used specifically for beds... Usually set in a mortice type of pocket.
I would use that for beds, and I have done so in the past.

If you just want a domino, and looking for a justification, then disregard the above.

And if you were making doors, then I would say "Yes get the 700".

 

[FOGNewbie]

Yes I have been thinking about making doors. Sounds like a good justification. I also want to eventually experiment with using the Domino to make bases for Slab furniture. Even with multiple tenons, I am thinking the DF 500 would be too small to join thicker stock.

 

[jacko9]

I have both machines and I agree that the XL700 is a better designed machine and a joy to use.  I have the Seneca attachments and the 5, 6 and 8mm cutters (longer version than supplied with the 500).

I can't see going wrong with the XL.

 

[grbmds]

Yes I have been thinking about making doors. Sounds like a good justification. I also want to eventually experiment with using the Domino to make bases for Slab furniture. Even with multiple tenons, I am thinking the DF 500 would be too small to join thicker stock.

[member=15746]FOGNewbie[/member] If the focus of your work is large projects like that, then the 700XL is likely your best choice. I still don't agree with use of the adapter and 500 bits with the 700 though. The two tools are just not made for the same purpose.

 

[Holmz]

Going back to the original post, it said...

... I just would like to make bigger tenons and be able to disassemble things such as bed frames...

Personally I would suggest holding off until you actually have a need and a clearer example of some design.

 

[FOGNewbie]

Sorry for the lack of clarity. I am more of a hobby woodworker. I eventually want to do many things including doors. Right now I do want to learn to make larger objects such as beds. I've also wanted to do other forms of knockdown furniture. That is my current focus. Most of the knockdown furniture I've seen in my area of the world is of lower quality. I have a Domino 500. I love it! I just want to make larger pieces. Like my other Festool purchases, I am looking for a tool that can do many things.

The Lamello seems to be a nice unit, but not sure that it can do larger objects, plus I don't know of anywhere in the Minneapolis area that I can go to that has the machine for me to look at. I originally thought I'd never need the XL700. Now that there are the knock down connectors, I am rethinking this. I won't need adaptors to do smaller objects seeing I already have a 500.

What I have gathered from this thread is that those who have the 700 like it or love it. I will take your advice and think about needs and usage before I purchase it. It is nice to know that I don't have to worry about quality related issues with this machine.

I am thankful for all of the responses to this post. I now know my decision is going to come down to whether I will use it enough. After seeing posts about product related issues, I was wondering if people were having issues with the machine. Looks like the answer is no.

Again, thanks to all!

 

[FOGNewbie]

I own both and am glad to have both. The connector system is very robust and easy to use.

Hi Chris! I hope that when I make it back up to Vancouver, I can visit Ultimate Tools. I was there (Roberts Creek) for two weeks in 2015 at a woodworking school. I just didn't allow enough time to head over to Burnaby(?) B.C.

BTW I really like your one step joinery technique!

Cheers!

 

[Holmz]

1) Sorry for the lack of clarity. I am more of a hobby woodworker. I eventually want to do many things including doors.
...

2) The Lamello seems to be a nice unit, but not sure that it can do larger objects, plus I don't know of anywhere in the Minneapolis area that I can go to that has the machine for me to look at...

3) What I have gathered from this thread is that those who have the 700 like it or love it...

1) Am with you brother.

2) I believe that Chris Hofmann (old site:  www.hofmannjoinery.com ) is with Lamello. They may be able to point you to someone local that has one.

There is also the Lamello Invis:

I could imagine you could use the 8-mm Dominoes for the parts that control shear forces, and the Invis for the tension to hold the parts together. Or even dowels for the shear forces

3) I have one (700) and I like it, but for take-apart I am not sure, and I have not used the new Domi-nector.
However maybe some hidden screws... the inside joinery of a bed never gets too much viewing... Many Euro bed frames have similar hidden screw hardware that has been used more recently in Ikea type of designs.

Conclusion:
Basically there a bunch of ways to skin a cat, and until there is a design - then it is difficult to know what is the best way, and what is affordable or justifiable... And once you have the 700 then does that make the Invis no longer an option?

I have not used the Invis, but I am pretty intrigued by it and have a lot of beard scratching time thinking about it. So I am biased towards it with no experience but like it conceptually and want more info.  [cool]

 

[Stone Message]

Hello Forum members! I am thinking of getting a Domino XL in a month or three. I have a Domino 500 and love it. I just would like to make bigger tenons and be able to disassemble things such as bed frames. I looked into a Lamello biscuit joiner a couple of years ago (online), but it didn't seem to have connector options for bigger pieces, plus it was more expensive.

Any one have experience with the new connectors? Any opinions on the Domino XL? Does it perform as well as the 500? If you have one are you happy with it?

For larger furniture you will love the DF700. The connector system is excellent. I made some test joints, kept them in my workshop for 6 months and then donated them to Phil Beckley. They were still as tight after that time as they were when I made them.

You can see them in this video:

Part 1:

Part 2:

Peter

 

[JakobProgsch]

What kept me away from the DF700 (and caused me to buy a Lamello Zeta) was that the connectors are 14mm. It is usually suggested to use dominos of about one third the material thickness. Does this apply to the connectors as well? Since that puts the connectors more or less out of contention for "custom IKEA style" knockdown furniture.

 

[Stone Message]

What kept me away from the DF700 (and caused me to buy a Lamello Zeta) was that the connectors are 14mm. It is usually suggested to use dominos of about one third the material thickness. Does this apply to the connectors as well? Since that puts the connectors more or less out of contention for "custom IKEA style" knockdown furniture.

If you are making items with larger stock (beds and chunky furniture) then the connector system will be fine. For the Ikea style of construction there are other (non Festool and non Lamello) components and systems available suitable for knock down furniture. My experience of Ikea stuff is that it assembles well the first time but does not like to be dismantled and re-assembled.

If the items being made are not intended to be taken apart and re-assembled then a traditional glue jointed approach might be better, certainly for smaller items. The professional building larger bespoke items to be delivered to a customer may well be forced to use good quality connectors (like Lamello Zeta and Festool connector system) if only to get the items onto site prior to final assembly.

Peter