Domiplate

[Carl Prentiss]

  I've seen nothing but raves for the domiplate and wonder if I'm missing something. I've never been overly concerned with accurately centering the mortis as long as I was in the ball park and keeping aware of the reference edge. I've also not noticed any fence drift. Is it a piece of mind thing? Are there any other benefits I'm not understanding. I've not been a big plywood user in the past but am now using more.  I might buy one anyways as I like to support innovators and entrepreneurs. Thanks.

-Charlie

 

[bkharman]

  I've seen nothing but raves for the domiplate and wonder if I'm missing something. I've never been overly concerned with accurately centering the mortis as long as I was in the ball park and keeping aware of the reference edge. I've also not noticed any fence drift. Is it a piece of mind thing? Are there any other benefits I'm not understanding. I've not been a big plywood user in the past but am now using more.  I might buy one anyways as I like to support innovators and entrepreneurs. Thanks.

-Charlie

Do you have a 500 or a 700?  I have a 700 and there we have the "shims" and the are a godsend for ¾ and ½ case work. Mainly because without them the cutter head is too high (or low) otherwise.

I can't speak for the 500 as I knew all along I wanted a 700 and adapters to cover all mortise sizes.

 

[Slappy]

I have a 500 & love these plates  [cool]

 

[Carl Prentiss]

I have both the 500 and the 700 for which I fell a tiny bit guilty. [embarassed] My curiosity though is for the 500. I've never read a bad opinion of the domiplate and I think I understand it's purpose. What I really don't get though is what exactly it does that the machine it's self doesn't other than eliminate the possibility of the fence moving. I haven't been bitten by that particular bug but I suppose once would be enough, especially if it was expensive material.

 

[Psych101]

I have both the 500 and the 700 for which I fell a tiny bit guilty. [embarassed] My curiosity though is for the 500. I've never read a bad opinion of the domiplate and I think I understand it's purpose. What I really don't get though is what exactly it does that the machine it's self doesn't other than eliminate the possibility of the fence moving. I haven't been bitten by that particular bug but I suppose once would be enough, especially if it was expensive material.

I have had the same thoughts.  Why is there a need for these domiplates? Is this suggesting a design flaw that should fixed (e.g. unwanted fence movement or any other relevant issues)?  I don't have a domino (yet) but I find it concerning that such after market accessories would be so valued/necessary.

 

[mouppe]

I was one of the first people to buy a domiplate when they were introduced several years ago. I was instantly a big fan- not because it allows you to do something you can't do with a Domino, but because it makes certain tasks easier and faster.

You may not suffer from fence drift or an out-of-square fence, but over a hundred mortices or a thousand, it could slip. Not with the domiplate. You don't need to ever check it's set correctly, either before or during operations.

When I need a centred mortise in under-sized plywood- if you have a centred mortise on a shelf for example, it allows you to reverse the shelf to get best orientation- it's much quicker to accomplish with a domiplate.

Think of it like a jig. It's not essential but it makes certain jobs more efficient.

 

[JeromeM]

 I've seen nothing but raves for the domiplate and wonder if I'm missing something. I've never been overly concerned with accurately centering the mortis as long as I was in the ball park and keeping aware of the reference edge. I've also not noticed any fence drift. Is it a piece of mind thing? Are there any other benefits I'm not understanding. I've not been a big plywood user in the past but am now using more.  I might buy one anyways as I like to support innovators and entrepreneurs. Thanks.

-Charlie

I've got one of the early ones and have never bothered about the centering of the domino. Near enough is good enough.

The point for me is that every time I use the plate I am sure thet the domino position is the same, so if I need to use the domino for another joint setting I can come back and the off set will be 100% the same.

 

[Colonel Panic]

It makes joining two pieces of plywood a no brainer. I have used a 500 without the plate and you have to fiddle with the height on the fence and then pay close attention to the reference side. With the Domiplate you just attach it and start start cutting mortises. Of course either method you need to set depth, width, and mark where the holes go.

It's a great help to us ADD woodworker since,,, there goes that squirrel!!!   [blink]

 

[Carl Prentiss]

OK gotcha! I have a better understanding now. I'll probably pass for the time being but might revisit if the need arises. Col. Panic, don't be concerned unless the squirrel starts offering woodworking pointers or critique. For me, It's turkeys walking past my window. They act like they're not looking in, judging me, but I know they are.  [eek]

 

[grbmds]

It makes joining two pieces of plywood a no brainer. I have used a 500 without the plate and you have to fiddle with the height on the fence and then pay close attention to the reference side. With the Domiplate you just attach it and start start cutting mortises. Of course either method you need to set depth, width, and mark where the holes go.

It's a great help to us ADD woodworker since,,, there goes that squirrel!!!   [blink]

So, when you say it makes joining two pieces of plywood a no brainer, does that mean when making cabinet cases or joining them to for a larger size? (I like no-brainers, as it's difficult to think sometimes.)

 

[bkharman]

It makes joining two pieces of plywood a no brainer. I have used a 500 without the plate and you have to fiddle with the height on the fence and then pay close attention to the reference side. With the Domiplate you just attach it and start start cutting mortises. Of course either method you need to set depth, width, and mark where the holes go.

It's a great help to us ADD woodworker since,,, there goes that squirrel!!!   [blink]

So, when you say it makes joining two pieces of plywood a no brainer, does that mean when making cabinet cases or joining them to for a larger size? (I like no-brainers, as it's difficult to think sometimes.)

Joining meaning connecting multiple pieces of wood together. The domino is the perfect tool for it. Not only for angle joining, but also for things like making table tops and such.

 

[Carl Prentiss]

Only now saw a very similar thread. Sorry for duplicating.

 

[Colonel Panic]

So, when you say it makes joining two pieces of plywood a no brainer, does that mean when making cabinet cases or joining them to for a larger size? (I like no-brainers, as it's difficult to think sometimes.)

It works well for both. I especially like it for a 90 degree joint. I am working on a 12' long wall mounted kapex stand. I shot extra deep domino holes and then cut a finger joint. This worked very well. The domiplate kept my head from exploding while doing this.  ;D

 

[mdelrossi]

How good is the Domiplate with plywood thats not exactly 3/4"?
The stuff I get is 18-19mm. Working with 90º butt joints on cabinets.
As it is now I make a few test joints and dial it in .

Thanks.
mdr

 

[mouppe]

How good is the Domiplate with plywood thats not exactly 3/4"?
The stuff I get is 18-19mm. Working with 90º butt joints on cabinets.
As it is now I make a few test joints and dial it in .

Thanks.
mdr

It's made for undersized plywood.

 

[shed9]

How good is the Domiplate with plywood thats not exactly 3/4"?
The stuff I get is 18-19mm. Working with 90º butt joints on cabinets.
As it is now I make a few test joints and dial it in .

Thanks.
mdr

It's made for undersized plywood.

^ this, it is described as for use with nominal sizes of ply.

I've got the shims for the 700 and they are money well spent in my opinion, the domiplate order is on my to-do list.

 

[sylthecru]

Hello All,

I am a new Festool addict who recently purchased the TS55 REQ, MIDI dust extractor, OF1400 Router and the Domino DF 500. I also purchased the domiplate but is it me or does it seems that using the domiplate the joined pieces of wood do not flush when joined with a domino or I am just using it incorrectly?

Here is the link to my site: deuxbrain.com/hobbies/garage-european-cabinets

This is my first time building cabinets and I have made some mistakes on the first 4 of the eight.

 

[JeromeM]

Hello All,

I am a new Festool addict who recently purchased the TS55 REQ, MIDI dust extractor, OF1400 Router and the Domino DF 500. I also purchased the domiplate but is it me or does it seems that using the domiplate the joined pieces of wood do not flush when joined with a domino or I am just using it incorrectly? .

If the wood joints aren't flush using the domiplate then, sorry to say, it is you.

 

[mouppe]

Hello All,

I am a new Festool addict who recently purchased the TS55 REQ, MIDI dust extractor, OF1400 Router and the Domino DF 500. I also purchased the domiplate but is it me or does it seems that using the domiplate the joined pieces of wood do not flush when joined with a domino or I am just using it incorrectly?

Here is the link to my site: deuxbrain.com/hobbies/garage-european-cabinets

This is my first time building cabinets and I have made some mistakes on the first 4 of the eight.

It may be that your wood is too thin and the domino/ domiplate is not resting properly on the top of it, but on the table instead. This is a common early user error- we've all done it!

If it is, shim it higher.

 

[Ivan T]

I used my Domiplate today to glue up some mahogany for a screen door. The mahogany is a little over 7/8 inch thick. I was using 8 x 50 mm Domino's. I used the Domiplate on the 3/4 setting. The holes were a little off center because of the 7/8 size stock however I liked that as you can easily tell if you put the wrong sides together as there will be an obvious misalignment of the boards. I put an X in chalk on the face of each board I want to use as my reference for placing the Domiplate on the board. I do make a few practice plunges in scrap to check my technique when I am going to use the Domino. My faces on the boards lined up just fine. Also when I clamped my boards together for my panel I used clamps on both sides so I could tighten them and get the panels flat.
I believe the Domiplate is rock solid if you take your time and hold it tight to the board, and you push in the Domino  slow and steady.