Dowelmax review...worth checking out

[Mac]

Hi guys,

Just watched Marc's (on TheWoodWhisperer.com) latest video where he uses and kind of reviews the DowelMax. Worth watching if you're interested...I certainly am now...looks like a cool tool.

http://thewoodwhisperer.com/drill-charging-station-dowelmax/

Cheers
Rick

 

[Frank Pellow]

Mac, the Dowelmax is a very well designed tool and it's quality of manufacture is right up there at the top.   [thumbs up]

I have had a Dowelmax for about two and a half years and it is a joy to use.  I was seriously considering the purchase of a Domino but opted for the Dowelmax instead.  I have used a Domino and I can see that it might be faster than a Dowelmax, but that's the only advantage that I see to it.  And, I am not usually in a big hurry.

 

[HowardH]

I got use the Dowelmax for the first time this past weekend and I was very pleased with the ease of use.  The mating boards were dead on accurately lined up.  It does take a bit longer to use than the Domino, as Frank stated, but once you get into the rhythm of it, you can go pretty fast.  I also like the idea that once you clamp it to the piece, there is no way you can screw it up.  Believe me, I've tried!  [embarassed]

 

[ebreuer]

I would echo Frank and Howard. I bought the Dowelmax hoping it was going to be a substitute for spending the money on the Domino. It isn't as quick, but it is extremely accurate and best of all my kids (12 and 16) can use it on their projects too. As I get better in my skills I would still like to step up to the Domino, but this has been a great tool and will always have a place in my shop.

 

[irvin00]

One more vote for the Dowelmax.

It works flawlessly - and that the best you can say or expect of any tool, in my opinion.

 

[Frank Pellow]

One more vote for the Dowelmax.

It works flawlessly - and that the best you can say or expect of any tool, in my opinion.

There is one more thing that one could say.  The documentation is excellent.

 

[smorgasbord]

New video up comparing the DowelMax to the Domino:

Despite the fact that he doesn't understand how to properly use the Domino (T-type shelf joints or using the flip stops), what the video shows me is how fiddly the DowelMax is with less flexibility. And, he even messes up with th DowelMax. Sure, I can understand the desire for something cheaper than the Domino, but I was surprised in how bad a light it shows the DowelMax, despite his recommendation for it.

 

[ChuckM]

As much as I like and enjoy the use of my DF500, I don't think it's the right tool for everyone. Its learning curve is deeper than those of many of its competitors, not to mention its price. It's a waste of money if the machine is hardly used enough. Dowel joinery is also stronger than loose tenons. With so many things stacked against the DF500, I would recommend it only to those who intend or plan to spend the effort needed to make it work and to prove it's a game changer for them.

 

[ChuckM]

Snip.what the video shows me is how fiddly the DowelMax is with less flexibility. Snip.

To be fair to him, he was new to the DowelMax. Still, I'd think it hard for any DowelMax user to match this kind of efficiency, involving offsets (just adjust the fence heights using the board thickness gauge) and mid-panel joinery:
https://www.festoolownersgroup.com/...tool-connectors-with-jig/msg701155/#msg701155

- 6 hours to complete the basic bench structure (in dry-fit state), including stock prep, If plain tenons had been used instead of  connectors (first time for me), even less time would've been needed.

 

[Packard]

My dowel jig, by CMT and available in Europe, but not in the USA, is not a jack of all trades.  It is a specialist, and its speciality is joining sheet goods such as is used for cabinet making.

Based on videos I have seen of Dominoes being used for that same application (right angle butt joinery for sheet goods), the CMT is about as fast as the Domino system for sheets as wide at 12”. 

But for wider sheets, where banking off the front or rear edge is not longer viable, then it appears that the CMT is marginally faster, as the jig will handle 24” wide panels without having to relocate the jig.

Since them are similar in speed, then the main advantages are that the CMT is much less expensive, and the dowels are far less expensive too.

I cannot remember if I bought it from IGM (Italy) or Amazon.de (Germany).  I am not seeing it in either now.  IGM had good videos on it back then.  I am not finding any now. 

 

[ChuckM]

I point people to this quote whenever they wonder if the DF500 is worth it: "The success of the Domino is a testament to good marketing rather than good performance."
https://www.dowelmax.com/woodworking/tools/domino-vs-dowelmax-dowel-jig-system/

Because it's true...when the machine is in the hands of anyone who has had only superficial experience with it.

 

[smorgasbord]

To be fair to him, he was new to the DowelMax.

Sure, but seeing how he didn't know about how to do a Domino mid panel T joint or use the flip stops shows me he hasn't researched how to use his Domino, either. Heck, he doesn't know about the vertical right angle foot bracket that's in his systainer, saying it has to be bought, when it's the DowelMax that needs the optional face-cutting attachment. And the $50 tool for doweling into 45º bevels (and only 45º). And then more money for ½" dowel or ¼" dowel support. And then the $39 tool for setting drill bit depth, which is so bad he's willing to spend hundreds more on additional drills to dedicate to mixed depths on projects (although he really only needs additional drill bits with the collar preset).

I think the DowelMax is fine for what it is, and the big positive is that you're going to spend only about ⅓ of what a Domino costs for about 75% of the capability. But you pay for that in time and ease of use. I wonder what the DowelMax offers above a Chinese drill guide like this one:https://www.banggood.com/Wnew-3-In-...-Opener-DIY-Woodworking-Tools-p-1850853.html. Video here..

I think it's interesting that the Mafell Duo Doweller is more expensive than the DF500 for the same tool layout without the patented swinging tech (so much for the Festool ripoff claim). And Grizzly has a dual doweller for $110 (looks the same as the Igooo) that is probably easier to use than the DowelMax, but I wonder about fence quality and lack of flip stops. It'll be interesting to see reviews of the Grizzly, which I expect to happen pretty soon.

 

[mino]

Sure, but seeing how he didn't know about how to do a Domino mid panel T joint or use the flip stops shows me he hasn't researched how to use his Domino, either. Heck, he doesn't know about the vertical right angle foot bracket that's in his systainer, saying it has to be bought
...

This. His is a SHOW. Not a "review" video.

He chose a popular theme he knows people want to hear "that cheapo way to stick it to the bad expensive Festool!" and made a video to follow that narrative. Peter Millard did a couple of videos themed like this. But he actualy did a review of them with pros and cons properly listed. Not an amateurish TikTok sketch like this guy.

I have no DF 500 (yet). I have a 20" doweling jig and found the LR32 system works well for doweling too with the right table setup. When one does a "review" and misses the core feature of a product - precision and no-tool-needed flip stops - then ignores even the included not to mention available accessories, that is no review.

This was not written against the DowelMax .. it has its place .. but against the pile of BS that video spouts.

 

[ChuckM]

Snip
I think the DowelMax is fine for what it is, and the big positive is that you're going to spend only about ⅓ of what a Domino costs for about 75% of the capability. Snip.

Some less-known capability of the Domino machine includes:

[attachimg=1]  [attachimg=2]

[attachimg=3]  [attachimg=4]

Edit: It's not just about capability, but also about how efficiently that capability is achieved. One curved chair back, for example, may not be too difficult to produce with hand tools, dowels, or metal rods. But when you have a dozen or two dozen to make, capability alone isn't enough.

 

[smorgasbord]

Peter Millard did a couple of videos themed like this. But he actualy did a review of them with pros and cons properly listed. Not an amateurish TikTok sketch like this guy.

Yeah Millard's video on the Triton dual doweller was, I thought, spot on. Triton should watch that and make those 3 modifications he shows or describes in the video and they'd probably have a huge hit on their hands. And from what I can see, the Grizzly is the same basic machine with the same basic fails:

1) Scribe line through fence (plastic window) is not accurate and not adjustable without filing plastic away.
2) Edge of Fence doesn't line up with edit of Base so you can't just align stock with the edge since which edge is used varies from rail to stile.
3) No marking on the side of the base to show the centerline of the dowels

1 & 3 can be done by owner as retrofit, but why? It's not like it would cost more to manufacture.

 

[jbarr]

Sure, but seeing how he didn't know about how to do a Domino mid panel T joint or use the flip stops shows me he hasn't researched how to use his Domino, either. Heck, he doesn't know about the vertical right angle foot bracket that's in his systainer, saying it has to be bought
...

This. His is a SHOW. Not a "review" video.

He chose a popular theme he knows people want to hear "that cheapo way to stick it to the bad expensive Festool!" and made a video to follow that narrative. Peter Millard did a couple of videos themed like this. But he actualy did a review of them with pros and cons properly listed. Not an amateurish TikTok sketch like this guy.

I have no DF 500 (yet). I have a 20" doweling jig and found the LR32 system works well for doweling too with the right table setup. When one does a "review" and misses the core feature of a product - precision and no-tool-needed flip stops - then ignores even the included not to mention available accessories, that is no review.

This was not written against the DowelMax .. it has its place .. but against the pile of BS that video spouts.

Well said!

I owned the Dowelmax (it was good) before I got the Domino but sold it because I was sick of reconfiguring the jig when drilling edge to face joints which I did a lot.  Also, he failed to mention 3 of the best features of the Domino. No dust, the wide setting and the flaps. That wide setting has been brilliant when using warped or inferior stock. Also when a Youtuber receives a  product for free , I take their subsequent comments with a grain of salt despite his assurances that his video will be unbiased. Case in point was his ridiculous explanation of mid panel joinery on the Domino. I'm fairly sure he knows how easy it is!

 

[luvmytoolz]

Well said!

I owned the Dowelmax (it was good) before I got the Domino but sold it because I was sick of reconfiguring the jig when drilling edge to face joints which I did a lot.  Also, he failed to mention 3 of the best features of the Domino. No dust, the wide setting and the flaps. That wide setting has been brilliant when using warped or inferior stock. Also when a Youtuber receives a  product for free , I take their subsequent comments with a grain of salt despite his assurances that his video will be unbiased. Case in point was his ridiculous explanation of mid panel joinery on the Domino. I'm fairly sure he knows how easy it is!

I'd also add how fast the Domino is in use! If you use it as I suspect many people do, just simply referencing off one side, it's amazingly fast to mark, machine, and assemble!

Also, I don't know if it was his technique but at the 6:12 mark you can clearly see the board faces don't line up. Maybe that's why he didn't mention the preciseness of using the jig again as he did for the joint earlier?

 

[Crazyraceguy]

He's a bit of a hack in nearly every video he does. I have watched him on and off for quite some time, but  something like this puts me off for a while.
He will constantly talk about being afraid of routers, which is ok I guess, but I don't see the need to harp on it.

 

[ChuckM]

Snip.Also when a Youtuber receives a  product for free , I take their subsequent comments with a grain of salt despite his assurances that his video will be unbiased. Snip

This is really a "damned if I do and damned if I don't" situation. The only way to avoid getting into such situation is to buy tools you are going to recommend with your own money in the first place. Chris Schwarz is one of those who do that. But then they are less likely to be a YouTuber, are they?

If someone gets a freebie, uses it long enough to master it and shares their opinion, I'd value or respect the recommendation. A recommendation based on superficial knowledge and experience is always ignored.

 

[smorgasbord]

Also, I don't know if it was his technique but at the 6:12 mark you can clearly see the board faces don't line up. Maybe that's why he didn't mention the preciseness of using the jig again as he did for the joint earlier?

I saw four things:
1) He doesn't clear the drill bit from chips before drilling the next hole.
2) The guide pivots slightly on the stock as he's drilling.
3) He loosened the wrong nuts at least one time, that might affect accuracy depending on what got in there when he eventually retightened.
4) He didn't clear the holes from chips/dust before inserting dowels.