Festool Domino Biscuit Joiner

[Barn Girl]

We were thinking about buying one of these.  Does anyone have it?  Just looking for some reviews on what people have to say about this tool!  Much appreciated! 
Happy thanksgiving to All!!!!

 

[Kev]

Not biscuits ... tenons.

It's brilliant! Best to watch a few youtube videos on it to get a true appreciation.

 

[denrusso]

Lots of useful videos on youtube that aren't hard to find regarding this subject (and most by members here!)...

Thanks,
dr

 

[tjbnwi]

One of the few tools I would not give up.

Enter Domino in the search box. A lot of good info.

Tom

 

[Paul G]

Asking if anyone at a Festool forum has a Domino is like asking if there are any Yankee fans in New York . Yes, many folks here have them including myself and I've found it to be fantastic. Would be helpful to know a little of what you're hoping to use it for if you're wondering if it's right for you.

 

[dltflt]

You would not regret that purchase.  The Domino is an awesome machine.

 

[Kev]

You would not regret that purchase.  The Domino is an awesome machine.

They both are [big grin] and Seneca can help the 700 address smaller project requirements.

 

[fdengel]

As was pointed out earlier, the Domino is a loose tenon joiner, not a biscuit joiner - world of difference.  The similarities in appearance are superficial.

 

[sancho57]

It is a awesome tool, butttttt it does have a learning curve , unfortunately Im still on that curve

 

[barnowl]

Festool Domino Biscuit Joiner

Oh my.

Where do I begin?

Best way to describe the Domino is that it's a hand held Multi-Router on steroids.

10 times the versatility, at 1/3 the cost.

^^^^^^^^^
How'd I do folks?

 

[mouppe]

Given your work, you'd probably be best off with the larger Domino XL.

 

[jacko9]

Barn Girl,  I purchased the Domino 500 when it first came out and have built a lot of solid wood furniture with that excellent machine.

When they released the Domino 700, I couldn't wait for it to arrive since it allows me to build bigger structures and it compliments the smaller machine perfectly.

If you have any specific questions about using either of these machines, you have come to the right forum.

Jack

 

[Wuffles]

Can I jump in here with a relevant bunch of questions that hopefully will be pertinent to Barn Girl?

So, I am in the market for a Domino. No idea which one (or why). It's just that I have this voucher burning a hole in my pocket and everyone
on this forum says they are brilliant.

Mainly deal with plywood cabinetry construction, currently using pocket screws and/or biscuits so figured the 500 would do me. Been to the dealers today, and they very kindly let me into their stock room (HEAVEN) to have a look through the dominos themselves to figure out which ones I am more likely to use and therefore pick out the right machine based on that. I'm aware of the 3rd party stuff for the 700 to make it use smaller dominos, but as I live in the UK these things will end up costing me a few quid in import duty etc I guess. Plus there's the whole "oh a 500 is awful without the machined 3rd party plate fitted" - I'm exaggerating, but even the Festool guy in one video I have watched had one fitted, so to my mind there's a problem with the machine out of the box right there.

Plus with the 700 to get all the bits it means buying a couple of sets (or buy the missing bits and dominos from the SYS individually), whereas the 500 is almost complete with the addition of the SYS?

Anyway, I walked away from the dealers even more confused than when I went in.

Is a bog standard 500 going to cut the mustard? I could do without spending the extra on anything really, especially the extra money on a 700 which for all I know will have the same problems as the 500 out of the box.

Sorry for duplication, letting my mind run.

 

[GarryMartin]

Mainly deal with plywood cabinetry construction

The DF500 will be ideal. Generally, you want to use a Domino that is 1/3 the size of the sheet goods you are using; so for 12mm ply, use a 4mm Domino; for 18mm ply, use a 6mm Domino etc.

The DomiPlate is great, but it's designed for the American market to allow easy repetitive use on nominal 1/2" and 3/4" Imperial sheet goods. You'll be fine in the UK with the standard tool in metric.

 

[Wuffles]

I thought it was to stop the problem reported by people of "creep" in adjusters, not just to satisfy an imperial market?

So out of the box, with the exception of adding the SYS too with the cutters (not all of them annoyingly) and a bunch of dominos then I ought to be ok? It's worth the extra few quid for the Domino SET over the standard kit?

Thanks in advance, and hope this is still helping the OP.

 

[GarryMartin]

I thought it was to stop the problem reported by people of "creep" in adjusters, not just to satisfy an imperial market?

I haven't had a problem with creep so can't comment on that one.

So out of the box, with the exception of adding the SYS too with the cutters (not all of them annoyingly) and a bunch of dominos then I ought to be ok? It's worth the extra few quid for the Domino SET over the standard kit?

The Festool Beechwood DOMINO assortment (498899) includes all of the cutters for the DF-500 (i.e. 4mm, 5mm, 6mm, 8mm and 10mm) as well as an assortment of 1060 Beechwood Dominos - definitely recommended.

The Q-Set gets you the Cross Stop (493488) and the Trim Stop (493487) over and above what you get with the Q-Sys option. If you think you'll need both, get the Q-Set. If you're not sure, they are obviously available individually although you'll pay slightly more to pick them up later.

 

[Wuffles]

Ah yes, that was the chap. I thought it didn't come with the 4mm cutter - clearly it does. Perhaps it didn't in the past.

Anyway, that's great to know and helps me make my decision. Thanks so much.

 

[jonny round boy]

Ah yes, that was the chap. I thought it didn't come with the 4mm cutter - clearly it does. Perhaps it didn't in the past.

The 4mm cutter & dominoes were introduced after the Domino was, therefore the initial domino & cutter sets didn't include them. They do now.

 

[Wuffles]

Superb. Mind made up then thanks everyone.