Festool Domino DFC 500 still not available in USA

[ionut.manolache]

A friend of mine attended a tools show in UK and the cordless domino is available in Europe, but was not released in North America.
Festool should have released it for the 100 year anniversary, instead of putting the old one in a blue box. Not cool.

 

[luvmytoolz]

Festool Oz are definitely making the most of selling the old model, and have been running heavy promos the last few months with the 100 year gear, but their site has a placeholder up that we can expect the cordless Domino Feb 2026!

 

[Cheese]

While it may be painful to hear...successful companies looking to be around in the future, still need to produce a profit to remain in business. For Festool USA to simply dump their inventory of DF 500's and supplant them with DFC 500's would be untenable and unsustainable from a monetary level. Better to sign on to option 2.

Further, there's been a fair amount of debate on this forum as to how successful the DFC 500 will be in the future. You still need to use a vac...unlike the sanders or saws that can just use a bag. You're still tethered to a vacuum which means...what have you gained?

 

[luvmytoolz]

@Cheese Couldn't agree more. It's hard for me to imagine many people using the DFC on site with a battery powered extractor, which to my mind is the only real use case for the majority of situations.

What would have been really great, is if the corded DF500 came with the D handle!

I'm honestly really surprised Festool re-released the corded model without the D handle.

 

[ionut.manolache]

I am interested in the new DF 500 corded with the new fence. Yes, they should have redesigned the handle for the corded version.

> to simply dump their inventory of DF 500's
no need to dump them, just pt them on sale.

 

[usernumber1]

one less thing to connect, one less cable to manage. same story as the cordless track saw. i'll take it any day, the battery should last just fine all my projects, and if it doesn't I have another one.

 

[luvmytoolz]

I wouldn't quite equate the usage of the cordless Domino to a cordless tracksaw, as you can happily use the track saw without dust extraction just fine, although it might be a tad messy.

Whereas you must use dust extraction with the Domino, whether it's cordless or corded dust extraction.

 

[ChuckS]

Not sure whom the DFC is being targeted at. Is a fad or a practical solution that will make the machine stay as a permanent part of the DF family? Sure, some will buy it for its novelty. Time will tell.

I don't find the cord an issue when using my machine, which can be tied to the hose, if desired, as some do. The extra weight of the battery as well as its extra cost (batteries will die or go weak one day) outweighs whatever benefits a cordless DF may bring for me.

 

[ChuckS]

@Cheese Couldn't agree more. It's hard for me to imagine many people using the DFC on site with a battery powered extractor, which to my mind is the only real use case for the majority of situations.

What would have been really great, is if the corded DF500 came with the D handle!

I'm honestly really surprised Festool re-released the corded model without the D handle.

Festool could be taking a page from the auto industry: releasing enhancements over a period of time in successive models. If they added an LED and a D handle three years from today, they'd have a "new" tool to promote and sell!

 

[rmhinden]

For the reasons mentioned in the posts, they could be waiting to see how well it sells in the EU before distributing it world wide.

Bob

 

[Crazyraceguy]

Not sure whom the DFC is being targeted at. Is a fad or a practical solution that will make the machine stay as a permanent part of the DF family? Sure, some will buy it for its novelty. Time will tell.

I don't find the cord an issue when using my machine, which can be tied to the hose, if desired, as some do. The extra weight of the battery as well as its extra cost (batteries will die or go weak one day) outweighs whatever benefits a cordless DF may bring for me.

My thoughts exactly.
Also, I don't see the DF500 as a job-site tool anyway. So, anything that might enhance that aspect, does nothing for me.

Festool could be taking a page from the auto industry: releasing enhancements over a period of time in successive models. If they added an LED and a D handle three years from today, they'd have a "new" tool to promote and sell!

I really dislike that mentality. It seems usury to me. The cost of the DFs is already a sticking point/controversy, so holding improvements for successive iterations would likely annoy a lot of people.
How bad would it be for a guy to finally take the leap, after potentially waiting a while, to then see some great new feature?
I had that happen to me, many years ago. I replaced a failing gas-powered lawn mower, with a cordless electric. Within just a few weeks they introduced an upgraded model with a Lithium Ion battery and 4" larger cut width.

As far as the DFC, the only thing that needs to change (for NA import) is the charger.

 

[Cheese]

I really like the ergonomics of the DF 700 and the way it handles...that is the only attribute of the DFC 500 that I care about being carried over to the DF 500.

 

[ChuckS]

Yeah, I share that opinion, too.

Knowing that I couldn't wait for a new corded Domino Joiner (I never thought there'd be enough demand for a cordless DF) to be released with a D handle, I took matters into my own hands and fashioned a handle for my DF500, which I use when I have a big job to do (over 100 mortises to mill, for example):

C

Thread 'Domino Joiner DF500 handle'

Jan 20, 2021

Finally I found time to add a handle to the DF500, using one of the plane handles lying around, which were bought at the local Lee Valley store  (Clearance Corner) a few years back. I know other people have tried that and liked it.

For the usual projects (say, only double digits of mortises to mill), I won't need the handle, but for a big joinery task, I think the handle will come handy. For now, it sits detached in the systainer.

• ChuckS
• Replies: 5
• Forum: Festool Jigs & Tool Enhancements

 

[Cheese]

...I never thought there'd be enough demand for a cordless DF...

And we still don't know that there is...

 

[luvmytoolz]

And we still don't know that there is...

I know there's been a bit of talk about the one less cord making the DFC far more useful, but I'm with you guys, out of all the tools that can benefit from being cordless, the DF500 would not be on my list.

Cordless makes more sense with the Lamello Zeta using a bag as the blade ejects the waste, but not so with the Domino.

 

[ChuckS]

Looking at the photos, I wonder if the DFC, given its battery and D handle, fares worse than a corded DF500 when making lots of veritcal cuts. Since I haven't had a chance to try the DFC, my doubt may not stand.

My experience with the DF500 and DF700 has been that plunging veritically is easier -- especially when I do it in a sitting position -- with the small machine than with large brother both because of the D handle and the size of the machine.

 

[luvmytoolz]

Looking at the photos, I wonder if the DFC, given its battery and D handle, fares worse than a corded DF500 when making lots of veritcal cuts. Since I haven't had a chance to try the DFC, my doubt may not stand.

My experience with the DF500 and DF700 has been that plunging veritically is easier -- especially when I do it in a sitting position -- with the small machine than with large brother both because of the D handle and the size of the machine.

I've never thought about that aspect but now that I do I think you're right, I've definitely found the DF500 easier in vertical mode.