Festool Newbie - DF700 XL Good For What?

[Runhard]

The DF700 is 2 weeks old.  Came in one of the usual Festool cases but about 3 times the height.  I dislike dealing with selling stuff and its too cold outside to bother driving 30 miles back to Woodcraft.  If the weather breaks enough to bother taking it back within the 30 days then fine.  If not, into the garage attic storage bin or dumpster it goes.  Either way works for me.  My time is worth more than the tool.

Starting to research the DF500 and see if it has drill cores and tenons down to 4mm.  That would be the right size.

Sorry, not be rude or disrespectful but that seems a little extreme. Just to throw away a perfectly good and expensive tool seems to be a waste, but that's your right. I would be willing to buy it from you if the price was right. I would even send you a box to ship it in, including a paid return lable, so it would not be too much of a hassle for you. I have a barley used Domino 500 that has the 4mm cutter that you are interested in. We could work out a trade/deal if you're interested.

Daniel

 

[duburban]

Good Day Sir!

 

[jacko9]

i hope this guy is kidding. i can't believe how rude it is to waive disposable income around like that… total jerk

Hey, he did say it was cold outside [wink]

 

[deepcreek]

Hey, it's cold here too.  At least for Houston.

I'm looking for a Domino XL to put to good use.  I make my living with these tools so money is always tight on a carpenter's paycheck.

If someone has one that they don't really have the need for and want to get some cash out of it then please let me know.

I'll even send a prepaid UPS shipping label and have them come pick it up if that's what it takes.

 

[peter halle]

We've all been frustrated or have seen frustrated members post here.  Let's keep it polite please.

Peter

 

[Kev]

My time is valuable to me too ... as a result I spend the time thinking about what I want before I buy something. It's a little bit strange to go to the effort of buying something and find out it's use afterwards.

It's also strange to make a Domino XL purchase error and related posts your first on the FOG ... these few posts must have cost you about $5K if I extrapolate [big grin]

I'm certain most of the US Festool dealers represented here on the FOG would be happy to organise a "one of everything Festool" transaction, with a pickup service for the one or two items you don't ultimately desire.

What a time saver ... sound WIN/WIN to you?

 

[greg mann]

I am really disappointed. Seems this thread has lost its steam. Can't imagine why. I was looking forward to loading up on popcorn again. I really don't need to eat any more but we don't have a fishing emoticon.

Gives new meaning to the expression 'disposable income'.

 

[RC]

And I thought April Fools was still a few weeks away ;-)

I have a dust bin on four wheels if anyone round these parts feels the urge to throw Festoys into the bumpster  [big grin]

 

[bkharman]

I guess for some, this forum is a good place to vent. I try to help when I can but some just have things going on that we can't help.

Personally, if I ever bought a tool that cost 1200.00 and hated it, I would make it out in the cold to return that sucker. Or at least make my wife do it... 

Willy Wonka out!!

 

[dicktill]

I purchased a 700XL this week and have only cut a few test mortises so my experience with this tool is quite limited.  I purchased it for an upcoming project that requires large and deep mortises.  I have had the Domino 500 since it was introduced in the US.  Even though the 700 is bulkier and heavier, I found it very easy to control, stable, and bores accurate and very smooth mortises in ash.  I experienced some sticking in the plunge action initially and discovered that whatever lubricant was on the guide bars was tacky.  I wiped this off with a paper towel and then used the towel to apply Tri-flow.  This made the plunge action much smoother. 

Hi Steve,

Which of the many Tri-flow lubricant do you use/recommend?

Thanks, Dick

 

[stvrowe]

I purchased a 700XL this week and have only cut a few test mortises so my experience with this tool is quite limited.  I purchased it for an upcoming project that requires large and deep mortises.  I have had the Domino 500 since it was introduced in the US.  Even though the 700 is bulkier and heavier, I found it very easy to control, stable, and bores accurate and very smooth mortises in ash.  I experienced some sticking in the plunge action initially and discovered that whatever lubricant was on the guide bars was tacky.  I wiped this off with a paper towel and then used the towel to apply Tri-flow.  This made the plunge action much smoother. 

Hi Steve,

Which of the many Tri-flow lubricant do you use/recommend?

Thanks, Dick

I use the one in the 2 or 4 oz bottle.  Don't get the spray as it is much too messy.  I used this stuff when I was repairing sewing machines because it doesn't collect dirt and dust.  To find it locally, try a sewing machine shop, bike shop, or hardware store.  This is the link to what I use;

Tri-Flow

Steve

 

[dicktill]

I use the one in the 2 or 4 oz bottle.  Don't get the spray as it is much too messy.  I used this stuff when I was repairing sewing machines because it doesn't collect dirt and dust.  To find it locally, try a sewing machine shop, bike shop, or hardware store.  This is the link to what I use;

Tri-Flow

Steve

Thanks Steve!

 

[Kev]

I tend to use the TF2 in the aerosol can for god glide on metal parts.

 

[Stone Message]

Hi Jeanluc

I am sorry that you are having a battle with the DF700. I did not eat all of my spinach when I was growing up and am under 6 feet, rather older than the average and arthritic. I have absolutely no problem with the DF700 - it is the best designed and engineered woodworking tool that I have ever used (the OF2200 is a very close second). Maybe it is because I have Marmite on my toast at breakfast time that I find the big Domino very easy to use!

I will be making more videos featuring this brilliant machine in a couple of months and hope to be able to convince everyone that this is a superb tool.

Peter

 

[Litch]

Peter

I have seen your review and I know how impressed you are with the 700. I have one on order but have yet to pay for it so I could pull out, especially seeing as people on this thread are saying its only useful for big projects. This is what I have on over the next year. I have to build a garden gate a driveway gate. Two awnings to go over windows in the house. As well as two vanities units for two bathrooms and possibly a full kitchen.

My view was that with the tool from seneca that allows the 500 bits inserted into the XL700 then I could use the 700 for all the tasks I currently have planned. Although I am not that sure now and maybe I should instead consider the 500 and just double up the tenons on the gates I have to make. An advice as always would be appreciated.

 

[Stone Message]

Peter

I have seen your review and I know how impressed you are with the 700. I have one on order but have yet to pay for it so I could pull out, especially seeing as people on this thread are saying its only useful for big projects. This is what I have on over the next year. I have to build a garden gate a driveway gate. Two awnings to go over windows in the house. As well as two vanities units for two bathrooms and possibly a full kitchen.

My view was that with the tool from seneca that allows the 500 bits inserted into the XL700 then I could use the 700 for all the tasks I currently have planned. Although I am not that sure now and maybe I should instead consider the 500 and just double up the tenons on the gates I have to make. An advice as always would be appreciated.

Hi Litch,

With the work you have planned the DF700 looks essential as the gates would be best done with some nice long dominos.

The DF700 beats the DF500 in many ways...You can set the depth of cut to exactly the amount you want rather than the stop settings on the DF500 and you can go all the way to 70 mm depth. The height of the cut has a far greater range with the DF700. The DF700 is better balanced and, despite being heavier, is easier to handle. The DF700 stop pins (3 on each side of the cutter) are far superior to the paddles (one each side of the cutter) on the DF 500. Then add the domino range 8, 10, 12 and 14 mm and it is a winner.

My Domino 500 domino usage does include a few 4 mm, a few more 6 mm but then a lot of 8 and 10 mm ones. I will continue to use it for small tasks or when I need to show Domino 500 users how to do a particular task. I will be getting a DF700 and will use it for all 8 mm and upwards work. The accessories that I have already bought for the DF500 will fit the DF700.

If I were starting from scratch I would get the DF700 without hesitation and consider getting the little gadget for adapting the smaller cutters if it became an issue. I would also get the two systainer domino assortments as they include the extra cutters.

Many of my ideas for the Domino, some of which I showed in my Domino Extras videos, are best suited to the DF700. I hope to do some more videos like these in the not too distant future.

I hope that this helps.

Peter

 

[Kev]

Peter

I have seen your review and I know how impressed you are with the 700. I have one on order but have yet to pay for it so I could pull out, especially seeing as people on this thread are saying its only useful for big projects. This is what I have on over the next year. I have to build a garden gate a driveway gate. Two awnings to go over windows in the house. As well as two vanities units for two bathrooms and possibly a full kitchen.

My view was that with the tool from seneca that allows the 500 bits inserted into the XL700 then I could use the 700 for all the tasks I currently have planned. Although I am not that sure now and maybe I should instead consider the 500 and just double up the tenons on the gates I have to make. An advice as always would be appreciated.

Nothing you speak of making sounds small and fiddly. I believe the 700 with the adaptor would suit you well.

 

[NYC Tiny Shop]

+1 to Peter and Kev's advice, in addition to what I wrote on page one of this thread.

Seeing the value of the Domino, I initially just went out and bought both machines simultanoeusly. If I had to make a choice of either one, then I would buy the 700 with the Seneca adapter. I have found, for my last six builds, that it's much faster for me to have both machines loaded with bits, instead of having to constantly change bits. But, bit change is very fast. That said, I have found having the 4 and 6mm option of the 500 indespensable.  For you, eat your Wheaties, get the 700 with the Seneca adapter, and then add the 500 later. Hope this helps.

 

[leer]

Let me know your address and when you plan to throw it in the trash, it is dumpster diving time?  Must be nice just to throw $1300 in the trash.

I think it was just hyperbole from jeanluc.  You know, one never gets rich by being wasteful!

Personally, this time of year, when it is cold, I ask Jeeves to fire up the Range Rover, and return something I've found to be less than satisfactory.  He enjoys the time away from the mundane tasks around the estate.  I let him split up the funds from these returns with the other wait staff.  They really appreciate the generosity I bestow upon them.

Do a good turn daily, I always say!

 

[Litch]

Thanks Peter Kev and Tiny shop. All great advice I keep being amazed on how generous everyone is on FOG with their knowledge and willingness to share their experiences. I will keep the 700 on order.

I intend adding the cross stops and trim stops is there any reason not to?

I also intending buying the systainer assortment for the 500 (498899) which includes the 8mm & 10mm dominos and I was also going to buy one of the XL Domino systainers. As the 500 one does include 8mm and 10mm I was going to get the systainer for the larger sizes (498205) namely 12mm & 14mm then I am covered. However, I also intend getting some of the Sipo tenons as the gates will be outdoors, So my question is how critical is it to get the sipo tenons for outdoor work?