Festool Router and CT or Domino

[Jmaichel]

I am in sort of a quandry. I am going back and forth between Festool Router with at CT and a Domino. I have been using my TS55, chisel and router plane to cut rabbets and dados but I don't get accuracy that I would like. I really don't like using pocket holes all the much either. Any input?

James

 

[Frank-Jan]

Since you currently don't have a router, I would go for your first option, because that is a more basic and versatile tool. AND you really need a vac for using a domino.

 

[hhh]

==> Since you currently don't have a router, I would go for your first option, because that is a more basic and versatile tool. AND you really need a vac for using a domino.

+1

 

[Jmaichel]

==> Since you currently don't have a router, I would go for your first option, because that is a more basic and versatile tool. AND you really need a vac for using a domino.

+1

Yea that makes a lot of sense. I am using a Shop Vac connected to a Dust Right Vortex but its a serioius PITA! Thanks!

James

 

[Kev]

I'm tempted to say you "need" all three.

Depending on what you're doing (big dependence) a cheap and cheerful basic router and a domino with your existing extraction may be a better path ... then next acquire a CT ... the a Festool router with broader purpose.

As much as a router is a fairly fundamental shop tool these days, they all do similar things ... the Festool routers just do it better and cleaner. But when it comes to the domino, it's unique and it's the sort of tool you just really enjoy ... it'll change what you do.

My 2c.

Kev.

 

[MrToolJunkie]

I think that a router and CT would be the better first choice.  True, the Domino is revolutionary in what it can do, but a router is one of those must-have tools in any woodworking shop.  It is so fundamental that pretty much every project I build sees some kind of router work and I was building things well before the Domino existed...but I have used a router during most of my woodworking days.  The CT will improve your overall health and cleanliness of your shop/projects and make everything more enjoyable and you will use it with all of your current and future Festool purchases.  Don't get me wrong, the Domino is awesome, but I would add it after a router.  Just my two cents.

Scot

 

[Jmaichel]

I'm tempted to say you "need" all three.

Depending on what you're doing (big dependence) a cheap and cheerful basic router and a domino with your existing extraction may be a better path ... then next acquire a CT ... the a Festool router with broader purpose.

As much as a router is a fairly fundamental shop tool these days, they all do similar things ... the Festool routers just do it better and cleaner. But when it comes to the domino, it's unique and it's the sort of tool you just really enjoy ... it'll change what you do.

My 2c.

Kev.

Hey Kev,
Eventually all three would be ideal. I understand what your saying about the routers all being the same but I am now hooked on the festool stuff and I just don't think I would be happy with any other router. Thanks for the input!

James

 

[AlexThePalex]

A router is a lot more important for all basic woodworking functions than a Domino. If you don't have a router as a woodworker, you're a bit handicapped. That's not the case if you lack a Domino because there are other ways to achieve what it does.

 

[Stone Message]

I think that Alex is right but...

Before I became a Festool addict I had several routers (Dewalt, CMT, Stanley and Axminster) and used a high end Lamello biscuit jointer. I replaced the Lamello first and bought my first Domino (the fantastic DF500) and my CT (the wonderful CT26). I managed with the old routers for quite some time but, even though all of their good points combined did not come close to anything Festool offer, you have to have a router (or two or more) if you are serious about working with wood. I still use my old CMT in my router table.

So for James I think he needs a Festool router, CT and a Domino right now. As he has no router already but may be strapped for cash he could buy the CT and Domino now and find a second hand router to last until the funds recover.

Do not forget that when buying a router that you will end up, usually fairly early on, spending more money on the cutters than the router itself. You must build this into your budget. Because of this I would recommend that you always get the best router on the market - in my case the OF2200, which is a router designed by a genius - a gentle giant that can be used for the most demanding or most delicate task.

Peter

 

[Kev]

I'm tempted to say you "need" all three.

Depending on what you're doing (big dependence) a cheap and cheerful basic router and a domino with your existing extraction may be a better path ... then next acquire a CT ... the a Festool router with broader purpose.

As much as a router is a fairly fundamental shop tool these days, they all do similar things ... the Festool routers just do it better and cleaner. But when it comes to the domino, it's unique and it's the sort of tool you just really enjoy ... it'll change what you do.

My 2c.

Kev.

Hey Kev,
Eventually all three would be ideal. I understand what your saying about the routers all being the same but I am now hooked on the festool stuff and I just don't think I would be happy with any other router. Thanks for the input!

James

Hi James,

I fully understand! I was just trying on my "it probably doesn't have to be all Festool" costume ... but it obviously doesn't fit me.  [big grin]

(stuff James has) + OF1400 -> CT26 -> ETS150/3 -> MFT/3 -> Domino -> RO 90 -> KAPEX -> everything else ...

 

[Jmaichel]

A router is a lot more important for all basic woodworking functions than a Domino. If you don't have a router as a woodworker, you're a bit handicapped. That's not the case if you lack a Domino because there are other ways to achieve what it does.

You make a good point Alex, there have been several times where I could have used a router.

 

[Jmaichel]

Hi James,

I fully understand! I was just trying on my "it probably doesn't have to be all Festool" costume ... but it obviously doesn't fit me.  [big grin]

(stuff James has) + OF1400 -> CT26 -> ETS150/3 -> MFT/3 -> Domino -> RO 90 -> KAPEX -> everything else ...

I have a TS55, MFT 1080, ETS150/3 and CXS. I am on the fence between the OF1400 and the OF1010. I am leaning toward the OF1010 especially since Lee Valley just released a new line of 8mm bits. I guess the OF1010 and CT would be the logical choice and then the Domino to follow at some point.

Thanks again!
James

 

[Woodenfish]

While I don't know your needs, but based entirely on your posting at this time I would choose neither.  [huh]

A less expensive router kit that can be used above or below a table is far more important to me in a woodworking hobby than a fancy plunge router with dust collection would be. A secondary router in time like a Festool would be a much later purchase. Sawing, jointing, planing, moulding, sanding and finishing are the big five. Once I had all of those down to a satisfactory level of performance and skill I felt comfortable in buying higher end specialty tools.

While I envy those who were able to go all-in early into Festool, the budget for that was never available to me. Twenty some years into this hobby, a move to a larger home with 3-car garage, kid in college on scholarship, I now have a fairly well equipped shop with machines like table saw, jointer, planer, bandsaw, drill press, router table, dust collector and compressor. To that I added over time a Festool TS55, MFT/3, ETS150/5, RO90, Domino, CT33 and a bunch of the usual suspect Festool gadgets to make their use more enjoyable.

Still my routing is done by Craftsman, Bosch and Porter Cable and that is not likely to change. I have a Porter Cable 7518 router mounted in a JessEm Mast-R-Lift Excel table that is attached to my Oneida Cyclone collector and four other routers. The two Craftsman Professional models have choices of three router bases all having dust collection attachments if need be, a PC 690 and a Bosch Colt.

My opinion might differ if I knew better of the kinds of projects interest you, tools in possession, available space, etc.. Good luck and further enjoyment to you.

 

[Kev]

Hi James,

I fully understand! I was just trying on my "it probably doesn't have to be all Festool" costume ... but it obviously doesn't fit me.  [big grin]

(stuff James has) + OF1400 -> CT26 -> ETS150/3 -> MFT/3 -> Domino -> RO 90 -> KAPEX -> everything else ...

I have a TS55, MFT 1080, ETS150/3 and CXS. I am on the fence between the OF1400 and the OF1010. I am leaning toward the OF1010 especially since Lee Valley just released a new line of 8mm bits. I guess the OF1010 and CT would be the logical choice and then the Domino to follow at some point.

Thanks again!
James

I have an OF1400, but will pickup a OF1010 in time, simply because of its nimbleness.

 

[Acrobat]

I think the Router before the Domino, only because it can enable you do such a variety of effects and as there are sooo many routers and their bits available- whilst the domino's work can be accomplished with traditional methods. If you choose a non-festool brand you'll have the $ available quicker for the domino and vac.  I have 3 routers, one permanently in a table, one for freehand trenching etc and one smaller model for edging, trimming and smaller stuff. Whilst it would be great to have all top line tools, if you only use the router a bit at a time it may be better to purchase a cheaper model brand.
If you go Festool you'll find you will NEED the vac. Once you get one there's no going back-at least thats what I found. I can't believe I did any woodwork without one for years. And attached to the sanders and domino makes woodworking a much more pleasant activity.

 

[RussellS]

I say get the Domino and vacuum before the router and vacuum.  A router is a basic machine.  It spins a bit.  All routers more or less do the same thing about as well as the next one.  Router bits are really the important part.  You can get by very well with a lower cost router if you want.  Honest.  But the Domino is a whole different animal.  It does something no other machine does.  I know you can use a router to approximate what the Domino does.  But its not really that comparable.  The ease of one makes it very different.  The Domino makes joints so much faster and easier than any other method, that it changes how you work.  It will make you more productive, faster, maybe better, and probably encourage you to do more complicated work.  It adds to your ability by making harder work easier.  So you are more likely to do hard projects because they are not as hard.

 

[JeromeM]

I say get the Domino and vacuum before the router and vacuum.  A router is a basic machine.  It spins a bit.  All routers more or less do the same thing about as well as the next one.  Router bits are really the important part.  You can get by very well with a lower cost router if you want.  Honest.  But the Domino is a whole different animal.  It does something no other machine does.  I know you can use a router to approximate what the Domino does.  But its not really that comparable.  The ease of one makes it very different.  The Domino makes joints so much faster and easier than any other method, that it changes how you work.  It will make you more productive, faster, maybe better, and probably encourage you to do more complicated work.  It adds to your ability by making harder work easier.  So you are more likely to do hard projects because they are not as hard.

+1 on that.

 

[JimB1]

Well, my 2 cents is that I would really, really miss my router but while I want a Domino, it's not a needed thing so I haven't spent the cash on one yet.

I have actually been deciding if it would be worthwhile working up a jig to make domino holes using my router, it wouldn't be as fast or convenient as an actual Domino but would probably work...

Now the not power tool answer:
If you don't mind taking your time, I've seen folks using router planes and hand tools make some awesome handcrafted work so if you wanted to go that route (pun intended ) you actually just need to work up the skill level to use it better. It'll work fine with practice and since you have the tools already, is the least expensive way to go.

-Jim

 

[Alan m]

personnaly i couldnt live without my router. i have 3.
i would give up my domino before my last router and maybe even my ct22.
the domin o is amazing but you could live without it for a while

 

[Wood_Junkie]

I have actually been deciding if it would be worthwhile working up a jig to make domino holes using my router, it wouldn't be as fast or convenient as an actual Domino but would probably work...

Check out the Mortise Pal.  Awesome jig, very well made, and provides the same end-result as a Domino (though not nearly as conveniently).
I used mine very cheerily.... Until I boosted for the Domino.  At that point the Mortise Pal went up on Woodnet Classified (2+ years ago).

The only time I miss it is ... oh wait, never, 'cuz the Domino is nice easy to hug.     [embarassed]

Linkie:
http://www.mortisepal.com/

Two of the six pictures include an OF1400 in use with Mortise Pal!

Back to the OP's original question and side considerations... Do you own any router bits or jigs now?  If you get a router, plan for another $200 investment in bits and such... guide rail adapter, etc.
On the Domino side, you'll very likely wind up with more tenons and cutters, so plan for at least another $100 there.
Either way, get a CT.  It's a foundation in the Festool arsenal.