Got my birthday gift today. Finally a domino. But have question

[PA floor guy]

I am beyond thankful, getting a domino is huge for me.  I did definitely want the big boy XL. However my wife got me the 500 instead..  So my question is, what exactly can't you do with the 500, that you can do with the XL.  I don't wanna be ungrateful and return a gift. 

 

[elfick]

I think the biggest difference is the maximum mortise depth. I'm not sure how that translates into what you can and can't do though.

 

[jimbo51]

Go to the top of this page and look up domino tenons on the Festool website. You can see the difference in size between the biggest D500 domino 10 x 24 x 50 and the biggest D700 domino 14 x 28 x 140.  The biggest D700 domino has over 4 x the volume of wood in it compared to the biggest D500 domino. If you hold them in your hand, you can imagine how the D700 will handle much bigger jobs. Using the D700 is also a bit more of an awesome experience, though the D500 is delightful in its own way.

 

[VW mick]

I am beyond thankful, getting a domino is huge for me.  I did definitely want the big boy XL. However my wife got me the 500 instead..  So my question is, what exactly can't you do with the 500, that you can do with the XL.  I don't wanna be ungrateful and return a gift. 

Hi I've only had a 500 for about 6 months .and I really like it have only done a few jobs but it works perfect for me with no shims or plates or gadgets

Next year I've a plan to make a front door and some gates so an Xl might be on the cards ..but wouldn't get rid of the 500 ...I love it

 

[PA floor guy]

Ok,
This gives me a few things to consider.  I think I will keep the domino 500 and just buy the 700 later.  I wanted both regardless.  But the 700 first. As my name states, I am a flooring guy.  The 500 will work perfectly for limited flooring jobs I plan on using it for.  However, In my spare time, I make live edge furniture. That is where the XL would shine. 

 

[PA floor guy]

Just got to taking to my wife, she didn't use beaver tools, that is who i normally use. But it was a surprise, so she called festool north America and they gave her a really nice guy down in Texas to deal.  His name is Tom bellemore from the fog.  Lol. She was raving about how nice this guy was to deal with, then she says his name.  Thanks Tom for taking care of her, and me actually. 
  On a different note, she said she contacted a different festool dealer first whom she heard me talk about. And he treated her badly. Only you that are reading this knows who you are.  O well. You lost a sale on a domino.  Tom bellemore (spelled wrong) thanks again, and I will start using you.  I am not overly thrilled with beaver tools.  I like being able to talk to a person who knows the tool, beaver tools used to be that way, but now I get a different girl every call.  So Tom you have now won my business. 

 

[tjbnwi]

Picture 14 of this album you can see the Domino Sys. I used the 500 to place a Domino in the end of the boards I laced in. Works great, don't use the fence, this is the one time you have to reference both pieces off the base.
https://picasaweb.google.com/tbadernwi/GygerFloor#

I can see no way your wife could have got a better dealer. Tom has always taken very good care of my orders. My wife ordered me a Vecturo and blades from Tom for a Christmas present-------she just does not know it yet.

Tom

 

[tbellemare]

Just got to taking to my wife, she didn't use beaver tools, that is who i normally use. But it was a surprise, so she called festool north America and they gave her a really nice guy down in Texas to deal.  His name is Tom bellemore from the fog.  Lol. She was raving about how nice this guy was to deal with, then she says his name.  Thanks Tom for taking care of her, and me actually. 
  On a different note, she said she contacted a different festool dealer first whom she heard me talk about. And he treated her badly. Only you that are reading this knows who you are.  O well. You lost a sale on a domino.  Tom bellemore (spelled wrong) thanks again, and I will start using you.  I am not overly thrilled with beaver tools.  I like being able to talk to a person who knows the tool, beaver tools used to be that way, but now I get a different girl every call.  So Tom you have now won my business. 

Your wife was so pleasant to deal with and you are one lucky guy!

Tom

 

[AIPDX]

PA Floor Guy, happy birthday and congratulations with the new toy!

Domino 500 and XL overlap significantly in their capabilities. Domino 500 is smaller, lighter, and can cut 5,6,8, and 10 mm mortises. Domino 700 (XL) can cut 8, 10, 12, and 14 mm. The rule of thumb is that cutter diameter should be about a third of the thickness of the boards which you are joining. With this math in head, you can join boards with thickness starting from 15 to 30+ mm with Domino 500, and from 24 mm and upwards with Domino XL. Now, 24 mm is about an inch. Are you sure you would always be using wood / plywood with thickness of 1" and more in your projects? You cannot go to lower thicknesses with XL without sacrificing the strength of your joints, but you can easily go to almost 1/2" with Domino 500, while it still can easily and properly join 1 1/4" material. I think your wife was right - Domino 500 is a more versatile choice for both your hobby and work, while Domino XL is a specialized tool for "heavy lifting" in joinery.

In my opinion, Domino XL is better suited to making doors, barn-style massive furniture, etc. Domino 500 is a great choice for flooring and making smaller furniture - which I think is what you are doing.

I am rebuilding stairs in my home (carpeted with wooden handrails to hardwood with stainless steel cable rails) and I have been extensively using Domino 500 to join 3/4" maple boards into skirt boards and trim pieces and to add width to treads which by mistake were ordered slightly narrower than needed. I would not be able to do it properly with the XL.

 

[PA floor guy]

Great post, I appreciate you taking the time to explain that, I guess I always have the bigger is better opinion.  But, I think the 500 might be the better choice for me.  Thanks again. And Tom, Christie is still raving about the great service you provided.  I can't wait to try that out myself.  Thanks to all.  Sam.

 

[JeromeM]

PA Floor Guy, happy birthday and congratulations with the new toy!

Domino 500 and XL overlap significantly in their capabilities. Domino 500 is smaller, lighter, and can cut 5,6,8, and 10 mm mortises. Domino 700 (XL) can cut 8, 10, 12, and 14 mm. The rule of thumb is that cutter diameter should be about a third of the thickness of the boards which you are joining. With this math in head, you can join boards with thickness starting from 15 to 30+ mm with Domino 500, and from 24 mm and upwards with Domino XL. Now, 24 mm is about an inch. Are you sure you would always be using wood / plywood with thickness of 1" and more in your projects? You cannot go to lower thicknesses with XL without sacrificing the strength of your joints, but you can easily go to almost 1/2" with Domino 500, while it still can easily and properly join 1 1/4" material. I think your wife was right - Domino 500 is a more versatile choice for both your hobby and work, while Domino XL is a specialized tool for "heavy lifting" in joinery.

In my opinion, Domino XL is better suited to making doors, barn-style massive furniture, etc. Domino 500 is a great choice for flooring and making smaller furniture - which I think is what you are doing.

You missed the 4mm cutter for the 500.  So the the range widens to anything from 10mm or ½ inch.

I've had the 500 for about 8 years and so far haven't seen a need for the 700.

Would I like one? Yes. Do I need one? No. At the moment it isn't even on my wish list.

 

[grbmds]

Just to give another side . . . There was recently an article in Fine Woodworking reviewing the Domino (XL actually). The reviewer indicated that he felt the XL was the most useful model for furniture making and the Domino 500 more for  cabinet-making (face frames, drawers, etc.)

Also, I believe that you can buy the bit adapter and bits to permit the use of the XL with all the Domino 500 size tenons also.

Having said that, I agonized about this when buying the Domino and ended up with the 500. I felt that it was more manageable for what I  was going to make. It seems that you can always add a second row of tenons if the wood is that thick and massive. I have not had mine that long nor done a large number of projects with it, but feel that I made the right choice with the 500 given the vast majority of work I do in my shop.

 

[Len R]

Seneca Woodworking sells a 6mm bit for the Domino XL.  It does not require an adapter.  I bought one and have used it several times with no issues.  Extending the range of the XL down to 6mm really increases its usefulness.  Seneca also sells an adapter that allows the use of all the Domino 500 bits on the XL, but I have not tried it.  For bits smaller than 6mm, I'd go for the 500. 

Len

 

[curt boyer]

Sam, I think you'll like the 500 for your flooring work as well as furniture making. Here is a border I did with the 500 recently.
Cheers
Curt

 

[PA floor guy]

Curt
  Great work. I meant to get hold of you.  I'm doing my own mobile wood shop right now.  I bought a 2000 freightliner bread truck with a cummins diesel in it.  I stripped all the old advertising off, I just got it back from the decal shop. I had it fully wrapped. Now I begin outfitting it.. I will keep you posted.  I look through all the pics you sent me, I use them for inspiration.  Will send you my own version soon.  I will use the domino to build all casings

 

[Wooden Skye]

Curt
  Great work. I meant to get hold of you.  I'm doing my own mobile wood shop right now.  I bought a 2000 freightliner bread truck with a cummins diesel in it.  I stripped all the old advertising off, I just got it back from the decal shop. I had it fully wrapped. Now I begin outfitting it.. I will keep you posted.  I look through all the pics you sent me, I use them for inspiration.  Will send you my own version soon.  I will use the domino to build all casings

I think we would all like to see what you come up with [thumbs up]

 

[sancho57]

Just got to taking to my wife, she didn't use beaver tools, that is who i normally use. But it was a surprise, so she called festool north America and they gave her a really nice guy down in Texas to deal.  His name is Tom bellemore from the fog.  Lol. She was raving about how nice this guy was to deal with, then she says his name.  Thanks Tom for taking care of her, and me actually. 
  On a different note, she said she contacted a different festool dealer first whom she heard me talk about. And he treated her badly. Only you that are reading this knows who you are.  O well. You lost a sale on a domino.  Tom bellemore (spelled wrong) thanks again, and I will start using you.  I am not overly thrilled with beaver tools.  I like being able to talk to a person who knows the tool, beaver tools used to be that way, but now I get a different girl every call.  So Tom you have now won my business.

Yea but he wont buy the beer and tacos  [big grin]

As far your questions goes it depends what youre going to use the domino for? If your not in to building gates, entry doors etc, then your in good shape. But to tell ya the truth Id use my 500 for gates and doors and not worry a bit about it.

I got a freind that me and another member here call slim shadey. He bought the 700 for some entry door job he had. Now he's regretting it because the 700 is way big and heavy for his normal everyday projects.

As Ive said, I got the 500 and wouldnt hesitate to use it for any project,

 

[PA floor guy]

Another question.  My wife forgot to order me dominos, I plan on ordering the kit, however, does the domino 500 come with any dominos for me to learn with.  I have been watching videos since I got home from work.
  Also, Tom.  When you order a tool, do you send a festool t shirt with it. 

 

[AIPDX]

Domino 500 by itself does not include any dominos for you to practice with. It is only the tool with a couple of accessories and with a 5 mm cutter. You still can practice making mortises, though.

Kit is convenient to have as it comes in a systainer and contains all cutter sizes in addition to dominos of (if I remember correctly) 6 different sizes (or maybe 8?)

You can also buy each size separately at local dealers or online, they are sold in 200-300 dominos per bag, depending on the size. They are not too expensive, some $25 - $30 per bag.

 

[ScoFF]

I have just the XL, and did a lot of reading beforehand.  I also can only afford 1, ever so I paid a bit extra and got the big one, the senecca adapter and festool's domino with small bits.  No I have the best of both worlds.
Since it's such an expensive purchase I'd return it and get the bigger.  I think she'd understand if you put it like this.  Tell her you never want to have to buy the larger one later.  Tell her you can get the adapter to do all cutter sizes.  Tell her you'll do crappy woodworking jobs on the side to make up the difference.
Or you can just exchange it without telling her, to her it's a tool and she probably won't even notice it suddenly got bigger.