Hello from "Newbie" considering Domino and advise

nerves

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Joined
Feb 28, 2016
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Hello to all,

I am a "newbie" not only to Festools but to wood working /DIY projects.  I jumped into festools brand after seeing, reading and then fearfully jumping head first (few items purchased and others arriving today ). 

The intend is to build as much as my skill and time allow me too in my second home in Atlanta, Ga. and after receiving some quotes for some custom built-in book shelves (over $9K), and being a first time basement owner.  I intend to take on as much as possible.  I've singed up for some wood working classes at wood craft and Rocklers and have given myself a year to complete most projects.

I current;y purchased the CT26, TS 55, OF1400, MFT/3 and I'm considering buying the Domino.  My questions lies in which one would suite me best for my projects.

Projects:
Bed Headboard
"built-ins" next to fireplace (60" wide by 12' x2)
Laundry room Cabinets
Man-cave office desk and Book shelves
Man-cave Small bar
Closet Organizer
Guess Room (murphy bed)
Patio deck (Big Green  egg ) nest
Mitre saw (dewalt 718) rolling table
Delta press drill Rolling Table
Gun Cabinet display
Small folding computer desk (14" deep x32W)
and a few others

Will the 500 suffice for these projects or should I go for the XL?

Also considering the CMS and LR 32 (suggestions welcomed).

(Additional equipment to be purchase as projects merits--planer, etc.)

Current tools:
DEwalt 718 Mitter
Rigid Sanders (orbital, etc)
Delta Press Drill
DEwalt batt drills and saw
Large air compressor and some airtools (grinder, paint sprayer, finishing nail gun)
Ryobi table saw (x-mas gift in 2000) that can't make two of the same cuts ;-(

Thank you all for your help.
 
First, welcome to the FOG! 
You could easily get by with the tools you already have.  If you really don't mind spending the money, I think the Domino 500 would be well suited for the type work you've described. Good luck and let us know how it all works out.
 
Hi the short answer is you will need both but you should buy the 500 first. they may seem expensive but in reality they are a bargain

the best tools festool produce.
 
Hi,

  Welcome to the forum!

    The 500 will handle your list just fine.

    I also suggest putting  a pocket hole jig on your list.

Seth
 
Welcome to the forum.  Agree that the 500 will take care of the projects you have listed.

What's your shop set-up like?  Since you are in the early stages of all this, it might be worth it to take some time and think about the optimal placement of tools and work surfaces in your shop to get the most out of what you have, while leaving room to grow.
 
Edward A Reno III said:
Welcome to the forum.  Agree that the 500 will take care of the projects you have listed.

What's your shop set-up like?  Since you are in the early stages of all this, it might be worth it to take some time and think about the optimal placement of tools and work surfaces in your shop to get the most out of what you have, while leaving room to grow.

Again,

Thank you all.  Based on everyones feedback (and others).  I went and picked up the 500 and LR 32.  My local woodcraft did not have the "bit-kit" but allow me to add the 10mm bit and when they recieve the "kit" they'll give me a full refund for the use one. 

I'll attemp to set things up this weekend if time allows (as I will be attending a 2 day wood working class).

Regarding the shop setup question.  I have a 11.5' x 11.5' room and a 16' x 20' that I can migrate to (if needed).  the "man-cave is 1374 sqf. (estrogen free). [big grin]
 
Have you been to Highland Woodworking? Much better Festool selection than Woodcraft. It's a dangerous place for your credit card!
 
Birdhunter said:
Have you been to Highland Woodworking? Much better Festool selection than Woodcraft. It's a dangerous place for your credit card!

Never heard of them but, thank you.  I'll stop by and take a look soon.  Again, thank you. 
 
A 500 would be fine. Or a 700 with the Seneca stuff to adapt the 500 cutters.

Much of that also looks like work with sheet goods. So a Lamello Zeta P2 (ClampX) would be another good choice.
 
The df500 was a great choice.  It's an awesome tool.  I have had it for a while and did my first face frame with it last weekend instead of using pocket screws and it worked great.  You should really take a look at the Domino Supplemental Manual by Rick Christopherson.  He has a lot of useful tips that will help you with your projects.  Also welcome to the forum!!!
 
Unless you plan to do all your projects with plywood, you will eventually get into dimensioning your own lumber. A jointer and planer are the key to getting lumber to a truly flat and straight condition.

Other great woodworking stores in the Atlanta area are Carltons Fine Woods, Rockler, and Peach State Lumber. Carltons is a fun place to see about any wood from any part of the world. Rockler is strong on hobby supplies and they have some nice wood. Peach State has a fair selection of exotic wood as well as all the standard stuff. Atlanta Wood Products is a good lumber yard with a fair selection of wood for hobby and professional woodworkers.

But, until you visit Highland Woodworking, you have not been to the woodworkers promised land. Plan to spend at least a couple of hours there.
 
Birdhunter said:
Unless you plan to do all your projects with plywood, you will eventually get into dimensioning your own lumber. A jointer and planer are the key to getting lumber to a truly flat and straight condition.

Other great woodworking stores in the Atlanta area are Carltons Fine Woods, Rockler, and Peach State Lumber. Carltons is a fun place to see about any wood from any part of the world. Rockler is strong on hobby supplies and they have some nice wood. Peach State has a fair selection of exotic wood as well as all the standard stuff. Atlanta Wood Products is a good lumber yard with a fair selection of wood for hobby and professional woodworkers.

But, until you visit Highland Woodworking, you have not been to the woodworkers promised land. Plan to spend at least a couple of hours there.

Thank you all!!!!

A jointer and a planer was next on my list.  Starting my research on those now.  I believe I have the planer selected (dewalt DW735).  Still looking for ideas on jointer.

Again, thank you for the lumber site recommendations!!!  and yes, I will be spending a couple of hours at this "promise land" store (Highlands Woodworking) soon. 
 
Jointers and planers with helical heads and carbide cutters are, in my opinion, far better than the old style knife cutter units. I run birds eye maple through my jointer and planer with no tear out. My old knife cutter units couldn't do that.
 
[/quote]
and yes, I will be spending a couple of hours at this "promise land" store (Highlands Woodworking) soon.
[/quote]

Unless you have extremely deep pockets, you won't last a few hours there. I was there for $10 minutes and already had over a grand worth of stuff in my basket. I almost wanted to ask for a refund on my parking meter since I paid for 2 hours...  :o
 
Went to the "promise land" today...and your right;  did not spend mroe than 1 hour.

Exit toll = $$$ :-)
 
Errr..no offence meant: i think you ought to do some courses and lay low on the spending. I dunno what your experience in woodworking is, but to me it sounds you got more money than..experience. Get to know the machines you have, learn new stuff, try a plane for a new appreciation of woodworking and take it easy. Just buying the stuff doesn't mean you're getting good results. My dime.
 
I went through the journey of buying tools that I ended up not using or replacing with better tools. Our work methods evolve and dictate the tools we end up using. My guess is that many woodworkers do the same. Usually, the tools get sold or given away. Not a problem as long as we don't do something financially stupid.
 
All the gear, no idea springs to mind. That's not meant as an insult, but a statement of fact since you've already stated you're a complete newbie. So in a general sense I'd stop buying tools and learn to use the ones you've got, find out what limitations you're hitting and whether those limitations are skill or tool related. The problem with buying so many tools with learning curves at once is you'll never (in a reasonable amount of time) truly master any of them. If I were you I'd start with the simpler projects limit what tools you're going to use to only those essential to complete each project and get fully acquainted with them.

As for the Dominos, I'd say you will at some stage you'll eventually "need" both. Once you buy one and experience first hand what they can do you'll not want to be without the other when the project demands the use of the machine you don't have. I would however steer clear of the Seneca adapter to try to convert a 700 into a 500, they're a compromise and I'd personally rather put the money towards a 500 than the adapters.
 
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