Hello from "Newbie" considering Domino and advise

[charley1968]

Aye, but i'm talking woodworking (as he's a self-confessed newbie), as opposed to handing out buying-guides for folx who've hardly ever worked with wood. I do not question the eventual capability, i do question the actual knowledge. Everyone finds his/her way of doing things. But normally you get an education before you work..

 

[nerves]

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 would suggest to read my first post...

 

[grbmds]

You could buy more tools, but, as someone who has bought some tools that sit with little or no use, I'd get into making those projects you listed. Once you're into them you will find out what you need. Sounds like you have enough to get started. The Domino is a great tool and makes mortise and tenon joints simple. However, if you want to learn about woodworking, I'd suggest cutting some mortise and tenon joints by hand or saw or another method. If you are looking for a fast and great way to make mortise and tenon joints, that's the Domino. I wouldn't suggest buying the 700 with the adapter as many do suggest. The 500 and 700 are much different tools and really each made for a different scale of project. The 500 for most, possibly all, of the projects you list. The 700 for large projects. With the adapter, you can approximate the purpose of the 500 but never duplicate it. If you build both types of projects, I recommend both machines . . . Just me maybe. Also, Festool doesn't warranty the use of the 700 with the adapter, so that might be something to consider. Good luck on your woodworking. Having done it for many years, I can tell you that I always feel a great sense of satisfaction after making something in wood. There is nothing better than woodworking for the soul. So, my short answer to the point of the post is the 500.

 

[Holmz]

You could buy more tools, but, as someone who has bought some tools that sit with little or no use, I'd get into making those projects you listed. Once you're into them you will find out what you need. Sounds like you have enough to get started. The Domino is a great tool and makes mortise and tenon joints simple. However, if you want to learn about woodworking, I'd suggest cutting some mortise and tenon joints by hand or saw or another method. If you are looking for a fast and great way to make mortise and tenon joints, that's the Domino. I wouldn't suggest buying the 700 with the adapter as many do suggest. The 500 and 700 are much different tools and really each made for a different scale of project. The 500 for most, possibly all, of the projects you list. The 700 for large projects. With the adapter, you can approximate the purpose of the 500 but never duplicate it. If you build both types of projects, I recommend both machines . . . Just me maybe. Also, Festool doesn't warranty the use of the 700 with the adapter, so that might be something to consider. Good luck on your woodworking. Having done it for many years, I can tell you that I always feel a great sense of satisfaction after making something in wood. There is nothing better than woodworking for the soul. So, my short answer to the point of the post is the 500.

^That^ makes a lot of sense, especially iI you are considering real wood.

And somewhat along the lines of [member=23615]charley1968[/member] 's point...
If you are working with sheet goods, then that is something that I do not have a lot of experience in. Mostly because I have never liked the look of them, and did not see the point. Recently however it has started to make sense, and mostly because the Haus-boss suggested that she wants stuff in it (or innit for the UK  [big grin]).
So back to the Lamello... That makes doing sheet good assembly pretty easy. For me I am in a simialr boat as you 9k versus doing it yourself. You still need to get the many pieces cut, and I used a track saw and then dropped off the stuff to be edge banded.
See post #32:http://festoolownersgroup.com/other-tool-reviews/lamello-zeta-p2/32/
Using that tool it is pretty straight forward.

Is it great? (No!)
Is what the boss wanted (Yes)
Was it easy (Yes)

The following items on your project list seem appropriate for it, and I crossed off those that are not:

Bed Headboard
"built-ins" next to fireplace (60" wide by 12' x2)
Laundry room Cabinets
Man-cave office desk (Maybe) and Book shelves
Man-cave Small bar (Maybe)
Closet Organizer
Guess Room (murphy bed) (Maybe - but not likely)
Patio deck (Big Green  egg ) nest
Mitre saw (dewalt 718) rolling table
Delta press drill Rolling Table
Gun Cabinet display (Maybe)
Small folding computer desk (14" deep x32W) (Maybe)

On my list is a bathroom cabinet and a laundry room cabinet, along with a work table that will be some Paulk'ish deal with the Lamello joints so it can be taken apart. And the Haus-boss also wants some more shelving stuff.

 

[charley1968]

I think once you've done the courses you'll know better what you need. Of course, eventually you'll buy all of these machines (thicknesser, planer, spindle moulder etc.) Or you might get into hand tools. Still, my recomendation is: keep your dough until you really need the tool for a project. Best regards: A.

 

[grbmds]

Plus, I have more fun buying a new tool when I need it and using it immediately than just buying a tool and letting it sit there until I find a use for it. I wish I had some of the money back that I paid for tools I bought when I just started (and even later on) that have just sat on my shelf with little or no use.

 

[bobfog]

Plus, I have more fun buying a new tool when I need it and using it immediately than just buying a tool and letting it sit there until I find a use for it. I wish I had some of the money back that I paid for tools I bought when I just started (and even later on) that have just sat on my shelf with little or no use.

Don't we all! The amount of Ryobi One+ and green Bosch tools I have from a decade ago. But then they served a purpose and occasionally come in useful for doing landscape work where I don't want my expensive tools getting muddy.

They're also great as loaners when friends/relatives come round and "hey you've got tonnes of tools can I borrow____________?" Causes a lot less anxiety to lend someone a £40 green Bosch sander than a £400 Rotex.

 

[Oceans05]

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.

Why is it that you'd steer away from the 700 with the adapter? I would think that and I've read about many using the adapter with results. Guess just trying to get one tool to save money. What size of a project warrants the 700?

 

[Gregor]

Why is it that you'd steer away from the 700 with the adapter? I would think that and I've read about many using the adapter with results. Guess just trying to get one tool to save money. What size of a project warrants the 700?

The adapter is working ok when you only need it seldomly for small pieces, in case of a regular use I would get me a 500.
One reason is that the the 700 is build for a certain cutter diameter, so the smaller diameter ones have a lower angular velocity - thus cutting is slower than with the 500 (as far as I got it) and the 700 is bigger and heavier. Warranty issues aside.

 

[Mario Turcot]

Here my suggestions, once you get your courses/training done and ready to tackle your projects.

1) Prioritize your projects,
2) Always allow extra lumber as you learn and will make mistakes,
3) When you hit a wall or have a question, ask the FOG about process and application regarding what tool to use is the best.
4) Stick to your project until it is done,
5) Enjoy your creation
6) Jump to the next project  [big grin]

P.S. Between each steps, I like to step back and have a coffee  [wink]

Good luck, Mario

 

[Birdhunter]

Lots of advice here. The trick is to sort out the advice that is right for you.

Whatever you do, the best items you can buy are a bunch of safety glasses and wear them. I have the glasses all over my shop so I don’t have any excuse to put them on.

 

[SoonerFan]

Even though this is an old thread,  [member=66597]Mario Turcot[/member] makes a good point for anyone starting out with his fourth bullet point (stick with a project until it’s done). 

To me it is important to finish something before moving on to the next.  Often the best learning comes from getting a project across the line.  When I started sometimes I needed more time to think through options. Sometimes I needed some help or advice.  Sometimes I needed a tool but mostly I needed time and/or to be educated.  Most everytime I learned something by finishing what I started.