Help me decide between the Domino DF500, OF1400 and CT MIDI

[DSP1578]

I'm having difficulty deciding what will be my next Festool purchase: Domino DF500, OF1400 or CT MIDI.

The CT MIDI is a nice to have purchase. It's not absolutely necessary, but would be nice to have a dedicated dust collector just for the Kapex.  I have the previous model CT MIDI (non-BT), and use it to collect dust from my TS55, Kapex, Carvex, Sanders, the top of my table saw, etc. Right now I just move the hose to the different tools.

I have a router table that I built, that has a Dewalt router mounted, so I don't absolutely need a router. But, having the OF1400 will be nice and will make life easier.

The Domino DF 500 would be nice to have, but it's the most expensive and will put a nice dent in the pocketbook. I've been holding out getting one in hopes that I could find one used with some extra accessories included. 

I will eventually own all three of these tools.  I keep changing my mind which one I'm leaning towards.

I tried to post a few pics of my setup, but when I clicked "post" I would just get kicked back to the beginning empty post.

 

[ChuckM]

DF500...even if you need to draw money from a line of credit account.  [big grin]

I use it in about 80% - 90% of the projects that are built with power tools.

 

[mattgam]

I think it comes down to what projects will you be building in the next 6 months.  If you have a lot of cabinet's in your future the DF500 is a no brainer and I'd say mortgage a kidney to get one.  It is an insanely useful tool. If you get it also budget for the Seneca Domiplate and consider a TSO Bigfoot.  While neither is a "must have" they sure are awful nice and make the workflows more smooth.

How much are you using your miter saw and for what duration?  A basic hepa shopvac could serve as dedicated dust collection for your Kapex. I'd invest in a dedicated midi for it if you are using it for hours of cutting at a time and then the noise of a cheap shopvac could justify the cost but otherwise a used shopvac is peanuts and will work just fine with the saw.

I have the OF1400 and it is an outstanding router but it is also a mid-sized beast and I reach for my 18V trim router 99% of the time that I am not using a router table or going old school with a handplane.  Do your non-router table routing tasks need 1/2" endmills or can you get away with a 18V and a 1/4"-8mm endmill for what you are doing.  The lack of cords and grab and go aspect makes up for needing multiple passes for me and you can get aftermarket dust collection that i'd call "decent" for most of the models on the market. Again this assumes you are already in a battery ecosystem.  Dewalt, Makita, and milwaukee make excellent cordless units and there are some great reviews on youtube comparing them as well

 

[Crazyraceguy]

I would say it entirely depends upon what you build.
As far as the vac, you could use just about any small shop-vac type unit for the Kapex. IMHO, a "tool triggered" vac is not necessary. At least for the way I use my miter saw, a foot-operated switch works better. Kick it on, make several cuts at a time, then shut it off at the end of the session.
Keep your Midi for the more portable tools.

DF500 is my top pick here. I use mine daily. I have literally cut thousands of mortices with the one I have now and this one is only a little over 2 1/2 years old.

OF1400, fantastic router, especially the dust collection aspect. I really don't know how a person gets by without a hand-held router? but a table is a must too.

Take my comments with the appropriate grain of salt, because I'm a little "out there" as far as tools go.

 

[RussellS]

My opinion.  OPINION.  Domino is your choice.  The Domino ADDS capabilities to your shop.  The Domino does something you cannot do now.  You don't have a tool that can do the Domino tasks now.  Your other choices such as the Midi and 1400 router are just duplicates of tools you already have now.  They add extra convenience.  But no extra capabilities.

You have a Midi vacuum now.  Its inconvenient to switch it between tools.  You want a dedicated one for your Kapex.  If you are constantly using the Kapex all day long, then this makes sense.  No extra effort to switch the Midi between tools.  But if you use the Kapex with the Midi for an hour in the morning, and then use the other tools in the afternoon with the Midi, then its not too difficult to switch the Midi.  And with the Midi you are using it with every single tool.  So you are switching it for every tool you use.  So ideally you need a Midi for every single tool!!!!!!  Why stop with a Kapex dedicated Midi when you should really have a Midi for every single tool so you never switch the Midi ever again.  Is this logical?  And the Midi is designed to switch between tools.  So how hard is it to switch the Midi from the Kapex to other tools.  No on the extra Midi.

You have a Dewalt router now.  You use it for table and handheld.  It takes effort to switch the router between table and handheld.  Is it that much effort?  And how often do you switch?  If you are constantly jumping from table to handheld all day long, then it makes sense to have separate routers for each task.  But if you use the table in the morning and then use handheld all afternoon, then its one switch per day.  Not too difficult.  Or maybe you use the table on Monday and then do some handheld work on Friday.  Are you switching that much?

Again, the Midi and 1400 router may add convenience to your current setup.  Or maybe you could just reorganize your workflow to eliminate some of the switching.  Don't jump from one task to another so much and you can eliminate the need to switch the Midi and between table and handheld with the router.  Plan better.  Maybe.  But the Domino gives you new capabilities you do not already have.

 

[ChuckM]

Snip.
I've been holding out getting one in hopes that I could find one used with some extra accessories included. 
Snip.

There's an opportunity cost in this choice: For the time the Domino Joiner is absent from your shop, you don't get to enjoy the efficiency and versatility offered by the revolutionary machine. The loose tenon joinery can be applied to all kinds of furniture and cabinet making, well beyond what is depicted in the user manual.

 

[Vtshopdog]

Domino
The expanded capabilities that tool adds are hard to beat.

(Someone on this forum used to have a signature line that read “if I could use my Domino to tie my shoes, I would” Kinda says it all)

 

[4nthony]

The Domino does something you cannot do now.  You don't have a tool that can do the Domino tasks now.

I love my Domino. It's pretty awesome. It's also a one-trick pony. It cuts mortises for loose-tenons. I can't think of anything it can do that his router cannot. Before getting a Domino, I used my router to do the same thing. It just took longer, but the end result was the same.

Given that, I'd still suggest getting the Domino. You'll enjoy using it way more than you will cutting mortises with a router. [big grin]

 

[DSP1578]

Very good points raised.  You guys sold me on getting the Domino next.  I probably won't bother getting another MIDI.  It really isn't that inconvenient to move the hose over.  It only takes an extra couple of seconds.  Although there have been a couple of times where I was in a rush and forgot to hook the hose up. Then I realize how much nicer it is to have dust extraction. I will get the OF 1400 some time in the near future too. Thanks for all of the replies.

 

[krudawg]

I'm having difficulty deciding what will be my next Festool purchase: Domino DF500, OF1400 or CT MIDI.

The CT MIDI is a nice to have purchase. It's not absolutely necessary, but would be nice to have a dedicated dust collector just for the Kapex.  I have the previous model CT MIDI (non-BT), and use it to collect dust from my TS55, Kapex, Carvex, Sanders, the top of my table saw, etc. Right now I just move the hose to the different tools.

I have a router table that I built, that has a Dewalt router mounted, so I don't absolutely need a router. But, having the OF1400 will be nice and will make life easier.

The Domino DF 500 would be nice to have, but it's the most expensive and will put a nice dent in the pocketbook. I've been holding out getting one in hopes that I could find one used with some extra accessories included. 

I will eventually own all three of these tools.  I keep changing my mind which one I'm leaning towards.

I tried to post a few pics of my setup, but when I clicked "post" I would just get kicked back to the beginning empty post.

I own every one of those tools and I would say yes to everything but if you are buying a dust collector dig deep and get the CT-26 not the midi - The CT 26 has more accessories and the most import accessory for it is the raised handle.  Unlike the midi where you will either pick it up to move it or bend over to move it, with the CT-26 push handle (that's what I call it anyway) its very easy to move it around your shop.  The order of purchase should be - the CT26, the Domino 500 (because you must connect it to a dust collector) and then the OF1400.  I can say this because I own them all - a great addition to your shop

 

[afish]

If you have uses for Domino then yes.  Im not a fan of festool routers and cant justify what they ask for them when there are other really nice routers out there for a fraction of the price.  The vac would be my second pick because you can also use much cheaper vacs that will accomplish the same thing just not as elegantly.  DC is really nice though.  The domino is in a league of its own though its the only tool on your list that isnt replaceable by a cheaper alternative. 

 

[squall_line]

I own every one of those tools and I would say yes to everything but if you are buying a dust collector dig deep and get the CT-26 not the midi - The CT 26 has more accessories and the most import accessory for it is the raised handle.  Unlike the midi where you will either pick it up to move it or bend over to move it, with the CT-26 push handle (that's what I call it anyway) its very easy to move it around your shop.

The MIDI-I has an extending handle set available as well.  On top of the Bluetooth, it makes it much more convenient to use than my OG MINI.

I put the WCR-1000 on my CT-26, which makes it much less portable, but also seems to have made the handle a bit redundant, other than the cord wrap and accessory storage.

 

[mino]

If you still have no router. Then the router.

I would gear it to OF1010 though and later complement with some cheaper one dedicated for heavy work where 1/2" is a must.

If you had a router, then the Domino.

As for the Midi, I would consider a CT26 instead. It is quiter and that makes it an ideal "go-to" general vac for also non-tool use.

 

[Ebuwan]

I would go Domino.

Yeah, price hurts, but man, the TIME the thing saves. I know it's mentioned in this thread, yeah, you can do same thing with the router, it just takes more TIME.

What can you not get more of? TIME.

For me it became a no brainer once I had kids; My time in the shop is precious, and the Domino is one of those things that can maximize the output from your time. Before kids, I had way more time to putz around.