Hoffman Doweling Machine versus Domino

[enderw88]

Over on Sawmill Creek I saw a thread regarding the Hoffman doweling machine  It looks like a Domino that cuts two circular holes, rather than a mortise.  It even comes is what looks very much like a systainer.  It appears that it could handle thinner material than the Domino.  Anyone seen one of these things?  Price doesn't appear to be much different than a Domino...

 

[Eli]

I saw it in a thread on JLC. No experience w/ it. I guess it'd be new huh?

 

[stvrowe]

I looked one over at the IWF about 5 years ago but not too closely because, at the time, I had a 29 spindle boring machine.  From what I recall, it appeared to be well made although I never actually used it.  Mafelle makes one just like it except for the color and it is possible they are the same machine.

 

[mntbighker]

Boy one or more of the bunch are shameless knockoffs of the other. That looks exactly like a Systainer, of course for all I know the Systainer is OEM'd from some company that makes them for many people? It seems to me the Domino glue joint is better from appearances anyway? I am itching to get my Domino and CT as soon as my budget recovers.

--Mark

 

[Lou Miller]

FWIW,

The Hoffman has definitely been around longer than the Domino. So if anyone did any copying from the other, Festool is the guilty party. Actually, it would be virtually impossible to convince me that Festool did not copy their design to an extent. The two machines are far too similar for one to not have been copied from the other. Of course, Festool made theirs do a mortise for a tenon rather than a round hole for dowels though. Other than that, they seem virtually identical.

Quite a few guys over at JLC have the Hoffman machines and are very happy with them. Apparently, its biggest strength is using it for line boring. They have a railing system that works very similar to the LR32 from Festool. While I've only used the Domino and the LR32, the guys over at JLC claim the Hoffman is a better solution for line boring than Festool's LR32 is. Don't get angry with the messenger here, I'm only repeating what has been said by others.

 

[Ned]

That looks exactly like a Systainer, of course for all I know the Systainer is OEM'd from some company that makes them for many people?

Yup.  Tanos.

Ned

 

[mntbighker]

Yup.  Tanos.

Ned

Cool, I wonder how the prices compare?

--M

 

[mntbighker]

Does anyone have an opinion on the cost comparison of using dowels vs Dominoes? In a large project I wonder if the difference would be substantial?

Also, it seems to me I have seen a system that uses tenons that looks like 3 or 4 dowels Siamesed together.

--M

 

[Forrest Anderson]

Also, it seems to me I have seen a system that uses tenons that looks like 3 or 4 dowels Siamesed together.

I think that will be the beadLOCK system:

You can buy lengths of beadLOCK loose tenon material in birch:

...or you can make your own loose tenons in any wood by using the optional fluted router bits:

and

Which leaves an interesting question - will someone ever come up with a router bit to make Dominos? OK, you can do it with a normal router bit quite easily, but a custom-made bit would make the process a bit(!) quicker.

Forrest

 

[Eli]

I bet I could guess who won't offer a Domino making router bit. ;D

Would have to be a set of four, eh?

 

[GregB]

Here's a link to the thread at JLC..http://forums.jlconline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=40464

 

[stvrowe]

Does anyone have an opinion on the cost comparison of using dowels vs Dominoes? In a large project I wonder if the difference would be substantial?

Also, it seems to me I have seen a system that uses tenons that looks like 3 or 4 dowels Siamesed together.

--M

Dowels are much less expensive than Dominoes.  Plus, you can get them anywhere and also pre-glued.  I used pre-glued ones and all you do is squirt some water in the hole and insert the dowel.  I couldn't pull it apart.  The Hoffman drills two holes on 32mm centers and you have multiple choices of size.  I usually used the 8mm dowels but on occasion, used 5mm. 

 

[Ned]

Dowels are much less expensive than Dominoes.

Per unit or per job?  My impression is that you'd use fewer Dominoes in most situations.

Ned

 

[extiger]

I almost bought the Hoffman until I read the rather scientific study of dowels vs/ loose tenons in the FWW book on Joinery. Because of the vast amount of long-grain to long-grain glue surface involved in loose tenons they are vastly stronger in most joint applications. A dowel consists mostly of end grain. The Domino was then released, and so I dropped the notion of dowels.

The Hoffman costs about the same as the Domino, is also made in Germany, and works with geared boring bits.

Gary Curtis

 

[Dave Ronyak]

Also, it seems to me I have seen a system that uses tenons that looks like 3 or 4 dowels Siamesed together.

I think that will be the beadLOCK system:

You can buy lengths of beadLOCK loose tenon material in birch:

...or you can make your own loose tenons in any wood by using the optional fluted router bits:

and

Which leaves an interesting question - will someone ever come up with a router bit to make Dominos? OK, you can do it with a normal router bit quite easily, but a custom-made bit would make the process a bit(!) quicker.

Forrest

Whiteside will make custom bits for you.  You need to bring the profile you want to a Whiteside dealer and they will forward your request to Whiteside  who will then give you a price quote and obtain your approval before making your custom bit.  I got this information straight from a Whiteside factory representative at a woodworking demo a couple of months ago.

Dave R.

 

[Eli]

The FOG's first SPONSORED product!

The Festool Owners Group Domino Tenon Router Bit Stock Set, produced by Whiteside!

First order of business? A shorter name.

 

[enderw88]

The FOG's first SPONSORED product!

The Festool Owners Group Domino Tenon Router Bit Stock Set, produced by Whiteside!

First order of business? A shorter name.

I wonder if the Domino profile is some how copyrighted or otherwise protected.  I suppose the Tuffer (sp?) Tenon guys would know...

Now, for the name:  Domino Alternate Tenon Router Bit Set:  DOMINATR Bit Set