I’m at the very edge .. DF500 (or DF700)

[ChuckS]

I saw that idea somewhere (this Forum?), but can't remember if it was a handplane handle like mine. I cut the slot for the hose clamp with the 4mm cutter.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

I assume you had to go at it from both sides, but did it meet in the middle? or did you have to drill a little deeper? Those little 4mm don't go too deep

 

[ChuckS]

I mortised the handle from both sides, meeting in the middle. If my memory is correct, the handle is hollow in the core, so what mattered was the first 3 or or 4 mm on each side.

Correction: I went out and checked. I used a 5mm cutter, not 4mm. Part of the core is indeed hollow.

 

[smorgasbord]

I was faced with the same decision late last year, and went with the larger 700 and the Seneca adapter to run 500 bits. I also bought both domino assortments - one for the 500 and one for the 700.

My rationale was simple: I've done large projects (eg, entry doors, big tables, etc.) and expect to continue (eg, king size bed frame) and so wanted to be able to do both. The 700 has some usability improvements over the 500 (it was developed after), particularly with the height gauge and rear handle ergonomics - but the weight may be an issue for you if you have a run of lots of joints. In addition to the thicker dominos, the ability to plunge deeper on 8mm and 10mm seemed important to me for strength in some applications.

Admittedly, I haven't done a real project with it yet, but the few one-offs I've done for shop re-jiggering and such have been with the 12mm cutter.

Note that the 700 spins at a slower rpm than the 500, so when you're using the Seneca adapter and smaller diameter bits, be sure to feed in slowly.

 

[Lincoln]

I had the 500, which I wasn't really happy with, so sold it and bought the 700. I find it much easier to use - not that I struggled with it, just didn't find it particulary ergonomic. The 700 is better built and more accurate. It's a fair bit heavier, but I think the design makes up for it.
I know I'm in the minority on this, but i found the 500 to be in no-mans-land: not great for cabinet work, too small for projects involving bigger pieces.
Having said that, the 500 is still a great tool and if there wasn't a 700, I definitely would have kept it. But for me, a DDF40 for cabinets and a DF700 for everything else is perfect.
The 700 looks huge, but when you actually pick one up it's surprisingly easy to handle.

 

[ChuckS]

I've used the DF700 from another source only two times. The two features that I like about it are the stop pins and depth adjustment slide:

[attachimg=1]

Pins are better than paddles because they allow me to register against a previous mortise if so desired. If Festool sold just the base with pins for the DF500, I'd get one.

 

[blues]

I had the 500, which I wasn't really happy with, so sold it and bought the 700. I find it much easier to use - not that I struggled with it, just didn't find it particulary ergonomic. The 700 is better built and more accurate. It's a fair bit heavier, but I think the design makes up for it.
I know I'm in the minority on this, but i found the 500 to be in no-mans-land: not great for cabinet work, too small for projects involving bigger pieces.
Having said that, the 500 is still a great tool and if there wasn't a 700, I definitely would have kept it. But for me, a DDF40 for cabinets and a DF700 for everything else is perfect.
The 700 looks huge, but when you actually pick one up it's surprisingly easy to handle.

This is the exact combo i have. DDF40 is just superb for smaller projects and plywood. While the DDF 700.. is just the ultimate for anything else that the ddf40 can't handle.
The domino 500 is not convenient ergonomically.. atleast for me.

 

[ChuckS]

Snip.(I tend not to sell many of the things or tools I buy, even if they sit idle.. you never know when, again  [big grin])

Yes, I do have plunging routers. I’ll also make a tenon jig to use on the table saw. Snip.

That was me -- more a decade ago. I had a jointer that sat idle for years, taking up precious space in my shop (a garage at night). Once I started selling, I got rid of about a dozen machines and tools including a CT26 and TS75. Of course, that freed up space that was sooner or later occupied by new purchases. [tongue]

Indeed, the plunge router (with a bushing & spiral bit) has been the tool to do loose tenon joinery for decades long before the Domino machine was invented. I still use it occasionally when the DF500 isn't the right machine for the project due to its limited cutter sizes and/or cutting depths. Tenon making is a piece of cake with a tall fence on the table saw (for those who don't own a tenon jig).

[attachimg=1]
[attachimg=2]

 

[FestitaMakool]

[smile] Thanks for all your opinions and input folks!
The thingy arrived today and I’ve only had a very quick look at it.. seems familiar though, wonder why.. [big grin]
I have a small project wich is perfect to learn this new thingy. It’s not crucial to get every joint 100% since it’s a skeleton for a cabinet which will be covered by boards. And there’s some other joints I have solved other ways before I’ll try the Domino on too.

Chuck, you mentioned jointer.. I’m on a long debate of a bench model, but first a thicknesser.
Combi machines are heavy, expensive and demands a good amount of space. I’ll bet the thicknesser is the one who’s going to get the most use. I’d like some opinions on that too - preferably models available in Europe. I’ve looked at Shinko which Dictum carries - a small but well equipped jointer. And a Makita or Metabo thicknesser. DeWalt and Matabo also have what looks to be nice combi machines too. But they are in the $1500-1800 range..

Well here it is (and I think the SYS3 for the Dominoes are not a waste of space?)
[attachimg=1]

 

[Crazyraceguy]

Cool. You will definitely love it.
It looks like they changed to insert on those too, when they got the new Sys3.