MFT3 or Domino...which is the smart purchase?

[Mac]

Hi all,

Let's assume I'd been secretly selling my wife's jewelry and kids' toys for a considerable time ('Daddy, where are you going my my Nintendo Wii and mummy's diamond brooch?' 'Just to that nice man with one eye down at the docks son, now shh and drink your scotch like a good little boy') and have finally got my hands on 500/600 UK pounds.  Let's also assume that I'm torn between a domino and an MFT3 for my next chunky purchase.  I'd be interested in your brief advice on which you think would make me a happier little fellow.

I'm at a stage where I'm starting to work on more ambitious furniture projects, book cases, benches, wooden toys and so on. You'll see from below the festools I already have.  Any feedback would be really useful; am sure both would help me move to the next level but am unsure about which way to go.

Thanks in advance for your experience.
Rick

 

[K.T.]

You should put up a poll

I would go with the domino. You can make due with another work-surface but there isn't really an alternative to the domino.

 

[HowardH]

The domino is a fantastic machine but you need to look at your work and determine what will a better fit .  Personally, I think the MFT3 would get a lot more use.  It's an amazing tool and I'm constantly finding new ways of using it and even have the old model.  [crying]  The Domino can be used for many things but it helps to have a table to clamp your work pieces.   

 

[Wood_Junkie]

Sell one of the kids and buy both!    [scared]

I agree with Kim and would recommend the Domino first.
The Domino is unique in its straight up function and makes joinery a lot faster, easier and smarter.  BUT, remember you're not just buying the Domino... tenons, cutters, etc.  All done and said, you'll spend about 25-30% more than just the cost of the Domino. 

The MFT is "simply" a work table, but it really can change the way you work.  This will pay dividends in many ways:  Sawing (you already have the TS), joinery (of any type you use), sanding, assembling, finishing...  Again, if you want the MFT benefits, you'll probably be forking out some more for the clamps (the Clamp Fixtures are especially awesome). 

 

[Dane]

Buy the Domino then get a folding table and the new rail square to make your crosscuts.  Seriously, there is no contest in my mind, the Domino changes everything about how you work.  The MFT is awesome and I wouldn't give mine up, but you can drill a hole in a board and use the Qwas square for the cross-cutting function and get most of the functionality.....

 

[peter halle]

Rick,

What do you use as a work surface now?

Peter

 

[Mac]

Thanks for all the thoughts so far, guys.

Peter, I use a couple of workmates side by side with a foam insulation board on top for cutting into. When not cutting, I stick a piece of 18mm MDF on top of the foam. I've found it surprisingly useable, but clamping can be tricky sometimes and I do wonder about needing dependable square cuts on my workpieces. I'll get a few pics when I'm back downstairs in the morning and add them to the thread!

Rick

 

[GPowers]

I would buy the Domino first! You can always find a work surface. But the Domino has a function that only the machine can do. I guess you could use a hammer and a chisel on you MFT/3.

 

[davee]

I purchased the Domino over a year ago and the MFT just a couple of months ago.  I believe that I purchased them in the correct order.  The Domino is amazing.  I'm still learning the MFT but it is growing on me.  Clamping for the Domino on the MFT is very nice, but as others said can be done elsewhere. 

My first Domino use was in building a crib with around 40 slats.  Previously I would have made mortise and tenon - I saved many hours with the Domino.

 

[peter halle]

Rick,

I have both "tools".

My advice is different than others.  Get the MFT/3.  It provides a work platform, it aids in clamping, it aids in repeatability of cuts and accuracy of cuts.  All these are the first steps in making a project.

How to join things can be done many ways.  The Domino is great, but it is an evolution.

Peter

 

[RONWEN]

I agree with most of the others -- you can create a good work surface fairly easily but you can't create a Domino.  All projects that I build get at least a few hits with the Domino however all of those same projects are built while setting on one of my MFT's. If you need a work bench that is portable then by all means the MFT is the first choice. Aside from being portable it also provides many work piece clamping options. 
Actually, I can remember but can't now imagine doing woodworking not having EITHER of the two.  But then that also applies to many of the other Festools I have.

 

[paul_david_thomas]

I have limited storage space. When I work, I work in secure areas, where I can leave my tools out. I do refurb work.

I have both the MFT/3 and Domino. Domino is great. The MFT/3 basically gave ALL my tools a new lease of life. Sure, it's expensive for what might look like a table with holes in it - but it's soooo much more, but you only realise when you start using it.

If you tend to do lot's of odds and sods as opposed to heaps of joining that would benifit from the domino, it's an easy choice...

Some one did mention selling the kids, I'd kidnap someone else's and randsom them. However, do it for cash as opposed an MFT/3 and Domino, as it might make it too easy to track you down.

Paul.

 

[nico]

I bought the domino ...
and next on the list is an MFT ...
very difficult choice, sometimes I wished I bought the mft but when I'm using my domino I get a smile om my face
( buy both if you can )

 

[kfitzsimons]

  I'm just finishing a stand for a flat screen tv. I purchased the Domino just before starting the project and I have no regrets. I do already have the 1st generation MFT which I used for layout, assembly and clamping.  I used to use biscuits to build cases, but NO MORE! I was able to dry-fit most of the case before gluing up and it made alignment a snap.  Everything fit.  I did make a spacing mistake on one panel with the Domino, but it's hidden and I just cut new domino slots - no problem.  Even though I have the MFT and the TS55, I used my Unisaw for 99% of my cuts.  I use a Biesemeyer cross-cut sled (not made any more) which makes cutting and measuring super accurate. I have thought about getting rid of my Unisaw since I have the TS55 / MFT combo, but it's just too handy to make long and narrow rips and panel cuts with the Uni. In fact, one morning I was working on the case top (49"x18") and I needed to trim the 18" end off to finished size. My sled can only cut 18" and narrower and the piece was 18 1/8".  I put the guide rail on the MFT and in minutes the end was cut.  Can't beat the MFT for cutting and clamping. I need more Festool clamps though. 
  I would buy the Domino first if you now have the money, because then, it's not as expensive to buy the MFT later.  Less painful on the wallet. 
  One more comment on the Domino, and all of Festool for that matter.  The Domino makes NO DUST when used with a vacuum.  It's so clean to use. I still have a ceiling mounted Steel City air cleaner which takes a lot of the fine dust out of the air. It works fairly well as I've noticed less dust on my bikes and stuff.
  It's kind of funny, my wife came out into the garage to "inspect" my progress and commented that she saw a vacuum (Midi) that she hadn't seen before.  I said "Really, I've had that for quite awhile".  Busted!! But she appreciates the furniture and projects so I don't get much more grief than that. 

 

[waho6o9]

The smart purchase would be both.  In what order?  Me thinks Domino and then MFT3.  Good luck on your choice.  [smile]

 

[Jesse Cloud]

There really is no wrong answer to this one.  Both are great tools.  Think about your upcoming projects and decide which would be more useful.  When I use the Domino, I love it, but I don't use it on every project.  I use the MFT on every project every day.  If you have the saw and/or a router, the MFT takes them up a level.  I even use the MFT for hand tool work when I need to clamp something with an awkward shape.

One piece of advice.  If you go with the Domino, think hard before you buy the Domino assortment in a systainer.  I find there are some sizes of Dominos I just don't use.  But as the auto industry says, "your mileage may vary."

 

[rwdawson]

Mac,

Jesse wrote:

One piece of advice.  If you go with the Domino, think hard before you buy the Domino assortment in a systainer.  I find there are some sizes of Dominos I just don't use.  But as the auto industry says, "your mileage may vary."

When I bought my Domino, Eli (at the Seattle Woodcraft) recommended that I get the basic Domino, rather than the whole kit, which is consistent with Jesse's comment.  I left the store with a Domino, 5mm and 8mm cutters, and a bunch of dominos for those two sizes.  His logic was that I could add cutters as I needed them.  So far, I have only needed to get a 4mm cutter.

Previous comments seem to revolve around what kind of work you do and how you do it, making you the final decision maker, so my vote for the MFT shouldn't count for much.

As a Brit, living in a land with some of the finest beers in the world, you should think twice about offering your children scotch.  I would start them off on something like Fullers ESB and use the savings to buy a Domino.  Living in the Pacific Northwest with a terrific selection of IPAs and stouts, we would never think otherwise.

Regards,

Richard

 

[K.T.]

I would lean towards getting the Domino kit with all the accessories. You most likely will pick them up eventually so why not just get the kit? My experience was I was using the domino  then was online look at accessories I thought would be really helpful... Then I realized that I already had them in the kit.

My situation is a little different as there arent any close retailers stock it and the far ones dont carry everything anyways. Much more easier to send a email or call Bob Marino and I receive it like clockwork

Go with the big set. You may not using everything that first week but most likely you will use it (I am trying to help you justify the purchase  8) )

 

[jonny round boy]

I'd say get the kit, too. I did. [tongue]

You can pick them up for around GBP160, with all 5 cutter sizes. The cutters are between 20 and 26 GBP each, and all 5 bought individually would cost you GBP110. Add to that the price of a Sys2, and most of the dominoes are free!!!

Unless you know for certain you'll never use more than 2 or 3 sizes, then in the long run buying the set is better value. Maybe only just, but still better. [big grin]

Edit: Forgot to say - on the MFT3 vs Domino, I'd say get the domino first.

Despite the fact that I built my own MFT style bench, I'm now looking to get a proper MFT3 to go with it. But I'm glad I bought the dom first.

 

[busybeaver]

First, determine the projects that you are actually expecting to complete in the next six months.
Then, determine, of that, which of those projects will (not I think I can use it for... [wink]) benefit from a given tool.
And, then determine if you have the money to spend on the tool of choice.
If not, wait...the tools will still be there when you do have the money.

Owning the Domino & Systainer 2 set, MFT/3, and the TS-75, I think of it as if I had to eliminate them one-by-one.
If so, then I would get rid of the MFT/3 last of all. It is useful across the broadest spectrum of scenarios.

Domino can speed up work completion, and does a beautiful job at one very specific task, joinery.
TS-75, does a beautiful job at cutting wood.
MFT/3, useful for multiple tasks, even without power tools involved.