New Dominos Coming to North America

[BWS]

I have watched Peter's video and he has some valid points. I can tell you from experience that having ghe D handle makes it easier for me to ensure I dont tilt the Domino when plunging. Also, I personally feel that if your doing alot of Domino plunges there is less fatigue over time. I recently had to do about 200 of them and my arm did not get tired. Also the weight of the battery actually helps to give it a better balance. Also, I often am using mine at job sites and not needed to run a cord is a big help.

 

[onocoffee]

I know it's missing the trim and cross stops but at the same time-

You could always offer the DF500 without those accessories. Then, if a savvy buyer notes the omission, you could always adjust your asking price. Or, just buy them separately as you need them. I've had my DF500 for over 18 months and today was the first day I ever used the Cross Stop. It was very handy.

 

[Sheik Maboutie]

I think the best option for the DF 500 is this handle from motam.co.uk. It is a terrific accessory for £17

 

[luvmytoolz]

I think the best option for the DF 500 is this handle from motam.co.uk. It is a terrific accessory for £17

That's an absolute ripper! The only criticism I'd have is I think it needs to taper to a thinner section at the top hand grip, but apart from that it's a great design.

 

[Sheik Maboutie]

That's an absolute ripper! The only criticism I'd have is I think it needs to taper to a thinner section at the top hand grip, but apart from that it's a great design.

No need to make it thinner it work perfect with a natural hand feeling in-line with the Domino body

 

[ChuckS]

In terms of inline feelings, there is no doubt the DFC would score the best (not available at my local store to try yet).

Next, my handplane handle version. Then the 3 D printed version.

I've used the DF700 twice, but the handle isn't that inline either.

If you're a handplane user, you'll appreciate my take (imagine handplaning all day with a handle like the one on the DF700 or the motam one). We plane with our palm (and arm)...when we do the same with the domino joiner for hundreds of mortises, your wrist and arm will thank you. The biggest job I have had involved 512 mortises on 272 components (largely using the handplane handle, before I had the 3d printed one).

 

[Ebuwan]

@idratherplaytennis As someone who started with the DF700 first and then got the DF500 some time later, I absolutely prefer the D handle and find it much more manageable and controllable. I know a lot of people complain about the weight of the DF700 but the ergonomics with the handle are so good I don't actually notice the weight at all. I also tried the DFC500 and think it's a fantastic upgrade, and don't find the weight to be of any concern whatsoever.

Hey! Me too, started with the 700, figuring "I can use this for everything with a 500 adaptor". 6 years later i get the 500, and I haven't used the 700 in a really really long time.

Did a whole kitchen with the 700, and i'm not a small person, and my god my arm was screaming lol.

 

[doozer_diy]

I feel like Festool bungled this battery version. Be interested to see if it stays an active product line. I know we talked about this on the forum a while back, but I really wish they had used the Ergo battery platform for this. MAYBE that would have added too much weight on the back(?) Hard to tell without trying a set-up like that. But I'm not seeing great reviews of the weighting of the 500E. And if you're connecting a hose... you can easily run a cord to between a battery bank to the 500RQ. The Domino draws around 400–420 watts when running, which is easily handled by any number of battery inverters - for those use cases where you do need to be off mains. As the 500E becomes available here in the US over the summer will be interesting to see forum postings from folks.

 

[luvmytoolz]

@doozer_diy Not sure what you mean by "bungled this battery version"?

I have the corded DF500, and between a choice of the new design in corded or cordless I would choose the corded hands down. But it only comes cordless, so if I didn't already have the DF500 I would buy the cordless with the new D handle in a flash just because of the new handle.

This seems to sum up the majority of thoughts I've seen on the new design, and I don't see anything to indicate anything that would cause it to be cancelled as a product line?

From what I've seen in forums and heard from sellers, the take-up has been very good, and feedback generally very positive.

I've used the new model and in my opinion it's hands down an improvement over the old model.

 

[doozer_diy]

I was watching a YouTube article recently (Peter Mallard(?) I think) where he was saying for vertical plunging the balance was all off.

 

[onocoffee]

I've used the new model and in my opinion it's hands down an improvement over the old model.

I have been wondering if it would be worth it to sell the 500 and get the R. The model here in the USA is $1359. Could probably sell it quickly around $1000. Is it worth the $400 expense?

 

[luvmytoolz]

I have been wondering if it would be worth it to sell the 500 and get the R. The model here in the USA is $1359. Could probably sell it quickly around $1000. Is it worth the $400 expense?

For myself it wouldn't be as I use the DF700 mostly, but if it was the other way around, for that difference I probably would as I'd be much happier with it in the long run.

If I didn't get it in that case though, I suspect I'd be kicking myself from here to eternity.

It really is a significant improvement to me.

 

[ChuckS]

I have been wondering if it would be worth it to sell the 500 and get the R. The model here in the USA is $1359. Could probably sell it quickly around $1000. Is it worth the $400 expense?

It depends on how often you think the new features (fundamentally the new indexing pin) would benefit you vs the paddles. If a lot, the extra expense should'nt prevent you from switching to the R model.

 

[onocoffee]

It depends on how often you think the new features (fundamentally the new indexing pin) would benefit you vs the paddles. If a lot, the extra expense should'nt prevent you from switching to the R model.

Good point. However, since I only have the Q and have not found myself needing the extra pins, I'm not sure if I will ever need them - since I don't know what it's like to have them (if that makes any sense - in other words, I don't know enough to know if I need them).

 

[ChuckS]

Your reasoning makes good sense. Two domino users I know have no plans to "upgrade" their DF500 to the R model, and neither do I.

 

[luvmytoolz]

Good point. However, since I only have the Q and have not found myself needing the extra pins, I'm not sure if I will ever need them - since I don't know what it's like to have them (if that makes any sense - in other words, I don't know enough to know if I need them).

I'd say if you haven't had a try with one already, it would be well worth it. I think you'll then make your mind up pretty quickly one way or the other. It's a very different beast, and for the better IMHO.

 

[Hipplewm]

I have been wondering if it would be worth it to sell the 500 and get the R. The model here in the USA is $1359. Could probably sell it quickly around $1000. Is it worth the $400 expense?

The only difference (I have been looking over the spare parts list on the global website) seems to be the guide plate and that is for sale in EU for about $350ish - so for the $400 difference in selling and buying new etc, just order the guide plate and swap them and you then have 2 guide plates, one to maybe keep with a big foot for vertical plunges where the fence is fully up and makes zero difference on the plunge.

I, for one, use the stupid plastic thing to get the extra offset quite often, so going to the new guide plate will make a difference for me (not sure if it is $400 yet)

I saw the peter Millard video where he swapped the plates and had a slight misalignment - but I can't find any parts that are different, so not really sure what to think quite yet...

 

[ChuckS]

Tbh, even if the new base fits the old machine, I still wouldn't dish out $400 for it. I wouldn't rather get an extra CT15 for that kind of money.

I have done many loose tenon projects with no indexing issues for the majority of them. The additional indexing pin might benefit me in 5 to10% of my future projects.

The idea of dedicating the old base with an upgraded (larger) support bracket is a good idea though (just like some people keeing an extra table saw or router table).

The 3d printed offset guides (to be used with the cross stop) do help (but not in small builds).

If the new base does fit the old machines with no alignment issues, Festool should offer -- as a goodwill -- the new base at a discount (30% off?) to existing registered owners for a promotional period.

 

[Hipplewm]

This got me thinking again, so i went looking and they are on the US website now - but it is $495

 

[Hipplewm]