New Mafell DDF 40 Duo Doweller

[member=652]JimH2[/member]  wondering if “he was looking for a reason to not justify returning it” refers to me and what it means in either case. A little too double negative.

I did read about the machine at the Mafell forum and ordered the kit despite the overall ambivalence about the DDF 40 I found there. I had an immediate use for it and if the tool had lived long enough to complete the task I’d have kept it.
 
[member=2824]JimH[/member] I understand what you’re saying, and just want to confirm, that I have been a Mafell fan for a long time, still am, and own Mafell tools.

I have heard similar though, regarding the latest machine. The switch issue, and the plunging isn’t a great experience are what quite a few reports suggest.
I was hoping the machine would offer more than just the shelf pin function, over the dowelling. As I’m not a big fan of dowel joints, and if the truth were known, I don’t think some of my customers would be.
It seems though, that even the shelf pin function is only at it’s best, when used with the optional jig?
I can’t help thinking that this machine was designed to take sales away from the Domino. There’s no comparison though (in my opinion) The Domino is unique in many ways.

I know people that own the original doweler, and they have never that I know of, had problems.

My next Mafell will be either a P1, as I have lots of use for one, or an Erika for the same reasons. [wink]

 
I called Timberwolf about my DDF 40 that stopped running. Spoke with Jeff. He was surprised by the failure and apologized. There is no problem returning the tool for a refund. He promptly emailed a pre-paid FedEx shipping label.

Jeff was very pleasant to deal with and I’ll probably buy another Mafell shortly.
 
After the DDF 40 died I turned to the Domino 500 to join particle board panels. In addition to finishing the project I wanted to compare ease of use and productivity of the DDF 40 and Domino. Everything about using the doweler was easy, except the actual drilling of dual 8mm holes.

The included guides allowed me to position the Duo without measuring so I worked the same way with the Domino whereas I usually mark positions of tenons. To be fair I used the narrow mortise setting. I even used raw ended Dominos instead of beveling the ends like I’d planned.

The Domino was significantly more productive. The panels went together almost as easily as with dowels. I expect if I’d beveled the tenons it would have been equally easy. The tight mortises did not present an alignment issue but some thanks goes to the less softness of particle board.

All in all I’m glad to have had the chance to work with the machine but I’m relieved that it died and I’ll get a refund. I can use the money for a different Mafell that will be more useful.

One last footnote, maybe it wasn’t just be the switch that failed. It might be another component that possibly prevented the bits from running at the full 8000 rpm. The Domino is much louder than the DDF 40 was...
 
Glad you’re getting sorted Michael but, a shame it didn’t work out. The one thing that regularly gets mentioned in the reviews I’ve read, is the difficulty in plunging, with one describing the use of the tool as hard work?

This was never the case with the original machine, so it seems to be something in the design that causes this.
Maybe the drill bits are poor design but, the fact that the later machine has a lot less speed than the original, suggests a power issue?

I did read somewhere that these machines are all hand built by one person, so I’d imagine the build quality is pretty consistent.
A tool with this sort of pedigree, and price, should not be difficult to operate or plunge, which it clearly is.
Some have said, they were told they were using the wrong technique, and then adopted the so called right technique, still found the machine hard to plunge? A few reviewer suggested quick hard pushes were the way to go?

I think some people might overlook any shortcomings, because it is a Mafell tool, I personally wouldn’t. If it isn’t great, regardless of who makes it, people should be honest.
Anyway, as always, these are just my opinions based on what I hear and read.
 
As a first time Mafell buyer with the DDF, I have conflicting emotions.

On the disappointment side, the tool takes an inordinate amount of force even in soft wood like pine. I normally build with oak or walnut, so I am worried about how usable the tool will be.

On the positive side, the tool is amazingly precise, well built, and equipped with excellent accessories. It really complements my two Domino machines. Also positive is the helpful attitude of the Timberwolf staff..

For now, I have decided to keep the machine for testing with oak and walnut. I also bought some 10mm bits I want to try. If I can use the machine with those wood types and the 10mm bit, I’ll keep it.
 
[member=15289]Birdhunter[/member]  Again your post more or less sums up what I've read and heard from other owners of the machine.

I hope yours works out for you though.
 
Birdhunter said:
After using the DDF, I wish Festool would offer the pin locators on the Dominos instead of the flappers.
Click to expand...

The original Domino did indeed have the same (almost) metal pin locators as the Mafell. It just that they used them in contravention of the Mafell Patent and were taken to court. They lost.

That is why the new Domino's have the awful flappers and why I will never ever get rid of my original Domino with its excellent, but illegal, metal pins!
 
I will never ever get rid of my original Domino with its excellent, but illegal, metal pins!
Click to expand...

Could you share a picture of your Domino with metal pins?
 
The original pin type were better but, when I bought a later Domino with the paddles, I never had or have issues with them. I prefer the pins given the choice but, the paddles work fine for me also.
 
I often hear people talking about the legendary original domino with pins and how much better it was.

I have one of the originals and find it a PITA sometimes because the pins get hooked up on mortises and grooves etc.

I have never used one with paddles, what is so bad about them?

Thanks, Doug
 
I have an old one with pins Doug, and the later paddle type, I got on fine with pin version but, they can as you say snag up. The pins are probably more durable than the paddles being metal but, I get on fine with the later paddle type machine just fine.
 
Well here’s a challenge.

I have the paddle version of the DF 500 and I’ve no complaints.

My knee-jerk reaction is that using the pin version to go from mortise to mortise will introduce more variability in the location of the Dominos than if a long aluminum/steel scale was introduced and the centers of each mortise were marked and machined accordingly.

My money’s on the scale and center lines. I’ll give you the edge to edge method is faster, but then you’re forced to open up your mortise width.  [popcorn] [popcorn]
 
I am a long time Domino user (both models). I always use the narrow and wide technique on joining long boards.

I tried the DDF40 on joining 48” long boards using just the machine and its accessory (little plastic tabs).

The boards joined perfectly.

I’m keeping my 2 Domino machines, but I’m sold on the DDF40 as a very specialized machine.

I’ll view the significant push effort as a body building exercise.
 
I ordered a pair of 10mm bits for my new DDF40.

I did a test with the machine plugged into my Festool vac to take advantage of AutoStart.

The first test was drilling into a pine 2X4. the force required was about the same as with the 8mm bits. I then connected the DDF into the wall socket. There was a palpable feel that less pressure was required. I then tested the machine with quarter sawn white oak. The pressure required was not as excessive as I had felt in the past.

My testing was FAR from scientific! But, I think I will stick with plugging the DDF40 into the wall and not into the Festool vac.
 
My DDF40 was plugged directly into a wall socket.

I used the Domino 500 to join 30” panels (at the tight setting with 5mm tenons) using the onboard pins and the wings and the panels joined fine but the wood was just particle board. If working with real would I’d use the medium width setting for most of one of the boards.
 
Birdhunter said:
I then connected the DDF into the wall socket. There was a palpable feel that less pressure was required.
Click to expand...
I can't imagine it making any difference for a 900W tool.
Perhaps it's poor bit design.
What are the dimensions of Mafell boring bits?
 
Bits are 55mm long, have an 8mm shank with a flat. The 5mm CMT bits I bought (about $9 $11 each at routerbitworld) are only around 53.5mm long. The machine’s socket is round with a set screw in the middle.

Wonder is the flat would disallow the bits to be used in a router collet?
 
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