New MFK 700 and DF 500 Owner... What accessories?

[Axis39]

I bought the EQ set (other than no edge trimming bit, I am excited about my new purchase).  I've ordered the Festool edge trimming bit and the edge guide.

I build cabinets and furniture, everything is custom...  I live in Southern California, near the Coachella Valley....  Everything down there is Mid-Century Modern, or Modern.  Lot's of Euro-style cabinets.  Lots of 'em.  I trim a lot of edge banding, and thinner hardwood edging (I rarely put thick edge treatment on anything these days).  I also put a lot of smaller chamfers and round overs on things.  So, honestly, the MFK 700 seems like a little miracle product.

I am eying the 0 deg base....  But, are there some other accessories I might find useful?

For the Domino, I haven't even begun to explore accessories (haven't spent time searching this forum for more info yet either).  What accessories do you guys use most with yours?

 

[bertv]

For the Domino, I haven't even begun to explore accessories (haven't spent time searching this forum for more info yet either).  What accessories do you guys use most with yours?

I like the Domiplate, made by Seneca, for the DF500. They also have other accessories for the Domino.

 

[DynaGlide]

I have the Domiplate, and don't like it. It sits on a peghook and never comes out.

The DF500 version with the included accessories (Q-set?) has everything you need out of the systainer assuming you get all the cutters for it. The one accessory I wouldn't be without is the [member=61691]TSO_Products[/member] BigFoot. Other than that it should do anything you want it to.

If you haven't already consider getting the 498899 Assorted Domino Beech Tenons and Cutters in T-Loc Systainer to go with it.

 

[hdv]

+1 For the Bigfoot.

I also like Seneca's Doc Plate XL a lot better than the narrow stock jig from Festool. (It does fit the DF 500 even though the name is a bit misleading.) But maybe you should wait to see what Lee Valley brings to the market shortly. It is based on an idea from a fellow FOGer and it might be better than both these options. At the very least it will be much more flexible.

 

[Cheese]

-1 for the Domiplate.

+1 for the Bigfoot.

 

[ChuckM]

From some of the feedback expressed on this forum, some Domiplate owners benefit from and truly enjoy their accessory. I've never used one, so I may fail to appreciate its full potentials.

To me, unless it's used to make butt joints exclusively, it's a burden. Every time you need to make a vertical cut not on the edge of a board (e.g. a mid-shelf cut (for shelving)), or need to use the fence at an angle, you need to remove it. The Domiplate will also get in the way if I want to make offset cuts, etc. etc.

So for certain people with applications that can benefit from the Domiplate, they should have it. All others will not find it to add much value to their tool kits.

This also reminds me of this jig that someone bought but never used. He offered it to me at half of what he paid for it, but I passed as I know that it may be a good engineering product, it's impractical for the kinds of builds I do:

View attachment 1

 

[hdv]

I never really understood the benefit of the Domiplate. Why do you need it? As long as you work off the face of the part to be routed, it isn't really necessary to be in the exact middle of the part's thickness. Even if it would be, then the Domiplate still wouldn't be a perfect solution as plywood is only nominally it's stated thickness. So a fixed thickness jig can never cater for all plywood you'll use.

And like ChuckS says, the plate gets in the way too easily.

But I might be missing something...  [unsure]

 

[ChuckM]

+1 For the Bigfoot.

I also like Seneca's Doc Plate XL a lot better than the narrow stock jig from Festool. (It does fit the DF 500 even though the name is a bit misleading.) But maybe you should wait to see what Lee Valley brings to the market shortly. It is based on an idea from a fellow FOGer and it might be better than both these options. At the very least it will be much more flexible.

You may be right about the misleading label. I never gave it a thought until now as it says XL. I'm, too, waiting for the details of the coming Domino jig that Lee Valley is developing based on Ola's idea.

 

[Cheese]

I purchased the Domiplate and expected it to be the cat's meow...it turned out to be something that just gets in the way. I haven't used it in 11 years.  [smile]

After some use I realized that in 3/4" material if the Domino is exactly at the .375" center it really buys you nothing and the Domino can be at any level, pick a number....331", .362", .347" it doesn't matter. Actually if the Domino isn't centered it's easier to tell which faces need to be aligned.

 

[ChuckM]

Snip.Actually if the Domino isn't centered it's easier to tell which faces need to be aligned.

This is especially beneficial in situations where the reference face pencil markings are lost or contaminated. Except in one or two cases such as working on a very thin stock, all my mortises are "non-centered."

[attachimg=1]

 

[ChuckM]

Speaking of after-market accessories or jigs for the DF500, not too long ago I bumped into this video:


One of the reasons I like the Domino machine is its minimal set-up time. By simply using the paddles for the alignment mortises (two -- one on each mating board) and cutting the rest in a tight-loose setting, everything the above jig is supposed to do can be achieved. To cut mating mortises with the jig, one needs to use two different accessory parts. I really can't see how such a jig can help my domino work.

 

[Axis39]

Well, I guess I have to really say this is a the true New Tool Day Report.

I used the Domino first thing this morning to assemble an appliance garage insert.  It worked quite well, and easily.  Having watched a video or two and being ore than familiar with biscuits, tenons, etc, it was a piece of cake and I really enjoyed using it.

But, the real star fo the day today was the MFK 700!  I had to do a pile of drawers...  All edge banded and that silly MFK 700 probably saved me hours and hours just today!  That was one of the best purchases I can remember making.

Oh, I am still a little miffed about having to order the dang edge trimming bit.  I did find a Freud 1/2" x 1/2" mortising bit at Home Despot.  The radius from shaft to cutter head makes it a tight fit, but, it worked perfectly!  It was incredibly easy, and surprisingly intuitive, and natural feeling.  I had it dialed in within seconds.  It's so tight, I would not feel guilty about not sanding.

My son and I (we own the company and work together) were literally shaking our heads.  Both of us thinking of the hours of work we had done earlier in this project (cases, doors and drawer fronts) we could have saved with this little guy!!!

Why isn't this thing more popular?  Is it just that only a few of su are stuck doing European style cabinets?  LOL

My biggest question, why doesn't Festool make a base that just has more range?  This thing could kill the trim router market!  It's quiet, smooth, sturdy, strong enough to do edge profiling and stuff...  It's light enough to use all day.  But, if it had a base that had a good accurate, smooth adjustment like it has, but maybe with a quick release for wider adjustments...  I think they'd sell a go-zillion!  Oh well, who am I?  Obviously, I do not own, nor manage a big tool manufacturing company.

I will check out the Domino accessories.  I need to do some more research on the Domino machine and it's uses.

Thanks for all the info so far, gang!

John F.

 

[Axis39]

Oh, and yes, I bought the big selection of dominos and bits to go with said dominos.

 

[Bruce M]

Check out the Domino Dock made by Ramon Valdez. It's a must have.https://ramonvaldezfinefurniture.com/product/the-dock-for-the-festool-domino-df500/

 

[Crazyraceguy]

Well, I guess I have to really say this is a the true New Tool Day Report.

I used the Domino first thing this morning to assemble an appliance garage insert.  It worked quite well, and easily.  Having watched a video or two and being ore than familiar with biscuits, tenons, etc, it was a piece of cake and I really enjoyed using it.

But, the real star fo the day today was the MFK 700!  I had to do a pile of drawers...  All edge banded and that silly MFK 700 probably saved me hours and hours just today!  That was one of the best purchases I can remember making.

Oh, I am still a little miffed about having to order the dang edge trimming bit.  I did find a Freud 1/2" x 1/2" mortising bit at Home Despot.  The radius from shaft to cutter head makes it a tight fit, but, it worked perfectly!  It was incredibly easy, and surprisingly intuitive, and natural feeling.  I had it dialed in within seconds.  It's so tight, I would not feel guilty about not sanding.

My son and I (we own the company and work together) were literally shaking our heads.  Both of us thinking of the hours of work we had done earlier in this project (cases, doors and drawer fronts) we could have saved with this little guy!!!

Why isn't this thing more popular?  Is it just that only a few of su are stuck doing European style cabinets?  LOL

My biggest question, why doesn't Festool make a base that just has more range?  This thing could kill the trim router market!  It's quiet, smooth, sturdy, strong enough to do edge profiling and stuff...  It's light enough to use all day.  But, if it had a base that had a good accurate, smooth adjustment like it has, but maybe with a quick release for wider adjustments...  I think they'd sell a go-zillion!  Oh well, who am I?  Obviously, I do not own, nor manage a big tool manufacturing company.

I will check out the Domino accessories.  I need to do some more research on the Domino machine and it's uses.

Thanks for all the info so far, gang!

John F.

They make a bit that fits it the way they intended it to be used, done deal, in their minds.
There is a pretty well known modification that increases the capacity. Most of the time this is done to the zero degree base, to allow for thicker edges. With the angled base, it is not that important. You just need to find a bit that fits and stick with that particular model. This is especially important if you are buying them locally, rather than online. Your typical home improvement store is not usually the greatest for this. Their router bit selection is generally weak. The only thing I have found in local places is called a "Hinge Mortise" bit.
I buy mine from Lee Valley. They are the best source (in the US) that I have found for 8mm shank bits. I much prefer the 8mm to the 1/4", but you will never find them locally.

I am probably the biggest fan of the MFK700 that you're going to find. I bought a second one, just so I could leave one set up for a specific task and still have one free to use for other things.

As far as DF500, huge fan there too. I use mine every day. I would agree with the others who have recommended the assortment/bit set. It is very handy to have that many options.
I'm also a no on the Domiplate. It is too limiting for how I use the machine, but some people love it.
There is a bit of a learning curve with it. There are a lot of adjustments/settings and you need to be aware of all of them, every time. It will come to you after a few uses, but there may be some frustrations early on.

 

[krudawg]

For the Domino, I haven't even begun to explore accessories (haven't spent time searching this forum for more info yet either).  What accessories do you guys use most with yours?

I like the Domiplate, made by Seneca, for the DF500. They also have other accessories for the Domino.

I have the 3/4"/1/2" and the 18mm/12mm Domiplates.  I absolutely love the Domiplates.  It enhances my workflow.  I highly recommend it.

 

[afish]

Im also in the NO camp on the domiplate and a big fat YES for the bigfoot.  I would let go of my domiplate if given a chance.  I also made a dial indicator for those times "if" you want or need to perfectly center a domino.  Its not for most, but I use it a mostly to set my horizonal dowel holes with my ddf40 to match the cnc. Also comes in handy on thinner material or if you have lots of parts and dont want to have to try and keep track of left, right, top, bottom.  It very handy to be able to clamp it to the fence so both hands are free to hold and make the adjustment. V1.0 didnt clamp to the fence and after trying to juggle everything I quickly made V2.0 pictured

 

[krudawg]

I have the Domiplate, and don't like it. It sits on a peghook and never comes out.

The DF500 version with the included accessories (Q-set?) has everything you need out of the systainer assuming you get all the cutters for it. The one accessory I wouldn't be without is the [member=61691]TSO_Products[/member] BigFoot. Other than that it should do anything you want it to.

If you haven't already consider getting the 498899 Assorted Domino Beech Tenons and Cutters in T-Loc Systainer to go with it.

I have and use the  Domiplate just about every time I break out my DF500.  It saves a lot of time.  You should consider watching a video on it's use and give it another try.

 

[sancho57]

[member=77700]Axis39[/member]

hope you bought the kit and have the edge guide.

"My biggest question, why doesn't Festool make a base that just has more range?  This thing could kill the trim router market!  It's quiet, smooth, sturdy, strong enough to do edge profiling and stuff.."

They do its called the 1010.

Festool designed the 700 for edge profiling and trimming.

Thats what its name means in German.

I use mine for about everything I look for router bits that will do what I need. Woodline has a wide variety of 1/4 bits that will work in it. recently I bought a rabbiting bit from them so I could use it instead of my 1010.

 

[cpw]

For furniture, I don't find the Domiplate useful.  But when I built a kitchen full of cabinets it was great.  I liked having the full ~3" of registration for both sides of a butt joint rather than just the little bit of the machine.

The included support bracket or Bigfoot could be an OK alternative, but I don't have a Bigfoot and for whatever reason just don't like the support bracket as much as a Domiplate.