Newbie ready to drink the Green Kool-aid

[alexl]

Hi everyone,

I decided enough was enough, i'm ready to try out Festool. Got all excited about running down to Woodcraft to pick up a DF500. They were out of stock. Another local lumber store was also out of stock. A bit of internet research revealed that pretty much everyone is out of stock with estimates ranging from Late February to mid May for stock to return.

I ALMOST came home with the DF700 instead, but thought twice and decided to do a bit of research. Most of my work is household furniture: coffee tables, side tables, cabinetry, etc. I work mostly solid wood but do use the occasional 3/4 ply. For this work, i figured the DF500 was the sweet spot that got all of the required sizes. I do some dining tables as well which would be a good match for the DF700, but the DF500 i felt could handle it as well.

I am aware of the accessories that Seneca sells for the DF700, but fear these may make the machine more cumbersome - maybe this is just ignorance.

So to the Hive mind - do i wait the 6-16 weeks backorder on a DF500, or jump on the DF700 and not look back. As always, budget is a consideration, but i can justify either one (though likely not both).

Alex

 

[MrToolJunkie]

The DF500 is good for most things you describe and you can double up the tenons if you need more strength. I would check some online dealers as I am sure someone has stock, but with Covid there have been delays in stock on lots of items. Good luck!

 

[AlexThePalex]

Hi Alex, welcome to the FOG. You need the DF500.

 

[JulesM]

Hi everyone,

I decided enough was enough, i'm ready to try out Festool. Got all excited about running down to Woodcraft to pick up a DF500. They were out of stock. Another local lumber store was also out of stock. A bit of internet research revealed that pretty much everyone is out of stock with estimates ranging from Late February to mid May for stock to return.

Alex

I didn't see this when I started a new thread about long wait times.  Maybe it's just the Domino but I ordered last month and was just told earliest shipping date would be early February.

 

[alexl]

The DF500 is good for most things you describe and you can double up the tenons if you need more strength. I would check some online dealers as I am sure someone has stock, but with Covid there have been delays in stock on lots of items. Good luck!

Thanks! I may have found one online. Is it important to have a relationship with a local dealer? Would I be able to return to a local dealer within 30 days or does it have to be returned to the selling dealer? I don’t intend to return, but you never know.

 

[MrToolJunkie]

Has to to back to where you buy and you will likely need typo pay return shipping.

 

[afish]

Its not just the domino. I know some of the sanders are back ordered too.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

Covid is likely an issue with this as far as the manufacture and distribution as well as the change-over to the new Sys3 with at least some of the sanders. I waited quite a while for the RO125.
More to the point, stick with the DF500 unless you specifically need it for larger projects like doors or large tables. The DF700 is great for those things, but overkill for sheetgoods.

 

[alexl]

Picked up a CT15 from my local dealer at lunch. He said he thought he had a few DF-500s coming in tomorrow. I am on his list to call if they show up, not sure i believe it or not!

I am having trouble finding the justification for the $345 domino/bit assortment systainer. Unless i am missing something, i can purchase the full set of CMT cutters, and individually purchase the dominos(actually get more than come with the set), and save over $100. I do not get the systainer, but i am in a static shop - don't really feel a plastic box is worth $100 to me. Am i missing something?

Alex

 

[Crazyraceguy]

In my experience, actually having them available is quite valuable, but I'm in a commercial cabinet shop and I never know what is coming next. I don't plan my own projects like a hobbyist would. So "planning ahead" isn't really a thing.
My point is, yes you "could" buy individual bits and bags of Dominos....but will you? Then you may not have what you need when you need it. End of the world? no. But it may hold you up. Then you are going after some, or ordering them online and waiting. Again, end of the world? no, but it is annoying, and what is that worth to you?
In my case it is really a pain, because as I said, I don't choose what I am working on and deadlines are a thing.
I'm not really able to address the CMT thing, but it has been discussed here before and the results were somewhat mixed. Some guys liked them, others not so much. I have never used anything but the genuine Festool cutters and they have never failed me. As a fairly high volume user, I don't see the "advantage" of cheaper cutters, since the reviews are not fantastic.
So, this is a "your mileage may very" situation. Go with what works for you.

 

[afish]

Im the opposite but understand crazyraceguys point.  I have never had an issues getting the dominos within a couple days when needed.  I really only use a couple different sizes so for me I dont want to spend the money or take up space storing sizes I might not ever use.   

 

[rst]

When I bought my 500, I also bought the domino set too.  When I bought my 700 I decided just to buy the stick packs and cut lengths as needed  and this has worked well as I am not needing large quantities at a time.

 

[Jim_in_PA]

I have the DF700XL and generally buy the 750mm long sticks and cut my own lengths for the sizes I use the most...10mm, 12mm and 14mm. (so fare, all furniture type projects) I have the sets with the small stuff and cutters plus the Seneca adapter, but to-date, have not actually used the smaller Dominos.

 

[alexl]

In my experience, actually having them available is quite valuable, but I'm in a commercial cabinet shop and I never know what is coming next. I don't plan my own projects like a hobbyist would. So "planning ahead" isn't really a thing.
My point is, yes you "could" buy individual bits and bags of Dominos....but will you? Then you may not have what you need when you need it. End of the world? no. But it may hold you up. Then you are going after some, or ordering them online and waiting. Again, end of the world? no, but it is annoying, and what is that worth to you?
In my case it is really a pain, because as I said, I don't choose what I am working on and deadlines are a thing.
I'm not really able to address the CMT thing, but it has been discussed here before and the results were somewhat mixed. Some guys liked them, others not so much. I have never used anything but the genuine Festool cutters and they have never failed me. As a fairly high volume user, I don't see the "advantage" of cheaper cutters, since the reviews are not fantastic.
So, this is a "your mileage may very" situation. Go with what works for you.

My apologies for confusion. My intent would be to go ahead and order all of the cutters and tenon sizes to have available, but to order outside of the variety kit at a savings of $100. But I’ll give the CMT cutter reviews a look for sure!

 

[Birdhunter]

I’ve read a number of the CMT reviews. They are mixed. Some people experience out of spec mortises and some have good experience.

I’d recommend buying the assortment to begin with. There is a definite learning curve with the Domino and adding a potentially odd size cutter would complicate things a lot.

 

[rst]

I use the CMT cutters and have not had any problems using tight setting for both mortises.

 

[mkasdin]

When I bought my 500, I also bought the domino set too.  When I bought my 700 I decided just to buy the stick packs and cut lengths as needed  and this has worked well as I am not needing large quantities at a time.

In for a dime out for a dollar. it’s easy buy to just plunk down on the df 500 set. Larger dominoes are easier to cut to made length so no need for a 700 box of precut dominoes.

As [member=58857]Crazyraceguy[/member] guy said get the set - “ My point is, yes you "could" buy individual bits and bags of Dominos....but will you? Then you may not have what you need when you need it. End of the world? no. But it may hold you up. Then you are going after some, or ordering them online and waiting. Again, end of the world? no, but it is annoying, and what is that worth to you?”

 

[presidentsdad]

Like some folks I probably overanalyzed on the DF500/DF700 and I figured with the DF700 and Seneca SMK (Small Mortise Kit) I could do everything with the DF700.  That is what I bought.  It is heavier, but I think better balanced.  Can't go wrong with either, but the DF700 with SMK will serve you well.  Go for it!

Hi everyone,

I decided enough was enough, i'm ready to try out Festool. Got all excited about running down to Woodcraft to pick up a DF500. They were out of stock. Another local lumber store was also out of stock. A bit of internet research revealed that pretty much everyone is out of stock with estimates ranging from Late February to mid May for stock to return.

I ALMOST came home with the DF700 instead, but thought twice and decided to do a bit of research. Most of my work is household furniture: coffee tables, side tables, cabinetry, etc. I work mostly solid wood but do use the occasional 3/4 ply. For this work, i figured the DF500 was the sweet spot that got all of the required sizes. I do some dining tables as well which would be a good match for the DF700, but the DF500 i felt could handle it as well.

I am aware of the accessories that Seneca sells for the DF700, but fear these may make the machine more cumbersome - maybe this is just ignorance.

So to the Hive mind - do i wait the 6-16 weeks backorder on a DF500, or jump on the DF700 and not look back. As always, budget is a consideration, but i can justify either one (though likely not both).

Alex

 

[alexl]

Thanks everyone!

To my shock, I actually did get a call this morning that DF500 came in stock at my local hardwood supplier and had been set aside for me. They were out of stock of the domino assortment, so that made that decision easy.

 

[SoonerFan]

Thanks everyone!

To my shock, I actually did get a call this morning that DF500 came in stock at my local hardwood supplier and had been set aside for me. They were out of stock of the domino assortment, so that made that decision easy.

[member=74809]alexl[/member] welcome to the forum and enjoy the DF500.  I have one and it’s great for the tasks you described.