Review of the New Domino XL DF 700 - Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3

[Stone Message]

Hello Everyone

How many of you have now bought the DF 700? Did you get both systainers with the dominos? Most important of all, what do you think of your new tool?

Peter

 

[woodguy7]

Still waiting, hoping to get my complete set end of this week.

 

[Guy Ashley]

Peter

Had mine a few days now and yeah, really really pleased with it. I am using on a couple of joinery projects at the moment and may post the results later.

Seriously good machine and a God send from an efficiency point of view.

I got both Domino systainers, with the cutters, and will see which Domino's are the mainstay, dependant upon each particular application.

At first glance it would appear buying the 750mm lengths will be more cost effective to replenish stocks.

 

 

[Stone Message]

High Woodguy,

Lets hope your dealer is reading this and is 'on the case'. If you have any problems finding a DF700 just let me know - I know a guy who can help!

Hello Guy,

Congratulations for getting your new machine - the DF700 is an absolute dream and very easy to use. Even with the DF500 I made up my own domino lengths so that I could have sizes not sold by Festool. Post a picture of your first big DF700 project when you can.

Peter

 

[meatman]

Hi Peter

I Picked up my DF700 with both Domino Systainer assortments today walked into my dealers at 4:50 by 5:15 we were all done no waiting for days or weeks. No order just off the shelf. [smile]

Haven't played with it yet though [sad]
Meatman

 

[Stone Message]

Dear Meatman

Well done - you must have more Festool kit than anyone that I know. Enjoy the DF700 - watch your fingers if you are used to reacting your wood from the back - this machine can go deep!

Peter

 

[Alan m]

i know my dealer has one in stock because i was drooling over it.usually they have to order most of the tools i want . (as im picky ) i actually saw it before he did. i explained to basic design differences to him.

 

[Stone Message]

Hello Everyone

Just to let you know that my written review of the DF 700 is in the January copy of The Woodworker which goes on sale in the shops on 16 December but subscribers will get it a little earlier.

Peter

 

[Timtool]

here are pics of my second and third domino XL projects, the first one i didn't take pics of!

a cedar door for a sauna:



and a cedar gate for a carport:



both have 2 (14x140mm) dominos per joint, homemade with afrormosia left overs (african hardwood that doesn't rot)

i got the XL without the separate domino case, i asked to get the 14mm cutter for free and got it as an accessory. it's only 5% of the domino value. As much as i find the domino box for the DF500 to be indispensable, for the XL it seems way more practical to buy or make your own domino stock as long as possible and cut to size for each project to minimize waste.

 

[Stone Message]

Dear Timtool

You have made a superb job of the doors and gates. What a good idea it is to make Afromosia dominos.

I used to live in Mons - are you anywhere near there?

Peter

 

[tiralie]

here are pics of my second and third domino XL projects, the first one i didn't take pics of!

a cedar door for a sauna:

Beautiful! Is there glass going to be put in the top panels?
Tim

and a cedar gate for a carport:

Again, beautiful. Simple but elegant. What do they finish these doors with?
Tim

 

[Guy Ashley]

Not as "pretty" as Timtools doors, but this a 3.3m Raised Helve Field Gate that is going out tomorrow where the Domino XL was used as a hand held slot morticer.

Due to the weight and size of this gate (Idigbo) I defered to tradition and all the rails are through tenoned and dowel pegged into the end posts.

[attachthumb=#]

The mid stiles and supports are all dominoed and glued with the XL.

Using the XL as a slot morticer was a breeze, no lugging large lumps of timber to and fro from the stationary Sedgwick and sweeping up loads of chippings and dust and the mortices were as clean and precise as with the Domino 500.

Next job is some windows and doors and I will post how that goes later.

 

[Timtool]

Beautiful! Is there glass going to be put in the top panels?
Tim
....
Again, beautiful. Simple but elegant. What do they finish these doors with?
Tim

I do this type of work for another woodworker when his guys are too busy or not competent enough, i like that kind of work, he just gives me the dimensions and wood and i build it, no hassle or fuss involved dealing with customers, measuring or fitting.
The door will contain glass, but the customer was going to fit it.
And after taking pics i spray painted the gate with grey-colored water based oil.

@Peter how come you lived in Mons? On American or even British standards i live next to Mons, but on our standards i live  on the other end of the country above Liège.

 

[windmill man]

Nice gate ,Guy [smile]

See you have moved in to the new part of the workshop. Have you still got the mini traction engine in there or have you compleated the display stand for it ?

John

 

[mouppe]

Talking of English gates, this is one of my favourite episodes of the Woodwright's Shop, in which he builds a Sussex field gate.

http://www.pbs.org/woodwrightsshop/video/3000/3012.html

 

[b_m_hart]

Wouldn't you want to use the domino to make the mortise first, then run the router set?  Or does that not matter (in terms of getting the domino to register flush to the work piece and potentially chip it)?

 

[Stone Message]

Guy

I have just seen your 5 bar gate - brilliant. I am sure that your customer will be delighted. I have not used Idigbo - what is it like to work with?

Peter

 

[Guy Ashley]

Wouldn't you want to use the domino to make the mortise first, then run the router set?  Or does that not matter (in terms of getting the domino to register flush to the work piece and potentially chip it)?

Yeah thats what I did, 25mm through tenons in a 75mm stile, so set the 14mm cutter at the appropriate hieght, cut the first side of the mortice, flipped over and cut the other side.

Then using a rebate block on spindle moulder (shaper) trimmed the tenon shoulders and it fit like a glove.

Nice gate ,Guy [smile]

See you have moved in to the new part of the workshop. Have you still got the mini traction engine in there or have you compleated the display stand for it ?

John

Thanks John!  [big grin] Traction Engine still here will be a January project once I can get the aluminium box section frame made.

Guy

I have just seen your 5 bar gate - brilliant. I am sure that your customer will be delighted. I have not used Idigbo - what is it like to work with?

Peter

Thank you Peter,

Idigbo is a durable West African Hardwood, but can be variable in quality. Idigbo covers a number of sub species, my hardwood supplier only stocks Idigbo Emeri which I have found to be the best. Other sub species can have a lot of interlocked grain and consequent tear out issues.

 

[woodguy7]

Quality gate Guy.  Never worked with that wood either.  Is it similar to Iroko ?  What are some of the other sub species called ?

Oh, what's with the 4 "f" clamps on the bottom rail ? Fixing a wee boo boo  [poke].  ;D

Timtool, loving the look of that Cedar.  Is it Western Red Cedar ?

 

[Guy Ashley]

Quality gate Guy.  Never worked with that wood either.  Is it similar to Iroko ?  What are some of the other sub species called ?

Oh, what's with the 4 "f" clamps on the bottom rail ? Fixing a wee boo boo  [poke].  ;D

Timtool, loving the look of that Cedar.  Is it Western Red Cedar ?

Alan its not as hard as Iroko, I have attached a link to Sykes Timber which gives the details of Idigbo. There are a multitude of subspecies but the other main one is Frameri Idigbo but that is a "pig" for tearout.

http://www.sykestimber.co.uk/timber/idigbo-emeri.html

The F clamps are holding an additional base rail for the ram of an automated system, dont suppose such technology and finesse has reached the Northern wilderness yet!!! [poke]  ;D