Scored a Domino 700 - Confused on What Seneca Parts To Get - Despite Research

[IrishPsych]

I finally landed a Domino 700 locally for about 35% of new. Pretty happy with that. Just in time for a mitered edge in a thick table.

I want to add the Seneca small mortise kit BUT they have several other pieces like the DomiPlate, Shim etc. If I want to use it with 1/2" and 3/4" ply, what should I be getting? Is the imperial gauge a must? Dockplate?

I want to either built or buy Roman's dock to mortise small parts too.

Basically what Seneca add-ons should I look into for 1/2" and 3/4" ply and be able to use all 500 bits?

Should I buy the $350 domino assortment kit with 5 bits too? Not sure I'll use all the bits. I have a 10mm and 12mm.

Thanks in advance!

 

[squall_line]

I finally landed a Domino 700 locally for about 35% of new. Pretty happy with that. Just in time for a mitered edge in a thick table.

I want to add the Seneca small mortise kit BUT they have several other pieces like the DomiPlate, Shim etc. If I want to use it with 1/2" and 3/4" ply, what should I be getting? Is the imperial gauge a must? Dockplate?

I want to either built or buy Roman's dock to mortise small parts too.

Basically what Seneca add-ons should I look into for 1/2" and 3/4" ply and be able to use all 500 bits?

Should I buy the $350 domino assortment kit with 5 bits too? Not sure I'll use all the bits. I have a 10mm and 12mm.

Thanks in advance!

There are actually two different assortment kits for the 700, in two different size packages, compared to the assortment for the 500 with all 5 of the smaller cutters.  The 700 assortments are broken up into an 8mm/10mm set and a 12mm/14mm set.

(Then you have the two different connector sets, but that's another matter entirely)

 

[smorgasbord]

OK, first, here's a chart showing what Domino sizes are available:
[attachimg=1]

1) Only if you will be using 4mm, 5mm or 6mm dominos do you need the Seneca adapter to run those bits in your 700.
2) Those bits (and more) come in the 500 domino assortment systainer kit. So that gets you the bits and the dominos and all you need is the Seneca adapter.
3) As posted above, there are two DF700 domino kits: one for 8mm & 10mm and one for 12mm & 14mm. Those come with the bits you need as well.
4) If you're sticking with 8mm and above, then you don't need the Seneca adapter nor the 500 domino assortment kit. Either just cut down the dominos you get with the 700 kit, buy just the dominos you need, make your own, or buy long stock and cut to length. However, it might be cheaper to get the 500 kit and sell out of it what you don't want.
5) My personal view on the Domi-plates is that home woodworkers can do what they want using the 700 fence if they don't need to repeat a cut after the fence has been moved. The main advantage of the Domiplates is that they're locked in to a specific distance, and so a cut made with them today will mate properly with one cut with them anytime later. The 700 fence is quite nice (better than the 500 fence) and so you may feel OK using that.
6) As for imperial, depends on whether you're an Imperial or a Metric woodworker and what size stock you work with.
7) The Seneca Dock Plate XL is basically an aluminum version of the plastic guide (aka "Saddle fence") that comes with your 700. The Seneca has a provision for a mounted clamp. Both are for narrow pieces.
8 ) An alternative to using the Dock Plate/Saddle fence with a vertically mounted (Valdez) dock is to build/buy a table fixture that has the 700 horizontally mounted. You can clamp things to the table, which often has markings for angles as well.
9) Another add-on is the TSO Big Foot. This is a larger, aluminum version of the plastic 90 degree fence that comes with your 700. This adds additional stabilization to the machine when cutting into the middle of stock, like bookcase sides. It has a nice big handle, too.

 

[rmhinden]

I have a Domino 700 and a set of accessories.  What you want, of course depends on what you plan to do.  My collection is:

Seneca Small mortice kit (currently includes DF500 bit adapter, domi-shim, and imperial thickness gauge)
Senica Dockplate XL (imperial w/ clamp, and two stops)
DF500 4mm, 5mm, 6mm bits
TSO BigFoot
Roman's domino dock (built from plans he sells).

I uses this for a range mortises.  Works well.  I don't really use the Seneca thickness gauge, I usually set the fence to the mid point of what I am putting a mortice in using the alignment marks on the XL700.

Bob

 

[krudawg]

I have the DF500 but regardless; buy the systainer with wood domino's in it from a Festool Dealer.  It's a bit pricy but you won't have to hunt around or order a specific size when you are in the middle of a project build.  Secondly, take my word on this, get the Seneca Woodworking Domiplate for 1/2" and 3/4" for sheet goods and I also recommend the 12mm and 18mm Domiplate.  I absolutely recommend the Domiplate and you will thank me later.
I don't do any production stuff but the Domiplate just makes placing Domino's in wood - I'm a big fan.  Also, take a look at Peter Parfits' YouTube videos on the Domino; it is very good.

 

[Muttley000]

I had never heard of this kit, now rethinking buying the 500 and just going with the 700. I love this forum!

 

[smorgasbord]

I have the DF500 ...  Secondly, take my word on this, get the Seneca Woodworking Domiplate for 1/2" and 3/4" for sheet goods and I also recommend the 12mm and 18mm Domiplate.  I absolutely recommend the Domiplate and you will thank me later.
I don't do any production stuff but the Domiplate just makes placing Domino's in wood

As a DF700 owner, I disagree. I think the fence on the DF700 is better than the DF500 fence - not just on staying square, but also with its markings being relative to the center of the mortise. I don't think the Domiplates add that much to the 700 as they do to the 500, but would love to hear from someone with both machines.

 

[Birdhunter]

I’d use the 700 for a while before buying accessories. I went the accessory route and never really needed any of them. Use the savings to apply against a 500.

 

[ChuckM]

I’d use the 700 for a while before buying accessories. I went the accessory route and never really needed any of them. Use the savings to apply against a 500.

One of the best advice for purchases when it comes to third-party accessories. Use the machine for a while (in at least 3 or 4 projects) before deciding what else, if any, is needed.

 

[IrishPsych]

I’d use the 700 for a while before buying accessories. I went the accessory route and never really needed any of them. Use the savings to apply against a 500.

Good point. However, if I want to mortise the center of 3/4" ply I cant with any standard 700 bits.

I'm also trying to comprehend if the Domiplate or Domishim is better. The Domiplate requires the 700 be used upside down which seems weird to me.

I have to make a box for a cargo bike soon and will be using 1/2" ply. It would be really sweet to be able to use the 700 and mortise the center of the 1/2" ply. Would the domishim or domiplate be best for that?

 

[Michael Kellough]

1/2” material is on the thin end of what the 500 is good for. Using the 700 for that might be difficult.

Using the 500 upside down with the Domiplate is no problem. That’s how I use it the majority of the time. Never tried the 700 upside down.

 

[ChuckM]

You already identified the need for a 6mm cutter, so simply get the Senaca adapter and a 6mm cutter to use on the 3/4" ply project you have in mind. Finish that project and see if you need anything more.

The Domino Joiner is well designed, and uses its fence, not the bottom (except for mid-panel joinery, or used in a table jig), for registration. Neither the Domiplate nor the Domishim is needed to finish any 3/4" projects, ply or hardwood.

Just remember, always register your fence against the reference face, and you don't need to center your tenons in general for a proper joint. Roughly center is more than good enough, except when one is working with 5mm ply.