The Domino XL 700 with the seneca adapter for 500 cutters ?

[Distinctive Interiors]

There was a guy posted a thread on here a couple of months ago about his DF700. I think he was from here in the UK...?

His 700 had gone wrong and he sent it into Festool UK for repair. He had fitted the Seneca adaptor to his 700 and sent it with the adaptor still fitted to the machine......IIRC, they initially told him they were blaming the adaptor so would not repair it.... I can't remember the final outcome.

 

[TXFIVEO]

There is another thread where the poster is contemplating between a TS55 and a TS75. A couple replies mentioned a “deal breaker” being the weight difference from the smaller machine to the bigger one. IF someone has the option of getting the larger unit that has larger cutting/Mortising ability why wouldn’t you take that option?  Im that example the TS75 can do everything the TS55 (cutting) and then some. 

Same thing here, with the adapter the 700 can do everything (minus the super small dominoes) and then some.  So weight is brought in.  We aren’t talking 10, 20, or 100 lb here.  If a pound or two is a “deal breaker” for a tool that really expands your options maybe one should shorten their work shop time and hit the gym.    [big grin]

When available I always go for the tool that has wider capabilities because you will inevitably wish you had so at some time in the future. 

 

[Ripit]

I agree with all the replies, guess i was hoping for a clear cut answer but without Festool approving the adapter all bets are off maybe its ok maybe not.

[member=14860]Distinctive Interiors[/member], yes I read all the info, to me it seems that the user sent the tool in with the adapter so of course Festool blamed the gearbox issue on the adapter when in reality there is no way to know unless Festool was to do some testing with instrumentation to determine the failure mode and then be able to point out the specific issues, I work in product development and I can almost guarentee that they are testing this adapter especially if they suspect it is causing gearbox failures that are costing them warrenty dollars. Posters on that thread were also saying “just don’t send in the tool with the adapter as they have now way of knowing” that is false logic, that may work while in warrenty but what about after warranty...

[member=60651]TXFIVEO[/member] I had the atf65e bought in 2005 sold in 2018, I wasn't sure if I wanted the 55 or 75 so got both thinking I would send one back and I did, kept the 55 mostly because I only paid 380 and sold the 65 for 285. But after having both in hand I will buy the 75 down the road, the 55 is so nice and light for when you are doing mostly 1” and under. And yes I do need to go to the gym but not cuz I can’t throw the 75 around...the atf65e weighs more than the 75 and I used it for 13yr when I saw all the complaints of the weight of the 75 i was like... the 55 does seem a bit like a fisherprice toy for an adult compared to the 65 and 75 but we will see...

 

[Ripit]

Also, I am mainly doing 3/4 and under work but I know that I will have occasional use for the big@s tenons which is why I want to cheat with the seneca adapter.

I should say that i am an exfurniture / cabinetmaker so this is just a hobby although I have occasional dreams of getting back in it fulltime as I am full on in midlife crisis currently medicating with the green stuff.

 

[Runhard]

This may not help, but here’s my story.

I bought the DF500 and used it for a few projects. I built replacement wood (I used cypress) storm windows for my house, a few mirrors, and so on. I wanted to build a bed, so I bought the DF700. I decided to sell the DF500 and purchased the Seneca adapter. I have not built the bed yet, nor have I used the DF700. I ended up buying another DF500 last year. Just recently, I purchased the connector kit for the DF700 and will be buying the kit for the DF500 when it’s available. I now have many options. I’m not sure that I will ever need the Seneca adapter, but I have it just in case. I believe that you would even be able to use the adapter to make deeper mortises using the smaller dominoe sizes, and then make custome size dominos to use. I’m not sure what applications and projects people have used this for.

Anyway, as a hobbyist and tool collector, I like having options and I enjoy the tools and the journey.

 

[MrToolJunkie]

The 700 is just an awesome machine and one of Festool top 3 or 4 tools in my opinion. I would put the OF2200, TSC 55 and Rotex in that same category. Just a dream machine with lots of enhancements over the original.

With that said, I use my 500 way more. It is just the right size for so many projects and while the 700 is one of my favorites, I would likely keep the 500 if I had to chose one for furniture and cabinet making. I use a ton of 4mm and 5mm Dominos and I do not want to use special adaptors for reasons already cited. Having both machines gives me the options to use the full range, but that might not be the right decision for everyone. I think that the 500 is a better option for most tasks using 4/4 or 5/4 material and sheet goods. For large stuff like tables and beds and doors, etc... then the 700 shines. Of course you can double up on smaller Dominos with the smaller machine to increase glue surface and strength.

 

[HarveyWildes]

... Of course you can double up on smaller Dominos with the smaller machine to increase glue surface and strength.

And if you make your own dominos, you can make them wider than Festool's stock dominos to take advantage of the wider mortises that the 500 can cut, and as long as the Festool can cut.

 

[MrToolJunkie]

... Of course you can double up on smaller Dominos with the smaller machine to increase glue surface and strength.

Great idea!  [thumbs up] [thumbs up]
And if you make your own dominos, you can make them wider than Festool's stock dominos to take advantage of the wider mortises that the 500 can cut, and as long as the Festool can cut.

 

[TinyShop]

There is another thread where the poster is contemplating between a TS55 and a TS75. A couple replies mentioned a “deal breaker” being the weight difference from the smaller machine to the bigger one. IF someone has the option of getting the larger unit that has larger cutting/Mortising ability why wouldn’t you take that option?  Im that example the TS75 can do everything the TS55 (cutting) and then some. 

Same thing here, with the adapter the 700 can do everything (minus the super small dominoes) and then some.  So weight is brought in.  We aren’t talking 10, 20, or 100 lb here.  If a pound or two is a “deal breaker” for a tool that really expands your options maybe one should shorten their work shop time and hit the gym.    [big grin]

When available I always go for the tool that has wider capabilities because you will inevitably wish you had so at some time in the future.

But the 700 can plow mortises for the smallest dominos when fitted with the 4mm cutter - all one needs is to do is snap or slide a 3mm standoff/stop (cut from the original shipping plug is ideal) onto one of the plunge rods (to artificially limit the plunge depth to 12mm when set to on the 15 mm setting.)

 

[RussellS]

There is another thread where the poster is contemplating between a TS55 and a TS75.  Im that example the TS75 can do everything the TS55 (cutting) and then some. 

Same thing here, with the adapter the 700 can do everything (minus the super small dominoes) and then some.

When available I always go for the tool that has wider capabilities because you will inevitably wish you had so at some time in the future.

So by that logic, the only hammer to own is a 32 oz framing hammer.  You can drive 16 penny spikes with it AND nail 4 penny finishing nails with it.  Does all nailing jobs.  NO reason at all to own a 16 oz or lighter hammer for finishing.  ALL finishers should only own and use big framing hammers.  No finish carpenter should own a finishing hammer, only framing hammer.  Yep, very logical.  And the only pick-up to own is a crew cab dually with turbo diesel.  It can do everything a half ton short box pick-up can do.  Its the only choice.

 

[Ripit]

There is another thread where the poster is contemplating between a TS55 and a TS75. A couple replies mentioned a “deal breaker” being the weight difference from the smaller machine to the bigger one. IF someone has the option of getting the larger unit that has larger cutting/Mortising ability why wouldn’t you take that option?  Im that example the TS75 can do everything the TS55 (cutting) and then some. 

Same thing here, with the adapter the 700 can do everything (minus the super small dominoes) and then some.  So weight is brought in.  We aren’t talking 10, 20, or 100 lb here.  If a pound or two is a “deal breaker” for a tool that really expands your options maybe one should shorten their work shop time and hit the gym.    [big grin]

When available I always go for the tool that has wider capabilities because you will inevitably wish you had so at some time in the future.

But the 700 can plow mortises for the smallest dominos when fitted with the 4mm cutter - all one needs is to do is snap or slide a 3mm standoff/stop (cut from the original shipping plug is ideal) onto one of the plunge rods (to artificially limit the plunge depth to 12mm when set to on the 15 mm setting.)

[member=64030]TinyShop[/member]
Humm, so have you been doing this? If so for how long? No issues? So could the other df500 cutters be used for 50mm and under applications or would you need the longer cutters.

 

[Rudymejia12]

I vote 700 with adapter. Also you can use the domino connector with the 700 only.

 

[TinyShop]

[member=67376]Ripit[/member] - I'm not sure I understand your question. Regarding my experience, however, I use the machine regularly and have not experienced any problems (aside from the fence being badly warped out of the box, a quality control problem that Festool resolved promptly).

 

[Jim_in_PA]

To set the stage for my comment at this point, I recently bought the 700 and acquired the Seneca adapter to allow for the occasional need for smaller domino work. Most of what I intend to use the Domino tool for is likely going to use the larger size dominos, however. The thought I want to leave is that if someone is going to use the smaller dominos a lot, then having the smaller tool is likely a good choice over using the larger machine with the adapter. The same is true in the other direction. And if someone is going to be using both ranges of domino tenons, then having both machines is also a good idea. I chose the larger for primary use with the convenience of the adapter to occasionally "go small". If, for some reason, I find myself gravitating to using a larger quantity of 4mm/5mm/6mm dominos, then I'll strongly consider obtaining the 500 to do that work since it will be easier to handle.

 

[Steven Owen]

I’m glad to here everyone confirming the quality of the Seneca adaptor for the DF700.  It was the way I want to go for my needs.  Unless you’re a business, one Domino machine is already a huge investment for a home user.

 

[TXFIVEO]

I never mentioned gettin both because doing so would set someone back almost $3000...that’s not ideal in my opinion unless you are a good sized company. 

 

[Steven Owen]

I never mentioned gettin both because doing so would set someone back almost $3000...that’s not ideal in my opinion unless you are a good sized company.

That’s the life of being a home shop.  You need to make decisions that make sense for a home shop budget.  There’s always another tool you need to budget for down the road.

 

[TXFIVEO]

Apples to oranges...Big difference betweeen two hammers and two machines costing over $2500! 

 

[Bullhorn]

So by that logic, the only hammer to own is a 32 oz framing hammer.  You can drive 16 penny spikes with it AND nail 4 penny finishing nails with it.  Does all nailing jobs.  NO reason at all to own a 16 oz or lighter hammer for finishing.  ALL finishers should only own and use big framing hammers.  No finish carpenter should own a finishing hammer, only framing hammer.  Yep, very logical.  And the only pick-up to own is a crew cab dually with turbo diesel.  It can do everything a half ton short box pick-up can do.  Its the only choice.

Hmm. Some of us can't afford a fleet of trucks, no matter how much we might enjoy their various and disparate capabilities.

Using your analogy, it seems more practical to put small loads in a big truck, using a box or bed divider, than to haul big loads in a small truck.

I can hitch a trailer to our Subaru to haul big loads. There isn't a comparable option for knocking out bigger loose tenons with a DF500.

Get the big truck to haul all your load sizes, unless you have a large garage and the budget to match.

As for hammers, you can never have too many of those.  [smile]

 

[Steven Owen]

Choosing to use the 700 for everything is really a matter of budget.  Outside of the Us and Germany, Domino’s are insanely expensive tools. 

It the perfect world it would be nice to own both.  In reality, it’s a really not with in many people’s  budgets to own both the 500 -700.