Thinking about buying the Domino...

[phmade]

I'm thinking about finally buying the domino but I'm not sure how big of investment it will be with accessories, dominos, etc. 
I have been using a Festool saw, router, and MFT for a few years with great success.  I primarily build cabinetry- sometimes a bit of furniture and I can see when a Domino would be incredibly useful and quick.  I'm interested in the smaller domino since I'll mainly use if for 3/4" - 1" material.  Right now I'm looking at the DF500 with a CT Mini extractor.  I already have a CT22 which I'm tired of lugging around on installs.  My main questions are:

Which accessories would be considered "must haves"? 
Should I buy the DF500 Set?
Should I buy extra cutters, dominos, etc?

Thanks in advance!

 

[erock]

For me a "must have" for cabinets is the Domiplate. 

Get the set.  The Cross stops are very handy.  Get the assortment systainer, it comes with all the cutter sizes you need.

The cutter last a long long time.  If you're going to invest in a tool, go the all the way.  That's the way I look at it.

Eric

 

[Jaybolishes]

Highly recommend the set. You spend that much you might as well have all abilities of the tool at your fingertips.  You will be amazed at the accuracy, versatility and tightness of the joints.  I agree with erock, you have to get the domiplate IMO.  It makes the accuracy fool proof and its very well made.

 

[cvn72]

Buy both the DF 500 and DF 700.  You won't regret it.  From small cabinets to large furniture, having both gives you the ability to build anything your heart desires.

 

[semenza]

Get the assortment Sys for sure.  That will give a good amount of all the sizes so that you have them when needed. You will use the 5mm and 6mm the most for what you describe. The assortment Sys. also gets you all the cutters which means you end up with an extra 5mm cutter , which is good  to have in case it breaks. It also works  out to be a pretty good price.

Seth

 

[nanook]

buy the 500, use it for 30days, if you want different return it and try the 700 for 30days.  At the end of the two months you will know what you need/want.
As an FYI - consumables and accessories are EXCLUDED from the 30day trial period.  Its only the tool that is covered by Festool (i.e your dealer may/may not take them back).  Also the Domino 500 and 700 do not share cutters or accessories.

 

[hemlock]

Buy the 500 set,  and the assortment sys.  You wont regret it.  It sounds like a lot but once you start using it and see how unique, helpful and easy it is, you'll realize its truly a game changer and you'll wonder how you got along without it.  True. 

 

[MrToolJunkie]

I would buy the complete set for the Domino that includes the cross-stop and trim stop.  I use these two accessories often.  If you are unsure if the Domino is right, then I would hold off on the accessory Systainer and try it out with the 5mm Dominos and the cutter that comes standard with the machine.  You can buy a package and see how it works for you -- the 5mm and 6mm size are perfect for 3/4 and 1 inch thick stock.  My guess is that you will really like its capabilities and you can always add the Systainer with the cutters later.  The trim stop and cross-stop are interchangeable between the 500 and 700 so you can save a little money in the future should you decide you wanted to add a 700 to the mix too.  For me this tool was a game changer for furniture making.  I have made several pieces now with the Domino and the machine has made cutting joints faster and more accurate than other methods.  I have also used it in Festool's end-user cabinet class to make cabinet boxes and it was great at that task too.  I do not make a ton of cabinets, but it excels at helping with alignment and assembly and I find it is much better than using a Biscuit joiner.  I also find the 4mm size perfect for picture frames and installing small moldings.

Scot 

 

[Bob Marino]

Most Dominos are sold in the set version - and with good reason; the accessory stops are useful.
I would agree that the Domino 500 is the preferred tool for your applications
Most everybody also buys the tenon assortment, but Scot makes a good point that if you are unsure just use the 5 mm cutter and get a small box of the 5 mm tenons.
I'd be very surprised if you were not totally impressed with the tool.

Bob

 

[Runhard]

I would buy the complete set for the Domino that includes the cross-stop and trim stop.  I use these two accessories often.  If you are unsure if the Domino is right, then I would hold off on the accessory Systainer and try it out with the 5mm Dominos and the cutter that comes standard with the machine.  You can buy a package and see how it works for you -- the 5mm and 6mm size are perfect for 3/4 and 1 inch thick stock.  My guess is that you will really like its capabilities and you can always add the Systainer with the cutters later.  The trim stop and cross-stop are interchangeable between the 500 and 700 so you can save a little money in the future should you decide you wanted to add a 700 to the mix too. For me this tool was a game changer for furniture making.  I have made several pieces now with the Domino and the machine has made cutting joints faster and more accurate than other methods.  I have also used it in Festool's end-user cabinet class to make cabinet boxes and it was great at that task too.  I do not make a ton of cabinets, but it excels at helping with alignment and assembly and I find it is much better than using a Biscuit joiner.  I also find the 4mm size perfect for picture frames and installing small moldings.

Scot  

Hey Scot,
I didn't even think about the stops being interchangeable, that's good to know.

Daniel

 

[MrToolJunkie]

I would buy the complete set for the Domino that includes the cross-stop and trim stop.  I use these two accessories often.  If you are unsure if the Domino is right, then I would hold off on the accessory Systainer and try it out with the 5mm Dominos and the cutter that comes standard with the machine.  You can buy a package and see how it works for you -- the 5mm and 6mm size are perfect for 3/4 and 1 inch thick stock.  My guess is that you will really like its capabilities and you can always add the Systainer with the cutters later.  The trim stop and cross-stop are interchangeable between the 500 and 700 so you can save a little money in the future should you decide you wanted to add a 700 to the mix too. For me this tool was a game changer for furniture making.  I have made several pieces now with the Domino and the machine has made cutting joints faster and more accurate than other methods.  I have also used it in Festool's end-user cabinet class to make cabinet boxes and it was great at that task too.  I do not make a ton of cabinets, but it excels at helping with alignment and assembly and I find it is much better than using a Biscuit joiner.  I also find the 4mm size perfect for picture frames and installing small moldings.

Scot  

Hey Scot,
I didn't even think about the stops being interchangeable, that's good to know.

Daniel

And to be clear, I believe that all 500 and 700 machines are shipped with the new cross-stops that have 500 on one side and 700 on the other.  The older cross-stops supplied before the 700 existed are only referenced/calibrated for the 500.  This was changed when the 700 was released and now all machines have the same part number.

Scot 

 

[phmade]

Thanks for the replies - I really haven't heard a negative review for the Domino... I am starting to wonder if I'd regret not getting a DF700 after a while.  I really don't work with stock less than 3/4" thick so maybe the DF700 would be fine and I'd have room to grow... hmmmm.

Bob - I'll probably be calling you later this week.  I've always regretted not buying from you for my original purchase...

 

[Birdhunter]

I suggest you "heft" both Dominos before you buy one. The 700 is a beast. I do mostly small stuff and the 500 is perfect. I bought the assortment of tenons and cutters and have used all the sizes.

If Festool made a 300 Domino with even smaller tenons than the 500, I'd buy it in a heartbeat.

I think the Domiplate is, by far, the best Domino accessory and I've tried several. It's great for centering a tenon in 3/4" and 1/2" plywood. You just have to get used to using the Domino upside down. The Domiplate also eliminates the potential of the fence moving between cuts (does happen).

Remember the vac is a critical requirement for the Domino. Mine is a Festool vac and it integrates well with the Domino.

 

[Bob Marino]

Agree with above post about size and weight.  Bigger may not always be
better - no domino envy here.
The 500 is in no way limited to 3/4 or 4/4 stock and you can always
double up on the tenons to make a stronger joint.

Bob

 

[waho6o9]

+1 for the Domiplate, it can make life so easy it's incredible.
The accessory set is highly recommended to get you where you need
to go.

Get a proven distributor that'll go to the plate for you when it's
needed. I forget the guys name, but his initials are Bob Marino.

[smile]

 

[phmade]

Thanks again everyone.  I think I'm back to the DF500 again; I think the DF700 is overkill for me 99% of the time.  I bought the TS75 and I think I've only made one cut in 3 years that the TS55 couldn't do- so I should just learn my lesson already.  Thanks again for all of the input.

 

[waltwood]

Glad someone mentioned the Vac- it is a necessity. I join my boxes and face frames with Dominos and then attach the face frames to the boxes with Dominos. It makes a great cabinet. I bought this tool for one big job and I am amazed at how much I use it for other joinery. Have use well over a thousand Dominos.

 

[jacko9]

I have both machines but, for your applications buy the DF500 set with the assortment kit.

Jack

 

[Kev]

I have both machines but, for your applications buy the DF500 set with the assortment kit.

Jack

See what happens ... I think they put drugs on the surface of the systainers and the tools - gets in through the skin and goes straight to the impulse centres of your brain.

Jack doesn't even realised he's infected.

 

[skids]

I have both machines but, for your applications buy the DF500 set with the assortment kit.

Jack

See what happens ... I think they put drugs on the surface of the systainers and the tools - gets in through the skin and goes straight to the impulse centres of your brain.

Jack doesn't even realised he's infected.

It's true, very true.