Understanding the Domino DF500

[Bugsysiegals]

... Since it’s only 10mm in the 500 and 3/4” plywood is ~19mm you can do the plunge the way Festool shows you but with the 700 you cannot.

Just use a spacer. What's the problem?

Say, you use a spacer to mortise a 19mm shelf board, roughly at the center of the shelf board (8.5mm) from its edge. The DF700, however, will cut the domino on the mating side board at 15mm from the shelf board. When the shelf board is attached to the side, the shelf position won't be the same as the shelf positions you mark out on the side boards, as is the case with using the DF500.

You need to work and mark out for a thicker shelf which is actually the thickness of the shelf plus spacer if that makes any sense, then when you lay the shelf down to do a vertical plunge the spacer has given the correct offset. Hard to explain.

Yes you can make a line on top of the board, add the shim, and make another line in order to avoid using the shim on the mating surface but the fact is you still have to stick a shim underneath the shelf which means it’s going to be harder to square up to the line. Can it be done, surely, but is more work and perhaps results in user error which wouldn’t happen if a person knew this and decided to go with a 500 from the get go.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ChuckM]

Marking out that way (thicker shelf) introduces more chances of errors and imprecision just as using a spacer on long boards (shelves) does as Bugsysiegals pointed out. Yes, they're workable, but only if we're talking about one or two boards and if we're being careful.

The reason I use the domino joiner is for repeatability and speed in joinery work. 

 

[Bugsysiegals]

I'm just pointing out something which might be valuable for Peter to make people aware of.  Some people may feel confident in using shims/squaring things up, etc., while others may feel confident but feel it's to much effort, or others who feel it's not consistent enough, etc., etc.

I bought the 700 thinking it could do all, which it can, but since I'm primarily building cabinets, I would have chosen the 500 for this reason alone had I known this ...

 

[ChuckM]

I've done lots and lots of mid-panel joinery (shelves, dividers and partitions). Trust me, for a newbie to use a domino joiner (500 or 700) with spacers or offset marking whom Peter's video is intended for, it's a recipe for disasters.

Imagine doing the two mid-panel joints shown in the image with offset marking or spacers.

Whenever people ask me if they should get a DF700 since it can "do it all" instead of a DF500,  I would ask them if they know any woodworker who has only one hammer -- a sledgehammer -- in their shop for all their hammering needs.

 

[sancho57]

Hi Ron

I hope you and the family are all okay.

The two of us used to meet at the D&M show and I doubt whether we will see any woodworking shows (certainly in the UK) for some time to come. So, I have created the idea of a "Virtual Woodworking Show" and am working on ways of getting something on video.

When making this video I had that concept in mind and tried to think about how a demonstrator might go about it. My amateur efforts are nowhere near as polished or as crisp as guys that you and I used to see each year but at least it is a start. I do hope that I get a chance to meet Frank Jaksch again - he is such a nice guy.

Peter

I miss those woodworking shows particularly the D&M and Tool fest. Not to mention the sausage sandwich with mustard  [big grin]

Yeah frank is awesome we used to chat when i see him along with Phil and Bob. Bobs a good guy, I think he might of filled in Phils spot though we dont see him on the FT channel.

I kick myself sometimes cuz Frank invited me to come to TTS in Germany when i visited it. We used to go there a lot. But I never made it to festool.

I ran into frank and george a couple of times at the old Las Vegas training center. Id stop by and visit there when I was in town with the wife visiting her sister and my BIL.

I still keep in touch with Allen K He works at Anderson his daughter lives here and I see him when He comes visits her.

Have you talked to John Street lately. Now hes the man in the UK. That guy not only knows the tools bt he can give ya part numbers right off the top of his head.

You can tell I miss my time there. Maybe Ill get an chance to return for a visit some day.

But that is a very good idea you have about the videos.  As many times as I been to FT training and talked to different people I seem to forget quite a bit about the tools I dont use every day. Maybe its old age I dunno. I find these basic videos helpful especially bc they go more basic then the FT live does which reaches a more mature (if you will) audience.

 

[Stone Message]

Hi Ron

I think Festool have enough talent around the world to create their own virual woodworking show and I am sure that they have access to the technology needed. Mind you, sales of all tools (not just Festool) have really taken off and many manufacturers are finding it difficult to keep up with demand. If that applies to Festool then there is little point them making the effort to create a virtual show.

Peter

 

[JimD]

I use my 700 for furniture which has included some mortises deeper and wider than a 500 can cut (for beds).  I use the Seneca adapter and the 500 size bits although I have not purchased a 4mm yet.  I like the 5mm for drawers.  The 700 is not tiny but it is lighter than my track saw.  I do not find it cumbersome.  I also do not understand the supposed "issues" with use in cabinets.  I built one dresser with only domino joints and it turned out well but I like using shallow dados to locate pieces better than dominos.  It was no big deal to clamp a straight piece of wood where it needed to be to locate the mortises in the chest sides.  I don't see where 15mm versus 10mm difference from the base of the tool to the cutter center line matters much at all.  I suspect you have a different way of doing it that works well for you with a 500 that wouldn't work with my 700.  But having never used a 500, I just use my 700 and am happy with it. 

 

[Reff@218]

Peter,

Very informative, clear demonstrations. Many thanks for your time and advice.

Regards,

Jim

 

[Stone Message]

Peter,

Very informative, clear demonstrations. Many thanks for your time and advice.

Regards,

Jim

Hi Jim

When I first joined the FOG I had no Festool kit at all. The comments that I read on the FOG and then advice from members, especially Paul Marcel, helped me to decide to buy into the Festool brand. I have learnt a lot from this community and am delighted to be able to make the odd small contribution now and again.

Cheers.

Peter

[member=73087]Reff@218[/member]
[member=3513]PaulMarcel[/member]

 

[PaulMarcel]

Hi Jim

When I first joined the FOG I had no Festool kit at all. The comments that I read on the FOG and then advice from members, especially Paul Marcel, helped me to decide to buy into the Festool brand. I have learnt a lot from this community and am delighted to be able to make the odd small contribution now and again.

Cheers.

Peter

[member=73087]Reff@218[/member]
[member=3513]PaulMarcel[/member]

Thanks, Peter... I'd apologize to your wallet, but I think we both know it was for the better  [tongue]

 

[Stone Message]

Hi Jim

When I first joined the FOG I had no Festool kit at all. The comments that I read on the FOG and then advice from members, especially Paul Marcel, helped me to decide to buy into the Festool brand. I have learnt a lot from this community and am delighted to be able to make the odd small contribution now and again.

Cheers.

Peter

[member=73087]Reff@218[/member]
[member=3513]PaulMarcel[/member]

Thanks, Peter... I'd apologize to your wallet, but I think we both know it was for the better  [tongue]

Thanks Paul,

It is amazing how my retirement from the day job has become a full time commitment to woodwork. It is so enjoyable, I love meeting people (even if it just over the internet) and it keeps me very busy.

Take care with the circus stuff - I never was that bendy !

Peter

 

[sancho57]

[member=11196]Peter Parfitt[/member]

plus you  learned how to properly eat a hot dog  [big grin]

 

[Stone Message]

[member=11196]Peter Parfitt[/member]

plus you  learned how to properly eat a hot dog  [big grin]

Hi Ron

...and I have the T shirt to prove it (the one with mustard stains on ! ).

Cheers.

Peter

 

[krudawg]

Hi Peter, Another Great useful video.  Thank you for taking the time to put this together

 

[sreilly24590]

This is an excellent and extremely clear instructional video that was great to watch. I've had little use of my Domino DF500 since I bought it maybe a year or so ago. I had watched videos and read articles that gave me confidence in it's proper use but this video really drove home those points. I have been building some cabinets for the pantry and had decided to use the Domino for the joints which I found to be a great use. I did have the Seneca Woodworking Domiplate for plywood 1/2"-3/4" thick but had not tried the other accessories that came in my kit such as the support bracket and trim stop. It was great seeing the proper use of those especially now that I have the face frames and doors to make.

Looking forward spending a good deal of time on your YouTube Channel viewing your other videos.

 

[Stone Message]

This is an excellent and extremely clear instructional video that was great to watch. I've had little use of my Domino DF500 since I bought it maybe a year or so ago. I had watched videos and read articles that gave me confidence in it's proper use but this video really drove home those points. I have been building some cabinets for the pantry and had decided to use the Domino for the joints which I found to be a great use. I did have the Seneca Woodworking Domiplate for plywood 1/2"-3/4" thick but had not tried the other accessories that came in my kit such as the support bracket and trim stop. It was great seeing the proper use of those especially now that I have the face frames and doors to make.

Looking forward spending a good deal of time on your YouTube Channel viewing your other videos.

Many thanks for such kind remarks.

Cheers.

Peter