What Next ... DOMINO or Just More Stuff

[mb]

Please help me fellas.  I want to do some interior painting and a kitchen remodel at home this year.  I presently own a TS75 saw and rails, CT22 shop vac, RO150 rotex sander and OF 2000 router with edge guide and rail stop. 

HATE painting so the sanding has to be good and I want the most time efficient solution I can find.  I would like to make some table tops and face frames for the cabinets, maybe raised panels and drawers.  I would like to learn sliding dovetails for some of the cabinet work and maybe table tops, but the Domino is calling.  I do not  own router table, but do have a nice 36x36 3/4 inch corian slab I could use for a top. 

I have been looking at the LS130 because it seems you can cut your corner sanding time in half, compared to the DX93 or even the new RO90.  I wonder if I am better off with the DX93 vs. RO90 since I already have the RO150.  I have an old workhorse hammer drill but the C12 sale is tempting--just not sure how much I would need it for the project I have in mind.  Did I mention that the DOMINO is calling? 

PLEASE HELP -- any ideas welcome.  Thanks and sorry for this long, long post.   

 

[Deke]

This is tough. I am just a hobbiest, but as a new Domino owner I could not be happier. I waited the longest to buy this one and I wish I had bought it first. However, while it can let you join anything, it doesn't support more traditional joinery and I like to do both. However, it sounds like you have a lot of domino-esque projects in the works, so I think that could be a good move. Later, you can get a router, build/buy a router table and be up and running with little cost (compared to a Domino), that is until you start buying BITS! I think the router is the only tool where accessories can add up to 4-5 times the price of the tool.

Sanding is important, but what is more fun? Putting things together or sanding them?

I vote Domino. Maybe you can try one out at a dealer?

 

[USPcompact]

I think the router is the only tool where accessories can add up to 4-5 times the price of the tool.

You don't own a lathe, do you?

;D

 

[erock]

Well my vote is for the Domino. 
I recenty received my recon. Domino set (which looked new) and got to play with it over this past weekend.  I made a cabinet door with mitered corners out of some 3/4" mdf laying around the shop, just to see how strong it would be. I used 8mm domino tenons, glue and 23ga. pins on the corners.  Very strong joints!  So I know that when I do build my cabinet doors with hardwood I will be very happy. 
The Domino was calling my name for a very long time. So when the recon. sale came around I knew that was my opp. to make my move.
I have a lot of plans for the Domino.  Cabinet making, furniture making and some doors.  And after playing around with it over the weekend I can't believe I waited so long to buy it.  I know that it will take my projects to another level,  it will challenge me to make more difficault pieces because I know it will make them easier and  faster. 
I buy tools based on what I will need for future use.  So I'm looking forward to using the Domino A LOT!
Buy it! it will make you happy!

 

[RPSmith]

mb,

I feel your pain.  Dropping $1100 (if you get the full kit) on a tool - any tool - is asking a lot.  It seems the Domino can do much and is worth it in the long run.

If you are building cabinet doors, it will pay for itself on that project alone!

However, you also mention projects that only a router table will address (raised panels).  Start there and see where it takes you.

It sounds like you have sanders to get you by.  I know they help a lot in the process, but if you pre-sand all your surfaces before assembly, I don't see the use of spending money just to make things a little easier.

FWIW, I say get the Domino.  It will cut long hours off mortise and tenon joinery, and reduce the aggravation (and sanding) of getting all those shoulders to line up.  Not to mention it can help you build that sturdy router table that you are going to need.  ;D

 

[Brice Burrell]

It sounds like the MFT/3 would be a asset to your cabinet project and it really gives you a real synergy with other Festool tools.

 

[madera]

I vote for the mft/3 as well. I bought one with my ts55, and wasn't really sure if it was going to be worth the bucks, man was I wrong. It is my most used festool cause you can use it with every other tool. The top is amazing for clamping and over all just a great asset.  If you still have money buy the domino they are sweet and have many applications. I am a professional cabinet maker and use it to make my bottom end drawers. 15mm pre finished plywood with dado'd bottoms and dominos in the sides. All wood construction and absolutly no need for screw or nails.  I also think the C12 is a must for cabinet work. I couldn't do an install without the right angle and eccentric heads.

Have fun!!

 

[mb]

It sounds like the MFT/3 would be a asset to your cabinet project and it really gives you a real synergy with other Festool tools.

Thank you Brice.  That is exactly the tear.  I do not own an MFT and find it a little hard to drop $1100 on two of them and a couple of clamps when I can go and buy a Domino set up for that kind of money.  Do you really think the MFT is as much of a game changer as the Domino for the kind of work I have planned here?

mb

 

[mb]

I vote for the mft/3 as well. I bought one with my ts55, and wasn't really sure if it was going to be worth the bucks, man was I wrong. It is my most used festool cause you can use it with every other tool. The top is amazing for clamping and over all just a great asset.  If you still have money buy the domino they are sweet and have many applications. I am a professional cabinet maker and use it to make my bottom end drawers. 15mm pre finished plywood with dado'd bottoms and dominos in the sides. All wood construction and absolutly no need for screw or nails.   I also think the C12 is a must for cabinet work. I couldn't do an install without the right angle and eccentric heads.

Have fun!!

Same question Madera:  is the MFT really that much of a game changer compared to the Domino?  Thanks.  mb

 

[Sparktrician]

I vote for the mft/3 as well. I bought one with my ts55, and wasn't really sure if it was going to be worth the bucks, man was I wrong. It is my most used festool cause you can use it with every other tool. The top is amazing for clamping and over all just a great asset.  If you still have money buy the domino they are sweet and have many applications. I am a professional cabinet maker and use it to make my bottom end drawers. 15mm pre finished plywood with dado'd bottoms and dominos in the sides. All wood construction and absolutly no need for screw or nails.   I also think the C12 is a must for cabinet work. I couldn't do an install without the right angle and eccentric heads.

Have fun!!

 

I couldn't agree with you more.  I questioned the usefulness of the MFT/3 and bought the basic model before buying the fully loaded one.  I'd been considering making a Roubo, but having used the two MFT/3s together, the need for a Roubo has diminished significantly.  I still WANT one, but the MFT/3s give me so much flexibility that it's only a want, and not a need.  I keep finding different ways to take advantage of the capabilities of the MFT/3.  I do wish the longer side profiles were AINA so I could create a larger version of the MFT/3, but using the connectors between the two MFT/3s makes a big difference.  The C12 is a game-changer in installing cabinets with the multiple heads. 

[smile]

 

[jonny round boy]

I questioned the usefulness of the MFT/3 and bought the basic model before buying the fully loaded one. 

Is the MFT/3 available as a 'basic' version in the US? It's not offered in the UK, only the full version.

As an aside, I just found a link on Festool UK to an old magazine article from when the MFT/3 was released. It shows just how much the price has gone up! It was £371 ex VAT then; it's now £461 ex VAT. 24% increase in under 3 years....

 

[TJ Cornish]

Is the MFT/3 available as a 'basic' version in the US? It's not offered in the UK, only the full version.

It is, but isn't terribly popular as the full version is only $100 more, and you get another rail, another fence, etc.

Someday I hope to buy a second MFT/3, and even though I already have the full version, I will buy another full version so I can have a longer fence and a second short rail for off MFT use.

 

[meatman]

The guy at Bunny's Bolts had the basic MFT/3 last Friday when I went over there. I didn't get the price though.
The Rotex RO 90 is brilliant for one handed sanding
I made an Elm staircase last week and it was so useful.

 

[fdengel]

I think the router is the only tool where accessories can add up to 4-5 times the price of the tool.

You don't own a lathe, do you?

;D

I do, and couldn't agree more...