which kit to get started with Festool Domino?

[twd000]

I'm looking at the DF500 for joinery on some furniture projects - kitchen stools, sofa table...probably some cabinetry in the future.

Confused about what is and is not included in "574432 Domino Joiner DF 500 Q Set"

Am I correct understanding that for $1200 it doesn't include any domino tenons?! Or are they included?

And the Systainer is just an empty box?

If I need an assortment of tenons, I can buy "498899 Assorted Domino Beech Tenons and Cutters" for another $400.  The I would have a duplicate unneeded Systainer and duplicate 5mm cutter?

What is the most cost-effective way to get started?  Would like to put in one order and get started right away.

Also what are the most common tenon sizes you guys use?  5mm and 8mm?

 

[jeffinsgf]

Take the advice of someone who did it wrong. Bite the bullet and get the tenon assortment with the full set of cutters along with the "Set" instead of the "Plus". The accessories in the "Set" are things you will want sooner rather than later. I didn't make that mistake, but I did buy just one size of tenons and one cutter, then on the second project I wanted something different. At that point I bought the assortment and then had two of two sizes of bits.

The least used size for me is the 4mm, but that isn't to say I don't use them. I just use them a lot less than the rest. 

Silly, but one of the best parts of the assortment is the neat little case the bits come in with that. The thing is smaller than one individual bit case and it holds all 5.

 

[squall_line]

The "Set" includes additional guides to help with edge mortising and repeat mortises.

None of the kits come bundled with the tenons themselves.

The systainer isn't empty, it holds the Domino machine and accessories.

The most cost-effective way to get a full assortment of everything is, indeed, the "Set" version and the 498899 bundle.  Yes, you get a second 5mm bit, but the Systainer is used to hold the tenons.

The only real way to know which tenon size you will use most is to use them and see what you use most.  Some people rely heavily on 6mm, some on 8mm, some on 5mm, and some on the 12 and 14mm for the DF700.

If you get the 498899, you will learn after a year which size tenon you use the most and just re-order that size.  It's handy to still have the other sizes available just in case.

 

[rst]

When I  bought my 500, I got the set.  When I bought the 700 I bought the long sticks in the sizes needed and cut to length as needed

 

[twd000]

thanks everybody

pulled the trigger and ordered the DF500 Q-Set and the Tenon Assortment with cutters.

Saved about 15% by ordering on the Amazon.de site.  I guess the exchange rate works in our favor even after international customs and shipping

 

[Crazyraceguy]

I totally agree with the suggestion of getting both the set and the tenon assortment, from the beginning.
It's just too handy to cover everything, then work out which ones you need the most. As Jeff said, I don't use that many 4mm, but enough to be glad I have them.
I use 6mm the most, by far, to the tune of over 6000 of them. Next is probably 5mm or 8mm, about equal, then 10mm.
This can vary greatly, depending on what you actually use it for.

 

[Michael Kellough]

thanks everybody

pulled the trigger and ordered the DF500 Q-Set and the Tenon Assortment with cutters.

Saved about 15% by ordering on the Amazon.de site.  I guess the exchange rate works in our favor even after international customs and shipping

Is the voltage appropriate for you?

 

[squall_line]

thanks everybody

pulled the trigger and ordered the DF500 Q-Set and the Tenon Assortment with cutters.

Saved about 15% by ordering on the Amazon.de site.  I guess the exchange rate works in our favor even after international customs and shipping

Is the voltage appropriate for you?

The lack of warranty would scare me off.  20% discount on Recon still gets you at least a one year warranty.  There was just one up this morning, in fact.

 

[Birdhunter]

I’d recommend buying a back up 4mm and 5mm cutter. The 4mm is pretty fragile as is the 5mm. The tip can snap off leaving you in the middle of a project. There are good YouTube videos that will shorten the learning curve and practicing on scrap is also helpful.

 

[ChuckM]

Yeah, the 4mm cutter is prone to breaking if not being careful. One tip is to plunge properly (no chatter sound) and let the cutter retract completely inside the machine before moving the machine. I have not had a broken tip since snapping one, and have milled over several hundred 4mm mortises in various projects.

A third-party retailer sells tenons at cheaper prices (i haven't had any experience with them), but I buy the Festool bulk packs, which save quite a lot compared to the regular cases. I use 4mm, 6mm and 8mm the most, but sometimes 5mm and 10mm are the right sizes when the projects demand them.

 

[Coen]

I just got a 2nd assortment with the cutters included. The price on that whole box was (is?) so good it beats buying separate cutters.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

I just got a 2nd assortment with the cutters included. The price on that whole box was (is?) so good it beats buying separate cutters.

It definitely is, unless you are very exclusive in your sizing. I still have over 1/2 of the original bag of 4mm, but I am glad to have them. There is a lot in that pack 400-450? You would have to do a lot of small projects to use that many.
Conversely, the bigger ones (8 and 10) are mostly used for things like leg joinery, of small tables, therefore necessarily fewer.
In the middle, seems to be the sheet goods, boxes, etc sweet spot.
I have used thousands of them, joining architectural panels, shelf edges, cabinets, and the like.
Since that's what I do for a living, there is a lot of it.