Just bought both the 500 and 700, have one project that I need small Dominos and another project that I need large Dominos. Just did a test joint in scrap material for the smaller project and am totally impressed. One thing I didn’t realize is that the Systainer kit with the Domino assortment is that it comes with all the bits, that makes the $400 price tag a little more palatable. I didn’t get the Domino assortment kits for the 700, but probably will once I recover from my initial purchase.
I started out with the Dowelmax, which was educational for me, a hobbyist. However, it got old and slow after a while and I decided to bite the bullet and get the Domino. If you can afford it, it is worth it, even for an amateur. It lets you minimize rote hole-making work and instead focus on the more interesting aspects of woodworking. I especially like the ability to vary the width of the mortises, which makes it more forgiving by giving you room to adjust joints during the final phase.
Interesting take. I got the dowelmax a few years ago. I had the chance to buy a df500 off Craigslist for $700 but passed on it as I thought dowels were just fine. It is a pain in the rear end getting everything on the dowelmax perfectly flush. I’m thinking of just doing the same bullet biting you did and get one brand new. I will never make my money back for the cost of the machine but your reasons have the same appeal to me. Do you use the dowelmax at all now?
@@rw7532 I have not used the dowelmax since getting the domino. The domino has certain advantages, and the smaller 500 domino can tackle small projects and pretty large ones. Don’t get the big Domino unless you are doing production shop work. Frankly, the larger 1/2 inch Dowelmax accessory should be enough to take care of large joinery and you will likely use the smaller domino for everything else. One big Domino advantage is the ability to create loose (side to side) oversized mortises. This makes it easier to put things together. You can mix 1 or 2 tight mortises (1 is usually enough) to precisely get alignment starting from one end and then the other overwide mortises slide into place. The wider mortises are still structurally strong because they are tight top to bottom. It is hard to explain but the Sedge videos on RU-vid do a good job explaining the advantages and uses of the domino in different settings (edges, center of stock, angles, etc.). The domino also has built-in features that let you use the precision of the machine to quickly set up accurate and flush mortises. No more feeling the edges of stock. Plus, there are many aftermarket accessories (like the TSO BigFoot) that have expanded the domino’s abilities and range of functions. I really can’t do without one now. The learning curve is easy (although there is a slight one) and the Domino is more forgiving than dowels and doesn’t require the same work or time to set up. Good luck!
Well, you convinced me… I’m picking one up tomorrow (the local woodcraft has them in stock). I’m tired of pocket holes and want something nicer… I’ll still use them for quick stuff but want to upgrade my quality… I’ve been building a lot of boxes (display cases) and have a bunch more to Build. I’m having issues with alignment and this will help… Thanks for the detailed review!
I bought the entire set. Total hobbyists. The ease of panel glue up and joinery makes it a time saver. I own a Shaper Origin and can easily create mortise and tenons using it, but the time involved makes the DF-500 pay for itself after about 20 hrs with the Shaper. Add in bit costs, set up, wear and tear, the creation of the digital files… no brainer. Festool is how affluent people make woodworking look easy.
Good video! FYI page 10 of the basic instruction manual tells you to never rotate the width adjustment dial without the motor running, or page 8 of the supplemental manual. Risk of damage.
Festool Domino Playlist - How-Tos and Accessories: ru-vid.com/group/PLGuSZ6X38lFj98G3R-pVMvfi_lEFbNrBT Support small local businesses. If you don’t have a small local Festool dealer with fantastic customer service check out mine > texastoolcraft.com/
Very good review and accurate commentary on the pro’s and con’s. I’ve owned mine since it’s initial release date. It’s a luxury tool that does what it’s good at for sure but it is very expensive and although your kit is large there still are more accessories one can buy to make this fine tool even more accurate. Seneca Woodworking Domiplates and there are people making 3D printed accessories that allow for standard fractions instead of metric depth adjustments. So many different uses and use ability with Festool track make this a wonderful friend in the wood shop for hobbyists and trim carpentry. I’m glad I own mine and haven’t used my biscuit jointer tool since this purchase.
Just got mine today. Been waiting for over a year for them to be back in stock. Can’t wait to start working with it. Great tutorial !! Really well done.
Nice video. I really appreciate it. About your question would I buy it? I think I have been putting it off like a trip to the dentist. My wife bought it for me for christmas. You know what, I couldn't be happier even though I couldn't bring myself to drop that kind of cash on a tool like this. It's a total luxury! I feel like those L'Oreal commercials where the woman says yes it's expensive, but I'm worth it!🙂
Good video :) I've had the Domino 500 for some time and just love it. Really gotten into using it lately and just amazed at what it can do. Big thing, it might look or seem intimidating, just once you get it, you love it. And once you get it, you see how easy it is to use. Before I got the domino I did all Pocket holes, still have like 25 lbs of screws! But some things I don't like about pocket holes. First you are taking out a chunk of wood and it's a nice hole you might need to fill. I almost always could hide the holes, but I was not a fan. With a domino, it's all hidden. Biggest issue with pocket holes for me, there have been SO many times I start driving the screw and my pieces would move or shift. Very frustrating. Stinks when it's a cabinet and it's going to show or throw off your build. I have plenty of clamps, but some things, like cabinets are difficult or impossible to clamp well enough. Even with Kreg corner and panel clamps. Also, on rare occasion, if I need to cut something, cutting through a wood domino does nothing, but cutting a pocket hole screw is bad. I'm keeping my K5, but hardly use it anymore.
After using my domino for almost a year now, I only use pocket holes as a last resort (they do have their uses from time to time). I've had a lot of "not great" experiences with them (driving too far, not driving enough, the board slipping). With dominos, if you don't get it just right, you can catch it in the dry fit and re-do it. Not a big deal. I'm a huge fan... I recently made a "photo urn" for a friend and used the domino. The urn had to PERFECT (it was for their 14 year old son). I knew I could trust the domino to help align the panels I had to make, and to align the corners of the box. Thanks to the domino, it came out perfect.
Excellent review. Helped me make the decision on the purchase . It’s also good to see the growth of your channel. Great job and thanks for your hard work and commitment .
about to buy one as a hobbyist ... it IS expensive, but when i calculate all the time i need to put in to make such joins with other methods it spares me a shitload of time in my hobby i can use otherwise ... go swimming or hiking
Thanks for the video. I'm planning to make a couple of wardrobe doors about the same size as internal doors using 1 inch thick pine. 4" stiles. Single mirror panel in each. Would the DF 500 be suitable for this do you think?
Got the df 700 but realized after my big projects I'll need the df 500 for smaller projects like cabinetry etc that is 1/2 inch or greater in thickness and tomorrow heading to get one
Bought one, cost a fortune, but 100% worth it, even though I'm just a hobbiest (I do a fair amount of hobby work though). My only regret was not getting the systainer with the dominos & cutters in. Think I spent more than the cost of it just buying separate cutters and domino sets :(
Another great review. I've owned the domino xl for a little over a year now. I don't use it all the time, but what a great tool when needed. I purchased it primarily to do breadboard ends on tables. Would love to see another video on the knock down connectors, as I have a sustainer full of them but haven't used them due to their compliexity. Thanks again
Will this work for 8/4 lumber on a table? Would you recommend? I feel the 500 is more versatile. I will make tables but never huge massive ones. Just 8/4 lumber but not huge tables. Your thoughts??? Thanks!!!!
It’s hard to answer that question without knowing what type of woodworking you want to do. I bought my domino from a friend how never used it. He’s a professional cabinet maker. I use it a lot on the one off pieces I make. The q-set will get you going. My most used domino size is 6x40
Perhaps, but I also know hobbyists with shops that would make a professional jealous and drool. I’m a believer in investing in quality tools (the best you can afford). My shop runs the spectrum from Harbor Freight to Festool. I get a lot of questions about the domino. Most woodworks want one but I’ll concede that most hobbyists don’t need one, but if you can “treat yourself”
