Thread: Domino

They are a nicely engineered piece of kit. I use mine on lots of bigger pieces of furniture. I find the joints to be very strong and tight. Much better than dowels in my opinion.

expensive, but sometimes it's worth spending a few dollars on yourself. You can't take it with you!

try one out at one of the larger stores that have demo units.

cheers,

ajw

Didn't really know what I was getting myself into when I got hold of mine. I went for the 500 model as I am only a hobbiest, and didn't know if I needed the larger capacity.

All I can say is WOW.

I have a few other festool bits and pieces as I am a carpenter, so I knew the quality and versatility would be there. Never really used biscuit machines before so can't really compare them, but I can say that it has made life very easy.

It means that tackling something that would usually take me a while to think about, come up with a suitable construction method, then execute waiting for one joint to dry before tackling the next etc etc......
Now I just throw a few dominos in here and there, clamp, then move onto the next one. Basically it has sped up the process immensely for me which means I don't loose interest in my projects quite so quickly so they actually get finished!!

Anyways, make sure you have a vacuum to attach as clearing the waste out of the way is a must for nice, clean cuts.


Just my limited experiences...

Cheers

Gab

I have the 500 and ditto comments above.

in most cases the smaller unit does everything you want albeit by using multiple dominos for bigger pieces.

make sure you learn to use it......plenty of videos online (you tube) to learn from. Once you know how to use properly it's a powerful mortise and tenon (floating tenon) jointing system.

enjoy your purchase should you do it.....

Cheers

Ditto all above, nice peice of kit

Thanks to all for the feedback.

Looks like I will get one sometime soon.

I am a hobbyist and will use the machine for cabinet making. I figured that the bigger machine would be handy occasionally, but my concern is that most of my panels and frames are 18-20 mm thick, and that the smallest domino for the bigger machine is 8 mm thick. On a work piece 18 mm thick that only allows for 5 mm of timber either side of the mortice ... or am I worrying about nothing?

Also, do may of you make your own dominoes? I am guessing that the only disadvantage is the lack of glue grooves on the shop made item ... but are there other issues to be aware of?

John,

There are no cons. A serious woodworker like you should get one. One large project is all it takes for you to appreciate it.

Go for it son and don’t look back.

Originally Posted by John Samuel

do may of you make your own dominoes?

Short answer: No
Long answer: Noooooooooo!!!!!!!!

Why waste your time?

They come in 4 different sizes. 5mm, 6mm, 8mm and 10mm. I buy 6mm and 8mm in bulk (6 bags in a box) and I use them all the time. I don't use 5mm and 10mm so much so I buy a bag of them when I need to. It works for me.

Ok, Wongo ...OK

Got the message. I promise I that I will buy the dominoes to suit.

Seems to me that there may still be occasions where a biscuit cutter might be preferred, but I look forward to the Domino making M&T joinery much more simple.

The answer to that is no. The few occasions when you need a biscuit joiner you use a 5mm Domino. They are 28mm long but you can cut them down to 20mm if needed be.

I used to keep my Porter-Cable biscuit joiner but I ended up selling it. It is one of the best biscuit joiner out there but it can still be replaced by a Domino.

Originally Posted by Wongo

The answer to that is no. The few occasions when you need a biscuit joiner you use a 5mm Domino. They are 28mm long but you can cut them down to 20mm if needed be.

I used to keep my Porter-Cable biscuit joiner but I ended up selling it. It is one of the best biscuit joiner out there but it can still be replaced by a Domino.

Remember that there are also 4mm dominos, Scott. They're great for picture frames!

Regards,

Rob

There you go Johnny. For your miniature workbench you can use 4mm dominos.

Originally Posted by Wongo

The answer to that is no. The few occasions when you need a biscuit joiner you use a 5mm Domino. They are 28mm long but you can cut them down to 20mm if needed be.

I used to keep my Porter-Cable biscuit joiner but I ended up selling it. It is one of the best biscuit joiner out there but it can still be replaced by a Domino.

i second that .. i have a makita biscuit jointer which has been a great tool but hasn't seen light of day since i got the domino ... the 4mm dominoes are fine anywhere you may have used a biscuit jointer before ....

regards david

I have the larger model df700 and I bought the Seneca Woodworking domino kit which allows me to use the smaller bits in the larger machine. I've had it now for over2years done thousands of joints with no failures. I can't recommend it more highly.

Originally Posted by fubar

I have the larger model df700 and I bought the Seneca Woodworking domino kit which allows me to use the smaller bits in the larger machine. I've had it now for over2years done thousands of joints with no failures. I can't recommend it more highly.

Great idea. I have been meaning to do the same for a long time. I will get around to it one of these days.

Anyone wants to be a 2nd hand domino 500?