Thread: Festool Domino 500

I have one, and use it on occasion. It is a brilliant tool and does its job spot on every time. I am only a hobby worker, so i faced the same conundrum. ... I would buy one again in a heatbeat. It doesn't replace the look of proper joints, but where things aren't seen then it speeds up everything.

Very cheap so I'd jump on it if possible....
It won't make you lazy, just speed up production of tge more boring stuff.

The domino is a game changer. It will end your hand cut M&T work and make you far more productive than you can imagine.

However if you prefer the journey to the output then the effect may not be what you are after.

Yes it will make you lazy .

Originally Posted by DomAU

I have the (time limited) opportunity to pick up a new Domino 500 with cutters/domino accessory box for $1100- vs $1865 retail. But, I'm not sure how useful it will really be and more importantly if it is awesome I don't want it to make me lazy and remove the otherwise necessary learning of hand-cut mortise and tennon joinery .

That is more than 40% off the retail price. One way to look at it is if you want one but not entirely sure. Just buy it now and if you decide against it later on, you are likely to get someone to take it off your hand for about the same price judging by the enthusiasm shown in this forum.
I personally wouldn't be tempted as I feel my needs are more than satisfied by dowels, pocket hole screws, or mortises cut by a mortiser and tenons cut by a table saw.

Does a try square or a table saw make you lazy?

Don't pass this up you will probably regret it if you do.
I love mine and while it was exxey for a hobbyist I would buy it again in a heartbeat also.
cheers, Ian

The other conundrum for me would be 500 or 700 model? So, has anyone who bought one feel they should have bought the other?
Which one would be more useful for general work including mid size tables?

That price is simply too good to pass up. As others have said, you can always sell it if you find that it's not for you. I've seen 2nd hand units go for more.

Thanks for the responses so far guys. Sounds like you are saying what I'm thinking; it's too good to pass up. The only thing holding me back (aside from cost as I've recently spent a heap of cash and I am under orders to cool it for a while) is that I know there are tools I still want that represent new capability, rather than just a more convenient and quick way of doing something I can already do with my existing tools. On the other hand I know I'll probably never buy one in the future if I have to pay full price knowing I had this opportunity. 1st world problems hey.

For me DomAU the 700 is too much machine and would be a pain on the sort of work I use mine for. The 500 can handle as big as I want and I think if you needed to go bigger it would be better to do it by hand tools unless you were talking production work.
Just my 2c.
Cheers, Ian

hi
I have a 700 series. bought it new 3 years ago and never looked back, I use it at my one man production shop.

If you enjoy cutting mortise by hand, dont buy the 500 or 700.
If you are doing the wood work and you make money from it, and you dont have a CNC, then you really need a Domino.

for 500 or 700, you cant fit a large cutter on the 500, but you can fit a smaller cutter on the 700 with an adaptor from Seneca Woodworking tools. although 700 is slightly heavier, but it is easier on the wrist.

The plunger set on the 500 is harder to use, you may over plunge. the plunger set on the 700 is easier to use.

I am looking at buying a second Domino cos i cant be bothered to change the cutter.

Originally Posted by DomAU

Thanks for the responses so far guys. Sounds like you are saying what I'm thinking; it's too good to pass up. The only thing holding me back (aside from cost as I've recently spent a heap of cash and I am under orders to cool it for a while) is that I know there are tools I still want that represent new capability, rather than just a more convenient and quick way of doing something I can already do with my existing tools. On the other hand I know I'll probably never buy one in the future if I have to pay full price knowing I had this opportunity. 1st world problems hey.

Domino can never replace traditional mortise and tenon, apart from the Domino I have a Masterwood OMB1V, its a swing chisel mortiser that capable of taking out a mortise of 25mm x 130mm x 100mm in one stroke (10 seconds or less). similar to chain chisel mortiser but much quicker. I paid 15k AUD for this toy.

You will always want to buy new tools, remember buy good tools. buy once, cry once.

Originally Posted by Albert

You will always want to buy new tools, remember buy good tools. buy once, cry once.

Preach it brother.

They are terrible. Don't buy it. Just let me know who is selling it at that price and move on

But seriously, they are great. Have fun

Originally Posted by DomAU

Hi guys, I've been thinking about getting a Domino for a while but decided that as a relatively new woodworker I wanted to improve my ability in hand cut joinery so have invested in chisels, planes etc and have enjoyed it so far.

Of course there are many side projects where the focus is on getting to the output rather than the journey and a tool like the Domino would speed things dramatically. Also i can see it being very handy for long and wide glueups like table tops as well as plywood constructions etc.

So, here is ny conundrum. I have the (time limited) opportunity to pick up a new Domino 500 with cutters/domino accessory box for $1100- vs $1865 retail. But, I'm not sure how useful it will really be and more importantly if it is awesome I don't want it to make me lazy and remove the otherwise necessary learning of hand-cut mortise and tennon joinery .

Anyone have a Domino and found that they use it for everything instead of taking the harder route and cutting by hand? Did it make you lazy ? 

My alternative spend is on more chisels, rasps etc at this point to complete my hand tool arsenal.

Anyone think the Domino is really just a gimmick tool?

Dom

I am predominantly a handtool user and most of the time I chop mortices with a chisel. As a weekend warrior, I have more time than a pro. Still, I build quite serious furniture and there is a great deal of satisfaction doing so using traditional joinery.

I believe that one learns a vast amount more going down the traditional path than taking short cuts with instant joints when starting out. Instant joints are not a substitute if you are wanting to learn about wood movement.

Having said this, I recently purchased a Domino 500. Well, I have a kitchen to build, with a time limit ... and about 25 frame-and-panel doors in Rock Maple. I really do not fancy 100 mortice-and-tenon joints!

Regards from Perth

Derek