Thread: Deciding on a Domino

I bought one and Im only a weekend warrior. To date I have only used it one a single project and have probably owned it for 6 months or so. I think it's an excellent tool and in my opinion if you can buy one and still afford to eat then there is no compelling reason not to buy one.

Essentially the biggest negative to this, and any Festool product, is the cost. You have said that the cheap Ryobi biscuit joiner is difficult to use. With Festool you pay for quality and a good user experience.

I've had one for three years, a gift for a big birthday.
I love it. It's enabled me to make numerous projects quicker and maybe more accurately.
I've made 5 large ( 600 x 600 x 600) planter boxes that live outside. they have different dominos for outdoor use.
And I've even used it on small projects like serving trays.
I'm about to use it on a laundry cabinet, 900w 1900h 300deep with plinth.
It's a lot faster than I would be doing mortice and tenon joinery.
I have heard some fine furniture makers say its not accurate enough for them.
I find it accurate enough for me, but I don't claim to be a fine furniture maker.
Although I reckon the furniture I've made is pretty decent.

If you can afford it, buy it.
And Festool will actually come to your house and demonstrate it.
A festoon rep came to my house after I had purchased it and went through it with me in detail. very good service.

Cheers

Frank

A Domino will do the job of a biscuit machine in most cases but a biscuit machine won’t do the job of a domino machine
If you can justify owning one they are worthwhile

I've toyed with the idea of getting a Domino. In fact have made up my mind to go get one on many occasions.

Deciding against it at the last moment, based on cost.

I've since opted to learn things how to do "proper" joinery.

Do I still want a Domino? Definitely. Do I need one? Let's just say I haven't made anything where I felt like a Domino would be of use. In fact the more I make the less I am inclined to get one.

Love mine, want another. Probably my favourite tool

Originally Posted by tonzeyd

I've toyed with the idea of getting a Domino. In fact have made up my mind to go get one on many occasions.

Deciding against it at the last moment, based on cost.

I've since opted to learn things how to do "proper" joinery.

Do I still want a Domino? Definitely. Do I need one? Let's just say I haven't made anything where I felt like a Domino would be of use. In fact the more I make the less I am inclined to get one.

If you are using it in the context of a hobbyist it is harder to justify but if you are paying for the labour it becomes a cost saving tool and can easily make financial sense to own one. I just made a large dining table and nearly bought my own Domino but like you ended up opting to do mortise and tenons over shelling out the dollars

I shed a tear tear when I bought my Rotex sander but it paid for itself in reducing labour costs on its first job preparing exposed blackbutt beams on a job and smile every time I pick it up since

Originally Posted by tonzeyd

I've since opted to learn things how to do "proper" joinery.

Me too! I have one but rarely use it. The challenge of doing it the traditional way and the feeling of accomplishment is worth it for me. However, if I had to make a quid woodworking, the Domino would be in daily use.

FWIW, I've always bought a tool when I needed it, never when I just wanted one.

mick

Thank-you all for replying. I guess I really really really want one now. Being a lazy woodworker also sways the decision too. Didn’t know there were diff dominii for outdoors , thanks Mattock.
Now all I have to do is get it past the treasurer

Just buy it. In reality, Festool gear is an investment.

Doh

Originally Posted by AndrewPatrol

Thank-you all for replying. I guess I really really really want one now. Being a lazy woodworker also sways the decision too. Didn’t know there were diff dominii for outdoors , thanks Mattock.
Now all I have to do is get it past the treasurer

I have two of these domino machines. I prefer the bigger one because it is easier to use and more ergonomically designed.
If you are lazy like me, you must get this machine, it opens up a whole new world and speed things up beyond your wildest imagination.
once you owned it you will never go back and you will wonder how you lived without one.

About the treasurer, if you can bring home the bacon then I am sure the treasurer will not object the idea!

I have always thought the Domino made perfect sense for anyone doing production work but not so much for the hobbyist because of the cost so I did not buy one until a once used machine was offered for sale at what I considered a fair price and it has since proven to be a useful thing to own. A biscuit machine is only for alignment and I have never felt the need to own one. I did inherit one from my father and promptly sold it without using it at all. Two different machines for two different purposes though I do understand that a Domino can be used solely for alignment reasons but its primary purpose in life was loose tenon joinery. There are some perfectly good dowel systems for alignment which do a better job that biscuits and at least one of those is hand made. It all depends on what purpose the machine is required for.

have a look on marketplace and gumtree, while you may not ultimately know the condition you might be able to save a few dollars.

also depending what you do for work (or rental property) claim it on tax...

I think I will get one reasonably soon as I have a few large projects where it will allow me to do a better job within the available time. Namely building a balcony and half a dozen doors. However, with any expensive purchase I try to wait until I have a project to justify the cost.