Thread: DIY Furniture: Dowelmax or Festool Domino?

Originally Posted by US-Oz

Ron pointed out to me in a PM that the Domino can do things like a 3-way mitre joint, and he couldn't see an easy way for the Dowelmax to do the same. Now I don't know wether or not a Dowelmax can do a 3-way mitre, but it's such a rare join that it hardly matters to 99.9% of DIYers.

Thats because Ron isn’t looking outside the square. Of course the Dowlmax can do a 3-way mitre.

And why is it a rare join? Because the traditional way is time consuming and requires a high skill level so most stayed away. Have a look at the amount of 3-way mitres now appearing in furniture mags. Even the last AWR Studio comp had 3 entries that made the finals with 3-way mitres. And the Domino was responsible for those no doubt .

Domino does heaps more, like cutting dovetail sockets , drawer pulls, home made handles etc, the list grows everyday you use the machine. I have nothing againsed any doweling jig, but the Domino is in a class of its own. You can not compare the two, but for using the Dowlmax for the joins shown in your photo above, it’s a first class alternative for the DIY`er and hobbyist and even the serious amateur

The last two posts above are a pretty good summary. Thanks.

Originally Posted by US-Oz

As I said to Ron in a PM, I should probably re-study the Domino sales pamphlet I have somewhere. If people contend that the Domino can do angles and the Dowelmax cannot, that's not strictly true, because with the right shim or easily-made jig, it can.



It also does shelving.

I'm going to wade in here. Although I still have very little experience with my Domino I know I can do the same thing (as per the octagonal clock housing) with 1 tenon veery easily against drilling for 3 dowels with a lot more speed and complete accuracy. Okay, I don't know what speed a Dowelmax gives.

I normally go top of middle range with 90% of tools, otherwise I'd be broke, because they can do the same job. A Hammer for example would walk over a 10HB to give a brand comparison, but I bought the 10HB and it's great.

I ummed and arred for along time on the Domino, but I finally bought it based on the amount of m&ts I'll be doing for a current project and the speed and accuracy the Domino gives me - and accuracy was the deciding factor.

But I'm not biased towards the Domino, I still cringe when I look at it based on price point, but I know it saves massive time. Have I been swayed by marketing hell , but by recommendation and its ability. If I'd been swayed by marketing I'd only buy Festool tenons, but I'm a lesser mug than that.

Have I made furniture using dowels for jointing boards? , it worked but it was slow and I had to be very exacting. Would I now?

$279 US for a Dowelmax, (say $285 odd AUS) against Festool Domino $1,395. It's a big price gap, but if I were honestly comparing them objectively, then I'd go Domino.

It's the one time I have only ever bought the best of the best. (maybe Veritas Bevel Up Smoother excepted)

US-Oz just a pic on the Domino and Dovetail.

Speed isnt something that worries me at all, but here is a very quick "roughish " Dovetail using the Domino.

To cut the bulk of the sockets perfectly flat and smooth on the back and bottom of the socket. 20 seconds [edit 1min 20 seconds as you have to change from the 10mm cutter to the 5mm cutter] and its done, leaving only some quick simple clean up of the side with a chisel. Then its just up to you on your fav way to cut the tails. I just use the bandsaw

So you see im not having a dig at the Dowelmax, but the longer people have the Domino the more they are using it for joinery away from standard uses of joining of timber that it was originally intended.

G'day,
I've been watching this thread for a while, and I think its a good discussion about two very good bits of kit. Neither of which I own, or can afford.
The pros and cons are all worthwhile for a potential buyer, or an interested bystander, as I am in this case.
I just can't understand why, when one member disagrees with another member's point of view, that it descends into name calling, and derogatory remarks about the other member's brain cell count etc.

I've nothing further to add, other than that disappoints me.

Noel

I have long forgotten the price of the domino. It has already easily paid itself off, and yes I use it for work. The speed, accuracy and versatility of it is unmatched. Even if I couldn't afford a domino, I still wouldn't buy a doweling jig.

Like some others, I've watched this thread with interest, having acquired a Domino recently.

I confess to being a wanna be wood worker - that is, I have made up for my shortfall in hand and other skills with a good deal of machinery purchases. (After a few "cheap" purchases, I now believe in buying the best I can afford -and then some).

So I have some great machines. A Vicmarc lathe to start with and some others. Plus a Sawstop, which gets wired tomorrow, add a Minimax CU 300.... A Leigh D4 dovetail jig, a Leigh FMT..... It goes on.

So I am very much reliant on machines / jigs for the best result. I don't handcut dovetails when I join 100 year old redgum, though I'd sure like to see anyone chop the pins and tails with a chisel. Yep, that feedback (from a forumite) stung when I posted pics of 5 redgum display cabs that took 2 weeks to build.

I thus have a Domino after using a dowel jig for some time. Better? You betcha. What is the price differential? One system has no moving parts but costs plenty. It requires a drill (add that to your costs) and has no dust extraction. But more importantly, there is no flexibility. If you don't align the pencil marks right, your don't get a good fit. Unlike the Domino where mistakes can be "corrected" by a wider fit.

But neither is a fine wood working approach - why dowel or Domino when you should be using housed joints or more preferably sliding dovetails?

So cut the CrAP. Some of us want to put things together quickly and accurately - and make furniture instead of melamine cabinets. I've spent more time in the shed slaving over whiteboard and I know what I'd prefer to be doing.

Dowels? Yes, in a production-line factory where jigs are supreme. But not for mortals that gain some satisfaction from a mix of both.

Jeff

Originally Posted by jefferson

I thus have a Domino after using a dowel jig for some time.

If you think the comparison is between a simple dowel jig and a domino, I think you are missing the point. The Dowelmax is ≠ any old doweling jig.

If you don't align the pencil marks right, your don't get a good fit. Unlike the Domino where mistakes can be "corrected" by a wider fit.

This does not apply to the Dowelmax.

Originally Posted by martrix

I have long forgotten the price of the domino. It has already easily paid itself off, and yes I use it for work.

And since this thread is about DIY furniture (see the thread's title), not commercial production furniture, your opinion is tangential. But thanks for commenting.

Commercial or other is no matter surely, it's akin to only accepting comments based on he/she has 40 years experience to he/she only has 3 days.

Waldo, I, like most DIYers (who make up the majority of readers of this forum I would imagine), like to know what professionals use, and why. But since

• time is money to them, and
• tool costs can be claimed as deductions at tax time

there is a limited overlap between their needs and those of the DIYers.

Well it is nice to see a thread with namecalling ans assorted abuse which I didnt start! Very refreshing but I do have a few points to make.

Firstly I dont have either Jig and am not in a real hurry to do so not because I dont like them just dont need them that bad is all.
Now I am all for people buying these jigs and others like the Leigh but what concerns me is that lots of people new to woodworking read these threads and come away with the false Idea that something like a domino or even a Biscuit Jointer is a "required" tool! It is not and if the journey to "craftsmanship" is a valuable one then perhaps they are an impediment.

I often wade in when I see a newbie asking for advice on his list of must have tools when he is set to spend a heap of money on a Domino but is cheaping out on the really important machines like a Table or Band Saw and in most cases I get told of by one "Tool Tribe" or another for threatening their beloved tool whatever it is at the time.
I suppose what I am trying to say is it seems some people pay a lot too much attention to their tools (no pun intended, well almost) and there are a few people here who just ache for a chance to get into a slinging match with anybody who doesnt see things their way.
I think what we need is a bit more objectivity and a bit less pugilism .

OK you can all flame me now !

Rgds

Ross

Coulda saved even more money US-Oz. Looks like you wuz ripped off!

bt3central.com/showthread.php?t=36107

I'm in complete agreement with Different ... I must have overdone the valium last night