Buying a Domino

**groeneaj** · 29th July 2010, 10:09 PM

Hey,
Iv'e been reading almost every thread on the Domino and it seems every owner is very pleased with their purchase.
I only do woodworking as a hobby but I feel limited in a way of what I can do as I don't have a lot of time to play around in the garage. When I do get time I don't like stuffing around with setups etc. This leads me to my point of purchasing a Domino. For me to make a mortice and tenon joint/s it would take a lot of time.
I have a lot of ideas of things I want to make - bedside tables, chest of drawers, bed, computer desk.... and the list goes on. The Domino would be perfect for these projects.

I'm not going to rush into buying one straight away as I can't afford one at the moment. I also enjoy the "pre purchase" process - you know the feeling when your about to buy a big new toy and you stay up late reading all about it !!

I have a few things on my mind about the purchase of the Domino

1. Where is the best place to buy one? I'm thinking of waiting for Carbatec to have their pre christmas sale as that's likely to be when i'm able to afford one. I can't remember how much they were at the show, but for some reason I remember the whole package with all the cutters etc was $1600 ??

2. I want to use one before I buy it - I understand ideal tools in Melbourne have a course that covers the Domino. Is there anything as such in Sydney? I would like to bring it home and be able to use it with confidence and without frustration.

3. I have seen the Domino being used to make deckings etc- a complete accessory package. My understanding is that this system is coming to Australia this year? Any thoughts on this?

4. What sort of bench do you guys use with your domino? I was thinking of maybe making one if mft500 or perhaps drilling holes in my bench to alow for clamps/bench dogs. I'd love to see some pics of your purpose built domino bench !
Cheers, Andy

**Waldo** · 29th July 2010, 10:50 PM

Originally Posted by groeneaj

I was thinking of maybe making one if mft500 or perhaps drilling holes in my bench to alow for clamps/bench dogs. I'd love to see some pics of your purpose built domino bench !
Cheers, Andy

I just upended my Domino and cut several rows mortices in my assembly bench at one end and hey presto with some loose tenons I've got bench dogs.

I think I;ve got a shot around somewhere in here with

...

I do https://www.woodworkforums.com/f40/wa...73/index4.html but here are the shots anyway.

**I_wanna_Shed** · 29th July 2010, 10:58 PM

What a great idea Waldo.

Since my birthday is coming up and I've been a very good boy, I've been dropping not-so-subtle hints to my better half about how a Domino would help 'her' furniture come together quicker. The good news is, I think I'm suceeding. The basic package should do the trick.

I've looked at the Domino bench and it looks good, but expensive for a bench (seems a familiar pattern with Festool!). I like what you've done Waldo.

Like you Andy, I've looked at the Ideal Tools Domino courses and they look great. I'm keen to do the hall table course, but alas its in Melbourne. It would be great if enough Sydney people got together to make it worthwhile to be held somewhere in Sydney (similiar to the Richard Vaughan router course I did a few years back).

Nathan.

**groeneaj** · 30th July 2010, 11:18 AM

Excellent idea Waldo - thanks for sharing !

Nathan ideal tools is a forum sponsor, maybe we could see if their prepared to make the trip if the numbers were there?

I also believe vek tools here in Sydney have festool guys come out and do demos on the first Saturday of the month.

Andy

**Mr Brush** · 30th July 2010, 04:25 PM

Waldo - can I ask what the top of that assembly table is made of ??

I bought my Domino from Ideal Tools long before they even had workshops, but would love to do one if they were somewhere in Sydney.

Any chance of VEK running a similar course up here somewhere??? Alternatively, how many people would it take to cover Anthony's airfare.......

**Waldo** · 30th July 2010, 04:27 PM

G'day Mr Brush, the assembly top is structural formply.

**Mr Brush** · 30th July 2010, 04:37 PM

Thanks Waldo - I thought it looked like that. Just one thickness of the formply, or how did you get it nice and flat??

I always hankered after one of those nice Festool table thingies with the holey MDF on the top for assembly work, but your solution appears rather better value for money

**Waldo** · 30th July 2010, 04:41 PM

Originally Posted by Mr Brush

Thanks Waldo - I thought it looked like that. Just one thickness of the formply, or how did you get it nice and flat??

just one sheet. It is sitting on a torsion box to keep it all nice and level. A look through my WIP on the a/table (based on Woodwhiperer's table) will shed more light - it might be over engineered, but it won't fall apart in a hurry.

**Mr Brush** · 30th July 2010, 06:03 PM

I'll take a look at the WIP - cheers

My benches are a bit high for assembly work, and I've always hankered after a lower (and flat) assembly table, on wheels, with storage drawers..........its starting to sound like a project

**groeneaj** · 30th July 2010, 06:14 PM

I'll definetely be making something similar when I get my domino as my workbench is also too high!

What about the price? Are they much cheaper at the show?

**LGS** · 30th July 2010, 06:46 PM

Hi Andy,

You won't get a discount on a Domino at the shows, but Ideal Tools sell a "start up" set, which gives you a 5mm and 8mm cutter and domis to match. In the beginning, you'll probably find this is all you need. Don't know how much it is, but email Anthony and find out.

Regards,

Rob

**groeneaj** · 30th July 2010, 08:17 PM

Thanks mate. I might wait for carbatecs 10% off festool products at the end of the year.
Does anyone highly recommend the accessories - the accessory for thin stock, and the one for joining? I believe there the two that come in the 'complete package" as well as all the cutters.
Or is it easier enough without the accessories?

**groeneaj** · 30th July 2010, 10:29 PM

Originally Posted by LGS

Hi Andy,

You won't get a discount on a Domino at the shows, but Ideal Tools sell a "start up" set, which gives you a 5mm and 8mm cutter and domis to match. In the beginning, you'll probably find this is all you need. Don't know how much it is, but email Anthony and find out.

Regards,

Rob

I couldn't find the kit with the two cutters, only the deal with one cutter.
http://www.idealtools.com.au/festool_domino_joining_system

**LGS** · 31st July 2010, 09:29 AM

Hi Andy,

I suggest you give Anthony a call this AM and ask him about it. I know Lignum has mentioned it in the past on these pages.

Regards,

Rob

**groeneaj** · 31st July 2010, 08:15 PM

I'll give him a call during the week and talk about prices.
Do people use the trim and cross stop and recommend it? Is it a must? Or is it accurate enough doing it normally?

Thread: Buying a Domino

Thread Tools

Search Thread

Buying a Domino

Similar Threads

Will a Domino do it for me?

DOMINO buying the correct machine the first time

Domino joinery without the Domino

Mortising jig enables domino joinery without a Domino

New domino? (and domino vs leigh FMT)

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions