Thread: Festool Domino machine

suggest you do a search, use the box on the top right of the screen.

$800 is relatively cheap, in AUS they are $1300.

For smaller work, there is no comparison. Coffee tables, narrow hall tables. When you come to a queen size bed or a full on kitchen table, you may prefer the strength of solid tenons- but why not cut the mortises with the Domino?
I do a few repairs for our local 'Men's Shed' and there is no way i could spend the necessary time remaking mortise and tenon joints in chairs, small cabinets, sttols and coffee tables. One of the best things I have ever bought.

Carry Pine

Steve,

I just got mine last week and it has already saved me 3 to 4 hours of work. It is easy to use, fast and accurate. I think it is a must for those who does a lot of woodwork. In my case, I probably should have brought it 2 years earlier.

Sure, it is a lot of money for a machine, but you need to see it to realise how clever it is and how difficult it is to build this machine.


Have a look at this review http://www.onlinetoolreviews.com/rev...tooldomino.htm

Sometimes the cost justifies the means,Ok so it is an expensive piece of machinery but given the precision of its manufacture and use in its applications it is without doubt a real handy tool to have around.

If doing a lot of work that requires a good strong joint in a repetitive fashion then this tool does in my view become invaluable.

I too baulked initially at the cost of what was to me an untried and unknown application ,however now with some time under my belt in using the Domino as well as all the positve feedback I have seen there is no doubt in my mind the justification in my purchase.

Cheers

How I am going to justify having a Domino

I want to build a dining table and 8 chairs to go with it. I have a table and chair set that I can copy and modify to my own tastes.

Timber used will be Vic Ash or something similar (Tas Oak).

I estimate using 216 dominos to complete the job:
18 per chair x 8 chairs = 144
Table top 8 planks = 7 face joins x 8 per join =56
Table frame =16
Total =216 This may of course change

This is based on looking at the table and chairs and estimating what I think it will take to construct them.

Cost of materials:
Timber allow $800
Upholstery allow $600
Finish/screws/glue/sundries $150
Domino machine $1391
Domino assortment $355

Total = $3296

I haven't factored in my labour, it is my hobby and so I don't believe I need to.

To buy an equivalent table and chair set would be around $3500-4000 I believe.

Based on Domino list price of $1746, this means each domino joint will cost me $8.08 each. I will still have a large assortment of Dominos, the systainer, and the Domino machine when I am finished.

I believe I will get the Domino stuff cheaper than $1746, so this will make each joint cheaper by around 10%.

Having never done a M&T join before, and currently having a GMC biscuit joiner which will not be up to the task, I believe I can justify $8 per join based on ease of setup, repeatability, time factor and (I just want one).

So for me, even though it is a large outlay, I think I can justify doing it.

This is how I have been able to buy most of my tools, pick a project, buy the tools and materials for about half of what it would cost to have said project done by someone else, build it myself and then have the tools left over when I'm finished.

Now I just have to get SWMBO around to my way of thinking.

I reckon it depends on what you enjoy about woodworking.

To me, buying a Domino to speed up my woodworking would be like catching a train to speed up my cycling. If getting there is all you are interested in, then there's no argument. If you've got the dough, buy one! On the other hand, if you don't want to speed up something you're supposed to be enjoying, what's the point?

All the strength debates are just peeing contests. At the end of the day, it's not going to fall apart whichever way you build it, as long as you do it properly. And the same even goes for dowels! There, I said it.

Originally Posted by silentC

I reckon it depends on what you enjoy about woodworking.

The finished product.

Originally Posted by silentC

All the strength debates are just peeing contests. At the end of the day, it's not going to fall apart whichever way you build it, as long as you do it properly.

For me, self taught, stumbling from one mistake to the next, the domino looks to be what will make it easier, therefore, at this point in time, more enjoyable. Spending as much as I will be on materials, I want to have a solid, reliable piece of furniture when I am finished. I have no doubt, that over time, I would be able to get a result using tradition M&T joints, but as my workshop is also my double garage, time is also a factor. Also the cost of replacing timber because of a few oopses comes into the equation.

I have been honing my skills on a Triton, using pinus crapiata to build a few projects and am going to take the step up to some quality machinery and timber for the next project, the domino will be 4th cab off the rank after a quality table saw, dust collection system and bandsaw.

Originally Posted by silentC

And the same even goes for dowels! There, I said it.

Nnnnnnooooooooooooo not a dowel.

I totally agree with silent, except the dowel bit.

Originally Posted by routermaniac

suggest you do a search, use the box on the top right of the screen.

$800 is relatively cheap, in AUS they are $1300.

In GodZone, they are $1800.00

[quote=Geoff Dean;794426]How I am going to justify having a Domino

I want to build a dining table and 8 chairs to go with it. I have a table and chair set that I can copy and modify to my own tastes.

Timber used will be Vic Ash or something similar (Tas Oak).


Total = $3296

To buy an equivalent table and chair set would be around $3500-4000 I believe.

Geoff,

If you are a better than average craftsman, listen to this:
I have just visited Dattner's store in Glebe (look on net) and his tables are between $5-7K. Of course the timber is excellent but that's without chairs. You would probably be using very special timber (not crap) and the value will stay with the table. I assume you are not going to 'distress ' it or paint it or make it out of 70mm floorboards. Living down on the Murray you should be able to access some good stuff.
No question about the Domino- if you are less than 30 and will have plenty of time for this project you don't need one. But if you want to get it done in a reasonable time, the $1500 is certainly worth it. - No one ever offers them for sale 2nd hand do they! You won't go wrong with it.
Graham

Once you own a Domino, you wonder how you ever got along without it.

Originally Posted by silentC

I reckon it depends on what you enjoy about woodworking.

To me, buying a Domino to speed up my woodworking would be like catching a train to speed up my cycling.

I see you guys in your tight pants with your clackety shoes take your bikes on the train all the time!

The thing I enjoy about woodworking is using great tools.

I see you guys in your tight pants with your clackety shoes take your bikes on the train all the time

Those guys are Domino owners

Originally Posted by Eli

The thing I enjoy about woodworking is using great tools.

I enjoy using any great WW tool whether by machine or by hand .

Cheers