Thread: Should I really?

Hi Toby,

Great to hear you thinking about joining the Festool side of the fence!

I have a Domino (as well as a few others) and I must say that I do really love it. I use it enough to get some good use and productivity out of it. They take a bit of getting used to in terms of all the adjustments and measures but once you get that right in your head, they're very good.

I'm not sure how you will use them with chairs, (perhaps Lignum might have some ideas/thoughts?) but I have used them for a few small tables and other pieces of furniture I've made.

I would definitely consider it, although you need to realise that I sit on the "addicted to Festool" side of the fence.

As for who to purchase from, there are a few good Festool dealers around. The sponsor of this forum is the one I've dealt with throughout and have found them incredibly helpful (even after you have purchased).

Cheers,
Af.

As Afro Boy said about getting used to the tool is what makes it a great purchase. You will find many uses, speed-up the job, and create a better result - it's all about imagining where to use it. The expense is justified if you think to involve the tools you have.
Are you a hobbiest, or doing a trade?

soth

Toby

The domino is a great piece of kit for speed and accuracy. I have one and if you can afford it, I would recommend it, BUT, I would also recommend that you do not rely on it entirely. You should make sure you can cut tenons and mortices by hand quickly and accurately using dull and boring saws, chisels and hammers, then move on the fancy high-tech time-saving stuff. Those hand skills will form the basis of all your woodwork, and if you don't obtain that firm foundation, it will probably affect the quality of your work in the future.

Philosophy rant off.

Good luck.

Des

Thanks for the advice Afro Boy. I would really like to join the "festool" side of the fence but price is the only set back. and as to your question about hobbyist of trade at the present i am a hobbyist that is just trying to gain skill and knowledge for many people before i go and do three years at the ASFF in Launceston where i will make a decision on where to go in the future.

Des. To your reply thanks and i am not intending on using the domino as my only joining choice i still practice hand cut tennons mortices and dovetails i just feel the Domino will help me a lot when having deadlines for projects and needing to be economical.

Cheers Toby.

I bought my domino back in August 09 and have only had a chance to use it a couple of times so far and would agree with previous posts about getting use to it. It is most unfortunate that I am unable to get down to Ideal Tools and complete one of the Domino courses, but with time, and research on forums, I will get better at it. One other point to think about is dust extraction. Before purchasing, I was lucky enough to get a pretty good demonstration by a Festool Rep at Carbatec in Brisbane, who reiterated the importance of dust extraction when using this remarkable machine. I ended up getting a CT26 as well with the Domino which I hadn't budgeted for when initially looking into it.
As for places to buy, I ended up using Ideal Tools for the same reasons others here have. When ever I have phoned the guys, I always have felt like a valued customer and I have never had such excellent customer service in my life. Many thanks.

Sean

My very first Festool was a Domino. And can honestly say its one tool I always go to for most of my cabinets. Its as easy to use as a biscuit jointer but alot more versatile and accurate. One thing I would highly recommend is using it with a shop vacuum. It produces alot of dust and when using without a shop vac, you have to shake out the dust.

There should be combo deals for a domino and a vac available from any festool dealer. this might save a few dollars in the long run. But of course this means saving up for more money. Getting the full set with the systainer full of domino's/cutters is the best deal.

If your making chairs and things for money, then the Domino will pay for itself.

Toby i dont think you`d regret purchasing the domino one bit.

It has a multitude of uses and is ideal for doing chairs and tables, i totally agree with the other guys in that you`d need some sort of dust extraction with it.

When teamed with the CT26 there is virtually no dust at all, makes using the domino that much more enjoyable.

Guys such as Anthony at Ideal Tools regularly have package deals that make the vacuums more affordable with the purchase of a festool.

Good luck and let us know how you get on,

cheers
Brad

Originally Posted by jimmcelwaine

i am a hobbyist that is just trying to gain skill and knowledge for many people before i go and do three years at the ASFF in Launceston where i will make a decision on where to go in the future.

Toby, if you’re set to go to ASFF sometime in the future, then I wouldnt even contemplate the Domino. As good as it is, you should use that money and get a nice collection of quality hand tools first. At this stage, developing and honing good hand skills should be your number one priority. Good luck in the future

thanks for all the positive comments guys but the unfortunate thing is i need the domino by the middle of feb and i don't think i will be able to save up for a CT26 as well before that date however festool dust extraction is on the top of my agenda for when i purchase my domino which i most definitely will after all the feedback i have been giving

and to answer you query Lignum i have both bevel edged and mortice chisels in many sizes as well as a DX60 Stanley No6 Record No5 and Stanley No4 which i have been giving by my grandfather with the exception of the veritas and i also spent three weeks last year at the ASFF making the first year projects (veneered box and tas oak stool) and these tools work well to cut all the mortice and tennons for the stool. The one thing i lack in tools for woodwork is power tools and so i am trying to gain a good quality collection that will serve me forever.

Don't be too worried about not being able to get the festool dust extraction straight away. Although a good shop vac is essental in the long run, at a pinch a good household vaccuum is better than nothing.... though your mother might not think so.

Don

Back in my Triton days I got a cheap $40 second hand vacuum cleaner that was hooked upto the Triton dust separator bucket. Did the job. So maybe in the mean time just hook something like that up to the Domino till you can afford a decent vac.