From the looks of it, the Festool Domino seems like a fantastic luxury tool. As long as the price isn't as extravagant as it is brand new, I'd probably go for it. The way I weigh the benefit of a tool that I might purchase is to think about how often it'll be out of it's case.
Festool Domino
Could anyone with one of these share their thoughts on this. I have a chance of acquiring a used one at a good price because the guy selling it does not find it useful? I have a bisquit jointer (porter-cable) that is getting a bit of an antique…but even a new bisquit is cheaper than a slightly used domino? What do you think?
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The biscuit joiner and Domino are two machines that seem similar but create distinctly different joints for different purposes.
The Domino machine cuts mortises and the Dominos are floating tenons.
Biscuits are not tenons. They are used for alignment when glueing up panels.
I have the Domino and it is an expensive machine. But I cannot make mortise and tenons as fast with any other tools as the Domino.
The Domino is an accurate, easy, and fast machine for creating joinery. I feel like it helps me make money every time that I use it.
But the most important thing to remember is that biscuits and dominos are two distinctly different types of joinery and should be used appropriately to create projects that will last.
The Domino machine cuts mortises and the Dominos are floating tenons.
Biscuits are not tenons. They are used for alignment when glueing up panels.
I have the Domino and it is an expensive machine. But I cannot make mortise and tenons as fast with any other tools as the Domino.
The Domino is an accurate, easy, and fast machine for creating joinery. I feel like it helps me make money every time that I use it.
But the most important thing to remember is that biscuits and dominos are two distinctly different types of joinery and should be used appropriately to create projects that will last.
Good info so far. I had never considered buying a Domino before as the cost for one is rediculous (IMHO). I only recently purchased a festool brand - track saw. I have nothing but praise for the saw so far but I still consider the festool brand way overpriced. I was curious when the guy said that he didn't find the Domino tool "useful" and I agree that the dominoes appear as small tenons….
I only consider this as he is willing to take a lot less then he paid because he wants to get a table top mortiser. I was thinking that this might be a quicker way to join some items without having to set up a table saw, drill press and chisel set to make a set of mortise and tenons. A lot of projects I consider seem to use these joints….and it seems that I make a lot of them from time to time.
I only consider this as he is willing to take a lot less then he paid because he wants to get a table top mortiser. I was thinking that this might be a quicker way to join some items without having to set up a table saw, drill press and chisel set to make a set of mortise and tenons. A lot of projects I consider seem to use these joints….and it seems that I make a lot of them from time to time.
If you build furniture, then you most likely need M&T joinery. This is the ticket!
if you don't need it let me know and i will buy it off you for what you pay for it.
I have a domino. I used to use my Kreg Pocket Hole jig a lot, but since I got the domino, I find I use the pocket hole jig much less. I recommend buying it, if you decide you don't want it, you shouldn't have any trouble selling it. pkennedy
I don't like being a spoil sport but I read a article about what joints were the strongest and domino rated far below M&T and just above dowels which are only a little better than a butt joint. I Know its an innovative tool but if it's joints are not strong whats the point. Spend your money on a table or free staining mortiser.
The Domino is nice. I don't know if it justifies the expense of the machine (I didn't pay for the one at my shop) It works well in a place were a biscuit slot would be to wide and hold quite strong. If I had the choice, I'd have both a Domino and a biscuit joiner. My big issue with the Domino is the expendables, the Dominos them selves seem kind of pricey to me to replace a biscuit joiner, in my opinion.
here's my 2 cents on this i don't have one but my tool seller loans out tools that you are thinking about buying i also read the article that jim read. imho the tool is ridiculously priced but will save tons and tons of time i do plan on buying one after having it in my shop for only 2 days you can use in place of many places you would use a biscuit making a very strong biscuit joint also i used it in place's i would have use pocket holes it was faster and much stronger i would say it wont replace all of your M&T's but in places where you normally wouldn't bother with a M&T this will be far faster then any other joint you could possibly use this includes butt joints"no fooling around trying to line in up and fussing with the clamp to get it right I'm thinking" just my 2 cents i think in the end the machine will pay for it self. also in terms of price on the domino's them self i don't see why with a few set ups on a router table and the chop saw why one couldn't make their own domino's.
I would say that if you are making $ in your shop get it. If it's just for a hobby, the time you put into a m&t joint is very satisfying.
I read the same article about joint strength and I still would maintain that the Domino has it's place. I am discerning about what joints I use where. Using the appropriate joint on a project is just like using the appropriate tool to do a particular task.
Are the machine and the dominos expensive? Yes, and personally I am glad that I spent the money. But everyone should understand that I have different parameters for buying tools as a professional. These parameters are not the same for the hobby woodworker.
I have made my own loose or floating tenons and I would rather just buy them. But once again, my perspective comes from that of a business where time is money.
If it is a good price, I would buy it knowing that you could use it some and still turn around and get your money or most back out of it.
Are the machine and the dominos expensive? Yes, and personally I am glad that I spent the money. But everyone should understand that I have different parameters for buying tools as a professional. These parameters are not the same for the hobby woodworker.
I have made my own loose or floating tenons and I would rather just buy them. But once again, my perspective comes from that of a business where time is money.
If it is a good price, I would buy it knowing that you could use it some and still turn around and get your money or most back out of it.
Hey Todd
I'm sure you figured out what works and what doesn't. I thought about a domino and then that joinery test came out and I felt that having a multi router. a tilting head floor model mortiser and a table mount mortiser i was just wanting a new toy. The Domino is more portable but limited to one size were my tools are mostly way to heavy to take any distance but I have not found I need the portability. I'm sure you compensate for the strength issue by carefully selecting what you use the Domino joinery on. Congrats on your new live streaming cast and you resent exposure in wood magazine.
I'm sure you figured out what works and what doesn't. I thought about a domino and then that joinery test came out and I felt that having a multi router. a tilting head floor model mortiser and a table mount mortiser i was just wanting a new toy. The Domino is more portable but limited to one size were my tools are mostly way to heavy to take any distance but I have not found I need the portability. I'm sure you compensate for the strength issue by carefully selecting what you use the Domino joinery on. Congrats on your new live streaming cast and you resent exposure in wood magazine.
The Domino is my default "how I put two pieces of wood together" tool, and there's a lot of stuff I wouldn't attempt without it.
I don't know which strength test people are referring to, I've seen critiques of the Fine Woodworking one that make sense, but I let my online subscription lapse so I can't double-check. But if you're concerned about the strength of a joint, I suggest you check out the contemporary Z chair, especially the picture of the three guys standing on the chair.
People complain about the cost, but if I did furniture and cabinetry for a living and wasn't trying to reproduce a particular style (ie: through tenons, or whatever), I can't imagine being without it. If you run a commercial shop it'll pay for itself right fast. If you do this as a hobby, you have to ask if having it in your shop lets you turn out work that gives you enough pleasure to warrant the tool. For me it's a no-brainer "yes".
And, yes, like Todd, I also have a biscuit joiner, and it has its place too, but if I could only have one it'd be the Domino and I'd use it for biscuit jointing like tasks.
I don't know which strength test people are referring to, I've seen critiques of the Fine Woodworking one that make sense, but I let my online subscription lapse so I can't double-check. But if you're concerned about the strength of a joint, I suggest you check out the contemporary Z chair, especially the picture of the three guys standing on the chair.
People complain about the cost, but if I did furniture and cabinetry for a living and wasn't trying to reproduce a particular style (ie: through tenons, or whatever), I can't imagine being without it. If you run a commercial shop it'll pay for itself right fast. If you do this as a hobby, you have to ask if having it in your shop lets you turn out work that gives you enough pleasure to warrant the tool. For me it's a no-brainer "yes".
And, yes, like Todd, I also have a biscuit joiner, and it has its place too, but if I could only have one it'd be the Domino and I'd use it for biscuit jointing like tasks.
Hey Guys
In all tool discussions it all boils done to what your use to using and possibly what generation your from ,what television or pod cast you watch an like many things weather your economic situations is so that we can afford what that magic tool is, and what kind of projects you make . There are many ways to skin a cat(who would want to) so if it(whatever it is for you) works for you go for it and enjoy. Most of us don't buy expensive tools and say what an idiot I was to buy this $$$$ tool and it sure is terrible unless that tool is a total failure all the way around. Just for the record I never said that the Domino was a terrible tool only that I had other alternatives.
In all tool discussions it all boils done to what your use to using and possibly what generation your from ,what television or pod cast you watch an like many things weather your economic situations is so that we can afford what that magic tool is, and what kind of projects you make . There are many ways to skin a cat(who would want to) so if it(whatever it is for you) works for you go for it and enjoy. Most of us don't buy expensive tools and say what an idiot I was to buy this $$$$ tool and it sure is terrible unless that tool is a total failure all the way around. Just for the record I never said that the Domino was a terrible tool only that I had other alternatives.
If you've got the $$ - get it.
I have the Festool Domino - GREAT (but expensive) tool. It makes strong joints accurate and fast.
I'm a hobbyist, but I have limited shop time and the Domino (and other Festools like their plunge saw and sanders) makes my "hobby time" more productive.
Billbo
Smyrna, GA
I have the Festool Domino - GREAT (but expensive) tool. It makes strong joints accurate and fast.
I'm a hobbyist, but I have limited shop time and the Domino (and other Festools like their plunge saw and sanders) makes my "hobby time" more productive.
Billbo
Smyrna, GA
Jim makes a valid point as well.
While on both sides of the fence, Jim & Todd (and others) have both brought out some very valid points. Tool buying becomes a very personal thing. What works for me might not fit in with your shop, and your way of doing things. Price is always a major consideration. So is versatility. Can you afford the luxury of dedicated tools, or do you need more multi-function tools. I have the Festool Domino, and love it. Can I do without it?-Yes, I did for years. Would I want to give it up now?--No. Is it overpriced? I don't know. Festool's quality is very impressive. Have you priced a Lamello Bisquit Jointer? You can't compare a Festool to a DeWalt, Freud, Poter Cable, etc. There is no comparison.
Good Luck on you choice.
Good Luck on you choice.
Great info here. I spoke with the seller and asked him to let me try a few dominoes on a small set of joints I was making for a jig saw stand. I was impressed by the machine itself. Festool is indead one solid machine from one heck of a manufacturer….just like my track saw…(I am still not sold on their prices though). The machine is quiet, solid and cuts quickly/cleanly. I glued up the joints and am awaiting them to cure as I write this. All in all the tool did as advertised….
I think we all can agree there certainly are many methods to do certain cuts, joints…etc. I am a bit of a perfectionist myself…so I tend to like more manual involvement in my projects…though I am not a purist…machines definitely have a part to play in my shop and they can make difficult work so much easier.
I will post a bit more once I see how the joints turn out…thank you all for your interest and input so far.
I think we all can agree there certainly are many methods to do certain cuts, joints…etc. I am a bit of a perfectionist myself…so I tend to like more manual involvement in my projects…though I am not a purist…machines definitely have a part to play in my shop and they can make difficult work so much easier.
I will post a bit more once I see how the joints turn out…thank you all for your interest and input so far.
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