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03-29-2015 02:06 AM
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Topic tags/keywords:
festool
domino xl
Talk me off the ledge – I’ve just stepped into the world of Green and Black.
I have been woodworking for about 2.5 years now, and am getting comfortable enough with the furniture build process to tackle most basic types of pieces. I use sketchup to design / modify designs, then build starting with rough lumber. At this point I have a fairly complete home shop.
I’ve done several pieces with traditional mortise and tenon joinery. While I enjoy the process of making M&T with my router and tablesaw, my upcoming project list had me a little wary of the sheer volume of joints.
I’m currently working on some built-in bookshelves for my daughters room. Next up is a large outdoor table and seating for the patio. After that (if I’m still upright) is a dining table.
After watching several videos, reading articles and forum posts, I caved and bought the Domino XL. I also bought the adapter from Seneca woodworking to be able to use the Domino 500 bits.
My rationale is this: I have a hectic full time job and don’t get as much shop time as I would like. My primary customer (i.e. Wife) has a demanding time schedule. I truly enjoy all phases of the build… Well maybe not sanding. And I enjoy completing projects. I have a project list a mile long which continues to grow as my skills improve.
The Domino will reportedly allow me to save a ton of time with joinery. I enjoy handcutting dovetails, and have enjoyed traditional M&T. But not sure I enjoy it enough to do the traditional joint 150 times in the upcoming projects. So now I’ve purchased what will be the second most expensive tool in my shop, after my tablesaw… and it only makes mortises for loose tenons. Am I crazy?
-- Follow me on Instagram @endgrainy
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31 replies so far
#1 posted 03-29-2015 02:21 AM
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#2 posted 03-29-2015 02:21 AM
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I don’t think so. I personally like doing MT joinery, that satisfying feeling when it just “fits” right. But they are time consuming for me at times. I’d love a domino if i could afford and justify it!
Then again, I DO have a tenon saw and cutting them by hand sure is fun.
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#3 posted 03-29-2015 02:31 AM
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I think that’s where I’m torn. I do like joinery, and if I had the time to hand cut everything, I could get into that.
But that’s not where I am right now. I have a house to furnish, and I’m sold on the Schwarz concept of Anarchy – in the sense that I’m not buying anything else from Ikea if I can help it. I could do three projects a year with traditional methods, or 5 projects a year with “shortcuts” like the Domino.
-- Follow me on Instagram @endgrainy
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#4 posted 03-29-2015 02:33 AM
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Lateralus – I noticed you are one lumberjocks day older than me.
-- Follow me on Instagram @endgrainy
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#5 posted 03-29-2015 02:52 AM
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You’re not crazy. We’re all just jealous…
The domino is a tool that I think is perfectly justifiable in your situation. I don’t blame you a bit. I bet I’ll get one down the line, but first comes the 16”parallelogram helical head jointer and a 25” helical head planer.
-- The Wood Is Your Oyster
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#6 posted 03-29-2015 02:57 AM
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You may be crazy, but you have company. I am pulling the trigger on the Domino DF500, the smaller model, before the price increase on 4/1. I guess I’m 2/3 crazy, and not full crazy like you…
Since your focus is larger furniture, the XL should be a great fit. I am tending toward uses for smaller projects (at least for now).
I took my first sip of the green koolaid awhile back with the Festool track saw. Delicious!
-- Lee
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#7 posted 03-29-2015 03:00 AM
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TimberMagic – Haha yes, that upcoming price increase was the lit fuse that pushed me over. It’s my first Festool tool. Fes tool?
The WoodenOyster – 16 inch jointer? Now I’m jealous.
-- Follow me on Instagram @endgrainy
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#8 posted 03-29-2015 05:11 AM
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Do you realize that you also need a dust extractor for the Domino to work properly?
Far too often I see Domino owners using Dominoes where they are really not needed or there are other/better ways to accomplish the task at hand. Keep in mind that in the Fine WoodWorking joint test, the Domino was about 10% stronger than a biscuit, and a simple pocket screw was about 10% stronger than the Domino. Floating mortise and tenon – over twice as strong as a Domino http://www.finewoodworking.com/how-to/video/joint-strength-test.aspx
That is a lot of money to be tied up in a single tool, but if it works for you – go for it. I am still happy using my biscuit jointer – but its a Lamello ;) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aVgquxrgnY
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#9 posted 03-29-2015 10:29 AM
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I don’t have a Domino but I have read some guys use it to make a mortise by doing adjacent cuts and make their own floating tenons.
I was really surprise to see that pinning a M/T joint actually weakened it.
-- Everything is a prototype thats why its one of a kind!!
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#10 posted 03-29-2015 01:40 PM
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Thanks for the reply John_H. I was planning to use my shop vac for DC on the domino. I’ve read others have done the same. I didn’t purchase the Festool dust extractor, at least not yet. Hopefully I can get by without it.
I read that Fine Woodworking test as well. That test involved the older Domino. I am assuming with the larger tenons available on the new one that the joints will be stronger. Although I have no data to back that up. Recently, FWW released a video review of the Domino XL:
http://www.finewoodworking.com/tool-guide/video/domino-system-makes-joinery-fast-and-easy.aspx
Rwe2156 – that’s a good idea. I’ll see how the stock dominos work and try to figure out how easy it is to create a reliably reproducible home-made floating tenon.
-- Follow me on Instagram @endgrainy
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#11 posted 03-29-2015 03:33 PM
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You’re not crazy if what you get back from the purchase exceeds what you had to give to make the purchase. That’s called value.
I hope you get back from the purchase more than what you had to give.
-- I'm selfless because it feels so good!
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#12 posted 03-29-2015 03:34 PM
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Congratulations endgrainy enjoy your new Festoy.
If you don’t like it you can return it for any reason within 30 days of purchase and their customer service is second to none.
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#13 posted 03-29-2015 04:55 PM
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endgrainy,
I use my shop vac on the Festool track saw, and it works great. I plan to do the same for my Domino. Once I get a Festool sander, then I’ll spring for a Festool DC. I bought my track saw about a month after getting a Laguna 2HP dust collector, and just could not bring myself to then buy another “vacuum”, and one that cost over $500 (at least right away!).
By the way, I bought a Bosch VAC005 hose (non anti-static) from Amazon for ~$35, and the port fits the track saw perfectly, so it should be fine for the Domino.. The other end is standard (I use that term loosely) 2-1/4” fitting for shop vacs. It is 5m long.
-- Lee
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#14 posted 03-29-2015 06:37 PM
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You’re not crazy. I’ve had the 500 for several year and it’s great. There are thousands a upon thousand of Dominoes in use out there by both professional and hobbyist.
If there were really any strength problem of any concern it would be plaster all over the woodworking forums. I can’t remember ever running across where anyone said they had a joint failure.
This site could be a valuable source for you.
http://festoolownersgroup.com/index.php
-- Alaskan's for Global warming!
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#15 posted 03-29-2015 06:51 PM
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I hate the domino and love it all the same…...
-- I don't think I'm ever more "aware" than I am right after I hit my thumb with a hammer. Questions about solid surface? Just ask. http://www.swiiitch.portfoliobox.net
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