domino sizes

[marcros]

I am planning on getting a domino in the next week- the smaller size.

I plan to use it for some face frames on a couple of projects, so it makes sense to get the kit that includes the trim stop and cross stops, unless anybody knows differently?

I am in two minds whether to get the systainer full of dominos. I assume that the domino used should be about a third of the thickness of the timber used- like a traditional tenon would be.

how quickly do the cutters wear? There is a saving over buying all of the constituent parts, but i wonder whether they would just sit on my shelf forever more- perhaps the common size used, but not the rest. I would expect that most of my projects will be 1/2, 3/4 or 1" timber/sheet so 4, 6, and 8mm cutters and dominos. If I use the 5 and 10mm cutter, i doubt that i would need to replace it quickly.

Any thoughts?

 

[Giff]

I am not sure the systainer is worth getting. Quite quickly I found which sizes I used most and I have a lot of unused sizes in the case. I think the cutters last forever ! It's worth remembering though that the different sizes are different lengths so although the 4mm is really useful for some things they are only very short. If you are making a lot of 12mm or 18mm frames the Domiplate is very good. http://www.senecawoodworking.com/produc ... nd-3-4-ply you use the Domino upside down but it is very accurate and much more stable. They do ship quickly from the US.

 

[No skills]

I remember reading that if you wanted a range of cutters then it works out well to get the sets with dominos and cutters.

What made you pick the 500 over the 700?

 

[marcros]

I only want it for furniture sized projects. The 700 seems to be more suited for larger projects and less so for furniture.

There seem to be a fair few people with both, suggesting there isn't much overlap.

 

[shed9]

I only want it for furniture sized projects. The 700 seems to be more suited for larger projects and less so for furniture.

There seem to be a fair few people with both, suggesting there isn't much overlap.

You could get a 700 and one of these

http://www.senecawoodworking.com/blogs/ ... mino-df700

 

[marcros]

I am not sure the systainer is worth getting. Quite quickly I found which sizes I used most and I have a lot of unused sizes in the case. I think the cutters last forever ! It's worth remembering though that the different sizes are different lengths so although the 4mm is really useful for some things they are only very short. If you are making a lot of 12mm or 18mm frames the Domiplate is very good. http://www.senecawoodworking.com/produc ... nd-3-4-ply you use the Domino upside down but it is very accurate and much more stable. They do ship quickly from the US.

Looks good. I couldn't justify it really though. Yet!

Does the standard kit come with one set of cutters but no spares?

 

[No skills]

Fair enough, I will probably get the 700 with the adaptor should I need something smaller.

 

[petermillard]

I think the standard kit comes with just a 5mm cutter - I know mine did. OTOH, I'm still using that cutter many years later, so they last pretty well! I did buy a spare, just to have one in case it broke mid-project, but the original is still going strong.

I'll also second the recommendation for the domi-plate, if you're working a lot in 12 and 18mm material; made a huge difference to the accuracy of my Domino.

HTH Pete

 

[marcros]

I only want it for furniture sized projects. The 700 seems to be more suited for larger projects and less so for furniture.

There seem to be a fair few people with both, suggesting there isn't much overlap.

You could get a 700 and one of these

http://www.senecawoodworking.com/blogs/ ... mino-df700

edit, pipper just noticed the link up there, I'll get me coat.

Thanks- I hadn't sent that adaptor.

 

[RogerS]

What's this 'drift' that he talks about in the video?

 

[petermillard]

What's this 'drift' that he talks about in the video?

The domino fence wasn't/isn't the most rugged, especially the locking mechanism to set the height, so over a long run of mortices you could find the height setting 'drifting' from what it was set to, particularly if you were a bit heavy-handed. By-passing the fence and using the domiplate has totally sorted this out for me.

HTH Pete

 

[RogerS]

Thanks Pete...that explains why it isn't performing as well for me as it is cracked up to be.

 

[chippy1970]

I made my own domiplate from a scrap of phenolic plastic I had. I didn't bother making it for 12mm only 18mm material. Very easy to make with a router.

 

[RogerS]

I bought a set of the original aluminium narrow stock spacers. Well worth getting IMO.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Narrow-Stock-Sp ... 4172fd276e

 

[Giff]

Roger those spacers look good…..are you using them on the older Domino 500 with pins ? I may ask them if they do them for the new ones…wish I had the pin version though..

 

[Giff]

I have the 700 and 500. I thought the 700 first as I was renovating an old house making windows and doors at the time…… but about a year later for smaller stuff and furniture I decided to get the 500 as well.The 700 is a large machine for delicate thinner stock face frames etc.

 

[RogerS]

Roger those spacers look good…..are you using them on the older Domino 500 with pins ? I may ask them if they do them for the new ones…wish I had the pin version though..

Yes, my Domino is a 'real' one :wink: I don't believe that they are available for the newer ones. IIRC there was mention of this on the ebay link I gave.

 

[mailee]

Apparently you can use 1/2" plastic tube cut to length wnd a slot cut in it to limit the amount of forward travel. it just clips around the plunge rod. I read it somewhere! :?

 

[custard]

Apparently you can use 1/2" plastic tube cut to length wnd a slot cut in it to limit the amount of forward travel. it just clips around the plunge rod. I read it somewhere! :?

I've posted that tip before, I read it on one of the US websites, B&Q stock a 12mm plastic pipe that fits!

Anyone getting a Domino should print out the "Supplemental Manual", which really explains how to use the machine to its full potential

http://www.festoolusa.com/media/pdf/domino_df_500.pdf

Festool make terrific tools...but their instruction manuals leave a lot to be desired!

One final point, you absolutely must calibrate the centre line in the little plastic window, it is not calibrated at the factory. Full details on how to do it are in the Supplemental Manual.

 

[wcndave]

I bought the 500 with the dominoes systainer and the narrow piece stop.

Over the years I have used all sizes for various projects and it takes a lot of projects to justify the cost!

The domino set sizes means you get lots of small ones and less larger, so although I have mainly used one size I don't regret getting the case.

IIRC I got the pair on a bundle deal.

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