Initial impressions of the Domino

[drumpriest]

I got a domino for a project that I'm working on in which I'll cut something like 64 mortises. I have "played around" with it, and will give a proper review after the project is complete, and I've used it enough to give a real impression, but here are some initial thoughts.

-It's metric, while that alone isn't a problem, really, that combined with an otherwise english shop, makes for some annoying math requirements. I don't see this as a big long term issue, as I tend to cut certain sizes a lot, and once I've done the conversion, it's not a big deal, but an option would have been nice.

-DC on it while good, bugs me due to the Festool proprietary connector. Would it really be SO bad to admit that most people don't pay several hundred dollars for a shop vac?

-It works, it cuts mortises, which are nice, and it does so very quickly compared to other methods. I have the 5mm bit and an 8mm bit. The 5mm bit causes some vibration, and makes it somewhat difficult to hold the tool still enough to get a perfect mortise every time. It's manageable, but you have to be aware of the issue. Oddly I had no such troubles with the 8mm bit, could be bit flex??

I've made my own tenons, drum sanding down some stock to the appropriate thickness. Rounding it over to "close enough" of a correct radius. This seems to work fine, and is what I'll be doing until Festool at least releases tenons of different species.

I'll give a more comprehensive review after I've cut my 64 mortises....

[Jeffrey Schronce]

Been using Domino for about 6 months now along with the CT Mini DC. The Festool Domino is overpriced but it works like a champ. The CT Mini is over priced but works like a champ. I use the CT mini with my Bosch 1695 EVSK ROS and love it. I was using the Ridgid vac prior to tihis and the Festool is well above in DC. The MidiVac is not properiatry. It fits quite well in my Bosch ROS with vacumme attachment and does an excellent job. If fits into the Bosch router dc system very , very well.
I have beem more impressed by the Vac than the domino. The Domino is awesome tool. It is over priced. Shold be selling at aroud $400 with out the stupid plastic "systainer".

It does make really quick, accurate, strong joints. I have used the Domino to make joints that would have taken 10 x longer with tradtional M&t. These connectinos could not have performed with biscuits, PHJ, etc.

Its a slick set up. I think you need to be able to handel joinery well prior investing in one. You should have a pretty decent need for strong joiery that needs to be performed frqequetly.

Need any suggestions please let me know.

[drumpriest]

I agree about the domino, it's certainly overpriced. In the 400$ range would be much better. I am using the Bosch adapter VAC002, but if you have a better suggestion as to fitting a 1 1/4" hose to the domino, I'm all ears...

[Jeffrey Schronce]

I agree about the domino, it's certainly overpriced. In the 400$ range would be much better. I am using the Bosch adapter VAC002, but if you have a better suggestion as to fitting a 1 1/4" hose to the domino, I'm all ears...

I assume my bosch connection is the VAC002 as well. The hose fits snugly over the bosch connector.

I have noted that the slot width adjustment mechanism can vibrate enough to switch settings. I will likely need warranty repair for that.

[Tequila]

I've made my own tenons, drum sanding down some stock to the appropriate thickness. Rounding it over to "close enough" of a correct radius. This seems to work fine, and is what I'll be doing until Festool at least releases tenons of different species.

May I ask why you're waiting for different species? I'd think that with floating tenons, it wouldn't matter.

[Tarhead]

"until Festool at least releases tenons of different species."

Looks like they have mahogany tenons now:
http://www.festoolusa.com/pages.aspx?docid=667

This discussion features the "Tuffer Tenon", an alternative from from Cincinnati Dowel:
http://festoolownersgroup.com/index.php?topic=1451.0

How are you rounding over the edge of your homemade dominos? I bought a few beading and roundover router bits to use when I start running out of the OEM versions.

The dust collection outlet fits a Fein multifit adapter which fits my Fein vac hose and my old Shopvac hose also.

[drumpriest]

Joe, I don't like using a difference species of wood. It's a cross grain glue joint, and throw in differing expansion rates, I'm just paranoid.

Tarhead, thanks for the links and the info about the Fein adapter, I was going to try one next, so now I can just pick one up. I like the looks of the Tuffer Tenon, but you have to order 5000+, yikes!

As to how I'm rounding over the tenons, just a round over bit of slightly larger than needed, depending upon the tenon size. I'm mostly using 8mm, so I use a 3/8" round over, works great.

[Tarhead]

Larry,

The 8mm Tuffer Tenons are priced in 50, 780, 1000 and 5000 quantities. Randy from Cin. Dowel appears to be very flexible as to the species, length, etc.

One thing to think about with home made tenons is the potential for an air/glue pocket (hydrolock) or a glue starved joint to exist if no outlet or grooves are machined into the tenon or the tenon is to tight in the mortise.

Here's another excellent Domino resource I stumbled on:
http://web.hypersurf.com/~charlie2/D...OfContent.html

There is a very good section on matching tenons to stock and setting up the Domino for flush joints and offset joints. He definitely has too much time on his hands .

Mark

[siliconbauhaus]

I just think it's funny that you pay $700 for a tool and then have to pay out another $200+ for the tenons.

I like the festool stuff but I just cant justify the pricing