Festool Domino (Cheating on the Blog)

it sure makes it look easy!!

(good creative thinking re: the photos). I check all the blogs and the projects, so, for me, this isn’t an issue.

-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

I loved my bisquit cutter when it first showed up and I’m thinking this looks like a great idea.

-- http://www.woodsongsfurniture.com

We’ll help you figure out the deal with the photos…

I’ve used a horizontal boring machine to do mortises before, but figured the only way I could do them at home was the good old fashioned way. (or perhaps going the beadlock route. Happy with what I’ve been able to do with the biscuit joiner, but I wouldn’t attempt a table with one…

Think my wife would let me justify the purchase for the Obi/Karson table challenge?

-- I am always doing what I cannot do yet, in order to learn how to do it. - Vincent Van Gogh -- http://snbcreative.wordpress.com/

Man… How much fun would one of those be? I don’t even want to think about it.

Maybe I can motivate myself to make and sell some projects with the “reward” being a Domino.

(Oh, and the answer is no, Scott, I don’t think she’d count that as justification…)

-- Ethan, http://www.merganserwoodworks.com, http://greystonegreen.blogspot.com/

If Mark can’t get his own M&M’s I’m not even going to ask for the Domino. Unless the tax return fairy is criminally good to us this year.

-- I am always doing what I cannot do yet, in order to learn how to do it. - Vincent Van Gogh -- http://snbcreative.wordpress.com/

Guys (generic term that includes the ladies), I’m telling you this thing is as easy to use as a biscuit joiner, and it is more appropriate than biscuits to use on a table.

I am currently working on a table for an exhibit of “green” building practices (I am getting photos). The only thing I could think of was, “Man, I have to do 8 mortise and tenons.” I have a Grizzly G0448 Floor Model Mortising Machine, and a WoodRat for cutting the tenons on. Two very sweet machines, and all I could think of was the Domino. I am thinking of going to the distributor and asking if I could use it again. It won’t be released until April 1 (No Foolin’).

This brings up a question of morality for me, am I cheating on the tools to which I am already betrothed? I’m turning into a mess over this.

-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com

I admit, it’s a dilemna for me. The Domino or the Lamello….me thinks the Domino

-- ICN, Bill, (http://www.beavercreekfitness.com)

Yeah over here in Australia they got this machine over a year ago, and it is the best tool to come around in a long time. It is the easiest thing to use and will make anything that you are building using mortise and tenon joinery a whole lot faster.

You might think that it is a biscut machine but it is far from that, and a lot better.

Just my 2 cents

-- Kaleo , http://www.kaleosworkshop.com

Think Domino.

By the way Kaleo. I was checking out your work – Nice.

-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com

Todd -

I can help you post “itty bitty” pictures.

That sure is a great tool. I have seen Marc use it on The Wood Whisperer. The most recent issue of Handyman Magazine features it and performs some tests. I understand the tool will be about $650. This tool will go on my ‘wish list’.

For anyone who uses mortise and tenon joinery this is the way to go. In my opinon, other revolutionary tools were the biscuit cutter and the router.

-- Fred Childs, Pasadena, CA - - - Law of the Workshop: Any tool, when dropped, will roll to the least accessible corner.

I second Kaleo’s remark. When this machine first hit the market, all we heard was how expensive it was. But as time progressed the people who had purchased them started ranting about how this tool revolutionized their work. Easy of use, speed and absolute accuracy were the features that stood out.

About six months ago, I spent an afternoon with a guy who owned one and watched him use the Dom in a number of situations. I gave it a try, and must say that I was very impressed. If more of my work was larger furniture pieces, I wouldn’t hesitate to buy one, but at over AU$1200, it’s a little difficult to justify, especially for making small boxes.

-- CanuckDon "I just love small wooden boxes!" http://www.canterburybaptist.org/

You could make BIG boxes Don, or at least ones with thick (nearly bulletproof) sides.

”Heres my latest box, Huon pine, 9×9 inches square, made out of 16/4 stock!... Holds one marble, or an engagement ring” ;)

-- I am always doing what I cannot do yet, in order to learn how to do it. - Vincent Van Gogh -- http://snbcreative.wordpress.com/

I think Imma stick to my hmemade router jig, and then plane down some 1/2” material to 3/8 and a roundover bit to make my own tenons inabling me to make as long or short or wide of tenons as I please.

When I get rich, Imma buy the Leigh Mortise/Tenon Thingy … there I go using the Thingy word again.

-- http://ye-olde-cabinet-shoppe.com/

It is definately on the wish list. Right behind a new bandsaw, flat panel sander, palm router, etc. Lol. I could go on for quite a while.

-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov

I want one and I don’t even build furniture!! Oh way—we have 2 garbage bins. I think they could have used the Domino. Yah… It’s on my wish list too.

-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

Nice tool Todd. I could definetly use one. mike

-- Mike. Profisher50@yahoo.com

Glad to see the pictures and write up about the Domino. It sounds great and hopefully will be in the budget soon. It would make life much easier than the processes I go through now for M&T joints.

-- Bill, Turlock California, http://www.brookswoodworks.com

It sounds a bit faster than my beadLock system, but for the price, I’ll have to stick with the beadLock system for a while. Thanks for the pictures and information.

-- Jesus is Lord!

I am very excited about this tool. I have other FesTools and am very impressed with them. Thanks for your insight. I’ll probably own one.
Ryan

-- Ryan Corrigan Sadieville, KY http://www.CelticCrossWood.com

I wonder where the break even point is. I would seem that it would pay for itself in a professional setting pretty quickly.

I would love to play with one, but do not think I could ever justify it. Given that I have never sold a thing. Everything I make has been given away.

-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov

Well Os has the right idea if you can not afford the Domino. I have been thinking of the beadlock for awhile, since I do make floating tenons at times. A Domino would be great, but there are other higher priority items for me right now.

-- Bill, Turlock California, http://www.brookswoodworks.com

Love the idea… The thing that sucks is I know a bit about Festool and they (at least one of the VPs and several other employees there) are religious bigots… (I don’t say such things lightly) so I am conflicted about owning one. I have been avoiding them for years but this looks like the kind of think I would love to have in my new shop.

Drew

-- Drew, Pleasant Grove, Utah

Wow.. religious bigots.. that’s two ugly words in a row. I know Jesus as my Lord and Savior, but I hate “religious” people. They tend to be more religious than spiritual. And bigots to boot… I know they’ll have to answer for that one.

Drew… to thine own self be true. If you buying their tools, is a conflict of spirit… don’t buy one.

-- http://ye-olde-cabinet-shoppe.com/

Click on this, Domino, to look at video demo.

-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1

Thanks for posting the link to the Domino, I just finished watching it. I will admit it is a pricey tool upfront, but after trying it out, I see the potential for it very quickly earn it’s keep.

I also understand that I work out of my shop on a more serious level than many. My budget is not necessarily bigger than the others, it’s just that I can’t afford to NOT buy tools that will make me money. I could have dramatically decreased my labor on the sofa table that I just completed.

-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com

I like the looks of the product as well, but will wait. I just bought a Leigh jig with the M&T attachment, so I will be trying that out first. I am expecting a large improvement over my current method of drill and chisel. If I can get mortises that look as good as Obi’s coffee table joints, then I will be happy (for now).

-- Bill, Turlock California, http://www.brookswoodworks.com

They’re having a Domino demonstration at my local Woodcraft sometime next month. I’m looking forward to seeing this thing in action.

-- JP, Shelbyville, KY

You guys won’t believe how easy it is to do joints. Imagine M&T joints as easy as a biscuit joint. It is amazing! And I fully trust the joint after using it. It is a money maker if you do any work out of the shop. If you can get a commission or two and just get this tool out of the job, you will never regret it.

-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com

I dont want to hijack the thread… I hate people who wear their religion on their sleeves so to speak… Posatively or negatively… I dont what to know who you like or don’t like when it comes to where you go on sunday or for that matter saturday morning. Show me what you believe by how you behave and if I am interested and impressed… Ill ask. When people walk in somewhere and because there are is a predominant religion in an area they ask if you are a whatever and then change their behaviour based on that it pisses me off. (I don’t ask nor do I offer what my beliefs are even at work to people I have known in that setting for years… Perhapse it is a German thing?) Aside from that I think the domino looks Dang good. I saw a demonstration on line somewhere and the thing I was really interested in is cutting the mortise with the domino and the tenon with a router. That looks interesting… I hate it when anyone creates anything where you have to use a proprietary consumable (Like HP Color Laser Printers). (BTW anyone know what the tennons cost for the Domino?)

Drew

-- Drew, Pleasant Grove, Utah

I did get prices on the domino tenons. They ranged in price from $ .26 to $ .52 each. Even at $.52 for the bigger ones, which would be used the most I figured, you can’t beat the speed. They are still a great deal.

I had a great opportunity to try it out on a real world project in my shop, and I am sold because of the great combination of speed, accuracy, and strength. I need this combination to make money.

-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com

Drew’s input aside (which I appreciate – and I agree, live by example…) It makes me think we should have invested a little in the company. Sure to get a huge bump in business now that they are selling in the USA… we’ll I missed that boat. I wonder if they’ll offer router bits so people can make their own dominoes as with the beadlock, but as Todd pointed out, with the speed they are offering, and the time they’re saving you, you’re making money with that thing.

I’d like to say I will be getting one… just not right now… I’d get a “real” lathe first, and a better tablesaw (one that didn’t cost me $70 brand new a few years ago)

-- I am always doing what I cannot do yet, in order to learn how to do it. - Vincent Van Gogh -- http://snbcreative.wordpress.com/

My own dilema with myself – would I feel like I’m not giving myself the chance to fully develop some of the fundamental skills of woodworking (i.e. mortise and tenon joinery) if I were to try and save/beg/steal/borrow to get the Domino?

With a little work, I could probably get one. With a little work, I could probably improve upon the cutting of my tenons and mortises.

Unlike Todd, I’m strictly a fun-loving hobbiest woodworker (who sells the occasional piece and still finds it hard to believe that people pay me to do what I love doing), so Time isn’t Money for me.

The more I practice and try my hand tool skills, the more I enjoy that connection I’m making with the wood.

But that’s the woodworking “mode” I’m in right now. I think if I were to ever take the up to more of a full-time (or at least income supplementing) level, I might have to re-evaluate my needs and buy something that so obviously increases your productivity.

I think right now my main need is to feel that connection with each piece I make.

-- Ethan, http://www.merganserwoodworks.com, http://greystonegreen.blogspot.com/

I do appreciate the point that Ethan is making. We all have something specific that we want to get out of woodworking, and knowing the basics of creating the joints is fundamental to developing craftsman level work.

I certainly do have a certain context in which I make my decisions for buying a tool, and not everyone buys in that context. I do hope that the information and various points of view will help others to make an informed decision.

I do want to make things faster, but not to the point where I will compromise the integrity of the product. I do feel that this is a valuable tool for my level of work, and I would be able to warranty my work with confidence.

-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com

I agree with you, Todd. We all have our own approaches to woodworking. That’s one of the things that makes this site so great!

And regardless of what I said in my last post… I’m still pretty dang jealous you got to give that Domino a spin! How’d you ever swing that, by the way?

-- Ethan, http://www.merganserwoodworks.com, http://greystonegreen.blogspot.com/

The local distributor was offering for the pro shops to test drive it for a day. I was in buying supplies and they suckered me in with, “Hey, have we got something neat to show you.” The great thing about it was that I didn’t just cut a couple of practice joints, I had a real life application to test it on. The tool pretty much sells itself.

-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com

I just read in the latest edition of American Woodworker they are offering three Domino’s for the top 3 woodworking tips submitted. Here is everyone’s chance to get a Domino for free. Page 16 has the details.

-- Bill, Turlock California, http://www.brookswoodworks.com

Wouldn’t a jig for a router work just as well for floating tenons? The cost would be less, wouldn’t it? Even with the beadLock system, if you route the holes, instead of drilling, the mortises the beadLock tenon material will work well, because the shape gives the glue somewhere to squeeze out. With my SuperShop I can use my drill press as an overhead router/ shaper. Maybe I’ll have to try it in this configuration to make mortises for floating tenons and see how it works. I could also use the horizontal boring configuration for this purpose, hum?

-- Jesus is Lord!

Nothing is as fast and accurate as this tool. The cost of cheaper up front is usually more expensive in the long run. In the case you are pointing out, it would be more costly time wise.

You would have to refer to my comments earlier, I have a certain context in which I buy tools, and that is as a professional trying to make money. So I do understand it would not be for everyone.

Something that you would be able to compare it to, is the purchase of your sander. It all of a sudden changes the way you work. You can work faster, and deal with materials that you never could before (difficult grain). You can now take on projects that you might have turned down before. The context in which you operate just changed. You have a different set of operating parameters. That is what the domino would do, is change the parameters for being able to make money.

Domino tenons sound expensive at $.52 @ for the biggest ones, which we would probably use the most. But, I can’t make them fast enough to justify doing it myself. The pattern on the domino tenon is also going to be superior to grabbing and holding compared to the smooth floating tenons that I make (think warranty issues).

A person would have to measure the return on investment and what they want to achieve, against the cost. I bought a $1,000 hollow chisel mortiser and a WoodRat with a router, another $1,000 for M&T production. I will still get the Domino, it’s that fast and good. By the way, I love my other two pieces of equipment just mentioned.

-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com