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Post by MrToolJunkie on Feb 21, 2014 23:29:43 GMT -5
I am wondering for heavier furniture applications (large tables, beds, etc...) would the DD40 with 12mm or 16mm dowels be better than a Domino XL for strength and speed? I have the smaller Domino, which I like a lot, but the DD40 seems to be a really useful tool for joinery as well. Curious to hear what people think for this type of application. I think that the XL is a nice tool, well engineered but might be overkill for the type of application I have in mind. Of course, I might be building some doors at some point and the XL seems made for that task as well.
Thanks!
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Post by 7 on Feb 22, 2014 0:17:43 GMT -5
I wrestle with the same question. I don't own either tool, just a porter cable biscuit joiner. I was leaning towards the DD40 a couple weeks ago & almost ordered one. I now lean towards the Domino XL. I don't know what magic piece of information is going to come along to help me decide. Hopefully the comments people post here in your thread. Sorry I am no help on this one. I am in your same boat.
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Post by MrToolJunkie on Feb 22, 2014 0:37:44 GMT -5
The easy answer would be to get both, no doubt ! I wonder if anyone here has both tools and can weigh in.
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Post by jalvis on Feb 22, 2014 0:58:51 GMT -5
Get both!
Ok….that doesn't help but its kinda true. Like most things you will gain in one area and loose in another. Better to say "which should I get first." Then you will make a clearer evaluation based on current work and near future. Meet your current production needs and expand from that starting point.
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Post by nucone on Feb 22, 2014 10:42:49 GMT -5
Scot, I think Jalvis hit the nail on the head and that is exactly what I did. The decision will be based on the specifics of your projects. I have had the Domino 500 for years and it has been excellent. Within the past 30 days I purchased the Domino 700 specifically for a bed project. My design demands larger and deeper mortises than the 500 would perform. While the DD40 would have done some of the joints just fine, it was useless for joinery in narrow slats so that drove my decision. I am sure some will disagree but, my viewpoint is that the DD40 seems better suited for cabinetry and casework while the Domino seems better suited for furniture joinery. That said, I am sure I will end up getting the DD40 and rail for my next cabinet project primarily to drill system holes. It just seems to be the faster option than my current method of using the LR32 system.
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Post by MrToolJunkie on Feb 22, 2014 11:55:29 GMT -5
Thanks, Nucone...that has been the direction I have been leaning toward. Just was not sure how big the 16mm dowels would be and if that would be enough. The DD40 does seem to excel at certain types of joining and line boring, as you mention, seems like one of them. I like the LR32 too, but if you already have an assembled case, the DD40 would allow you to put holes in a more confined space.
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Post by wrightwoodwork on Feb 22, 2014 13:18:35 GMT -5
I don't think there is a right answer to this both are excellent tools I mind being at a trade show a couple of years ago and mafell was there demoing and people asking the guys showing the tools which to get and being told both.
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Post by joinercp on Feb 22, 2014 16:34:50 GMT -5
Dowels require greater accuracy when machining than Domino's. Any slight misalignment when dowelling and the joint is a failure. However dowels are cheap to buy and you will not be held to ransom by festool.
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Post by GhostFist on Feb 22, 2014 17:11:14 GMT -5
The beauty of the dd40 is that alignment is easy and fast. Works off the same principle as a domino joiner or a biscuit joiner.
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Post by jalvis on Feb 23, 2014 0:52:00 GMT -5
The DD40 provides plenty strong joints for cabinet doors. I've built some very large and heavy doors with glass panels measuring 24" x 42." Thats a lot of weight in glass and each door required 4 euro hinges. I used larger 1/2" dowels without a second thought. I think the Domino 700 is better suited for Gates and Passage doors. If those two items(or like sized items) are not commonly built in your shop I would get the DD40 first. Think about a 16mm x 80mm dowel and depending on the application you could have a second set in the same joint. Thats really impressive! I'm also more likely to build case work which means I can drill shelf pins with a small portable kit. Think about the projects you completed in the last year and pick the machine that best accommodates those situations
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Post by GhostFist on Feb 23, 2014 1:06:38 GMT -5
Ya it's kinda a "what do you make more?" Question. There is some overlap in performance between both machines and they both have their individual strengths and weaknesses. Neither machine is a poor product but they are both pricey.
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Post by 7 on Feb 23, 2014 1:11:10 GMT -5
I like the idea of being able to make dominos out of scrap hardwood from shop waste, would be quick and could get really wide floating tenons if wanted. I guess you could do the same with the DD40 if it is possible to run it with only one of the bits in it… is that possible? Or just a weird idea anyway?
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Post by wrightwoodwork on Feb 23, 2014 4:23:41 GMT -5
The dd40 can be used with a single drill bit. If making homemade loose tenons. Remember the rule of thumb is the tenon width should be no more than 5 times
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Post by MrToolJunkie on Feb 23, 2014 11:31:21 GMT -5
The dd40 can be used with a single drill bit. If making homemade loose tenons. Remember the rule of thumb is the tenon width should be no more than 5 times Interesting -- so you basically are drilling holes and moving the machine to "drill" out the mortise. Certainly not as fast as a Domino, but could still get you there in certain applications accurately.
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Post by wrightwoodwork on Feb 23, 2014 11:46:53 GMT -5
It's ok doing on an occasional basis but if doing a lot then the domino is way forward I have used a single drill bit in the past when I only wanted a single dowel hole and the next hole would be showing where I don't want it
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