Very self-serving forum topic as I just splurged on the 500. Thought a forum to share info and resources related to the Domino would be helpful to more folks than just me (please no arguments on the cost or necessity 🤫).
I'll start with a link to a video that I found to be very helpful in reviewing basic features. I liked the review of all the adjustments and also the demonstration (with some corrected errors) of applications.
I have a large Ridgid with a Dust Deputy that I use for around the shop since it is on a stand with wheels (have a bigger system for my tablesaw and drum sander). (And, yes I know Festool has a great vacuum but not in the budget so hoping this will work out)
Will it required an adapter to hook the shop vac to the Festool? European tools often have metric sized hoses and connectors that are not compatible with the standard shop vac hoses.
--Nathan, TX. Hire the lazy man. He may not do as much work but that's because he will find a better way.
Nathan - good question! I haven't had it out yet (still sitting in my living room). I do have an "adapter" kit from Rockler that has a variety of fittings, yet I still often resort to painters tape when all I can find is "close."
I imagine an industry meeting..."what if we all used universal openings for dust collection?"...and then everyone laughs and laughs 🙄
I’d say start by reading the instructions, for real. There’s some great info in there especially about settings on the machine. There’s a setting that allows you to widen the mortise when cut (thickness stays the same as the loose tenon, but the slot is wider side to side). Several settings actually. If you use the tightest setting, the loose tenon will fit snugly in all directions. This is great for alignment as it insures that specific mortise lines up right where you want it. For additional mortises you’re cutting in, I’d suggest you back that setting off by one spot. This will make the tenon loose (left to right) which means if you’re slightly off with where you cut the mortise, it isn’t a big deal. If you use the tightest setting for all the mortises along the piece, and one is off by just a little, you’ll have a hell of a time getting the joint to go together cleanly.
That leads me to another hint, when you drawing alignment marks on the two pieces you’re going to joint, use a square to draw/clean up the lines. The sight gauge on the domino uses a thin, black alignment mark. If your pencil marks aren’t straight (and perpendicular to the edge) it’s harder to get the domino to line up properly. When using the tightest tenon width setting, this could end up being a problem. Again, not as much of an issue with the wider settings…
I think my biggest takeaway is that the domino will give you precise joints…if you take time to be sure everything is square and clean, and you’ve done a precise job setting you’re alignment marks. Of course, you can always make everything a bit sloppy, then align the joint manually during the glue up, but mine don’t always come out well that way!
It’s an easy tool to use, and an easy tool to use well!
Ryan/// ~sigh~ I blew up another bowl. Moke told me "I made the inside bigger than the outside".
I use my shop vac with that same Rockler hose and adapters, works perfect. The Rockler hose that came with my set is very heavy-duty (and heavy), but the shop vac that I have set up with a dust deputy and 5-gallon bucket are the go-to for the smaller tools like the sander and domino, router, biscuit joiner, etc. are better served with the high velocity flow from the vac as opposed to the DC system.
RyanGi- oh, I'll for sure read the manual! I'm too new to all this to try to figure it out on my own.
In the video, he notes that on the 500, the tool must be on when changing the width. Sort of neat to be able to adjust that (he gave examples of when different settings might be helpful).
Hoping the connection to my shop vac setup is simple. Splintergroup, you have me hopeful that I'll actually have the right fittings.
I hate the hose on that Rockler kit. Even with just a standard shop vac it wants to pull you or the vac across the shop. I haven't tried it yet but I am sure it is unusable with my Supercell DC. The new kit they have has a rigid hose that should not compress.
--Nathan, TX. Hire the lazy man. He may not do as much work but that's because he will find a better way.
barb when i pulled mine out i realized when i bought my gauge they accidently sent me two ! if youd like it just send me your address and ill mail it to you. i promise i wont stalk you. ive only stalked splint ! 😈 or maybe i still do ? 😏
working with my hands is a joy,it gives me a sense of fulfillment,somthing so many seek and so few find.-SAM MALOOF.
Hey buddy, I have google earth locations of your casa. While you stalk, I track and watch what you are doing at any moment! 👁🤠
I use my 500 kinda rarely enough that every time I need to do some work I need to re-read the manual to get reaquanted. Mostly it is getting the fence centered for thickness and compensating for the bit diameter, etc.
Glad to help. It's such a valuable resource, I'm surprised they don't promote it more. It's buried pretty deep in their knowledge base.
Another good source is Sedge, one of the Festool trainers and host of Festool Live every Friday. He's a bit of a nut, but his video on the four essential domino joints is one that I recommend to all Domino owners. I can say that everyone who has come to me complaining that their Domino is inaccurate or difficult to use has turned out to be using it wrong. Sedge shows how to do it right.
Half of what we read or hear about finishing is right. We just don’t know which half! — Bob Flexner
