Festool 574447 XL DF 700 Domino Joiner Set

I have quite a few Festool tools: large router, large circular saw, this Domino joiner, sander, vacuum, guide rails, clamps, etc.) Some have design shortcomings ( notably the router, which I would not buy again. ) All the tools I have are high quality (and all are expensive), but this one stands out as superb. It is not doing an easy task, making deep precise oblong holes in hardwood, but it makes those mortises with astonishing ease and precision. It does softwood too, but that is less of a challenge.I debated a long time between the larger and smaller Domino but bought the larger one. I would still buy the larger tool, though I have never used the smaller one so you should read reviews of people who have. But it is crucial to hold the Domino tool fixed; the mortise will be too small if the bit side-to-side churn deep in a hardwood hole moves the machine at all. The big, sturdy Domino holds its ground (there is no provision for clamping it; it is more like a biscuit joiner in that way) , but the handles and balance are absolutely perfect. I am 69 and have had hand surgeries so I worried I could not handle such a large machine, but have absolutely no trouble. In fact, it might be easier than a small machine provided you can clamp your work firmly. It has been awesome in every case so far, but when I use the 8mm cutter on thinner wood it needed a trick to get the depth right ( how far below the reference surface the mortise gets cut. ) The minimum depth setting is 10mm, and you can't physically go below that, so I had to use a shim on top of the workpiece to get a shallower depth.You have to separately buy different size cutters, and I bought bulk tenon stock and cut the lengths I need.I could not have considered affording this beast for the first 60 years of my life, but it is a heck of a tool. It rather encourages overkill I suspect :).

It took me a while, but I finally pulled the trigger on getting a Festool Domino. I went back and forth on the 500 vs the 700 and finally decided on the XL 700. Most my work is in the mid-size range of home furnishings. But lately, i have had some larger custom work for doors and dining sets and having the option to go as small as 8 mm and as large as 14 mm when needed is great. The 8mm domino is as small as I need to go for most of our work. The weight of the 700 is not so much heavier than my old biscuit joiner (that I has since set on the back of a shelf). One thing to keep in mind is that you should connect the domino to a vac system (preferably a festool dust extractor) for best results. All that material that gets removed by the rotating bit, needs to get pulled out of the hole immediately. Thinking of buying the connectors now to save time for piece I need to ship disassembled as I currently use threaded wood inserts with furniture bolts. I am very pleased with the quality and performance of the product and now understand why they charge what they do. I would recommend that you also buy the a domi-shim from Seneca Woodworking if you work with imperial measure stock often.

Great tool. Easy to use. Expensive and price controlled, but worth it. Do not buy the "Systainer", just get the domino sticks and cut them to length as needed. I just built a set of chairs with this. You just better get used to the Metric system!

Fit and finish are terrific (as expected). Depth adjustments for the dominos are very easy. Adjusting the fence is also very easy. The motor is plenty powerful for boring even the largest dominos into hardwood at a nice steady pace. The dust pickup is incredible - I've bored about a dozen holes so far to get used to the machine and make a sample block of the various size dominos and I haven't seen any chips on the floor. The ability to make tight or loose tenons is really cool and very easy. Changing bits is really easy with the spindle lock. The front handle is very comfortable and puts your hand in a strong controlling location. Nice long detachable cord too! Festools engineers don't seem to have overlooked anything on this machine.As a home hobbyist, I think that this machine opens up a vast array of projects that people can make (and make better/stronger) that were otherwise a) tricky; b) difficult; or c) out-of-the-question without hand made mortise and tenon joints.Dream bigger and stronger folks!P.S. Get the 500 also for joining boards or when you need smaller tenons and you'll have the full arsenal.

I just received the product. Seems built very solid and with the Seneca adapter kit, I expect it to come in really handy making frames for dry erase boards, picture frames as well as furniture. Looking to build a coffee table, book case and some other projects.What concerns me is the item arrives without a box and I notice in unboxing videos the units arrive with a tag attached as well as blue cellophane wrap on the bottom of the unit to prevent scratching I sent the first item back because it looked used, Amazon (ships and sold by Amazon) just sent a second unit and same thing. No tags, no box and the cellophane protective wrap is not on it. Is Amazon passing off used/ refurbished tools as new? I am going to check it out at a local store and see if the ones sold at a local restore do. If so, Amazon is getting this sent back again.

Just wish festool would come off that price a bit. Amazing quality though!!!