Festool Domino DF 500 / Is it Really Worth IT! $$$

In this episode Jeff demonstrates how to use the Festool Domino DF 500. We hope that seeing this tool in action will help you decide whether it’s worth the investment to have this tool in your shop.
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[@darthbleh5523]

As a home gamer I bought a domino. It’s a total luxury tool for what I do with no regrets. I only have so much time to spend in the shop and being able to cut joinery quickly and accurately is amazing.

[@TodaysCraftsmen]

Great points!

[@coreytighe8605]

Definitely a game changer to have in the shop. Having both of them in my shop is nice. Makes furniture assembly so much faster. For cabinets I’ll stick to my Lamello or Dewalt biscuit joiner.

[@TodaysCraftsmen]

Agreed!

[@jocmarti]

I bought a used one and thought they were cheap crap. Didn’t cut well, dominos were way too tight, machine jumped all around, and my dominos were all too long. Never used it beyond a few test cuts and started talking with a friend who loved his. After some troubleshooting I learned the tip of my bit had broken off. Bought a new bit and now I understand the praise.

[@TodaysCraftsmen]

Oh man, hard lesson!

[@timzeller1541]

Thank y'all for this presentation! I'm debating on when to purchase these tools. Please keep up the great work in your shop as well teaching others/us how to keep this industry alive!!

[@TodaysCraftsmen]

Thank you! Will do!

[@abad_gtr1123]

perfect timing on this vid...i just got the DF500 a few weeks ago. i haven't even used it yet...but been watching videos trying to learn since i find it easier than reading the manual =)

[@TodaysCraftsmen]

Glad we could help! Good luck with the domino. If you have any questions don’t hesitate to reach out.

[@tomim7187]

Have both units and find them a great time saver and problem solver. For a professional shop they can be a great money maker.

[@TodaysCraftsmen]

Absolutely. Agreed!

[@andrewbrown8148]

Nice video~! I picked up a DF 500 last year for my shop and am anxious to use it. Thinking about switching out the ramp for the fence adjustment from Metric to SAE. Not necessarily necessary...just because. 😀

[@TodaysCraftsmen]

It certainly can’t hurt!

[@jimrosson6702]

I thinks it’s a great tool if you do a lot of big projects or jobs like you guys do. Great video thanks for sharing.

[@TodaysCraftsmen]

Thanks for watching!

[@troyqueen9503]

Great tool ,use it for so many applications.👍🏝️🇨🇦

[@TodaysCraftsmen]

Yes indeed!

[@Trillineatus]

Great tool, awesome. I dont want to be dependable of festool by buying these expensive wooden dominoes. I do get it if your a pro that need to have real fast and strong connections, i think it is a bit stronger then just some dowels. But for most people a good dowel jig will come a long way.

[@TodaysCraftsmen]

You can also make your own dominos. We’ve done it!

[@danyodice1048]

Cool thing but super expensive. You guys need that since woodworking is your livelihood but most weekend warriors aren't adding that to the shop....still a great video...🤘🤘🤘

[@TodaysCraftsmen]

I think you’d be surprised how many hobby guys have one! Pricey but you can make more out of the little time you have if you only have the weekend!

[@matthewsutter7335]

Something tells me you weren't supposed to change the height adjustment

[@TodaysCraftsmen]

🤣🤣🤣 You can’t make this stuff up!

[@vernsteinbrecker3759]

Great video

[@TodaysCraftsmen]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@MESTER47]

Me coming from Europe I use the metric system because for carpentry just works much better for me, what about you? Seeing your measuring tape on your apron I just asked myself that.

[@TodaysCraftsmen]

We use imperial for the most part. With the edgebander we measure our materials in millimeters. We also use the 32mm system so we get into some metric there.

[@gowenrv3762]

Hmmmm sort of above my money LOL... but looks like a great tool.

[@TodaysCraftsmen]

Super handy to have around!

[@pslnuke]

What's the pro's and con's of Domino vs. Biscuit other than the cost?

[@TodaysCraftsmen]

The Domino has much more ability to be structural vs the biscuit which is largely for alignment. Also the domino is more narrow whereas even a #0 biscuit needs at least 2” of width to fit

[@mainewoods1862]

I have had a biscuit joiner for 2 decades. I have 2 actually. One is set for a specific application and never gets adjusted. I purchased a domino in 2023. I do enough volume to warrant the expense , though I had long resisted doing so for no good reason. I wish I had done it sooner, my stubbornness cost me quite a bit of time 😢. This is a buy once cry once.

[@TodaysCraftsmen]

It’s definitely a great tool to have at your disposal!

[@michaelpavia7964]

It's a great tool, but if you hav a drill press, you can buy a mortising bit and make the m& t joints that way. It's a lot cheaper. Not as fast- but you'll save $1800. For a production shop - the domino makes sense.

[@TodaysCraftsmen]

Going to be tricky to do the ends of long boards! Not a necessity but it’s effective.

[@oliver299d]

I don't use one or have any desire to buy one, I have a slot mortiser that gives me more versatility than a domino and is more accurate than one, I know a lot of people swear by them, I am not one of them

[@TodaysCraftsmen]

Slot mortiser is nice but the domino you can take the the work not taking the work to the tool. Which can be handy in some situations! Ideal situation is to have both!

[@oliver299d]

@@TodaysCraftsmen I have a lamello that works in the situations that I need to work the other way, I have used the domino, just not a big fan, of it. I know most people are, and I am in the minority

[@TodaysCraftsmen]

We use the Lamello way more often. It’s like anything. Good when you need it.

[@oliver299d]

@@TodaysCraftsmen yes it is, I put all my cabinets together with my lamello, It's extremely strong, and I like the fact that the client doesn't see screws all over the place.

[@TodaysCraftsmen]

Really? Are you cutting the slots with CNC or by hand?

[@rickculpepper709]

Yeah….think it’s worth the money.

[@TodaysCraftsmen]

Agreed! Great to have when you need it n

[@eatdrinkwineguy]

I think it’s worth the money. For speed and ease of use it’s worth the investment. If you just want to slowly make hand cut joinery then maybe not but I love mine. I only wish they would make the 2nd widest setting a little narrower. Once you get the hang of it you only need a sliver if adjustability usually.

[@TodaysCraftsmen]

Great points, Myles!

[@AB-nu5we]

@darthbleh5523 That's exactly why I purchased my XL. I don't have the time to fuss with joint mess-ups with my other work taking priority. The same reasoning applies to the purchase of my other Festool tools. Things go together right the first time. And yes, I started with way less expensive tools and worked my way up to Festool.

[@TodaysCraftsmen]

Festool gets a bad rap because of the price but it’s pretty much always a safe bet.