Many existing Domino owners have been aware for some time of the new DOMINO XL DF-700 machine becoming available, and now it's here!

New DOMINO XL DF-700

We've had an opportunity to spend some practical time with the new domino system and are writing a detailed review of the new machine and all it's accessories, but thought we would jot down and few key facts and findings about the XL machine DF-700.

Key:
DF-500 = 'standard' DOMINO machine.
DF-700 = new Xtra-Large DOMINO machine.

Does the DF-700 replace the current DOMINO DF-500 machine?

We have been asked this ever since the DF-700 was announced. The answer is no. The DF-700 is clearly intended for large projects as its primary purpose. While the current DF-500 is the all-rounder of the pair. Both machines will co-exist and many accessories and consumables are shared between them.

What size dominos and cutters does the DF-700 use?

8mm through to 14mm diameter cutters. And with a plunge depth of 70mm you can use domino's up to 140mm in length.

For what projects is the DF-700 best suited?

Large ones!

The DF-500 is suited for everything from small furniture and display boxes, through to medium size and large furniture - covering most users needs quite nicely. The DF-700 is not really suitable for small projects, but great for medium size projects and excellent for large to very large projects. Especially architectural projects.

Some examples include:

• Large slab and recycled timber chunky furniture and tables.
• Doors and windows.
• Architectural timber arches, timber bars, mantelpieces, etc, etc.
• Projects under increased operating stresses and live loads.
• Medium size furniture projects, including cabinets, tables, chest of drawers, chairs, outdoor furniture, etc.

Are there new features on the DF-700 not seen on the DF-500?

Functionally there are the same. By this I mean apart from size of mortices and dominos, you do the same things with the DF-700 as you do with the DF-500. However numerous changes have been made which many people will see as improvements, some key changes include:

• The two black tabs on the fence face have been replaced with a series of six retractable pins. THESE ARE AWESOME!!! Having three possible positions either side of the cutter for placing against the edge of the workpiece enables three very convenient distances from the edge of the workpiece, locating the mortice exactly where you want it for strength and convenience.
• Controls... every control and tool component has been tweaked. Including the trigger, depth, plunge setting, and even the fence release, fence size and indicators, handles.... everything. All for the better we think. Some of the key changes are of course increased specification, increased depth, increased fence height (you can now plunge a mortice in the middle of a 100mm post), but also changes to how the controls work, just little things but definite improvements. We will go into these in our upcoming detailed review.

DOMINO XL fence pins - 3 on each side of the cutter.

One thing to note, the DF-700 feels a lot heaver than the DF-500. The DF-500 could be swung around all day without user fatigue, but the DF-700 is something you don't casually hold in your hands while drinking a cup of coffee while taking a moment to think. You put it down. The increased power and it's inherent solidity can be felt in its weight.

What do we think?

Our summary so far.... AWESOME TOOL!!! Not for everyone but for those with suitable size projects or who don't do projects at the small end of spectrum, it's the machine to go for.

More info to come: While the full review is being worked on we will drop some more preliminary finds into a part 2 article over the next week or so.

Discussion topic.

Can you suggest more projects the DOMINO XL DF-700 would be suitable for?

Watch it in action.

Why buy two or three drills when you can do it all with one?

Unlike all other impact drivers manufacturers on the market who want to sell you multiple drill bodies (often called 'skins'), one for drilling and screwing, and another for impact driving - Festool have built upon their FastFix chuck concept to provide a system where you only need one drill body to achieve what others require you to buy two.

Clever FastFix chucks.

For over a decade Festool has featured their FastFix chuck system. A range of interchangeable chucks featuring the following:

• Right-angle chuck - for getting under, over, and into tight places.
• Eccentric chuck - for getting right into avoiding driving screws in on ugly angles.
• Depth chuck - dial in the exact depth of the screw, rather than rely on drill torque setting.
• Keyless chuck - of course.
• And the Centrotec adaptor - for fitting Festool/Protool Centrotec range of accessories.

Right-angle driving.

Precise depth setting.

Eccentric chuck driving.

But wait, there's more.

What's new with the TI-15 impact driver are two additional T-15 specific chucks:

• FastFix adapter - with integrated non-impact effect for the use of the above.
• Keyless chuck - with integrated non-impact effect, change between impact and non-impact with the flick of a switch.

Non-impact adapter.

Non-impact switching keyless chuck.

Sounds like a lot of attachments, how is that helping me?

Rather than buy multiple tool bodies to achieve different functions, you only need one body can select from the range of chucks and attachments as you see fit.
Compare:

That sounds great, tell me more about the TI-15.

Below is a press release from Festool with all the features of the TI-15, and on our product pages you will find all the specification. But these are the key features (above the many others) we like:

• Power - Brushless EC-TEC motor, is far more efficient than conventional drill motors, so you get more power from smaller Ah and voltage batteries. This is why the TI-15 is so small and lightweight for the power it can produce. Most other manufacturers use standard motors therefore requiring larger voltages and larger capacity batteries. In our view the TI-15 out performs other's 18V systems, and compares to many others 24V systems. The EC-TEC motor through the lack of contact brushes is rated to exceed the life of brushless motors by many times, and there are no motor brushes to replace... ever.
• Size and weight - on your hip or in your hand the TI-15 is light and comfortable. It does not get fatiguing when user all day.
• Less noise - much less noise than most other impact drivers out there.
• Drilling control - The other benefit of the EC-TEC motor and Festool's electronics that control it is its ability to provide full torque at the slowest possible drilling speeds. Unlike other drills that stall at slow speeds, the Festool EC-TEC drills do not. So if you need torque you don't need to use more risky (to the operator and the workpiece) faster speeds.
  You can use slow powerful drilling and not break your wrist or slam you hand
  into something. Fantastic for safely drilling large diameter holes in steel
  and timber.

What Festool has to say about it.

There are jobs that one does better with the TI 15 IMPACT.

Terraces, windows, weather boarding... in brief: The TI 15 IMPACT is a genuine power pack for all assembly work where a large number of screws, not big screws but really big screws are required. With a sensor-controlled hammer mechanism which increases the torque and thus transfers enormous power to the screw - no recoiling and therefore gentle on the wrist joint. And with the specially developed EC-TEC drive which is particularly energy efficient and yields the maximum performance from every battery charge – and which has an extremely long life due to minimal wear.

What makes the new TI 15 IMPACT exceptionally unique is the 3-in-1 function: The special chuck with an integrated switch-off function for the hammer mechanism makes the impact screwdriver a classic screwdriver with infinitely variable speed adjustment. And via the FastFix interface it becomes a genuine right angle screwdriver with the right angle adapter and adapter for the switch-off function for the hammer mechanism.

EC-TEC = Performance + Intelligence + Operating Life

Better performance:The special electronics always provide as much energy as required. This saves energy and results in a longer performance from one battery charge.

More intelligent: 12 magnetic poles and the sensor system allow the rotor to rotate in minimal spaces and monitor its course.

Advantages: Consistent motor performance and precise speed regulation. Longer operating life: EC-TEC motor works without carbon brushes and is consequently almost wear-free. The temperature and speed are monitored and the power supply and power of the tool reduced if required. This protection gives the combination of the machine and battery pack an extremely long life.

Discussion topic.

Which type of tasks do you find the right-angle, eccentric and depth-setting chucks useful?

The range of Festool and Protool extractors is extensive, covering a wide range of general purpose and very specific industry applications.

This guide should clarify the groups of extractors and their primary purposes.

FESTOOL - Small, compact and mobile.

CT-MINI - Capacity 10/7.5L (container/bag); CT-MIDI - Capacity 15/12.5L

CT-MINI and CT MIDI

Main Application: Wood work, Paint Automotive, installation, renovation and assembly work. Main Features: Compact and light. Same high-power turbine as the big CLEANTEX models. Flat motor and filter technology allows maximum capacity of the Container.

FESTOOL - Versatile HEPA all rounders.

CT 26 - Capacity 26/24L (container/bag); CT 36 - Capacity 36/34L; CT 48- Capacity 48/46L.

CT All Rounders

Main Application: Workshop, building site: ideal for most power tools and general woodworking and light construction jobs. Main Features: Compact Design with great capacity. Flat motor and filter technology allows maximum capacity of the Container. Features modular plug-in system to suit specific task. Uses High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter.

PROTOOL - For concrete/construction specialists.

VCP 260 - Capacity 26L  (container; VCP - Capacity 48L.

VCP for Construction

Main Application: Construction site jobs: concrete grinding and cutting, cement sheet cutting, general clean up, most power tools. Main Features: Save time with Autoclean Technology that self-cleans the main filter. Flat motor and filter technology allows maximum capacity of the Container. New chassis technology for increased stability. Special AC suction hose prevent concrete build up.

FESTOOL - For special applications.

CT 36 AC Planex - Capacity 26/24L (container/bag).

CT-PLANEX for plaster dust

Main Application: Plaster work. Main Features: Save time with Autoclean Technology that self-cleans the main filter. Flat motor and filter technology allows maximum capacity of the Container. Infinitely variable adjustment of cleaning intervals - from 15 seconds up to 2 minutes. Designed specially for high amount of dut generated by the PLANEX long-reach plasterboard sander.

CTH 48 - Capacity 48/46L (container/bag): Hazardous dust doesn't stand a chance.

CTH for hazardeous dust

Main Application: Hazardous dust sites. Main Features: Health protection - approved for dust classes M and H, meaning it is specially designed for carcinogenic and pathogenic dusts. Securely sealed - with the two-layer safety filter bag Save time with Autoclean Technology that self-cleans the main filter. Flat motor and filter technology allows maximum capacity of the Container. Infinitely variable adjustment of cleaning intervals - from 15 seconds up to 2 minutes.

CTM 48 - Capacity 48/46L (container/bag): For the greatest possible safety.

CTM for combustible/explosive dust

Main Application: Combustible and explosive dust sites. Main Features: Complies with ATEX directive for Zone 22 - for safe disposal of dusts in explosion classes ST1, ST2 and ST3. Practical in application - this special application dust extractor needs no separate transport equipment; as with all CLEANTEX models, its wheels are sturdy, easily steered and directly fitted to the container. Antistatic function - an antistatic hose, stainless steel tubes and nozzles are available as accessories to prevent electrostatic discharge. Systems as standard - standard model comes fitted for connection to an energy box, and with compressed air port and Sys-Dock. Save time with Autoclean Technology that self-cleans the main filter. Flat motor and filter technology allows maximum capacity of the Container.

Discussion topic.

Do you have a question about the different Festool and Protool dust extractors?

It was the best of finishes, it was the worst of finishes.
It was the age of exorbitance.
It was the age of thrift.
It was the epoch of German engineering, it was the epoch of Chinese manufacturing.
It was the season of pleasure, it was the season of pain.
It was the spring of jet dust extraction.
It was the winter of clogged abrasive.
We had everything before us, we had nothing before us.
We were all going direct to woodworking Heaven, we were all going direct the other way.

In short, the machines were so far apart, that some of the noisiest proponents of one insisted on it being placed on a pedestal, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only.

Sanding strain and pain.

I was in the shed one day, using the same random orbital sander (ROS) that I have for a few years, and my hands were really hurting from the vibration. Irrespective of the risk on ongoing health problems from exposure to vibration (HAVS being a rather undesirable effect), what’s the point of trying to enjoy woodworking, when a tool is causing such a distraction? So without even realising that it was on the cards when I headed down to the shed that day, at that point I decided that tool was being retired, immediately, and a replacement ROS was to be sought.

Despite the range of brands available out there, I had no question which brand I was going to go with after having experienced them first hand at the Ideal Tools workshop - I was going Festool. The machines operate so smoothly, you almost don’t have to hold them, guiding them around the surface with a finger. The only question I had was which model to choose.

I specifically wanted a random orbital sander, so I quickly narrowed my choices down to either the ROTEX RO 150, or one of the two eccentric (ETS) sanders – the 150/3 or the 150/5. That is where I started to run into a decision making problem. Just which one was the most suitable for my requirements? It wasn’t like I could eliminate any on quality. Price could have some bearing – the ROTEX is quite a bit more than the ETS sanders, but then it is more versatile than the other two. People who own one really swear by it, and that is very inspiring.

The Festool RAS 115

I already have one of these, the Festool RAS 115 is also known as the "termite" for very good reasons. This is an aggressive orbital only sander, so bulk material removal is not something I have to struggle with. Handling it is rather different to other ROS, in that the centre of balance isn’t directly above the sanding pad, so operation has to be two-handed. This isn’t as unusual to me than for some, because for a few years I was using the original Triton ROS sanding attachment which fits to an angle grinder. I know how well regarded the machine is, so was really looking forward to trying it out for myself.

The Festool ROTEX RO 150

The ROTEX is called a 3 in 1 sander – being switchable between eccentric (random orbital) mode and orbital and orbital mode. Eccentric for light sanding and finishing and orbital used for bulk material removal. Orbital mode is actually a combination of eccentric motion and rapid orbital action simultaneously; meaning that there is no swirl marks produced. The 3rd action is polishing, but that I gather is more of a use of the tool – there is no specific setting unique to the tool for this.

Festool ETS 150/x

After giving the ROTEX unit a good run in both modes, I moved onto the ETS models, to see how they compared. There are two versions – the ETS 150/3 and 150/5. The numbers represent the degree of eccentricity – either 3mm or 5mm eccentric orbit.

Both units are very well balanced – you can hold the handle, or just push the unit around the surface with a finger! They are variable speed, and have the multi-Jetstream dust clearing technology (which is both an air supply and removal system across the surface of the pad that clears away dust that has been created, and in doing so prevents dust build up that results in heat build up, and clogging of the abrasive).  You don’t have to use abrasives that have the multi-Jetstream holes, but obviously you loose the advantage of the system while you do.

Decisions, decisions.

In the end (for me) there was no question that it would be an ETS that I would buy, the final question would be which model. The 150/3 is for very fine finishing, the 150/5 less so (by all of 2mm), and is slightly more versatile. That is something I needed (when I was only going to end up with one of these), and I also found I appreciated the sanding action of the 150/5 more – the 150/3 just didn’t feel like it was doing enough (it being a fine finishing sander only) for my purposes. And still it has variable speed, and I can work right through the different grades of abrasive – up to 4000 if I choose.

So that is what I went for in the end – the Festool ETS 150/5. I also got the Systainer for the sander, as well as a second one with the abrasives insert to keep all the different abrasive discs organised.

As to what happened to the old Triton ROS?  Dickens to it :-)

Discussion topic.

Do you have any of these sanders... what do you like about yours? What projects do you use it for?

Conspiracy Theories

It doesn’t take more than a few clicks to be diving deep into websites of paranoia I can tell you.  One that comes up a lot is all about Jetstreams, and Jet trails (or contrails (condensation trails)), with varying, and conflicting reports of mass population control, mass population kill off's, biological weapon dispersal testing, weather altering and control.  The conspiracy theory is that the “government” is playing around with the position of the Jetstream, and using jet trails/contrails to seed clouds, or drop nasty stuff on the uninformed populations below.

What would all these conspiracy ‘experts’ think if they knew there were Multi-Jetstreams!!  And the government knows about them!!

Festool Multi-Jetstream

But Multi-Jetstreams are not a myth, nor a conspiracy – they are the latest development in sanding technologies by Festool.  By supplying, and exhausting air through many holes in the sanding pad of a sander (such as a Random Orbital Sander), you have rapid, dust free material removal, a significant decrease in sandpaper clogging which then leads to maximising service like of the sander, the pads, and the abrasives.

In addition, the airflow helps cool the sanding pad, resulting in the tool, abrasive and work surface being 25% cooler than it would without Multi-Jetstream tech.

The holes in the sanding pad either provide or remove air depending on their position.  It is curious that there are more holes in the pad than there is in the paper – this is deliberate – air is also supplied below the paper, and all the supply and exhaust holes combine to maximise dust movement and removal as it is produced, reducing heat and clogging.

Supplying air is unusual – pushing dust trapped at the centre towards the outside where it is collected by the multiple extraction holes.  It is backwards compatible with older sandpapers, and new multi-jet paper can be used on old machines – obviously both scenarios do not benefit from the latest technology.

This new technology is now standard in the Festool sander range, and both the ETS sanders and the ROTEX will benefit significantly from the improved airflows and dust removal from the sanding surface.

Festool ROTEX 150 and Multi-Jetstream Pad and Abrasives

Discussion topic.

How do you rate the dust extraction performance of Festool's Multi-Jetstream pads and abrasives?

When first gathering power tools, a belt sander often finds its way into the collection, even before some of the finishing sanders. The simple belt sander is not usually a precision tool… but it can be!

The typical belt sander is a coarse material removal tool – typically NOT for fine woodworking situations – not able to produce a consistent flat surface, and if you are not careful, capable of digging significant gouges and hollow spots. However, if you take a sander and raise it up so the abrasive material is cutting the surface, and not also trying to be the reference for that surface, then the accuracy jumps phenomenally.

One method to approach this is used by Festool – having the sander suspended in a cradle (Festool call it a sanding frame), the cradle references off the surface to be sanded (in this case by small, densely packed brushes).

Festool BS-105 Sander in Sanding Frame

The sander is easily removed and replaced into the cradle, can be raised and lowered with the small green knob (far right in the photo), and the lever near it allows the sander to be quickly raised above the surface, so it can be running without contacting the surface.

The sander weighs a significant 7kg or so, so there is absolutely no need to push the sander down when using it – you drift it back and forth over the surface allowing the weight of the machine to do all the work.

Details under the Festool BS-105 sanding frame.

Under the sanding frame, the brushes are visible, which allow the sander to be used in any direction, without marring the surface.

A belt sander is often mounted upside down in a vice by some users and used as a mini-linisher. Clamping a belt sander in a vice is all well and good, but no that good for the machine. Festool take this into account and instead provide a couple of stands that screw to the top of the belt sander, which become feet when the sander is tipped over.

BS-105 with feet attached.

They screw into brass threads purposely built into the top of the sander.  The sander is then turned over..

BS-105 as a handy linisher.

...becoming a mini-linisher.  An optional fence can be added if required.

About the only disappointing thing about the sander is that it doesn’t have 'plug-it', the detachable power cable (like a lot of the Festool tools do).

This sander looks particularly ready for belt sander racing, although its weight might be a disadvantage (or an advantage), but given the quality of the machine, I doubt anyone would be particularly interested in finding out!

Discussion topic.

For what type of projects do you use your BS-105 or BS-75 sander?

The December FREE STUFF Giveaway and Prize Draw was a great success with lots of people receiving free Festool and Protool promotional gear with their tool orders.

Additionally we held two prize draws, one for customers who ordered a tool during the period, and another draw for anyone who placed an accessory order.

Thanks to everyone for your support during 201. We wanted to do the FREE STUFF giveaway for a bit of fun and to say thanks.

Here are the winners...

John S. from WA: received a pile of Festool gear including remote control car, Cooltainer, backback, model cars, water bottle, polo-shirt, Protool watch and cool inflatable boat, and more.

Ken M. from VIC: received a slightly smaller pile of Festool gear including model car, Cooltainer, backback, water bottle, polo-shirt, Protool watch, and more.

Congratulations!

Check out this great tip, how to use square dominos in round a domino mortise..

You can see more of Terry's Tips and Techniques pages.

Thanks Terry.

For more about Terry and his creations, see his site TIMBER CABINETS.

Some people have often asked how I get my square looking Domino tenons in my draw sides, without the use of a chisel to square the mortise up…

First I start with contrasting timber home made Domino tenons, I usually make them the 5mm size for small drawers, and 6mm for large drawers (because the 6mm cutter does not have the flare-out and you can go deeper into the sides for a stronger bond.

After you have made your drawer, glued and clamped it up, and when dry plunge your Domino mortises to full depth according to the cutter used.

Example – If you plunge 28mm (Red line on the Domino) then cut your home made Domies around 32- 35mm lengths (Yellow line) Scribe a line all round 25mm up from the bottom (Blue line) and with sharp chisel, from the blue scribe line back down to the bottom, round over the edges to fit in the mortise. The 3mm left above the scribe (between Red and Blue) remains square, and that will force a square edge into the top of the round mortise, giving the illusion of a hand mortised joint.

Two tips -

1- On the rounded sides (green) chisel them round in both sides an extra 1.5mm, and just before you are going to fit them into the drawer mortise, put the Domi into an engineers vice (about 3 or 4 mm below the blue line) and give it a ¼ turn to slightly compress it. As it compresses for easy fit into the mortise, the sides expand slightly in width, that’s why you remove the 1.5mm from each side so it won’t get stuck.

2- Don’t forget to put a clamp either side of the drawer where the mortises are, so when you tap in the Dominos the drawer sides don’t split. This is a must because if it splits it’s easy to glue, but the glue line sticks out and looks terrible.

It looks so much better than a rounded machined Domino look. You still get a slight round if you look close, but it’s a great illusion for the casual observer for not much extra effort

Cool sections include:

TIPS & WIPS
DISCUSSIONS

400+ members strong.

The idea of an association of tool collectors was first floated in 1982 when a meeting was held at The Stanley Works in Nunawading at the instigation of Bill Moss, the Manager of Educational Services at Stanley Tools. Further discussion and planning followed and the first formal meeting of the Hand Tool Preservation Association of Australia was held on the 29th of November 1983. Initial membership was 13, of whom 4 are still members. Present membership has just topped 400 - approximately 300 of whom are Victorians and the remaining 100 are from other states and territories or from overseas.

The aims of the Association are to encourage the preservation and documentation of hand tools, to increase knowledge of their use and of the trades and crafts that used them, and to share this knowledge and co-operate with other individuals and organisations with similar interests. Membership of the Association has always been very mixed. There are people from a variety of trades and crafts, whose predominate interest is the acquisition and use of quality tools and there are a wide variety of people from less practical backgrounds to whom the appeal of collecting tools has arisen from family connections, historical interest or simply an aesthetic appeal. A common story is the inheritance of a father's or grandfather's tool chest that triggered the interest.

Historical Value

From its earliest days a major activity of the HTPAA has been to co-operate with the National Trust to restore, catalogue and display the tools of The Thomas Caine Tool Collection, an extensive, superb collection left to the National Trust (Vic.) in 1968 by a Melbourne tradesman and collector. The HTPAA has also developed its own collections of tools with particular emphasis on Australian made tools and ephemera relating to tool manufacture and sale.

Over the years it has assembled a reference library of around 350 related texts and over 300 tool catalogues. As part of its close working relationship with the National Trust and in light of its avowed aim to increase knowledge about the manufacture and use of hand tools, the Association frequently mounts displays of tools from the Thomas Caine Tool Collection, from its own collections and from member's private collections. Members often demonstrate the use of these early tools and foot-powered woodworking machines. These displays have been set up in museums, community libraries and other public places. The club has also displayed and demonstrated at every Working With Wood Show held in Melbourne.

Meetings and Tool Sales

The Association holds six General Meetings per year, usually addressed by an invited guest speaker with expertise in a particular related field. In recent years, subjects have included surveying instruments, early pedal machines, types of axes, the repair of clocks, Aboriginal tools, miniature carving and vintage aircraft restoration.

Three tool sales per year allow for members to acquire new additions to their collections, while others are able to sell off unwanted items. Approximately 40 heaped tables of tools, from rough $1 chisels to $2,000 Stanley #1 smoothers, ensure that everybody's needs are met. The Saturday evening of each sale is for members only, while the Sunday is open to the general public. Overall attendance at these regular sales averages around 400. Since its inception in 1998, a Biennial Conference has ensured that the Association continues to undertake in depth research and the spread of knowledge about all aspects of tool use.

The Tool Chest of Information

Members receive 4 editions each year of a quality publication, The Tool Chest, which has original articles on all aspects of tool collecting. In addition they receive a regular newsletter, The Sharp Edge, that keeps them informed of current club activities. Periodically the club reprints old tool catalogues and other related publications as bonuses to members.

In 2008, to mark the club's 25th Anniversary, a quality 134 page publication, Handtools - Our Heritage, was authored by club members and distributed free to all financial members.

In 2001 the club established its own website - www.htpaa.org.au - which has attracted over 150,000 hits. It contains details of the content of all publications over 27 years, information about the Associations various activities, photos of interesting collections and detailed information about known Australian tool manufacturers. A membership application can be downloaded from the website.

The Hand Tool Preservation Association of Australia (Inc.) is a very dynamic organisation, which. unlike many similar clubs around the world, has continued to grow its membership steadily. Anybody interested in finding out more about the HTPAA are welcome to attend a meeting or a tool sale. Check the website for further information or phone the President, Ian Stagg, on 03 9769 5953 or the Secretary, Frank Ham, on 03 9817 1768.

Images and text courtesy of HTPAA.