I had money to spend and I finally broke down and pre-ordered the new Festool Domino 500 RQ set which ships 3/26.

I've been a DowelMax jig user for years and feel very comfortable using my kit with the normal 3/8 and I also have and use the DowelMax block kit to use 1/4 and 1/2 dowels.

But I dont use the DowelMax for panel alignment. The setup is great for butt joints and all of that, but not ideal as an alignment aid. I hate and I mean hate biscuit joiners, so I decided to fall into the Domino trap.

I also ordered the accessory kit with the other cutters and dominoes. I also ordered theTSO Big Foit v2.0 base for the Domino. I freaking love TSO stuff for track saws, so I bought it.

Anything else I need or need to know before it ships on 3/26?

Thanks.

This post was edited on 3/6/26 at 2:21 pm

1 ...

Report Post

Posted by King George

Member since Dec 2013

6071 posts

Posted on 3/6/26 at 2:48 pm to El Segundo Guy

Pretty much the same setup I bought last year minus the big foot.

I bought one last year for a crib I was building. Take you some time to get used to it. First day I used I had to sit it down and walk away from it. Was having a hell of a time getting it to cut straight. It was all user error of course. Came back the next day and practiced a lot on scrap material and started making better mortises.

As far as using it for alignment, I'm not sure this is going to live up to your expectations. The dominos fit tighter than a crab's arse. You will literally have to lightly drive them in. There's a setting that allows for some slack by cutting a bigger hole but I found it allows for a little too much slack to accurately provide for perfect alignment. I usually end up just sanding off the grooves on the dominos.

Overall, I find its a great tool for cheating at creating mortise and tenon joints. And the joints ARE strong as shite. It's expensive for what it does but I value my time so it was worth it to me.

ETA-The only other add-on I considered getting was one of those 3-D printed depth gauges to replace the metric one that it comes with. In the end I just decided to do the calculations to convert my dimensions as close to SAE as possible. And to also be mindful of what side of the lumber I was cutting into.

This post was edited on 3/6/26 at 2:53 pm

1 ...

Report Post

Posted by El Segundo Guy

1-866-DHS-2-ICE

Member since Aug 2014

11571 posts

Posted on 3/6/26 at 3:51 pm to King George

Thanks. I'll give it a shot once it ships. I guess the new version has the upgraded tabs like the 700 instead of the normal plastic tabs on the 500. I have a panel glue up for a headboard that I'm putting on hold to try it on.

I usually cut mortise eith a router jig. I do better with my router jig than I do with a drill press and forstner bit.

But between this panel glue up and a set of cabinets I have planned for someone, I thought the domino would be an interesting and possibly faster way to knock it out, especially the cabinets.

Page 1