I am new to woodworking and buying tools for the first time. Would you recommend this or the biscuit cutter since it is only $170?
1438877
If you prefer to spend less time and achieve higher quality results and are willing to pay for it, Festool is the way to go. If you have a lot of time and / or wood working experience, you can definitely make great stuff with a biscuit cutter. For me, even as a casual enthusiast I am now thinking about getting the domino XL in addition to the standard domino. I am still amazed at the quality of the tool, ease of use, and the cool things you can build that would be difficult or impossible with a standard biscuit joiner
1438878
I'd recomend the bisquit joiner to someone relatively new to woodworking, but it this person is interested in pursuing WW, the Domino is a fantastic tool. Lots more money, and a steeper learning curve, but it's become a staple in my shop. I'm a professional carpenter/contractor, and I own the smaller of the Dominos. I wish I had bought the larger one!
1438879
Depending on what you intend to "glue up" the Domino is a far superior machine and having used both there is just no comparison as to the simplicity and accuracy of the domino. Although the domino might be more expensive to get in to it will pay for itself in time saved.
1438880
The Domino joiner is much more accurate, much more versatile and much more expensive than a busquit joiner. Whether it's worth it to you I can't say, but I can say that I love my Festool Domino Joiner and that it's worth it for me.
1438881
like it's been said before what do you want to use it for. For panels a biscut cutter will work you only use it for alignment. Biscuts are cheaper than dominos. If you are mortising a leg on a table, maing face frames for a cabnit use a domino. It al boiles down to they are two different tools for different aplications. I have both.
1438882
I had a biscuit cutter for years and found it difficult to use so I seldom did. I bought a Festool Domino Joiner and it is a dream. I've had it about two years now and have used multiple times for joinery I would never had attempted before. Why, because it is easy. Set up, marking, cutting the slot it is a piece of cake. I liken it to my Apple computer, it just works! It's a lot of money but that part wears off long before the usefulness and ease of use. Buy it!
1438883
I define thist festool product as the most notable innovation in woodworking tools/machinery. The biscuit cutter has no comparison point. The domino will bring your work to a higher level.
1700165
Some guys like the sidewinders. I prefer worm drives though I admit that as I approach 70 my strength has ebbed considerably. Even though I think a worm drive is easier to control and more powerful for long rips, I like the relatively puny Festool track saw for shop work and installations. The DWS535 is a better machine for framing if that's what you're buying a circle saw for. That is really what it boils down to: your strength and the work you'll mostly be doing. Framing lumber is never really flat and the extra power of a worm drive lays waste to lumber that wants to twist or pinch the blade as you knock out the work.
109803
One idea: Sell the lathe, and with the extra money you were going to spend on the extension, just get a lathe with longer bed like the Nova. The you add much more ability to get into bowls. My 1/2 hp motor gets very hot when I try to turn a bowl, especially in dry wood. And it's lighter weight makes it much more succeptible to shaking when turning anything not perfectly round - such as live edge work.
2227507
I remember the unit coming with a 'sample' of biscuits. It would be wise to order extra biscuits at the same time you order this unit. Thinnest wood, I would say 1/4", BUT this would require a special jig application due to the fact, that the unit will tend to 'walk' on wood this thin. It could be done, but I would suggest this is not the best joining application for that thickness of material.
1706506
A miter saw is probably the better bet if you're buying one or the other. A miter saw makes cuts that are more commonly needed by the average home owner.
919741
I don't have any experience with the ZDP189. I own and have been carrying the VG-10 which serves me just fine. I've only had it for a few weeks during which time I've used it to open a dozen or more cardboard packages, and several plastic clam-shell packs. It's also sliced a few apples (kind of a trick with such a short blade, but easy once you've done it a few times), made shavings and fuzz sticks for a camp fire, cut a bunch of paracord for tarp tie-outs, and probably dozens of other small cutting tasks that I'm forgetting about. . . I usually find several tasks for it just about every day. So far I haven't needed to sharpen it. This morning I used it to brake down a large cardboard box to pieces small enough to fit into our recycling container, and it cut better than a utility knife. Hopefully this will give you some idea of the edge holding ability of the VG-10. I'm definitely not a steel snob or steel junkie. . . I still use my original Dragonfly with the AUS-8 steel, and have never found a reason to complain about it either. Personally, I'd say save a bit of money and go with the VG-10 unless you expect it to see some very heavy use.
1066895
I wouldn't use the word "cutter" when describing this tool. It's a router with a burr in it. it will G R I N D beautifully. I use Dremels and B & D rotary tools to do my wood carving but I would consider a different tool if I wanted to C U T.
2079146
Blade is Carbide and 1/4" thick as far as thickness of cut . Will make slots for #0, #10 and #20 Biscuits by setting depth stop correctly. Great tool and very well built!
2111908
I think this planer is a good value. I have had very good results as long as I keep the planing under 1/16" per pass (with white oak) and make sure the grain is going in the right direction. Also I started out with a shop-vac and a chip separator, it works much better now with that I have a dust collector. Also read about the differences in segmented cutter heads. You do get what you pay for, The cutter head has 26 HSS cutters with two sides. A Shelix head for the DeWalt cost about $450 but the cutters are four sided and helical. SteelCity's tech support is great. I contacted them with a couple of adjustment questions and in each instance I received a detailed and accurate response. I think this planer is a good value. I have had very good results as long as I keep the planing under 1/16" per pass (with white oak) and make sure the grain is going in the right direction. Also I started out with a shop-vac and a chip separator, it works much better now with that I have a dust collector. Also read about the differences in segmented cutter heads. You do get what you pay for, The cutter head has 26 HSS cutters with two sides. A Shelix head for the DeWalt cost about $450 but the cutters are four sided and helical. SteelCity's tech support is great. I contacted them with... » Read More I think this planer is a good value. I have had very good results as long as I keep the planing under 1/16" per pass (with white oak) and make sure the grain is going in the right direction. Also I started out with a shop-vac and a chip separator, it works much better now with that I have a dust collector. Also read about the differences in segmented cutter heads. You do get what you pay for, The cutter head has 26 HSS cutters with two sides. A Shelix head for the DeWalt cost about $450 but the cutters are four sided and helical. SteelCity's tech support is great. I contacted them with a couple of adjustment questions and in each instance I received a detailed and accurate response. « Show Less
838180
Really depends on what you'll be doing with it. I looked at sliding saws too, and just couldn't come to terms with paying the money. If you're planning on just cutting 2x4s or 2x8's etc you'll be fine.
1601003
I have only used the Freud FI102 on oak wood and have not had any problem with it at all. It is working very well for the short time I've had the blade. It has probably made in the area of 250 or 300 biscuit cuts so far and as of yet everything is great. I would give the blade a 5 out of 5 if I was rating the blade.
1226324
If you're a baker I'd recommend the 201. It has attachments for kneading dough and cookies.
1362386
I purchased the Gripper 200, and should have purchased the 100 along with it. The reasoning is that you use both grippers to push and guide the wood through your table saw or whatever without having to move the grippers constantly to re-adjust your stance. This give you better wood management on your band saw, and your other power tools where your hands may be.. I bought mine after I had cut off the tip of my index finger on my left hand. I did not have the stability of the gripper thereby "accidents happen." Save yourself the accident.
910714
I opped for the Mikita after reading a review posted by a banjo maker who planed hard maple ( banjo necks ) . I know a couple guys who make insterments and it is a precise art and I knew if it suited them it would be fine for me . It is well suited for small to medium jobs not churning out hundreds of board feet . I've planed about 600 ft of quartered white oak and its AWSOME ! Pluse some precise patch work for antique repair . Very happy with the Mikita unit
2079145
Blade is Carbide and 1/4" thick as far as thickness of cut . Will make slots for #0, #10 and #20 Biscuits by setting depth stop correctly.Great tool and very well built!
948524
You will get 2 very cheaply made cutters. I suggest you spend a little more money and get one good cutter.
1966581
I would think that this saw would be a good choice because it is a pull saw and being very thin can make a very clean cut. Hope this helps.