Replies

1. 
   eddiefromAustralia | Jan 28, 2007 08:00am | #1

   I'd go the Domino route, Brian.

   But, then again, I've only seen the Leigh unit stationary on display.

   From a tradesman's perspective, they'll each cut a shallow mortise, the advantage of the Domino unit is its portability (they've been on sale here for a year or so,) its accuracy and ease of setup and use.

   The disadvantage is the consumable cost (the dominos) on the unit and potentially, for the US market, the fact that the cutters are metric.

   Over time, I'd imagine the Domino to become a standard workshop item.

   Right now, however, I've got a biscuit jointer and a horizontal (slot) mortiser, so it's more a dream of owning one than a reality. The accuracy and simplicity would be nice.

   Cheers,

   eddie

   
   

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   Edited 1/29/2007 2:17 pm by eddiefromAustralia

2. 
   Lataxe | Jan 28, 2007 07:50pm | #2

   B,

   Consider also a Woodrat, which will make you perfect M&Ts in a similar fashion to the Leigh machine; but will also make lots of other joints that the Leigh won't.  Eg if you want DTs the 'rat will make them; but you would need to buy another expensive Leigh jig.  (And there is no Domino-style machine for DTs or the many other joints a Woodrat will make).

   The Woodrat has a bit of a learning curve; but then the Leigh seems to require a similar level of self-education.  The Woodrat, on the other hand, requires slightly more control and skill from you - ie isn't quite so automatic as the Leigh.

   Both need a good quality router and mortising bits - another cost if you have none.

   I confess that the more I think and hear about a Domino, the more tempting it sounds.  I've used a lot of biscuits in my woodworking to date and the ability to bring the machine to the work counts for a lot in terms of ease-of-use and speed.  The Domino looks like it will be a lot easier to manipulate than is a Leigh or Woodrat strapped to a bench or wall and with a heavy router on board.

   In the greater scheme of things, the domino tenons will not add hugely to the cost of a cabinet or chair; and you could possibly make your own.  But the different diameter bits would add to the cost (but they do so for the Leigh and the Woodrat).

   In all cases, it's the initial cost that's high.  On that criterion, the Woodrat gives the most joint-making versatility for the money whilst the Domino seems likely to provide the speediest M&Ts.

   I will be interested to see what you decide.

   Lataxe

    

3. 
   mufti | Jan 28, 2007 08:16pm | #3

               Brian, what is wrong, from your point of view, in using a router and loose tenons, or biscuits? The results will be good and with a router you can also shape, copy, flatten and so on, with home made jigs of course.

   For the record I have a number of Festools and a Leigh dovetail jig so I am not anti tools. I have however spent a lot of money on tools which are rarely used after the first flush of enthusiasm. Now I step back for six months before purchase, and I already have saved the cost of the Domino. 

    

4. 
   Steve50 | Jan 29, 2007 12:54am | #4

   Brian,

   I have had the FMT for just over 2 years.  I purchased it primarily for a specific project that required quite a few relatively small M&Ts at odd angles.  For what I was doing, the Domino would not have worked.  I will say that the FMT is a finely engineered jig that cuts very nice joints.  The FMT is mastered fairly quickly. 

   Looking at the information available on the Domino, it will cut M&T joints faster than you can with the FMT.  The FMT offers a wider selection of M&T sizes than the Domino.  From what you describe as your intended use, it appears the Domino is the better choice and it even includes a motor. 

   Steve

5. 
   RickL | Jan 29, 2007 05:14pm | #5

   I'd get the Grizzly G0540. The slot mortiser is the way to go and make your own loose tenons. You can buy the Domino onea as wll. The Domino is just the latest version of a slot mortiser. The only advatge is portability for the job site.