[jbd in Denver]

Some time ago, I had a few hand powertools stolen out of the garage. One
thing I never replaced was my PC plate joiner. For small to medium
blanks, I figured I could get by with a router slot cutter if needed
(proved to be a bit sloppy for me) - or nothing outside careful
clamping.

Works well enough for those smaller projects, but I've never been too
satisfied with my results - always some alignment issues - but nothing a
#7 can't resolve. However, for my dining room table project, I'm tempted
to get something to help with alignment.

Certainly I could glue one section up at a time - and am half tempted to
go that route given the visibility of the project. I've also been
investigating the Dowelmax - which looks to be a great thing. If it were
even just $200, I'd pull the trigger. But it's $270 base - over $350 for
the 1/4" guides. Given what I've read, it could be an "every project"
type tool... Even at $350 - I'd go that route before getting another
plate joiner.

Given the price though, it's 1/2 the cost of a Domino - another ungodly
expensive tool. Mix in the price of an FMT (which has called to me for
years) - I could get Dowelmax ($350) for now - and FMT ($600-700) when
the chair project comes around after the table...

Struggling a bit with the options. I've learned to wait till the need
dictates a purchase - and buy once. "Speed" isn't really a selling point
to be honest with you - I don't mind being in the shop woodworking.
Flexibility and strength in my joinery are the top criteria.

I'm my heart says DowelMax and FMT, but my head has been conditioned to
lean towards the Domino for that combined dollar range. What's worse -
I've seen a few postings that seem to indicate that the Domino makes
everything else obsolete (FMT, Dowelmax, BeadLock, biscuits). Yet the
cynic in me thinks this is similar to a new restraunt that opens up; the
hottest thing for a while - and then is just another place to eat.

Eh, back to the research....

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