Don't know if anyone has mentioned it before, but Jessem has what I'd
consider a much cheaper competitor for the Domino. It's called the Zipslot.
What's unusual about it is that it uses your hand drill as the mortising
tool. I can't comment on it's capability, but Jessem tools are well built in
my opinion, so this might be a workable tool.

http://www.jessem.com/zipslot.htm

"Upscale" wrote in message
...
Don't know if anyone has mentioned it before, but Jessem has what I'd
consider a much cheaper competitor for the Domino. It's called the
Zipslot.
What's unusual about it is that it uses your hand drill as the mortising

That should have been "electric drill", not hand drill.

On Jan 4, 2:45*am, "Upscale" wrote:
"Upscale" wrote in message

Don't know if anyone has mentioned it before, but Jessem has what I'd
consider a much cheaper competitor for the Domino. It's called the
Zipslot.
What's unusual about it is that it uses your hand drill as the mortising

That should have been "electric drill", not hand drill.

While in some cases they may both do a type of loose tenon joint, it
looks like comparing those tools is the old apples to oranges.

The Domino can be used and held like a biscuit machine, and can be
used on flat surfaces, edge treatments, and on and on as you
undoubtedly know.

It appears that the material must be held or secured in some way,
taking the portability out of the machine. I can imagine using the
Domino for all kinds of wood joining and joints since its flexibility
in application is so great.

This jig looks like a lot of work. And after seeing the Domino demo,
I can't imagine how it could compare in the ease of lining up the
mortises for tenon insertion.

Just my opinion here, but even if it was half the price the Domino is
still a better deal.

Robert

wrote in message
is the old apples to oranges.

You like that phrase, don't you? That's the third time you've used it in
less than a week.

I can't imagine how it could compare in the ease of lining up the
mortises for tenon insertion.

Of course it isn't, I didn't suggest it was. Essentially there's only one
extra measurement and marking needed if one incorporates the stop jig as
suggest in the video.

Just my opinion here, but even if it was half the price the Domino is
still a better deal.

I'm willing to bet it's closer to 25% of the price or maybe even less. The
Domino is for people who are close to the production stage or have money to
burn. (no offence Leon) A little bit of practice with the ziptool and most
of the steps are pretty straightforward with a minimum of fuss. I'd suggest
it's for people who might be doing a dozen joins a week or less. My only
concern would be how easily it cuts a slot with their special bit.

It has no need for power, little mess, great portability, there are
advantages to it. I'd certainly consider the ziptool as a fairly inexpensive
alternative and I'm a big power tool junkie at heart. Guess we'll see.

On Sun, 4 Jan 2009 03:45:03 -0500, "Upscale" wrote:


"Upscale" wrote in message
.. .
Don't know if anyone has mentioned it before, but Jessem has what I'd
consider a much cheaper competitor for the Domino. It's called the
Zipslot.
What's unusual about it is that it uses your hand drill as the mortising

That should have been "electric drill", not hand drill.

Might work with a hand drill, depending on caffeine level..


mac

Please remove splinters before emailing

"mac davis" wrote in message
That should have been "electric drill", not hand drill.

Might work with a hand drill, depending on caffeine level.

What do you figure Mac, about 8 cups should do it?

On Jan 4, 4:05*am, "
wrote:
[snip]

Just my opinion here, but even if it was half the price the Domino is
still a better deal.

Robert

I absolutely agree. That tool is not in the same league as the Domino.
It is clever, that much I will agree on. The lack of portability to a
job-site kills it for me.
I do see that it would do panel butt-joint though.
But it would have to be way less than 1/2 the price of a Domino to
stand a chance in the market place....and it simply doesn't look cheap
to make. Also, knowing the little I know about Jessum, it won't 'be'
cheap.

"Robatoy" wrote in message
I absolutely agree. That tool is not in the same league as the Domino.
It is clever, that much I will agree on.

I don't believe it's intended to be. It's just an alternative to dropping
$1000 on a tool that one probably doesn't really need, but offers
essentially the same result ~ a loose tenon joint. I guess it's all going to
come down to price.

It would be nice if it could be adapted to use a trim router or something
similar instead of a drill. I'm dubious about how well their special drill
bit will cut.

Upscale wrote:
It would be nice if it could be adapted to use a trim router or something
similar instead of a drill. I'm dubious about how well their special drill
bit will cut.


I agree. I think the bit cuts fine. But from looking at the video, it
appears you have to drill down in steps of 1/4 inch or so. I like that
you can use any old drill for it, like a pocket hole jig. But it seem to
take quite a while to drill one out.

First thing I would do it figure out a way to use a router and fluted
carbide up-cut bit with the thing.
But for 250, you'd think "they" would. :-)


--

-MIKE-

"Playing is not something I do at night, it's my function in life"
--Elvin Jones (1927-2004)
--
http://mikedrums.com

---remove "DOT" ^^^^ to reply

"-MIKE-" wrote in message
But for 250, you'd think "they" would. :-)

Is that what it costs? I looked around a bit, but couldn't find a price for
it.

On Jan 4, 2:48 pm, "Upscale" wrote:
"-MIKE-" wrote in message
But for 250, you'd think "they" would. :-)

Is that what it costs? I looked around a bit, but couldn't find a price for
it.

There are 2 versions, one is $100 and one is $250. The expensive one
has dust collection and I'm not sure what else. Woodcraft has them.


-Kevin

Upscale wrote:
"-MIKE-" wrote in message
But for 250, you'd think "they" would. :-)

Is that what it costs? I looked around a bit, but couldn't find a price for
it.


I guess there are two versions:
http://www.woodcraft.com/product.asp...FamilyID=21034

and a 1/4" for 99 bucks:
http://www.woodcraft.com/product.asp...FamilyID=80014


--

-MIKE-

"Playing is not something I do at night, it's my function in life"
--Elvin Jones (1927-2004)
--
http://mikedrums.com

---remove "DOT" ^^^^ to reply

and a 1/4" for 99 bucks:
http://www.woodcraft.com/product.asp...FamilyID=80014


Check out the video for the 99 dollar jobbie (pocket zip).

It's a pretty cool little jig.

I could see myself pickin it up on sale.


--

-MIKE-

"Playing is not something I do at night, it's my function in life"
--Elvin Jones (1927-2004)
--
http://mikedrums.com

---remove "DOT" ^^^^ to reply

On Jan 4, 3:44*am, "Upscale" wrote:
wrote in message
is the old apples to oranges.

You like that phrase, don't you? That's the third time you've used it in
less than a week. *

I used Google to search the group, but found no other references to
fruit from me.

On the other hand, fruity metaphors might be a good thing for me to
start incorporating into my normal spoken vernacular rather than my
usual jobsite-style references.

Don't get me wrong about your post... I appreciate you posting
something new, especially if it is an affordable alternative to an
expensive tool that I have a bad case of extreme lust to own. I
rarely catch the wood magazines, don't go into Woodcraft much at all,
and unless I am on site with other sawdust makers I never hear about
the latest and greatest of anything.

Dunno what I would use the Domino for to make it pay for itself at
this time, but rest assured, when I get a project where it "makes
sense" to have it, I will join the black and green club in a minute.

Robert

wrote

Dunno what I would use the Domino for to make it pay for itself at
this time, but rest assured, when I get a project where it "makes
sense" to have it, I will join the black and green club in a minute.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

That old thing about a tool paying for itself. I know that one.

But your statement could be interpertered in another way. We all could sit
around and make suggestions about that mystical job you could justify buying
it for.

Hmmmmmmmm......., how about attaching cedar shingles to a house? Each with
two loose tennons!

OK, I tried. Anybody else have any Domino suggestions for Robert?

"Lee Michaels" wrote in
:

*snip*

OK, I tried. Anybody else have any Domino suggestions for Robert?


Stack them up and knock them over? Right now I'm sure you've only got to
do 10 or so to get the world record. :-)

Puckdropper
--
On Usenet, no one can hear you laugh. That's a good thing, though, as some
writers are incorrigible.

To email me directly, send a message to puckdropper (at) fastmail.fm

On Jan 4, 6:50*pm, "Lee Michaels"
wrote:

But your statement could be interpertered in another way. *We all could sit
around and make suggestions about that mystical job you could justify buying
it for.

Hmmmmmmmm......., how about attaching cedar shingles to a house? *Each with
two loose tennons!

OK, I tried. Anybody else have any Domino suggestions for Robert?

Man.... that's just mean. OK... I'm sitting here laughing, but it's
still mean.
You know, like teasing a dog with a bone.

If business was better, it could get downright scary though...

One of my friends that has one claims that if he leaves all the cut
pieces out on the worktable overnight and plugs in the Domino before
leaving, when he comes in the next day the project will be assembled.

Sounds fishy, but I think that's what convinced him to buy one. (At
least that's his story!)

;^)

Robert

wrote in message
I used Google to search the group, but found no other references to
fruit from me.

Ok, then my mistake. In the last week or so, it has been used at least three
times with people I've been talking to. Just a coindicence that they all
appeared at the same time.

something new, especially if it is an affordable alternative to an
expensive tool that I have a bad case of extreme lust to own.

I watched videos on Woodcraft for the mini ziptool ($99) and the regular
ziptool ($250), both priced well below the Domino. (recommendations by the
reviewer for both models) Yup, I've got Domino envy too. When thinking about
it, I often go looking for some project that would mandate buying it for
myself. I've even been perusing a few online conversations about Canadians
who want or have bought one and how they've gone about getting one up here.

At the present time in Canada, the Domino is only available through Hafele
and for them it's just a sideline to their main business. I believe the main
reason they got to handle it is because they're a German company and had
affiliations with Festool in Germany. But, their enthusiam for marketing it
up here is decidedly lacking, which makes the Domino in Canada aggravting to
obtain.

I did see one conversation about Woodcraft where they said that when trying
to buy it online from the Woodcraft website, the sale gets terminated at the
end, but that Woodcraft will take the order and ship to Canada if one calls
it in by phone.

The only other alternatives are a trip across the border or have a friend in
the US ship one to you.