Festool DF700 vs DF500 and Festool CT36 vs Starmix 1635

[Albert]

There are numerous reviews on Festool DF700 and DF500, I have owned a 700 for about 6-7 years now, although I have dropped it a few times, there is no alignment issue, I have also bought a 500 sometime this year, I am sure you have come across the DF700/500 reviews on the internet/Youtube, therefore I will just write a quick one about them both, and a comparison of Festool CT36E and Starmix 1635.


DF700

• Easier to hold in perpendicular mode, the front handle is better designed than the 500.
• More stable than 500 in perpendicular mode, the 500 will "twerk" when it start.
• Connector pin on the side, more durable than the 500 (connector pin at the end). I have dropped my other Festool power tools with connector pin at the end of the tool, not a good place for them.
• the height indicator makes more sense than the 500, its in increment of 5mm, where as 500's indicator is based on the thickness of the material. For me, knowing the distance from the face of the stock is more important than knowing the thickness when it comes to Dominoing.
• more ergonomically sound than the 500, you can use your belly to plunge but with 500 you have to use your hand to grab on to it and then push, its ok if you are only making 10-20 plunges, but when you have thousands of plunges to make, its a nightmare. not sure if the light weight can make up for the poor ergonomics.

Festool CT36E vs Starmix 1635.

I've bought the CT36E with the 700, so it has been 6-7 years. the Starmix 1635 is brand new.

Starmix 1635
quick words about it:

• Noiser at the tip (maybe due to more suction?)
• Dont need bag to operate (manual says you can do this)
• More suction than CT36, maybe its new and has more watts? operating between 1400-1600w, CT36 is 1200w
• Has auto filter cleaning (new CT36E has auto clean but its pricey)
• Generally cheaper than Festool CT36, depending on where you buy it from, got mine for $1100 NZD, CT36 cost somewhere in the $1600?
• Has clips on top of the machine to lock the Systainers, manual says the limit on the weight to be placed on top is 10kg.
• Accessories includes a soft rubber funnel where you can cut to suit the power tool dust port.
• Slightly smaller than CT36
• and Made in Germany.

It could do better with:

• Preparation for pneumatic tools, I use Festool LEX3 air sander, if I want to continue using my air sander I have to use Festool vacuum. It may have this facility, I am still new to it.

No photos for now, have problem uploading them. will upload later.

[derekcohen]

We need context here: What are you using the two Domino machines to do, that is, what size mortices, and what are you building?

Do you see a place/preference for one machine over the over?

Regards from Perth

Derek

[ian]

Context?
Albert is a semi-professional maker in Auckland -- perhaps he's now a full time professional? Looking at his equipment, he's definitely equipped for full on commercial work. I think Albert may also have at least one employee.

Albert says he bought the Domino 500 "this year" while he has owned the DF700 for 6-7 years. So the inference is that he bought the DF500 for it's ability to work with smaller dominos.
I also infer that he's doing many more than 100 plunged mortices per WW session.


so overall Albert is perhaps a lot more than a committed hobbiest

[derekcohen]

Ian, I'm not doubting Albert. However that context is missing, and it is important to indicate where a 700 is preferred to a 500, and vice versa. Albert's review simply says that he prefers the 700, and why, but does not explain what he was morticing, or its size.

Regards from Vienna

Derek

[Albert]

We need context here: What are you using the two Domino machines to do, that is, what size mortices, and what are you building?

Do you see a place/preference for one machine over the over?

Regards from Perth

Derek

Hi Derek. I use them to make small mortise and tenon joint for furniture - domino are not real tenons but good enough in terms of strength.

If you are hobbyist and you are the sole user of the tools, you make small project here and there, DF500 will be enough.
If you are a semi production, you have employee using your tools, you need the DF700.

[Albert]

Thanks Ian. Yes we do at least 200+ plunges when the domino is switched on, sometimes thousands, yet to break 10,000 plunges though.

[Albert]

I use 6mm x 30mm, 8mm x 40 or 50mm, and 14mm x 100mm

if its a quick job where a few plunge is needed, we use the df500, if its a continuous job of more than 200+ plunges, df700 is used.

Sometimes it depends on what cutter is on the machine, replacing the cutter only takes a few seconds but when the shop is busy believe it or not it is a bit time consuming when you need to change the cutter 3 times per work piece.