re: festool domino

I have 2 tools from Festool. The smaller Domino and the plunge saw. They’re the most used power tools I have along with my band saw and drum sander.

Domino:
I purchased mine in 2006 when they came out. It is one tool that I can say truly improved my woodworking as most of my cross grain joinery then was pocket screws. In discussing/justifying this purchase with my wife, she said something very profound. She said that “Hobbies and monetary return on investment can’t go together…otherwise it’s work. Capital for hobbies are happiness, pride in the outcome and in my case with power tools, safety”. Now she may have been trying to justify her $7k sewing machine and untold dollars worth of quilting fabric but the point was made. The Domino makes me smile.

Plunge saw:
I only use my table saw for horizontal storage ;‘) . Truth is, it scares me. I’ve used a table saw since I was in the 7th grade and I’m retired now. The plunge saw takes the place of a miter saw, panel saw and table saw. I get very smooth, chip out free cuts from it.

Coming from a manufacturing background where we consciously decided not to offshore, it doesn’t take a CPA to figure out why Festool’s pricing is so much higher than all others. Their products are made in Germany and the Czech Republic…both democracies, both in the EU. They, Protool (division of Festool) and Mafell are the only full line, pro-sumer power tool makers not offshoring. All others (Bosch, Dewalt, PC, Makita, Milwaukie, etc) offshore. Festool and Mafell pay EU market rates for utilities, facilities, raw materials, living wages, benefits, transportation, etc. They have to pay taxes. They get no subsidies on raw materials, utilities or other handouts from their government.

If you can find a Domino used, buy it. Chances are you’ll have a hard time finding one and they hold their value. Buying new gets you a 3 year guarantee.