Buying a tool to use on a one off project is always going to be a difficult decision, especially ones as expensive as either the DDF40 and DF500.

Both tools operate via a plunge action and require similar work holding to ensure accuracy and repeatability. I would argue that clamping of the workpiece is not essential and the necessary stability can be achieved by butting material against bench dogs or by utilising an anti slip mat.

With regards to movement or play in the joints you are correct that dowels do not allow for any movement. Dominos will only allow for lateral movement if you use anything other than the narrowest width setting of the mortice. Both machines will cut mortises/drill holes in perfect alignment so that edge/face alignment should not be an issue. Dowels leave no leeway for operator error, if you do not get the drill hole pairs perfectly aligned on the two boards you will not get the joint together. Dominos overcome this possibility if you cut one pair of mortises on the narrow/tight setting and the rest on the medium setting.

The DF500 IMHO is a more versatile machine, however the DDF40 has one trick that even the domino can’t manage; if you purchase the dedicated DDF guide bar you can then utilise it to drill 5mm holes on 32mm centres, an essential prerequisite if you want to make use of euro spec LR32 hardware

Both machines are well built, relatively simple to use for their basic functions and will make building you cabinets a simpler process with an improved outcome.

Personally I would err towards the DF500 but it is a close run thing. One alternative you have not mentioned is to purchase both😁

I’m fortunate to have both Domino machines and the DDF40. All are great machines. For me, the DDF40 is a lot slower than the Domino and it’s darn hard to push in all the way whereas the Dominos are very easy to push in. If I need high precision, I use the DDF40. It is a beautiful machine!

I also would go with the DDF40 if I could only pick one for cabinet work.  I like the Domino for making exposed domino drawers but when BB skyrocketed in price and was super hard to get I switched to metal drawer boxes which I like better since there is no finishing.  spraying drawers sucks. consumables are also a consideration with the Domino if you are making a lot of boxes.

I have used a few different ones but usually Matrix from Hafele.  They have gone up considerably over the last year too but still better than buying BB and the labor to cut assemble and finish wood drawers for Kitchen.  If I was building a dresser or furniture then would probably use wood.  They dont have PTO option which kind of sucks but none do that I know of other than Blum.  If you dont have a ton of drawers then it might be worth splurging on Legrabox.  I did a few kitchens that had all drawers for the lowers and when you have 3 or 4 drawers per box Legrabox gets very very expensive fast.  Im starting to think about a new Kitchen for myself and will probably go with the more traditional 1 drawer and doors below with pull outs behind the doors with cheaper slides on the pullouts and splurge on the legrabox with PTO on the top drawer.  I wont ever build a lowers without either drawers or pullouts though. 

The Hafele ones arnt bad last I looked about 30 something each. which is almost double a year ago.  but BB isnt cheap either. plus the time to buy basic undermount slides, cut, assemble and finish its still well worth it to me.

Pre cnc I had the LR32 and liked it.  I have other posts on how to maximize efficacy with it and mostly do away with those darn set back bars that I hated.  even though I have a DDF40 I have never used it to drill shelf pin holes so I cant say which is better.  "IF" you have a good sized mft style bench I would go with the LR32 (with a non festool router if your thrifty) once setup on a MFT style bench you can fly with it.  Plus it does the hinge cups too.  and the rail can pull double duty for cutting. If you are smart you opt to get the LR rail with the saw.  I didnt realize this was an option at the time but I guess some places let you pick a LR rail instead of the regular.  If you already have the rail and adapt a router you already have you can get into the LR32 for under $300 which is a steal. The "Mafell" templete is close to 800 bucks.  FS tools does make a more reasonable priced one.

As far as the drawers go here is a video of the Matrix A drawers.  They are the best option I have found for the money and availability. They also come in white which for the states is less common.  For some reason most slim line metal boxes only come in the Anthracite (dark grey) while they look nice it does make for more work since you will need to lay up your own material for the bottom and back since off the shelf cabinet liner or melamine does not match.  With the white drawers I just use off the shelf white cabinet liner and done.  The video says they are available with PTO but Im 99.5% sure its either soft close OR PTO. Blum is the only one I know of that has both soft close and PTO in one but last checked its about 4-5x the price and not available in white which equals more work. I will also say that the 89mm matrix drawer had a slightly more off white color than the deeper drawers.  Not sure if thats been corrected yet and the folks I built them for didnt notice but I did.  I mentioned it to the Hafele rep and he was going to mention it to the supplier.   

The other thing is a set of cheap under mount slides (ill use the KV since its the cheapest I could find) alone is going to be $26.50 for the just the slides and front locks.  The matrix A drawers come complete with the slim metal draw sides, full ext. soft close slides and all brackets/front locks needed for just around $10-15'ish more. I never broke down the numbers fully but Im not sure anyone can beat that cost with wood where its at using full ext. soft close undermounts. I should have ordered a few pallets of each when they were half price. even the Metabox is around $20 per drawer now.  I think they were around $7 pre covid  either way even if the Matrix A have almost doubled  they are still the best bang for the buck IMOif you dont want or need both soft close and PTO in one. 

@afish did you post another vacuum jig? I would like to see it.

not knock down obviously, but what about stapling it.
the crews here crank out thousands of euro style cabinets for highrises. melamine and particle board and they hold up fine. they have rebates to align. the only visible staples are underneath and you have to really look

saw a youtube of a cabinet shop, they showed one of their faster younger dudes assemble a cabinet in under a minute. they have it all dialed down though

I'm making 12 wardrobes and 18 kitchen cabinets. My melamine MFC wood is CNC cut so will be millimetre accurate. What would make life easier for the build: the Festool DF500 or the Mafell DDF40?

The domino seems to be the preferred tool by most but I just want a quick way to get the cabinets connected quickly and in square so it seems like the doweller would be quickest. Quickly drill each side, clamping doesn't seem to be a requirement, drop in some glue and press together, perhaps with a screw or two to hold them together while the glue dries?

I like the look of the domino (plus it blue and green!) but it seems like there would be more work, put the boards down, clamp them, then drill, then there seems to be some slack to move the panels back and forth a bit to get the edges square. The Mafell automatically aligns them by virtue of there being zero play in the dowels.

Opinions on what's quickest/best for an amateur building?

Wouldn’t it be easier to have the locations for dowels or Confirmats drilled while the parts are being machined?

I would second Dongar.

if you have just one big job, a good strategy is to prepare everything and then -lend- a DF500 for a weekend.

Over here they lend DF500 for 20€/day which is peanuts when one gets a good use out of it.

I would pass on the DDF40. It is more finicky in its operation (no "loose dowel" option like on the Domino) and thus more geared to the proffesional who would care for the Domino/dowel price savings in the long run.

For dowels, where applicable, the LR32 system can do most what DDF40 can do just a bit slower. And it needs only the plate as both a router and the rails one would have anyway.

You're in Germany so assuming the parts are going to be cut with a beam saw then theoretically transferred to a point to point machine for dowel & Confirmat drilling, they'd also be able to line bore and groove for backs in one go as well. An extra 20,- per box doesn't seem that unreasonable to me.

Is your vendor edge banding the panels?

Can I throw a curve ball...

For cabinets, the Lamello Zeta P2 is fantastic, using the Tenso fittings, no clamps , just glue and clip together.

Regards

Dale

:edited as I said Clamex and I meant Tenso...

The P2 is amazing piece of engineering but the cost of consumables kills it for me.  At around $3 per connector it would add to much to the cost of each cabinet for everyday use.  I could see it for specialty type stuff for large items that couldnt or would be difficult to fit into an elevator etc. and be easier to transport flat packed.  However the cost of the unit makes it hard to justify the machine for just occasional use too.

Agreed the machine is expensive!!

I mis typed, I meant the Tenso connectors, these are about .80 each in the UK

If being used for knock down, then the Clamex connectors are 1.11 each , these work out at half the cost of the DF500 knock down connectors.

I love both the Lamello and the Domino, both are fantastic tools

Dale

Another consideration, if cost is an issue get a Kreg pocket hole machine, with careful planning you can put the screws where they wont be seen.