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Author Topic: Mafell Dowel Machine  (Read 3081 times)

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Offline Birdhunter

  • Posts: 3318
  • Woodworker, Sportsman, Retired
Mafell Dowel Machine
« on: December 07, 2019, 01:37 PM »
I am building a rather large and complicated reception desk for a Pilates studio and just started building the drawers using a DDF40 Mafell doweling machine. I do have both Domino machines, but using 5mm dowels made sense to me rather than Dominos.

The accuracy/precision of the DDF40 is amazing. The drawers use 3/4” Baltic connecting to 1/2” Baltic. The sides fit together perfectly with zero setup time on the DDF40 other than setting the fence height.

I think the Domino machines have a bigger range of applications, but the doweling machine is a joy to use.
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Birdhunter
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Offline ScotF

  • Posts: 2836
Re: Mafell Dowel Machine
« Reply #1 on: December 07, 2019, 01:42 PM »
I just bought one - have not had a chance to use it yet, but it looks like a superbly built machine and similar to other Mafell machines I own and use. I think it will complement my Domino machines very nicely.
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Offline Blues

  • Posts: 78
Re: Mafell Dowel Machine
« Reply #2 on: December 22, 2019, 06:10 AM »
I love my Domino XL and with the Seneca adapter it's very capable. After i picked up the DDF40 I'm amazed at how intuitive and quick the set up and operations are. Totally agree on the accuracy. Loving this tool.

When you built the drawers did you miter the edges and then use the dowel? Can you share some pictures? 
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Offline JimH2

  • Posts: 1003
Re: Mafell Dowel Machine
« Reply #3 on: December 22, 2019, 04:23 PM »
The drilling template and extension are crazy money, but they are very useful. You won't be disappointed with their functionality.
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Offline Tom Gensmer

  • Posts: 730
  • Residential Remodeler in Minnesota
Re: Mafell Dowel Machine
« Reply #4 on: December 22, 2019, 05:41 PM »
I own the DD40P and Domino XL and find them to cover the vast majority of my joinery needs. I use the Domino XL for larger/longer tenons for doors, while the DD-40P really shines for carcass work and joinery requiring precision alignment.

Haven't tried the DDF40 quite yet, looks like a great machine!

I had the opportunity to visit Germany and get a factory tour at Mafell and Festool a few years ago. When touring the Mafell factory I saw a few parts for the DDF40 at one of the work stations, this was prior to the tool being announced. I asked the guide about it, he just smiled and winked.  [big grin]
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Offline Birdhunter

  • Posts: 3318
  • Woodworker, Sportsman, Retired
Re: Mafell Dowel Machine
« Reply #5 on: December 24, 2019, 10:08 AM »
I didn’t miter the drawers, just butt jointed fastened with four 5mm dowels per joint. I am adding an overlay front to each of the 8 drawers. The absolute precision of the DDF40 is a blessing. The quality of the machine is outstanding. The combination of the DDF40 and my Domino 500 have made this massive job very doable.

Another neat feature of the DDF40 is that mistakes can be quickly fixed. Just insert a dowel, cut flush, and mistake has vanished. This can be done with exact Dominos, but is more difficult with larger mortises.

My next challenge is to affix the drawer slides. I don’t build many drawer units and getting the slides just right is difficult for my limited skills.
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Birdhunter

Offline martin felder

  • Posts: 110
Re: Mafell Dowel Machine
« Reply #6 on: December 29, 2019, 06:45 PM »
Thanks for the thread.  I saw one of these a couple of years ago, but I did not want 220 as for something like this, I would want to plug it into my festool dust collector and the power cord attached to the hose (I have 2, the festool proprietary and the regular... I wish Festool sold plug adaptors).  Nice to see that it is now available at a lower price with accessories, 110V, at Timberwolf tools.  I have never used one but when I was able to handle it, it just seemed like it would be more accurate for a flush fit than the domino or a Lamello biscuit jointer.
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Offline Birdhunter

  • Posts: 3318
  • Woodworker, Sportsman, Retired
Re: Mafell Dowel Machine
« Reply #7 on: December 29, 2019, 08:45 PM »
I plug my DDF40 into my Festool dust collector. Works fine.

The DDF40 is highly precise. I’ve built 8 drawers for this project and every joint has been absolutely flush.

I could get the same results using a Domino cutting and narrow/wide mortises except the drawer sides are 1/2” plywood. The 6mm dowels are perfect for this thickness.
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Birdhunter
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