The Tool We’ve Been Waiting For! BUT There’s a Catch...

Testing out the Tianli Handheld Mortiser floating tenon jig and comparing it to the Festool Domino joiner. Is the Tiani jig the Festool Domino replacement we've been waiting for? Yes and no. It's $1000 cheaper than the Domino, but it doesn't have all the features. For most hobbyist woodworkers wanting to save some money, this might be the perfect floating tenon jig.

Ebay link for this mortising jig. I have no affiliation with the seller

★ Subscribe for more woodworking videos ★

★ Discord and Patreon Access ★

★ TOOLS / SUPPLIES ★

[jmakes]

As somebody that has had a domino for the past couple of years, I have to say I'm really impressed by this little jig. There have been quite a few times I've wished I could cut custom width dominos or at heights that aren't on the domino's pre-set little step and it looks like it would be really easy to do with this and if you made a couple of jigs (see below) you would be able to make it a lot quicker to use.

- To set the depth, make a piece of wood with a series of different depth holes in it. With the router off, simply plunge the bit into the desired depth hole, and then tighten the depth knob when it hits the bottom. 
- To set how high you want the cut to be on an edge, you could have a simple stepped packer that gets pushed in-between the red and silver pieces. Push the two together so they are tight on the packer, then tighten the knob.

[sgsax]

Seems like a great option for *FLOATING TENONS*. Inexpensive and actually works pretty good. Always nice to see that. And I do love having options. Thanks for sharing!

[DanaOredson]

Saving $1000 is a big deal, for sure. Since all of us woodworkers always want more tools, use the $1000 saved to have a better tablesaw, which is the cornerstone of practically every shop. Thanks for the video and sharing this jig!

[briannelson]

I've seen this before and I admit, when you did your video on buying fad tools, I was hoping this was going to be one of them. So glad you evidentially found this, I was very curious if :1- it was real, 2- if it worked, and 3- if the build quality was there. Thanks for the answers! Thanks for doing this video, I'll be ordering this if for nothing else, just to play with it, as I cant afford a Festool just for kicks, and to see if I can find a use for it. I'm a retired carpenter and now just piddle around my shop/garage because I like it, not for a living.

[chetleonard]

SO happy I found a Domino jointer in an estate sale for $100.

[MurrayBarton]

I don't usually watch tool reviews unless I am specifically looking to buy something but really enjoyed this and found it useful, thank-you.

[jcsmith]

I actually bought and own this! My gripes with this is the fence doesn’t tilt to 45 degrees, the depth and height stops are easily moved when locked down, and the 1st iteration had a (higher quality in my opinion) spring loaded linear guide rail/bearing. I reached out to the manufacturer as to what exactly got “upgraded” to warrant a higher price for the second model as to which they replied “we painted red”. Buyers beware, I still would recommend it though. Just wish they would’ve stayed with the linear guide rails than just two thin rods.

[CheveeDodd]

Thanks for buying a second one! I was looking at getting one of these for myself but wasn't sure if it was going to work for me. For the few times I want to use a floating tenon, this thing looks perfect for me!

[dannyross]

Haha that Floating Tenon voiceover. 😂. If Dave switches his channel to videos of him just eating cereal I am still watching.

[edithmorrison]

I so appreciate your reviews, I actually bought a similar jig on Amazon along with the handheld win router. (Based off your win review videos) I am loving my jig, under $100 on Amazon so for about $150 I have a poor woman's festool domino joiner.

[MrMartinSchou]

While it is true that the tool is $200, it could easily be worth the expediency to just leave a router in the tool permanently for expediency. So add in ~$150 for that and you're still only at ~$350.

[c.a.g.]

Pretty nifty jig! Already own the domino, and everytime I use it I always think: "Man this tool is such a pleasure to use!" Whereas every time I use a router... well, they're scary things!

[Woodworking]

Coming up with a dust extraction jig and using fixed bases would greatly improve the product. I like it, very neat. I’m not getting rid of my Domino but I love to see this kind of innovation in our craft.

[Wolfenater]

The same jig is used in the door shop industry too router out latches for over 20 years or more. It is rather amazing that it has taken this long for a smaller, personal use system to come out and be affordable.

[bobt]

I loved the flawless voiceover work. Totally non-obvious!

I am going to look at the Jessem jig too

[robertspeer]

Kind of killed this video. Great storytelling, great content, very relevant, great editing, perfect length. Promotes new stuff discovery like the old video roundups that I LOVED, and small manufacturers which I also love. AND making.

This is a thing, I hope you explore it.

[jackleg]

As a DIY home gamer the domino is way outside of my justifiable spending range. This tool fits this gap perfectly. Yeah, it’s not as quick and yeah it’s dusty but is it $1, 000 slower/dustier? Not in my world.
Excellent review and as always a great video.
Also my mom says thanks for the inch?? 😉

[discerningx]

I bought the jig. Had to get 6mm collet and 6mm compression bit. Works like a champ I
With my existing 6mm dominos. Fast and effective.

[lesb.]

Just saw this video now and followed the link to the eBay listing; it's no longer for sale, but it did say they sold 209 of them. Guess I missed the boat. Great review!

[JaySellers]

Sticking with my Dominos but this should make Festool consider lowering their price to be more competitive. They won’t 😂 but they should.