Anyone have experience with the CMT domino cutters?
- Thread starter ChuckS
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luvmytoolz
Member
I've only used the 12mm/14mm so far but have found them no different to the genuine Festool cutters in use.
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I have used CMT in 5mm and 6mm, no issues at all. Once it is in the machine, you would never know the difference.
What I thought too. Before I returned it, I made a few more mortises this morning and checked them with another batch of 6mm tenons. Even a sanded dry-fit tenon wouldn't remotely come close to being that loose.
If that was just an exception of a manufacturing defect that wasn't caught by QC, I'd try another CMT cutter from the local store.
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Cheese
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Could have been just a discrepant sample of the CMT cutter Chuck. I have a lot of confidence and experience using CMT items and I certainly wouldn't steer away from using one of their offerings.
Hipplewm
Member
Make sure the depth is correct and the cutter is fully seated - the motion of the domino, even if the cutter isn't seated by 1 mm (0.040") could have drastic effects on hole width.
Also, if you install you can compare it against any other bit (except 4mm) for overall length - they should all be the same
Also, if you install you can compare it against any other bit (except 4mm) for overall length - they should all be the same
Just how loose the tenon was in the mortise milled in the narrow setting by the CMT cutter I had? The pictures show it clearly (0.005" or 0.127mm).
It took the "same" torque I always use to remove the cutter, and so the problem was not due to a "loosely" installed cutter.
I'll try another CMT cutter from the local retailer when I shop near that place one day.
It took the "same" torque I always use to remove the cutter, and so the problem was not due to a "loosely" installed cutter.
I'll try another CMT cutter from the local retailer when I shop near that place one day.
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This is sound advice. Being in a rather unique position, I have had Domino cutters sharpened (professionally)
It not really economically advisable and it only works once. Since the overall length is reduced, the mortise will be narrower, once is barely usable. After seeing that, I quit sending them.
I did briefly consider adding a spacer but deemed it not worth the risk.
@ChuckS Is it possible that yours is slightly bent, defective? A sample size of one would not turn me away from CMT.
Since you have a local source (returnable) it might be worth a second chance.
The tip looked normal to me, but I didn't check the straightness before returning it. The only reason I got it from Amazon instead of the local store (pretty much same price) was that it saved me 20 minutes of driving (not including a second trip if a return is made). I hope the next CMT cutter works out fine. I'm getting it as a backup cutter as the price is right. I also have two 4mm, and 5mm cutters. The most frustrating thing in the flow of woodworking is you have to stop and go get something that is an hour away (to and back)!
luvmytoolz
Member
Is it possible the cutter was a fake CMT? That kind of gap is pretty big really, hard to see how a CMT cutter could end up so out of spec?
Unlikely judging from the packaging/marking.
tjbnwi
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My mistake, I glossed over your post with the feeler gauge.
Looks like the cutter was ground a little large.
Tom
