Can the DF 500 center wood that is 3 inches wide?

[Neo-Creo]

I can't seem to figure out how to center a board that is 3 inches wide with a DF 500 cutter, or if it can even do so. The dimensions are 2'11" long, 3" wide, & 3/4" thick. I need this project done in about 10 days and I still have more to do after the domino cutter.

 

[ChuckM]

Simply use a center line instead of the paddles/pins to register your workpieces. Draw a center line at 1.5" from the edge of your work, and position the machine on the work with the sight gauge.

You can use the paddles to center your machine on a 3" (76.2mm) wide board if you add a shim of 1.1mm thick to the paddles, though (the paddles are 37mm from the center of the cutter).

 

[Mark Katz]

As others have said in other threads, why does it need to be exactly centered? As long as the mortise is the same distance from a reference edge on both pieces the mortises will line up. And the 37mm offset provided by the paddles is close enough to 1.5”

 

[ChuckM]

Mark is correct that centering on the width (or thickness) of the stock is unnecessary in the day-to-day operation. In fact, a little off-centering is a better thing.

 

[Birdhunter]

However you decide to cut the mortises, be sure the process is exactly repeatable in case you need to redrill one or more of the holes. I make a jig if I’m doing something like this.

 

[xedos]

If you're asking if there is a stop, paddle, pin, ect... on the domino that will place the cutter center line  37.5mm (1 -1/2") left or right of an edge....................then no.  There is not.

The LA-DF 500/700 trim stop will get you to 1-3/8".  You could prob. fabricate (or modify) the plates on it to get  to 1-1/2".

The cross stops could also be used with a setup block or jig to center in 3".