Changing the cutter on the Domino 500

[Ivan T]

When changing cutters on the DF 500 it is sometimes awarkward to hold the Domino and turn the cutter with the supplied wrench. I have seen on FOG someone had a jig that held the domino while changing the cutter. Looking over the DF 500 I see the bottom is mostly flat. I layed the DF 500 on the MFT 3 and used a clamp to hold the Domino as I used the wrench to change the cutter. DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN THE CLAMP. The clamp worked just as well on a piece of 1 by 4 also. See attached pictures.

View attachment 1

View attachment 3

This made the task easier.

 

[Stephen B]

I would suggest that this is all unnecessary. Do not over tighten the cutter in the first place, and if you know you will not be using the Domino or that size cutter for some time, remove and clean  the cutter after use.

For further reading on this topic -http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-how-to/domino-machine-bit-stuck/msg412339/#msg412339

 

[grbmds]

I'd be careful clamping the body of the Domino. In addition to that, I'd also agree that installing and uninstalling the cutter is much easier than than that. I've owned my Domino for close to 2 years and have never had any difficulty either installing the bit or removing it to change bits. If it is that difficult I'd say it probably was too tight to begin with. It is true that I don't use the Domino continuously for hours at a time. if the bit does get tighter after extensive use, maybe checking it every hour or two, loosening it up, and then retightening might help with the problem. It just has never been a problem for me. I do tend to clean my router bits, saw blades, and cutters frequently, sometimes after each use. That way, build-up of pitch and sawdust does not become excessive over time.

 

[Nat X]

The cutters will absolutely become too tight to remove easily after extended use. They'll also be too hot to handle safely, so even if the idea of stopping to re-loosen and re-tighten every so many cuts was something you didn't mind, it's probably not a great idea. I think you'd have to try pretty hard to break the thing by lightly clamping it at that point.

 

[Max Fracas]

I had trouble removing the cutters so I bought a longer wrench at the big box store.  Lots easier now. 

 

[jmbfestool]

Not sure why people are having to use alot of force?

Sometimes its pinched up tighter while in use but most the time i can get them undone easily enough.

I only ever tighten with my fingers and even then i just kinda spin them on i dont grip it tight with my fingers to tigthen them on just enough so its bottomed out.

 

[Birdhunter]

A dab of high quality medium thickness oil on the threads along with a very easy tightening has worked for my 500 for years. Never had to force a bit off.

It's possible that one's usage technique could force the cutter on tighter.

 

[greg mann]

While I have never had a problem I agree with JMB that it is not necessary to tighten the cutters beyond a slight snug up. Over an extended period of use heat will cause threads to bind up some. We experience this with insert style metal cutting tools all the time. Of course the heat is significantly higher and for much longer cutting times but we mitigate this with an anti-seizing compound on the threads of insert screws. Just one application on the male spindle thread would probably eliminate any problem with a Domino for years. I have never found it necessary to do this but it is the best solution for anyone having this issue. You can pick up a small tube at any auto parts store and it is great to have around for things like lawn mower blades or any other fasteners subjected to weather that you might want to remove at a later date.