DF500 Depth Knob Issue

[Fotis_S]

Hello everyone,

I just wanted to say that this is my first time posting here and I apologize if I do anything that I'm not supposed to. About my issue now. I purchased the Domino DF 500 in the middle of January but I didn't have the chance to open it up till today. After inspection of the tool I found something that I think is a problem with the tool. The green depth adjustment knob seems to be sticky. I read the manual and followed the instructions on how to adjust the depth but something seems off. I press and hold the black clip and then try to move the green depth adjustment knob but it's very stiff. I managed to move it down to the 15mm setting but then when I let go it just stayed in that position. It didn't move sideways like it's supposed to. I had to push it sideways with my finger and it wasn't easy. I'm not sure if that's normal or not. Please let me know if you have any advice about this.

Thank you very much,

Fotis S.

 

[afish]

Mine moves easy peasy.

 

[serge0n]

My Domino is 14 years old and the green depth adjustment moves without much trouble. I have to persuade it a little on the 28 mm setting, but that's about it. Snaps right in on any other setting.
Have you ever used your Domino without dust collection?

 

[Fotis_S]

I have never used it before. It's brand new

 

[Paul_HKI]

Hi Fotis,

I have a brand new DF500 sitting here which I've replaced a 15 year old one with.  Both depth adjustment mechanisms work and feel just the same.

You have a problem there with that tool.  Contact your reseller for a return or repair.

All the best,

Paul

 

[jeffinsgf]

Hope I'm not overstating the obvious here, but you know you have to push it out before you rotate it side-to-side, right?

 

[Paul_HKI]

"It didn't move sideways like it's supposed to. I had to push it sideways with my finger and it wasn't easy"

I'd read that to mean the green slider wasn't sliding forwards/backwards on that sprung loaded return. 

 

[benz240]

I too recently bought a new DF500, and the depth adjustment is definitely really stiff. I have nearly busted a knuckle a few times trying to adjust it, but I think it should probably loosen up over time. It doesn't impact the ability to change the depth setting, just requires that I coordinate my actions carefully. If anything I wouldn't want the depth adjustment to be too easy, otherwise I might knock it out of position easily.

 

[Distinctive Interiors]

...... If anything I wouldn't want the depth adjustment to be too easy, otherwise I might knock it out of position easily.

I don't see how you could do that...?? There is a Black locking lever that has to be pressed to allow the Green depth adjustment lever to be moved from one depth to the another...!!

 

[Fotis_S]

Hope I'm not overstating the obvious here, but you know you have to push it out before you rotate it side-to-side, right?

Hey Jeff, thanks for replying to me. I don't think it's the way I'm doing it because I watched a ton of videos on the tool before I bought it

 

[Fotis_S]

"It didn't move sideways like it's supposed to. I had to push it sideways with my finger and it wasn't easy"

I'd read that to mean the green slider wasn't sliding forwards/backwards on that sprung loaded return.

Hey Paul, I would like to thank you for taking the time to address my issue. Yes, it's exactly that. The spring doesn't return it. Is it possible to post short videos on this forum?

 

[Rick Herrick]

[member=75375]Fotis_S[/member] Just for grins, separate the unit as if you were changing a cutter.  See if the mechanism works differently.  The plunger inside that rail gets pushed in when you put the unit back together.  I found this by accident and I almost freaked out that by separating the unit, I broke my depth stop.  Obviously thats not the case but its something to look at to make sure your stop is not stiff for another reason.

 

[Fotis_S]

I too recently bought a new DF500, and the depth adjustment is definitely really stiff. I have nearly busted a knuckle a few times trying to adjust it, but I think it should probably loosen up over time. It doesn't impact the ability to change the depth setting, just requires that I coordinate my actions carefully. If anything I wouldn't want the depth adjustment to be too easy, otherwise I might knock it out of position easily.

Hey friend, thanks for replying. Like you said, I can change the setting it's just very stiff. The spring that's supposed to return it isn't doing a great job. The spring only work on the 12mm setting.

 

[Fotis_S]

[member=75375]Fotis_S[/member] Just for grins, separate the unit as if you were changing a cutter.  See if the mechanism works differently.  The plunger inside that rail gets pushed in when you put the unit back together.  I found this by accident and I almost freaked out that by separating the unit, I broke my depth stop.  Obviously thats not the case but its something to look at to make sure your stop is not stiff for another reason.

Hey Rick, thanks for the advice. I did think to do that last night but I decided to stop fiddling with it instead before I broke anything! I will try it today and see if it helps.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

The little green lever doesn't move directly sideways. It has to go forward first. That is the point of the black cover, it keeps the lever from moving forward. The back side of the green lever has a hole in it that sits over a pin at each adjustment point, which is why it can't move directly sideways.

 

[Fotis_S]

The little green lever doesn't move directly sideways. It has to go forward first. That is the point of the black cover, it keeps the lever from moving forward. The back side of the green lever has a hole in it that sits over a pin at each adjustment point, which is why it can't move directly sideways.

Hey,

I have to admit my explanation wasn't the best because English isn't my first language. I will try and attach a picture to show you that even though I push it down to change to a deeper setting the green knob just stays there, the spring doesn't push it into position. Thanks for replying View attachment 1

 

[Crazyraceguy]

Oh, yeah, that is definitely not right. It should almost jump down to the deepest setting at that point. The spring is supposed to be pulling it that way. It must have something bent inside or bound up by something. Take it back to the dealer where you got it. They can take care of it.

 

[Fotis_S]

Ok that's what I thought but I wasn't sure if it was me or not. I will take it back

 

[4nthony]

Glad I found this thread. I've got the same problem. My spring works in the 12 and 15 positions, but once it gets past 15, the depth lever doesn't spring back and I have to manually move it into the lock position.

I mostly use 15 and 20mm settings so it's not too much of an inconvenience but may consider contacting Festool just to see what the turnaround time is for service.

[member=75375]Fotis_S[/member] what ended up happening with your tool? Did the retailer swap it out for you?

Edit: I've decided to send my Domino back to Festool for warranty service. The tech I spoke to said each stop along the depth lever should be spring into the lock position. They are claiming a 1-2 day turnaround after receiving the tool.

 

[Fotis_S]

Glad I found this thread. I've got the same problem. My spring works in the 12 and 15 positions, but once it gets past 15, the depth lever doesn't spring back and I have to manually move it into the lock position.

I mostly use 15 and 20mm settings so it's not too much of an inconvenience but may consider contacting Festool just to see what the turnaround time is for service.

[member=75375]Fotis_S[/member] what ended up happening with your tool? Did the retailer swap it out for you?

Edit: I've decided to send my Domino back to Festool for warranty service. The tech I spoke to said each stop along the depth lever should be spring into the lock position. They are claiming a 1-2 day turnaround after receiving the tool.

Hey man,

I ended up sending the Domino to Festool. They fixed it within two days. It works fine now!