DF500 Domino face alignment issues

[wickedwendy]

Hello all,

Recently picked up a DF500 Domino, played with it a bunch, making panels of 3/4 ply, easy peasy. All my domino slots were perfect, alignment perfect, and most importantly, the faces are perfectly flush. No need for sanding. Which was why I bought the domino to begin with. I don't have access to a wide belt sander.

So I took today to joining up a large panel of 4/4 oak that I milled up for my new basement landing.
Everything lines up, except the FACE. The only reason I bought the Domino, and it's off every board by about 1/16 in places.
I use the tool properly. The pieces are clamped to my assembly table and do not move, I place all the weight on the handle pushing into the piece, and DOWN. Ease the tool in from the whip. On none of the cuts was there movement of the tool. The faces SHOULD be perfect, I'm referencing from the top face, didn't move any adjustments between cuts. I mean, I would be joining a 1/2 piece of wood to a 4/4 piece, and the faces should be flush, since the mortise is placed off of the top reference. I don't get what is happening.

 

[peter halle]

Is it possible that the bottom of the Domino's base is being interfered with by what you have your workpiece clamped to?

Peter

 

[wickedwendy]

In each case, I have the workpiece that I am working on overhanging the table by about 2-3 inches. Unfortunately not.

 

[Michael Kellough]

In each case, I have the workpiece that I am working on overhanging the table by about 2-3 inches. Unfortunately not.

So you are registering from the fence rather than the bottom of the machine.

Sounds like the fence has been sliding up the posts. If you remember the initial depth setting you can look to see if the fence has moved.

 

[wickedwendy]

I have it set with the stops. Is that possible? Because it shouldn't be.

 

[smorgasbord]

I have it set with the stops. Is that possible? Because it shouldn't be.

The "stop" (plastic height guide) will only prevent the fence from moving closer to the bit, not further away. That's prevented by the fence lock down, which might have loosened.

 

[Hipplewm]

Hello all,

Recently picked up a DF500 Domino, played with it a bunch, making panels of 3/4 ply, easy peasy. All my domino slots were perfect, alignment perfect, and most importantly, the faces are perfectly flush. No need for sanding. Which was why I bought the domino to begin with. I don't have access to a wide belt sander.

So I took today to joining up a large panel of 4/4 oak that I milled up for my new basement landing.
Everything lines up, except the FACE. The only reason I bought the Domino, and it's off every board by about 1/16 in places.
I use the tool properly. The pieces are clamped to my assembly table and do not move, I place all the weight on the handle pushing into the piece, and DOWN. Ease the tool in from the whip. On none of the cuts was there movement of the tool. The faces SHOULD be perfect, I'm referencing from the top face, didn't move any adjustments between cuts. I mean, I would be joining a 1/2 piece of wood to a 4/4 piece, and the faces should be flush, since the mortise is placed off of the top reference. I don't get what is happening.

You have to reference the domino from the same surface for both side of the tenon.  You seem to have this covered, the only other thing that seems to cause issues is movement up and down on the machine from overhanging, which is why there are so many billet aluminum attachments out there.

I am not sure if it is too late, but if you can separate the pieces and put in a tenon and check for square against the wood, this will tell you if you angled up or down while plunging.

 

[wickedwendy]

I'm keeping the fence 100% on the work surface. Not dipping down or up.

 

[smorgasbord]

The "stop" (plastic height guide) will only prevent the fence from moving closer to the bit, not further away. That's prevented by the fence lock down, which might have loosened.

This short video illustrates what might be the problem:

 

[Hipplewm]

I'm keeping the fence 100% on the work surface. Not dipping down or up.

I have heard that before - there is some flex there and it is hard to tell...

The machine doesn't change by 1/16 "Sometimes"

 

[wickedwendy]

The "stop" (plastic height guide) will only prevent the fence from moving closer to the bit, not further away. That's prevented by the fence lock down, which might have loosened.

This short video illustrates what might be the problem:

Ahhhh. Thanks for the tip!

 

[Hipplewm]

If that screw won't tighten and your fence is moving here is an easy way to fix it.
=sedgetool

 

[luvmytoolz]

If that screw won't tighten and your fence is moving here is an easy way to fix it.

As quick instructional videos go, that's one of Sedge's best I reckon. Nicely and simply presented, all the detail you need.

 

[ChuckM]

This short video illustrates what might be the problem:

This ^^^^^ if the fence did slip due to insufficient purchase. The OEM handle is so well designed to allow for any necessary adjustments.

 

[smorgasbord]

The OEM handle is so well designed to allow for any necessary adjustments.

After seeing these DF500 videos, I can't help but wonder why Festool hasn't updated the DF500 considering they fixed a number of things in the DF700. Besides the reposition-able levers, the DF700 has 3 paddles on each side instead of just one (and same machine width), the fence height guide is calibrated to the center of the bit, matching the scale (on the DF500, the height guide is the thickness of stock that would be centered), etc. These seem like easy to incorporate fixes into the DF500, and it's been years and years, so there really isn't an excuse IMO.

 

[ChuckM]

Just a guess. Perhaps Festool wants to pick the best timing to release a new version of the DF500, which will include more than just cosmetic upgrades to fence off the expected entry of clones upon the expiry of patents of the machine.

Anything less than an improvement to the cutting capacity or addition of functions is considered cosmetic or minor to me.  Unless Festool is willing to significantly lower its price, it needs to deliver something that catches its potential competitors by surprise in its new DF500 if one is to come out.

 

[alltracman78]

The OEM handle is so well designed to allow for any necessary adjustments.

After seeing these DF500 videos, I can't help but wonder why Festool hasn't updated the DF500 considering they fixed a number of things in the DF700. Besides the reposition-able levers, the DF700 has 3 paddles on each side instead of just one (and same machine width), the fence height guide is calibrated to the center of the bit, matching the scale (on the DF500, the height guide is the thickness of stock that would be centered), etc. These seem like easy to incorporate fixes into the DF500, and it's been years and years, so there really isn't an excuse IMO.

It's funny how different the 700 is from the 500. I keep forgetting and wondering what the problem is (I only have a 700).

 

[luvmytoolz]

I see a lot of remarks about the Domino patent expiring and the anticipated rush of cheaper clones. I really don't think that will be the case. You only have to look at the Chinese versions of the Lamello Zeta and the Triton Duo-Doweller to see the effect of cheaper competition.

The Chinese Zeta clones while more or less "functional", I use that term somewhat loosely, don't come close to comparing against the Lamello for accuracy, ease of use and general quality and reliability, the things you need in a tool used more than rarely. The Triton Duo-Doweller, well that should be crushed and burned, and then buried deep never to be seen again.

I do think what we'll see are similar'ish products at pretty much similar'ish prices, maybe just a little cheaper to try and entice.

 

[smorgasbord]

The Triton Duo-Doweller, well that should be crushed and burned, and then buried deep never to be seen again.

I haven't used one, but I did watch Peter Millard's video and my take was that if there was a project manager who actually worked wood at Triton, they could have had a real hit on their hands.

 

[luvmytoolz]

The Triton Duo-Doweller, well that should be crushed and burned, and then buried deep never to be seen again.

I haven't used one, but I did watch Peter Millard's video and my take was that if there was a project manager who actually worked wood at Triton, they could have had a real hit on their hands.

The Zeta clone is at least usable and very functional in a slightly more cumbersome and manual way, but the Triton Duo was just rubbish. Triton when they started out in Melb made great quality and very innovative gear, sad and quite amazed to see such a terrible product released by them.