DF700- brand new machine, loose fit. Normal?

[tsmi243]

Hello FOG-

I've had the DF500 for about a year, and have always needed to (lightly) hammer in the dominos.  But on my new DF700 the fit is so loose, I can drop them in.  They fall into the mortise under their own gravity.

Is this normal?  It's the same for both 12mm and 14mm cuts. 

I thought I had made some progress this morning when I discovered that the "tight" width setting made the dominos fit snugly, but the 12mm dimension was identical to the loose-fitting holes I made previously.  So as an experiment, I used a block plane to remove the ribs down each side of the domino's width, and the looseness returned.  So the only snugness was from the width, not the thickness, of the domino.

I've left a few dominos out in the air for about a week, and they aren't any tighter that I can feel by hand. 

I'm clamping the work to my MFT, and referencing the base of the DF700 instead of the fence.  I'm plunging slowly, about 4s in and 2s out.  The bit isn't cutting extra on the way out (which I've had happen when using the fence and being careless).

Is it time to send it in? 

 

[Stone Message]

I have not heard of this before. Try 3 slots in a piece of oak, then 3 slots in a piece of soft wood. Repeat with a different size cutter.

If there is any difference in tightness between any of the holes with the same domino thickness then it may be technique.

If all are rubbish then exchange the machine.

Peter

 

[tsmi243]

That's a good idea- thanks, Peter!  I was just watching your 3-part video, and saw that you hammered the workpiece down onto your workbench to seat them.  That's what I was expecting, and am not getting.

I don't have any hardwood at the moment, but I DO have some 1.5" plywood.  Just did 3 cuts into the edgegrain, and they're identical to the cuts made in Doug Fir. 

I'm not feeling any variation from cut to cut.  They're all equally loose.  [sad]

Festool 1-800 is closed today.  I'll call on Monday and see if I can get a return started.

 

[Stone Message]

Good luck. I hope they are still operating as so many companies have just closed their doors.

I have not seen Festool UK on the FOG since Phil Beckley was here.

Peter

 

[Jiggy Joiner]

Never seen this with my Domino machines, I guess there might be an outside chance your 12mm and 14mm Domino’s may have contracted slightly?
Might be worth at least checking.

Maybe get a small pack of replacements to test?

 

[Michael Kellough]

First measure both the mortise and tenon to 0.1mm.

 

[tsmi243]

I've checked with some cheap SAE dial calipers- two sets, which agree with each other. Both read 0.473-0.476", checking 3 places on 4 individual dominos.  Google converts this to 12.01-12.09mm.

I can't get a reliable reading on the mortises.  So I added in shims of receipt paper, and it took 8 layers (about 0.020", or 0.5mm) to get the fit where I expected it to be.  I was still able to fit the domino by hand, but it was snug enough to hold a few pounds just from friction. 

 

[Michael Kellough]

Even in a wide mortise the Domino should fit snug enough to not fall out.
Your Dominos are sized right.
Sorry to say it but you probably need to exchange the machine.

If you need it right now for a project you could try swelling a batch of Dominos.
Maybe suspend them in a colander over a pot of boiling water?

But if that’s what it takes to make them fit right you really need to exchange.

 

[Gregor]

A bent cutter could explain this, but as you have it with 12 and 14mm that would be unlikely. Option would be for the dominos to be undersized, which could happen in case of extreme weather (super hot and dry over an extended period, with the dominos not being in plastic bags - basically the oven/microwave treatment one would do for easier dry fit), though that would be unlikely too I guess.

In case you're within the return period: return it to the dealer (who can put it through service) and grab a fresh one, but test that at the dealer before taking it with you. In case that time has passed: contact Festool service to have it picked up.

 

[Birdhunter]

I’ve seen several threads like this. Most of the time, the machine needs work, is returned, and functions correctly.

 

[tsmi243]

Thanks guys.  That's what I figured.  Return is processed already.  New one will be in next week.

 

[Jiggy Joiner]

It could well be the machine but, if it were, I’d imagine it would effect all of the Domino size range?

 

[tsmi243]

It could well be the machine but, if it were, I’d imagine it would effect all of the Domino size range?

Right, it's happening on both 12's AND 14's. 

 

[Jiggy Joiner]

Is there any way you could loan a few 12mm and 14mm Dominos from a friend or dealer, just for elimination.
If the machine was cutting with slop, I cant help thinking all the Dominos would be loose?
It could also be the 12mm and 14mm cutters are faulty, seems unlikely though.

 

[tsmi243]

All the dominos ARE loose.

 

[Birdhunter]

Let us know how the new Domino does.

 

[Jiggy Joiner]

All the dominos ARE loose.

Right ok, because you’ve not mentioned the 8mm and 10mm, I thought it was just the 12mm and 14mm you’re having issue with.
If they’re all loose, it’s almost certainly the machine.

 

[tsmi243]

Right ok, because you’ve not mentioned the 8mm and 10mm, I thought it was just the 12mm and 14mm you’re having issue with.
If they’re all loose, it’s almost certainly the machine.

Yep, I should have mentioned that 12 and 14 are the only cutters I have.  I sent it back- will update you all when the new one shows up.

 

[Jiggy Joiner]

Right ok, because you’ve not mentioned the 8mm and 10mm, I thought it was just the 12mm and 14mm you’re having issue with.
If they’re all loose, it’s almost certainly the machine.

Yep, I should have mentioned that 12 and 14 are the only cutters I have.  I sent it back- will update you all when the new one shows up.

Good luck with the replacement.