Dissapointed in Domino - Resolved

[youralive]

Hi, this is my first post, hoping to get some feedback/advice regarding the Domino. I am a kitchen installer/finish carpenter who owns the following Festools that I am extremely happy with: Ts 55, Ct 26, Rotex 150, and a Trion barrel grip jig saw. I was prepared to love the Domino when I replaced my aging biscuit joiner, but was dissapointed in the following:
1-The height adjustment drifted during use, even after adjusting the depth clamping lever to a very tight setting. Two levers to hold the height would be a much better design.
2- The outrigger guides are a great idea, but the attachment design is weak for repeat/sustained usage
3- The 5mm bit was (incredibly) dull right out of the chute and got worse during a day of approx. 50 mortises in maple. The workpiece was always clamped and the feed rate was slow.
4- The motor goes back on the guide rails very "roughly"

I purchase tools to make money and for ease of use. The great dust collection of Festools is a huge added bonus. I have been very happy with my previous Festool purchases for their accuracy, user friendliness, and dust collection. I purchased the Domino from my semi-local supplier whom I have a good relationship with. I am going to be using the 30day return, but I would still prefer a Domino to any biscuit joiner. Did I just get a lemon, or am I missing something. Thanks for any advice.

 

[jmbfestool]

The height adjustment is poor well mine was and even if u do it tight it will move!  To solve the problem which I read some where on Fog was to use some sand paper on the fence where it slides up and down you will have to take it apart though by removing the plastic caps on the top.   After a little bit of sand paper it worked MINT!   I dont think you should be messing with it though if you are taking it back but just saying you can easily cure the problem.

About your other problems you have with it   that might just be you or you have a lemon but mine aint like that any way .

JMB

 

[fritter63]

I've had no problems with the height adjust.

 

[davee]

I suspect you have a lemon based on your latter comments.  The height adjustment is an issue, you can add sandpaper as stated earlier, or simply move the nut in the lever to allow more adjustment - with the nut moved it clamps down fine.  No more troubles.
I have the outriggers, but no longer use them to speak of.  I simply line up on pencil marks most of the time.  Again no troubles after.
I've cut many hundreds of mortices with all of my bits (less on the 10mm) with no dullness - this doesn't sound right at all.
The slides should be extremely smooth with no roughness at all - something is definitely amiss.

I no longer use a biscuit joiner for anything.  Of all my Festools, the Domino is the last I'd give up.  I hope you get a new one and see the value in it.

 

[peter halle]

First,  [welcome] to the FOG.

Sorry that you are experiencing issues with your Domino.

I would suggest that you return the tool for a replacement.

I believe that the height adjustment issues of the original design were dealt with in the new design by not machining the surfaces as finely as before.  The bit could have been a dud.  That happens.  The motor  / guide rail mounting is extremely precise.  Most people will hear a sound like a champagne cork leaving a bottle when they remove the motor.  It may take some alignment effort to get it to go back on.

My Domino (original model) has laid dormant since I bought it until the last few weeks.  There is a learning curve to using it and technique comes into play, but your issues do not fit the pattern of technique issues.

Hope you get a new one and let us know how that one works out!

Peter

 

[Kev]

very surprised on all counts ...

... particularly a blunt bit - those stay incredibly sharp.

Are you certain you got a new machine?

From my understanding, technique is an important thing with the domino. This is a machine that has been praised in many highly respected circles.

Also not exactly certain what you're doing with it, obviously joining, but if all you've done with the machine is 50 holes in maple ... (3) and (4) are hard to believe from a new tool and bit.

You need a proper Festool Technician involved here - if your dealer is any good, he'll be getting Festool onto your issue from the second you give him feedback.

I'm in Oz, but I know if I had one tiny little issue that guys couldn't fix at my local (Northern Abrasives) - the Festool rep would be it the store helping me out and looking at the problem.

 

[Erik63]

I have had great luck with my domino. I have had none of the issues you listed and mine has now been well used.

The only thing I can comment on is the learning curve of this tool. I still find myself trying to find ways to be more efficient with alignment.

Hopefully a new tool can take care of your problems.

 

[VictorL]

You can exchange or repair your domino free of charge.
Don't forget setup wider settings for repetitive  cuts, otherwise you'll get hard time for assembling.
Cutters stay sharp for long time.  I might suggest that cutter was broken  during operation when fence shifted. It has small hard tip, which is welded to shank, so when it fell off it is not obvious that's it is broken.

VictorL

 

[kfitzsimons]

I also couldn't do without the Domino. Only issue I've experienced is the width adjusting knob vibrates to another setting once in awhile. I took the cover off, as per a Festoo advisor's instructions and all looks ok. So I'm not sure what the issue is. I may have to send it in, but I find it a very useful too.

 

[John Stevens]

Return it for sure.  When you get the replacement, you'll be amazed at the difference.

Regards,

John

 

[ajones]

wecome to the fog

I had the same thoughts as Kev it sound as if you have a second hand and abused domino,I doubt that is the case though  your fence issues suprise me and although this was an issue with the earlier pin model it was fixed some years ago with the new paddle fence.it should also slide nicely on the tubes

I bought three of the domino and cutter sets when I bought the machine as I thought I would  rip though the cutters. I am still using the original cutters more than two years later.

the outrigger guides as you call them fell apart within the first few hours  use them due to a competly poor design

I believe there is a lot of scope to improve the domino to make it a superbly easy machine to use,but you could not pry mine out of my hands.

so just get it changed and you will be very  happy.

but do make sure to come back and tell us how you got on, and what you think about the domino proper...

 

[spikfot]

I also experienced height slippage in the first few weeks of use (4 years ago) This was in my pre-FOG days, but i simply advanced the nut in the lever- and it has worked well ever since.
My domino paid for itself on the first job and has saved me countless hours of labor. 

 

[Tinker]

3- The 5mm bit was (incredibly) dull right out of the chute and got worse during a day of approx. 50 mortises in maple. The workpiece was always clamped and the feed rate was slow.

I am sure the cutter had been damaged.  Festoy router bits have been of the best hardness I have yet to find.  I use a lot of reclaimed wood and firewood ripped into usable dimensions in my shop.  Occasionally, a piece of hardware gets past my scrutiny and surely does not get past my router bits and/or saw blade teeth.  I try to use cheaper bits when working with such wood, but occasionally I have to use a festool bit and always the Festool saw (AFT 55) blade.  When I do find a piece of iron with blade or bit, it is a source of amazement the cutting edge has not been damaged.  Whatever Festool uses for carbide, it is darned tough stuff and i have never received as new, a dull blade or bit.  Not always the case with other brands.
Tinker

 

[erock]

I bought my domino when the 20% refurbish sale was going on.  I was worried that it would have some kind of defect.  But when I opened the systainer it
still had that new tool smell we love so much!!  And everything on it was spot on.  I have the old pin style unit and not a single problem with it.  I must have played with it for a couple days just to practice my technique.  After I had dialed it in and aligned everything I was comfortable with the Domino  I gave my two biscuit jointers away. 

I would return the unit and get a new one.  This tool is worth another shot.  Once you get a handle on the Domino it will save you time.  And we all know that time is money.

 

[youralive]

Thanks for all the replies, very helpful. I am going to return the machine for another. Even with the issues, I immediately appreciated the utility. The ability to widen the mortise for edge joining alone is worth a lot.
Kev, it's funny you thought I may have gotten a slightly used tool-I initially thought the same. However, the protective film was still on the base, everything looked pristine, etc.
Victor L, maybe a fence shift could have damaged the bit, good thought, but the fence never shifted much at one time, it drifted. I did tighten the nut (a lot) and this helped, but I still had a bit of slippage over time.
Maybe someone could put together a sandpaper kit in a very small systainer that would rememdy this . I do think the machine should have two locking levers to control height. Both sides of the fence bear weight equally. Festool uses two knobs to lock a bevel on their track saws, most circular saw manufacturers use only one with no problems-I can push my wormdrive thru wet PT at a 45 rip all day long and the bevel stays spot on. The TS 55 holds it's bevel flawlessly. I know it's not a perfect apples to apples; however, without repeatable accuracy, a tool is worthless-the second lever would insure this.
Anyway, I should get to my supplier sometime this week ( a 2.5 hr. drive ) and I'll let y'all know how I make out.
Thanks

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

I'd just like to comment about the potential of the OP getting a used tool. Festool USA/Canada never sells a used tool as new. Youralive, the offer from my PM still stands to assist in any way possible, if needed.

 

[ajones]

I would pre warn your supplier that you are coming and what your expectations are, to allow them time to discuss with festool if needed.

 

[tbellemare]

The following is, in my humble opinion (and we all know about opinions), the conundrum of the Universe...

Absolutes are never true.

Tom

 

[AlexThePalex]

Tom, you're absolutely right.

 

[Jonhilgen]

Get the domiplate, I dont use my domino without it unless I'm doing miters.

Jon