Do you get Domino cutters sharpened?

[waltwood]

Do you all have the domino cutters sharpened or buy a new one. New ones are not cheap but I want to know others experiences with having them sharpened. Also, how to tell when they are getting dull. I have cut several hundred mortises with mine based on the number of Dominoes I have used and it does not seem to be cutting differently or blowing out. One more question about the Domino, are they prone to mechanical problems by the mere motion that they perform. It seems like the same motion of a  reciprocating saw and I have torn up a dozen of them in my career. 

 

[ccarrolladams]

My experience is that when you become at one with your Domino and treat the cutters with respect, they last a long time.

For over 50 years I have had an excellent business relationship with my grinding/sharpening vendor. They do a good job sharpening my Domino cutters at a fair price. At least one of those has been sharpened 4 times, which could be the final time. It could be a few weeks before that one will be put back into service.

We decide when to send a bit for sharpening based on our individual judgment of performance. The Domino action feels different with a slightly dull bit.

 

[waltwood]

I guess I don't know what that action is or they are still sharp. I am sure I have installed 600 to 800 Dominoes but not all with the same cutter. I have used the 5 mm the most but have used others many times also. I have a good sharpening service called Sure Set Saw in Chesapeake, Va but did not not want to sharpen them if they did not need it. With all other tools I know I needed to sharpen something when I change the knife, cutter, blade and say wow!,this really cuts better now. [smile]

 

[ccarrolladams]

The thing to remember to save money long-term and prolong the life of cutters is to sharpen them before you feel they need sharpening.

In my experience a 5mm Domino bit should make close to 2,000 mortices before needing sharpening. Generally I get more mortices in hardwood and less in plywood and still fewer in MDF.

Although I own all the other size bits and Dominoes for the 500, I have not made as many as 300 mortices with any other bit, so those are still the ones which came with the kit. Of course the 4mm bit was added later, but has seen hardly any use.

 

[waltwood]

Thanks, both replies helped

 

[Max Neu]

Do you guy's that get your domino cutters sharpened notice tighter fits after a few sharpenings? I was wondering if the diameter of the cutter gets smaller?

 

[ccarrolladams]

Max, that is a reason for sharpening cutters before you feel they need grinding.

My experience has been the mortices made with a sharpened bit work as well as those made with a brand new bit.

Of course the firm doing my sharpening are as good at their vocation as they come. They tell me that Domino bits are not especially hard to sharpen.

 

[Timtool]

I do not bother getting the df500 cutters sharpened, depending on the type they last years in steady use. In stead i buy new ones but keep the previous for hazardous work where there may be hidden nails or such.
With the DF700 it's different, they cost allot more. i had a 14mm cutter sharpened and it cost me a little under €40, which is rediculous, i brought in another to my new sharpening service and told him to have a look and only do it if it cost less than half the new price. Well see.

 

[mastercabman]

My experience is that when you become at one with your Domino and treat the cutters with respect, they last a long time.

For over 50 years I have had an excellent business relationship with my grinding/sharpening vendor. They do a good job sharpening my Domino cutters at a fair price. At least one of those has been sharpened 4 times, which could be the final time. It could be a few weeks before that one will be put back into service.

We decide when to send a bit for sharpening based on our individual judgment of performance. The Domino action feels different with a slightly dull bit.

What's the cost to get them sharpened?

 

[grbmds]

I didn't see anyone address the question about fit of the Domino tenons after sharpening? Do they fit differently? Is there some adjustment which must be made after sharpening each time?

 

[ccarrolladams]

To repeat myself, it has been my experience that after sharpening my Domino bits function as if new.

That means the Domino tendons fit in the resulting mortices as well as the new bits would make.

As for the cost of having these bits sharpened, it is best to ask for a quote from your local service.

 

[waltwood]

I think to sharpen them the metal is removed  from the inside edge and not the outside therefore not changing the outside dimension of the cut.

 

[mastercabman]

As for the cost of having these bits sharpened, it is best to ask for a quote from your local service.

I tried to get a quote over the phone but they have to see the bit
Could you tell us how much you are spending on resharpening those domino bits?

 

[ccarrolladams]

I have a contract with LA Grinding, so I get a better deal than list price.

Without getting specific, for my company the cost of sharpening Domino bits is less than 25% of the cost new including sales tax.

Apparently there is a wide range of sharpening list prices from region to region. I have no idea if Burbank, CA is a sharpening bargain area or way expensive.