Domino 500 Imperial Thickness Gauge

[c_dwyer]

If interested, Amazon is running a sale ($5.00 off) for an imperial thickness gauge for the Domino 500.
https://www.amazon.com/Imperial-Thi...=UTF8&qid=1492396333&sr=8-15&keywords=festool+domino

 

[ben_r_]

Huh, this one any good compared to the Seneca? Or is it just a 3D printed knock off?

 

[SS Teach]

The numbers on the Seneca are much easier to read. The Seneca gauge is black with white numbers. The one sold on Amazon has numbers that are the same grey as the gauge. So is it a printed knockoff?

 

[justaguy]

If you look at the specs closely they are different
Amazon supports 7 thicknesses 1/2", 5/8", 3/4", 7/8",1", 1-1/8", and 1-1/2"
Seneca supports 6 thicknesses 1/2", 5/8", 3/4", 7/8", 1", and 1-1/8"

That said the one on Amazon is 3d printed in ABS.

PS: the Seneca is currently sold out and $34 more when it is in stock.

I have no affiliation with the Amazon seller and I own a Seneca.

 

[ear3]

The person who did this one posted about it on the FOG -- he was frustrated, in particular, by the fact that the Seneca one doesn't have a 1 1/2" preset:http://festoolownersgroup.com/festo...or-domino-with-more-settings-than-seneca-one/

 

[c_dwyer]

[member=41090]justaguy[/member] (or anyone else with a Seneca) - can you please help with a quick comparison using your Seneca Thickness Gauge and post a photo of the results?

I made some test cuts with the Amazon version (Ecotone Tools) to see if the gauge would center the cut on 1/2" and 3/4" ply. First, I made a cut referencing off of one side, flipped it over and made another cut referencing off of the opposite side to see how well they matched up. 

Attached are the results for me.  I'll provide other photos on the gauge and my thoughts/review shortly.
Thank you!

 

[justaguy]

1/2 and 3/4 plywood are not truely 1/2 and 3/4. The amazon and Seneca adapters are made for true dimension lumber. To hit the center of plywood you use a domiplate from Seneca.

Personally I never try to hit the center of plywood. I just make sure I am always referencing off of the proper faces of the two pieces to get the alignment I want. While getting used to working this way mark your work pieces until you get the process.

 

[c_dwyer]

Thanks [member=41090]justaguy[/member] and [member=23087]bnaboatbuilder[/member]. I know the ply width is thinner, and have always referenced off the same face making joints.  But, I'm especially interested in placing a 5mm domino in the center of 1/2" ply so that a similar amount of material is on both sides to give it a little more strength.  The same for the 3/4 and an 8 mm domino, but I kept the 5mm for the test cut in the 3/4 material the other day.

I realize the primary goal is proper alignment, but it sure would be nice to have it centered especially for the 1/2" ply. I haven't thought about the Domiplate route, but for $20, I thought I could give this a shot. I shaved off some of the plastic on the 1/2" shelf a little at a time with a chisel until I got it to center on the plywood (first photo). My (perceived) problem is now solved.

There are still gaps in Amazon's (EcotoneTools) Gauge after it clicks into place which is shown in the second and third photos. If folks can live with that, and the placement of the cuts would be exactly the same as the Seneca version, this seems like a reasonable way to save $35 in the short term.  I have no idea how it will hold up in the long run, but I'm not a production guy anyway. Works fine for me with the minor tweak.