Domino 500 issue- width switch self-turning, bit breaking

[LDBecker]

So... I finally took my (out of warranty) Domino 500 in for service. Anderson Plywood in Culver City sent it in for me... I was able to get it to work "ok" with 8 and 10mm bits, but it wasn't great - a little sloppy, but the bits didn't break (like the 5mm bits did) - had a project to finish, so I had to wait till it was done.

Festool fixed the width switch (that WAS the problem), tuned it up, cleaned it up, aligned it and tested it. Cost: $0 (ok, I was charged by Anderson Plywood $10 for shipping). The tool is like new, works perfectly... for a nominal shipping charge... in about a week and a half. I was expecting a bill of at least $100 for an out-of-warranty tool.

This is amazing service, and above and beyond the warranty terms.
VERY happy Festool owner!
And now I'm going to put a reminder label on it to remind me NOT to change that switch when it's NOTrunning!

 

[Shane Holland]

And now I'm going to put a reminder label on it to remind me NOT to change that switch with it running!

Actually, you're supposed to only turn the knob while it's running. Turning it with the machine off can cause issue because of the way the gears mesh.

From page 10 of the manual:

Rotate the adjustment dial only when the motor is running.

 

[LDBecker]

And now I'm going to put a reminder label on it to remind me NOT to change that switch with it running!

Actually, you're supposed to only turn the knob while it's running. Turning it with the machine off can cause issue because of the way the gears mesh.

From page 10 of the manual:

Rotate the adjustment dial only when the motor is running.

Yup - that's what I meant to write (imadufus). I edited the post. Sigh... too long a day already...

 

[Shane Holland]

Ok, just wanted to make sure it didn't happen again.  [smile]

 

[TheMarvelousOne]

wow, good info! Recently my dial got stuck, I took off the plastic, took the dial off, cleaned it off and used a pair of pliers to grab the upright to "break" it over. It worked, no idea what internal damage I did to it but I'm sure time will tell.  Oh well...[embarassed]

 

[LDBecker]

wow, good info! Recently my dial got stuck, I took off the plastic, took the dial off, cleaned it off and used a pair of pliers to grab the upright to "break" it over. It worked, no idea what internal damage I did to it but I'm sure time will tell.  Oh well...[embarassed]

The symptoms I first noticed were that the 5mm bit (the one I used on a particular project) broke TWICE - the original one broke, so I assumed I hit a screw or did something dumb, so I got another one and it immediately broke - so I set that project aside and got busy with other things. I had a different project that I HAD to finish, but with the bigger 8mm bit/domino - and it worked ok, no bit breakage, but I noticed the holes were really sloppy and I actually saw the size change dial move as I was cutting. I'd plan on some broken bits (they ain't cheap!), and do some test cuts before you commit to good material.

Nice to have my machine back to normal.