Domino 500 - mortise width

[Bob H]

I am new to this forum and to Festool tools. I recently purchased the Domino DF 500 Q set to replace my old Porter Cable biscuit jointer, I like the quality and the feel of the tool.

I read most of the postings on the tool and for now I only have one question. When I cut a mortise in the end grain it has very little to no friction when the domino is inserted into the mortise the one cut in the long grain has a good amount, it has to be pushed in with some force. If I put the domino in the mortise cut in the end grain and turn it so it pointing towards the floor it will fall out sometimes, the one the long grain will not.

When I cut the mortise I am pushing down (hard) and forward on the knob and feed the cutter in at a very slow rate. I get the same results with pine, poplar or oak. I also have watched some of the YouTube videos on the tool ( festool, wood whisper & half-inch-shy ) and it looks like they have to push the domino into both the end and long grain with some force.

 

[copcarcollector]

Welcome to the FOG!

Is your width adjustment at the smallest setting?

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[ear3]

It shouldn't just fall out, no matter what part of the grain, so not sure what's causing the issue if you are getting good results with other sides of the board.  Sometimes you think that the face of the fence is flush against the board, but it's actually not.  So if there's a slight movement (perhaps caused by too much pressure being exerted on the front handle?), then the mortise will be cut slightly taller than it should be.  How wide are the pieces on which you're doing the end grain?

 

[Gary in Texas]

Well, you are apparently getting good mortises in one direction/usage, but not for end grain...so it would seem nothing is wrong with the tool or cutter.  Could you be racking the tool, too much up or down force on the end of the tool when you plunge into the end grain?  The tenons should be tight regardless of the mortise or width of the mortise....

 

[Birdhunter]

I find end grain requires a little slower feed rate, but not more force. Like a router bit, a Domino cutter will climb cut if overly forced.

If you put the width selector in the narrowest setting and do an end grain cut, does the tenon rock side-to-side or up and down?

 

[Bob H]

Thanks to all of of you for your input. As suggested I may be applying to much force on the front handle.  I will give that a try, less force and the same slow bit feed rate. I will post my results on how I made out. Once again thanks for your help.

 

[mouppe]

You may find that the dominos are slightly looser in end grain than face grain. I have encountered this before, especially in softwoods. Often it is easier to pull dominos out of end grain than face grain when test fitting. I think it is because of the way the bit cuts through the wood fibres.

Nonetheless, it should not be falling out.

Make sure the domino fence is not slipping on the wood when you plunge.

 

[Grasshopper]

What material are you using?

I know when I do mortises in the end "grain" of plywood, the dominos are pretty loose and easy to pull out, but when I do mortises into the face, the dominos are very tight.

In the case of plywood, i chalk it up to the material more than the domino.

 

[Bob H]

I tried applying less force on the handle, a lot better results. The mortise is still a little looser in the end grain than the long grain, the domino is not falling out. Thanks to every one for your help.  [thumbs up]

 

[semenza]

Hi Bob,

  Welcome to the forum!  [smile]

      Glad you are getting better results. The Domino definitely takes a little practice. I too find the end grain  looser than face grain with the domino fit.

Seth

 

[sancho57]

Bob, and first  [welcome] to the FOG. I concur witth Seth. The Domino is a tool that takes practise to get it to where you feel comfortable using it. Im a little slow so it has taken me quite a while and a lot of patience to get the techniques down and start getting the result I shoulld be getting.