Domino 500 problem with depth setting

[dutchie]

Hi guys,

So with my Domino 500 whenever I use the "15" setting with the 5mm bit and use it with 3/4" stock it breaks out on the other side/face of the stock. I understand that it usually goes a little deeper to allow room for glue, but I would think mine goes a little too deep.

Is there any way to calibrate this? If I take the fence of I think I could probably use 1 or 2 small o-rings as spacers, but that feels a bit messy.

Anyone else had this with his or her domino? Any suggestions as to how to fix this?

 

[GarryMartin]

Check this thread for some suggestions...
http://festoolownersgroup.com/ask-festool/domino-500-4mm-cutter-depth-of-cut/?all

 

[dutchie]

Check this thread for some suggestions...
http://festoolownersgroup.com/ask-festool/domino-500-4mm-cutter-depth-of-cut/?all

Thanks for that, I did a search but didn't notice this topic.

 

[dutchie]

So if I push the Domino out all the way and scribe where the bit ends and measure looks like it's 2-3mm too deep. I guess I'll probably have to send it in for servicing then.

 

[jimbo51]

I just did a 15 mm plunge cut on nominal 3/4 stock and the depth of cut is about 15 mm. I measured by cutting the wood across the domino slot and placing my Incra rule beside the slot. I believe that this is the most accurate way to measure depth of cut. I will try to attach a photo.

Blowout obviously means that your cut is too deep. I suggest you try making a series of plunge cuts at different depth settings into 2x4 stock and then cut across the Domino slot to measure how deep each slot is. The most likely answer would be that they are all off by the same amount. This suggests that the depth adjustment rod has slipped somehow. This is probably not something you can adjust. However, in a pinch you might be able to use the 12 mm setting to get a plunge that would not blow out 3/4 stock.

 

[grbmds]

My understanding is that the Domino's plunge is exactly what the plunge depth setting says. The clearance in the slot comes from the length of the pre-cut Dominos being slightly shorter than the total of the plunges in both sides. There should be no discrepancy between the plunge depth setting and the actual depth. At least that is my understanding from talking with Festool personnel. I'd say that the best course is to call Service send in with a service ticket from online. just did a 15 mm plunge in 18mm plywood and did not break through the other side.

 

[TomE]

change cutter recently? is it fully seated?

 

[dutchie]

change cutter recently? is it fully seated?

When I use the 4mm cutter it also blows through 12mm (1/2") plywood...but I have two 5mm cutters could measure them both.

When I change it I hand tighten it and then tighten one turn with the little wrench. Don't think it can go any further...

 

[TomE]

change cutter recently? is it fully seated?

When I use the 4mm cutter it also blows through 12mm (1/2") plywood...but I have two 5mm cutters could measure them both.

When I change it I hand tighten it and then tighten one turn with the little wrench. Don't think it can go any further...

Sometimes the obvious gets overlooked, I've done it often enough to know.
Strange problem though let us know how it gets resolved

 

[grbmds]

[member=27474]dutchie[/member] Are you doing butt or mitered joints? You never really said what type of work you were doing, so I just wondered. If it is on drawer or other box and you are doing mitered corners, I was told in a Festool class recently that the bevel on the fence must be set first; before setting the depth to 15 mm. If you don't do it in that order, it will blow through both sides. So, just wondering . . .

 

[semenza]

My understanding is that the Domino's plunge is exactly what the plunge depth setting says. The clearance in the slot comes from the length of the pre-cut Dominos being slightly shorter than the total of the plunges in both sides. There should be no discrepancy between the plunge depth setting and the actual depth. At least that is my understanding from talking with Festool personnel. I'd say that the best course is to call Service send in with a service ticket from online. just did a 15 mm plunge in 18mm plywood and did not break through the other side.

Yes, it is the domino tenons that are a bit short. The depth of cut should be the actual setting depth. There is something out of adjustment if the machine is cutting too deep at al settings.

I say give service a call.

Seth

 

[dutchie]

So I went back to the trader who sold me the used Domino and we compared it with another Domino he had and it turned out that part 494704 (part 104 in exploded view) was in 2mm too deep on my Domino! Really the strangest thing...we measured twice and then three times but there really was a 2mm difference in length. Which would also explain why my domino went 2mm too deep. But how would that part get misaligned? The rest of the Domino was (and still is) in mint shape.

The part can be ordered, but we had no idea how to remove it (without damaging it). Best not try then, might end up damaging it. In the end we just swapped the entire fence and now it's working like a charm again!

 

[TomE]

Looks like that part is pressed fit, wonder if many more are out there like it.
Crazy.

 

[DJ_6537]

I appreciate this is an old thread, but i appear to have exactly the same issue on a DF500 i recently bought second hand - can anyone tell me how long part 104 (the LHS guide rail) should extend from the back f the fence so I can check mine ?

 

[Michael Kellough]

Describe your issue.

 

[DJ_6537]

its more or less exactly as the original post by dutchie - i used a 5mm cutter, with 15mm depth setting on 18mm board and found that the cut was just breaking through the other side. When I measured with the machine turned off (so cutter not at the middle of its stroke) it was extending ~17.5mm from the front face.

When using the 12mm setting the same 5mm cutter reaches ~14.5mm depth

I have checked that the cutter is properly seated, and another 5mm cutter i have is identical in length. There is no debris anywhere that i can see, and the only reasonable explanation i can see is that the guide rail is not set at the correct position, although it seems to be an interference fit and is flush on the front face of the domino fence (i.e. doesnt appear to have moved)

Im thinking i will need to make a small spacer to fit inside the bushing to properly calibrate the depth as there doesnt appear to be any other adjustment

 

[Michael Kellough]

Are you sure you didn’t buy dutchie’s old Domino?  [smile]

Seriously, are you sure you’re getting the plunge depth setting in the right slot? I always have to double check the intermediate settings. However, it should be clear if you’re getting the selector all the way up into the 12mm setting.

It is possible your machine has the same wrong part that dutchie’s had and the previous owner never bothered to make it right.

 

[DJ_6537]

it could be , i did a test and got consistent error of around 2.5mm in depth of cut, except fot the 28mm setting where it was correct (as the machine reached the limit of travel)

Anyway i have now 'fixed' the problem by machining a small shim piece that sits inside the bushing and adds 2.3mm to the length of the left hand guide bar - my nomino now cuts to the nominal depth !