Domino 500 what’s my problem?

[jimbowls]

Hi all,

I have just recently purchased a domino 500 and just got around to doing some projects with it, so I run some tests as you would on some mdf first to check the quality of the joints versus my DeWalt biscuit joiner, what a shock I got the domino performance out of the box was Shocking, absolutely unacceptable, I have also bought a Seneca domiplate, and I’m getting the exact same result, my only conclusion is the the cutter drive part is sitting at an angle causing the miss alignment, or is there a calibration that I am missing to cure this or is it a straight return under warranty, any help or advice would be gratefully received, thanks Jim

 

[rmhinden]

[member=2139]jimbowls[/member]

Helpful if you could upload some higher resolution pictures, hard to see the problem.

Assuming the problem is that the mortices are not parallel, a few suggestions:

You may be plunging too quickly.  Try going slower.

Make sure that the 500 base is aligned with the wood you are morticing, and it isn't moving when you plunge.   

Try with a different bit and see if you get the same problem.

If none of these help, since it is new, return it and get a replacement. 

Hope this helps.

Bob

 

[jimbowls]

Hi Bob,

Thanks for your reply.

Sorry about the quality of the photo, I was attempting to show from a top view that the two pieces of mdf have two dominos in them as they stand.

I will contact my supplier Monday morning to return the unit, as I have checked all of your comments at least 10 times, testing and re testing the domino alignment everyone seems to be high on the left of each domino and lower on the right, I have measured them with digital callipers and it varies by 0.5mm causing bad alignment of the stock.

Again thank you for your comments.

 

[Birdhunter]

Smart move to exchange the 500. Suggest testing the new unit at the store. My 700 developed this slanted mortise. Sent it in for service. It came back perfect. Must be some alignment mechanism that gets wonky.

 

[jimbowls]

Birdhunter,

Thanks for your comments, at least it’s not just me who has had this problem, I will test the replacement immediately upon receipt, thanks again.

 

[TwelvebyTwenty]

I had exactly the same problem with the Domino when I first used mine. Turned out to be entirely 'user error' with me torquing the body as I gripped it whilst I plunged. I then learned to plunge by positioning my hand at the base near the power cord and having a slightly more delicate touch. I think this is more of an ergonomic problem with the tool vs true user error - but it solved my problem regardless.

Also I sometimes didn't have enough clearance between my work surface and the base, and inadvertently tilted the tool and unknowingly was referencing off the bench rather than hanging off the workpiece.

But you could also just have a faulty tool...

 

[jimbowls]

Twelvebytwenty,

Thanks for your comments, I will try your suggestion on my grip being a little lighter, I do hold it at the back close to the power cord, although I believe that with the engineering on the domino I shouldn’t be able to twist it during plunge, but if it is that I think I’ll return it to get it checked anyway. Thanks again.

 

[TwelvebyTwenty]

Twelvebytwenty,

Thanks for your comments, I will try your suggestion on my grip being a little lighter, I do hold it at the back close to the power cord, although I believe that with the engineering on the domino I shouldn’t be able to twist it during plunge, but if it is that I think I’ll return it to get it checked anyway. Thanks again.

For me it was almost just a thumb and index finger only grip at the very end of the tool that did the trick. Hope you find a solution one way or another.

 

[jtwood]

For me, I found that a light touch at the rear where the power cord is attached was a big help.
The other problem I had was plunging too fast.  I found, from a suggestion on here a long time ago, that if you time your plunges, it allows the machine to do the work as it was designed to do.
For example:  for a 5 mm domino, I try to take 5 seconds to make the full plunge.  For an 8 mm domino, 8 seconds, etc.
I think that might make a difference for you.

Steve

 

[PaulMarcel]

Mine is a first-generation Domino 500 so it may not be relevant. I get this slant every time if I adjust the fence height while the fence is down 90º. If I have the fence up and locked, then height adjustments don't cause it. Basically I get some racking when the fence is down that is eliminated when it is up.

 

[jimbowls]

Hi all,

Thanks for all the comments, I think I now have tried all of your suggestions, and the end result is still the same.

Quick update as to what is happening now after PaulMarcel suggested double checking the fence, I took it off and put it back on thinking maybe it was not seated properly, when I had it off I noticed that the part that rests on the plastic preset heights has been filed excessively, I’m not sure if this is the norm but to me it looks like someone has already tried to offset this to account for the misalignment on the domino, as the other side has not been touched.

After speaking to Both Anglia toolcentre and Festool I have now been offered a replacement model, just waiting for Anglia to confirm uplift and exchange.

Again thank you to everyone who replied I can assure you that I tried all the suggestions.

 

[Birdhunter]

Was the Domino new and purchased from a legit dealer?

 

[jimbowls]

Birdhunter,

Yes it was purchased new from Anglia toolcentre, I have purchased tools from them before they are a very good company, they have phoned and arranged for the domino to be uplifted by courier 2moro then they will send out another one.