Domino 700 vs 500 mortise tightness

[cvn72]

When making mortises with my domino 500 and inserting the appropriate size tenon, it would take pliers to pull it out or a rubber mallet to hammer in.

However, when making mortises with my domino 700 and inserting the appropriate size tenon, it doesn't require pliers to pull out or mallet to hammer in.  It's still a tight fit but not as tight as the domino 500.

For those lucky enough to own both domino machines, do you notice any difference in mortise tightness.  Does it make a difference in glue ups on how tight the mortise is?  Or am I just being a little bit paranoid?

I'm thinking about using a metal file on the mortising bit to get a much tighter fit but thought I should get your guys opinions before I do it.

 

[Kev]

I haven't put either of my dominoes through a lot of use, so I'm not the best for advice - BUT I would be very hesitant at the thought of filing one of the domino bits ... fearfully hesitant.

Any chance you domino stock has taken on a lot of moisture?

 

[Kevin Johnson]

I don't own a 700, but I know what you mean about the tightness of the 500.  Instead of filing the bits you may want to try the domino bits from CMT.  I have heard that they are slightly larger.  I am thinking of buying one for myself.

Edit: Just re-read your post and realized that you want the mortises tighter. So, nevermind.  [embarassed]

 

[MrToolJunkie]

I do not think I would take a file to the bits at all.  I think that the tolerance is acceptable...some of my Domino's for the 500 are tighter than others -- depends on the moisture and other factors. 

Scot

 

[cvn72]

My workshop is in my basement.  I guess the moisture down there might be affecting my domino stock. 

 

[CO_JCD]

Just put the dominos on an enamel plate and stick in the oven on a low heat (say 100 degrees C) for 15 minutes and allow to cool before use.  Makes all the difference.  Others use microwave -I just use conventional oven.

The glue will then add moisture back and the domino will expand when in position.  For test purposes, keep a set of sanded down dominos in a separate bag - no more pliers required!

John

 

[barnowl]

I've noticed that my 5mm dominoes are tight like you say, in needing pliers to get them out.

Yet, the 4mm dominoes, while tight, can be pulled out without pliers.

 

 

[mouppe]

The tight fit of the domino tenons is a topic that often comes up, particularly when the mortise is in a hardwood. There are several solutions such as keeping a set of slightly sanded dominoes for test fitting, to making your own dominoes etc.

I keep an Irwin vise-grip pair of locking pliers around set just tightly enough to whatever domino tenon size I am currently using to pull them out. I lever it against the wood using a scrap block as a pivot point to avoid any damage.

The advantage of the Irwin locking pliers is that you can set the jaws to be parallel with an aperture just narrower than the domino tenon width, so you don't damage the domino. And it's quickly repeatable for every domino.

 

[RONWEN]

I haven't put either of my dominoes through a lot of use, so I'm not the best for advice - BUT I would be very hesitant at the thought of filing one of the domino bits ... fearfully hesitant.

Any chance you domino stock has taken on a lot of moisture?

+1

When making mortises with my domino 500 and inserting the appropriate size tenon, it would take pliers to pull it out or a rubber mallet to hammer in.

However, when making mortises with my domino 700 and inserting the appropriate size tenon, it doesn't require pliers to pull out or mallet to hammer in.  It's still a tight fit but not as tight as the domino 500.

For those lucky enough to own both domino machines, do you notice any difference in mortise tightness.  Does it make a difference in glue ups on how tight the mortise is?  Or am I just being a little bit paranoid?

I'm thinking about using a metal file on the mortising bit to get a much tighter fit but thought I should get your guys opinions before I do it.

If I understand, you want your 700 mortises to be as tight as typical 500 mortises the reason for filing the cutter(s)?

In most cases owners wish for (the opposite) a little looser tenon fit on the 500 mortises for ease of assembly.  I would suggest playing with the moisture content (increasing or decreasing) of the tenons rather than any changes to the cutters.  It would be very easy to remove too much from the cutter and/or change the cutting geometry.
In the end I don't believe there is any practical mechanical difference between the glued joints of loose or tight tenons.

 

[Tinker]

I don't have either domino, but i do have a couple of dowel jigs.  I have seldom opened a package of dowels the did not need to be hammered in or used pliers to remove.  I just take as many as I will need for a project to the micro and nuke them.  Usually, about 15 seconds is all that is necessary.  Sometimes, 30 seconds.  As a previous responder noted, they swell up again when glue is added, but until the glue hits them they a manageable for whatever fitting is needed. i am sure the same to be true of dominos of any size.
Tiinker