Domino Depth Gauge

[clark_fork]

I received my Domino 500 a few weeks ago, my introduction to Festool devices. Various videos were helpful and this site is particularly helpful. I am beginning to understand the cult-like fervor of users and I am working through my sticker shock. I see the value of innovation, emphasis on portability, built-in safety measures and sheer practicality of time-efficiency as demonstrated by the Domino 500. FOG is definitely helpful. I offer a few suggestions. My introduction to Festool was, at the onset, bewildering. I am distant from a retailer so I rely on the Internet. This site might benefit from a discussion category, specifically aimed at new users. Seth posted a series of links to companies offering add-ons. This new discussion forum would center on this type of helpful information. I would have appreciated seeing a list of essentials. I was half-way through the Domino manual when I realized I needed to check my rulers and electronic calibers for a metric scale. Gratefully, my Wixey is ok on that score. My Festool Midi came with one bag. I would have appreciated knowing that I need to lay-in bags. I never appreciated the need for really good light in my shop.  Good lighting seems to me an essential. Anyway, these may be mundane items to appear on an essential list but some users don’t have a store down the street. Finally, vocabulary is an immediate problem. There is an entire Festool vocabulary to grasp. I did not know what in the world a MFT was  why it is such a BFD I also needed assurance that a Kapex was not some form of  feminine product. From Systainers to Domiplates, there is a lot to learn A centralized glossary would be most appreciated.

Ok. Here is my first jig. There are six tenons in the Domino 500 Systainer. I made up this jig to help me make sure my selection is not too long preventing me from blowing out the work piece. I also need help with spacing from edges when placing holes in table aprons. It is quickly put together using a 30 degree setting, benefits from a hole from which to hang it, and adding easy to read labels. The tenons are seated with a dab of glue at the exact halfway point

[attachimg=1]

This is the Jig

 

[rljatl]

I like it and may have to copy it.  [smile]

 

[peter halle]

First,  Welcome to the FOG!  Now you know where to ask questions before you buy.  And you will get answers from guys  who use the tools.

I like your jig.  Am going to steal that and make one for my shop.

As a sidebar, when I was working for the catalog retailer Best Products as a project manager one of my projects was a renovation of their location in Missoula.  Of all the places I visited over the years Missoula was the prettiest I ever saw.  One of the few places I would move to.  Staying in a hotel by the river and watching a fly fisherman from the restaurant and later sleeping with the window open and hearing the sounds of the river will forever be etched in my memory.

Peter

Peter

 

[Cheese]

Clark,
Clever little jig. Certainly easier than grabbing a bunch of dominoes from the systainer and futzing around with them to check the fit/function.

 

[guitar_ed]

I am now going to my garage/work shop to see if I have an appropriate piece of wood, to copy your jig

edg

 

[Sparktrician]

I'm not sure it's a good idea, although quite clever.  It will work only if you have an equal split of the domino.  When you're offsetting dominoes, it won't work at all.  The example is the 5x30 domino.  Normally it's split 15 and 15 and it would work.  It would not if you use the 12 and 20 offset.  Just a thought...

 

[clark_fork]

"I'm not sure it's a good idea, although quite clever.  It will work only if you have an equal split of the domino.  When you're offsetting dominoes, it won't work at all.  The example is the 5x30 domino.  Normally it's split 15 and 15 and it would work.  It would not if you use the 12 and 20 offset.  Just a thought... "

Thanks so much.

You are right if your choice is confined to one specific domino. I don't see that I will evenly offset very often since I am right now concentrating on aprons and table legs. The guide allows me to check the depth at 25, 20, 15 and 10 by just selecting another domino. The jig helps me make the selection by holding  another up to check how deep in will cut. I carefully set each in place at the half way point so at least I have most of the depths available to check.

Thanks for your comment. Any help making it through FOG is appreciated.

 

[NL-mikkla]

Clark,
Clever little jig. Certainly easier than grabbing a bunch of dominoes from the systainer and futzing around with them to check the fit/function.

LOL, same here!
Clever jig, I like it and as other will copy it in the near future [big grin]
I hardley use the domino's  in an offset setting, so it will work for me 95% of the time

 

[guitar_ed]

Hi Clark,

I loved your idea, as I mentioned earlier.  So I copied it.  Yes, I stole your design idea.  Hope you don't mind  [big grin]

It's crude, but it works.  For those who want to know, it's 2.5" on a side.  2" is just a bit too small for the larger dominos.  And 3" is way too big.  It has 60* corners, and it's made from 3/4" MDF I had laying around.

I know it's missing some dominos.  Those will be acquired as needed & added to the device.

Later,

edg