Domino Help

[charlie b]

I suspect the problem you're having is not the tool, but the loose nut operating (in my case ME).

Cutting mortises in side grain of parts to be edge joined lends itself to a common, and not necessarily easily recognized, mistake - when what you THINK you're doing and what you are ACTUALLY doing aren't the same.

If your part thickness is less than twice the distance from the bottom of the base of the tool - and you're registering the tool NOT of the underside of the fence on the top of the board - but off the surface the part is resting on and thus off the bottom of the tool - mortises off the two different reference surfaces won't line up.

The other loose nut source of error is
a) gripping the very back of the barrel of the tool rather than more foreward, closer to the action.
b) pressing the barell of the tool up or down as you make the plunging cut.

Before you go really honkin' down on a clamp handle, or "fixin'" the tool or machine - make sure the problem is not do to The Loose Nut.

charlie b

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

4,000 to 15,000, thats a butt-ton of holes before it needs sharpening!!

 

[Mike Goetzke]

Mike,

If you believe there's an issue with the fence locking mechanism, I would highly recommend that you send it in for warranty repair.  Our turn around for repairs is usually less than 48 hours from the time the tool is received.  Call the toll free number in my signature below and select the option for repairs.  Feel free to PM or email me if you have questions.

After thinking about it some more I wasn't satisfied with the sandpaper fix on a $700+ tool. So I took you advice and sent it in for repair. I don't know exactly what they did or replaced but it's like a received a new tool. It took less than a week turnaround. Even with reasonable torque on the fence locking lever it now stays in place. I tried it out and machined 10 slots. With digital calipers I measured from the top of the slot to the top surface of the test piece. It only varied by 0.002" ! For some reason the tool doesn't seem to want to walk off the work piece as I bore the slot either. I'm a happy camper - thanks for those that helped here and Festool customer service.

Mike

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Mike, glad you were satisfied with the results after the repair.  The guys back in our service department go above and beyond to return the tool not only repaired but in better condition than it was received.  Sounds like it's time to make some mortises!

Edit: I've said it before but I'd like to say it again.  99.7% of all tools received from customers for repair are returned within 48 hours of receipt.