Domino Joiner Cross Stop Falling Short?

[ChuckM]

That's a good point about wearing, though I didn't seem to have any issues with overtighting when using the 5mm Dominoes. At the next opportunity, I 'll check the cutter with a caliper.

If I find a way to use the cross stop with the 4mm mortises, it sure will work with 5mm ones regardless of the wear and tear issue.

 

[ChuckM]

The spring loaded pins arrived today...but they were not 4mm in diameter, more between 4.6mm and 4.8mm. Checking with the seller about replacements/refund.

The pins don't rotate like those on the cross stops, and so they might still work by flattening the pins, subject to further study. There's hope!

 

[flair woodworks]

I would be tempted to disassemble the pin assembly and machine it down on a lathe (maybe sandpaper and drill would even do it).

 

[ChuckM]

Good suggestion, Chris.

I noticed the other day that there's a screw on the side of the pin assembly. I meant to study if that screw could unlock the pin. Since the cross stop is to be used with the combination of tight-loose mortising setting, it matters little whether the pins are perfect as long as they can slip into the mortises (4mm and 5mm) freely.

I will try using the spring loaded pins (to be reduced in dia.) to fix the problem first, and then look further into modifying the existing pins later.

Update: The seller has just confirmed that the refund is approved, and the return of the out-of-spec. pins is deemed unnecessary as it'd cost them more to arrange the return shipping. (The amount, about the cost of a cup of coffee, involved is tiny, but it is reassurance that many unknown online merchants are honest businesses.)

 

[ChuckM]

I would be tempted to disassemble the pin assembly and machine it down on a lathe (maybe sandpaper and drill would even do it).

I didn't get to try using the Amazon off-spec pins, and just followed your suggestion, and it worked.  [thanks]

Filing and sanding got the pins down just a hair under 4mm in dia. Not as perfect as done on a metal lathe, which I don't have. (Festool should make (piece of cake to them) and sell pins for 4mm dominoes!). I have a project to do next week that requires the dominoes (but not the use of the cross stop). I'll try out the new pins on some scraps.

[attachimg=1]  [attachimg=2] 

The one on the left is filed:

[attachimg=3]

Modified pins that can now handle all Domino sizes:

[attachimg=4]