Domino Mortise is too narrow

[TylerC]

It seems that certain business aspects are falling apart out there in Indiana....  [sad]
[member=57769]TylerC[/member] , I think Tyler is on vacation but maybe he can get someone to check for you...

I would consider just buying a new machine, use the crap out of it for 29 days, then return it. Maybe in that timeframe your original machine will be back from HQ

Great idea
Should have done that a month ago

Yes, I'm out this week (and was traveling last week), but I'll reach out to the service department and see if I can get a more thorough update (and hopefully some progress). I'm checking email once a day, so let me know if there's any movement or needs with this.

 

[ChuckM]

It seems that certain business aspects are falling apart out there in Indiana....  [sad]

I would consider just buying a new machine, use the crap out of it for 29 days, then return it. Maybe in that timeframe your original machine will be back from HQ

Great idea
Should have done that a month ago

Perhaps, Festool should look into making a limited # of spare tools available for owners to use (like those courtesy loaned cars). They may have refurnished units that can be used for that purpose.

Anything out for a month is horrible; Festool should be more proactive not only in keeping you posted of the progress, but also in offering a tool to use in the interim.

I hope SawStop will remain independent of Festool and maintain its own service dept. as I have not heard of any service disappointments like those seen in this forum.

While I have had no machine breakdowns with any of my Festool machines, I have decided not to buy any more of the Festool power tools, because I place a lot of value on after-sales service, and I want to limit my exposure to unhappy service encounters like many of those reported in this Forum.

I must also point out that it is a fire-fighting symptom when issues get quickly and satisfactorily settled after the involvement of a Festool rep. or someone with inside connection to Festool from the Forum. What happens is that given the same amount of resources, the service team will prioritize and work on those "urgent" cases referred to them and push back other people's service orders.

That can be a very obvious sign of trouble in the service dept. on more than one front. Usually that happens when a small company grows too big and too quickly, or because of a shortage of people with the necessary skills, or due to a dysfunctional communication system that can't handle the workload, or a combination of them.

As I see it, it is not just a service dept. issue; it is a senior management issue and it should receive the dedicated attention of someone on the executive floor to get to the root of the problem which may cover more than one department or division (customer service, repair service, parts, etc.).

 

[Stone Message]

Has anyone asked if there is a possibility that the tip of the cutter may be missing?

This demo, by Frank Jaksch, shows how the Domino cutting action works.


Peter

 

[NL-mikkla]

iamnothim said it was ever since he got the machine and that he has 2 x 5mm cutter, both with the same result.
Sound unlikely that this missing tip is the problem.

FYI, my dominos are always been a super tight fit, so therefor a test fit is impossible and I never do that.
I don't experience any problem with that and have enough mortises under my belt to do it right the first time and really don't need test fit

 

[Stone Message]

iamnothim said it was ever since he got the machine and that he has 2 x 5mm cutter, both with the same result.
Sound unlikely that this missing tip is the problem.

FYI, my dominos are always been a super tight fit, so therefor a test fit is impossible and I never do that.
I don't experience any problem with that and have enough mortises under my belt to do it right the first time and really don't need test fit

Thanks for updating me on his two x 5 mm cutters.

I keep about 4 dominos of each size which have been sanded slightly to make then an easier fit. I use these for dry test fits. Like you, my dominos are always quite tight in the holes. I can only get them in about 5 mm by hand.

Peter

 

[NL-mikkla]

Thanks Peter!
Good tip about the few altered dominos, will look into that if this is working for me.

 

[ChuckM]

For a less tight fit of the dominoes, I microwave them before dry fitting or final assembly. Place them on a coffee filter and after the microwave step (about 10 to 20 secs depending on the no. Of Dominies),  from the paper, you can get an idea of how much moisture is removed.

 

[iamnothim]

Festool repair returned my call.  They received the part.  The machine should be repaired and shipped today

 

[iamnothim]

I have no idea if my Domino has been repaired and shipped because Festool has not tried to contact me.  As I stated in an earlier a post the "Log Into Your Account" link is broken.  This is pathetic. Don't they know their web site is broken?  I would think so.  Why do they include a broken link or failed system in their email?  They can't provide as a  courtesy the return tracking number.

There are companies far smaller than Festool that have robust working customer status systems.  Here's the RMA email I was sent.....

[attachimg=3]

 

[ChuckM]

Tool out for a month, communication breakdown... from what is supposed to be a top-end tool company.

I can feel your frustrations. And you have my sympathy.

 

[justaguy]

I really like my Festool products.

However, recent experience with parts ordering, customer service, and the web site are disappointing. For me it seems. it all started right at the end of 2016 start of 2017 with the computer systems upgrades. I called to order a part and they asked me to call back "in a couple of weeks".

The web site "upgrade" should be viewed as an embarrassment.  I work in IT. If I posted new code to a customers web site and broke user logon, purchase history, repair tracking and told people we would have those functions back in 3 or 4 months my customers would terminate their contract for non-performance. Those customers would be right to do so.

I have no idea if my Domino has been repaired and shipped because Festool has not tried to contact me.  As I stated in an earlier a post the "Log Into Your Account" link is broken.  This is pathetic. Don't they know their web site is broken?  I would think so.  Why do they include a broken link or failed system in their email?  They can't provide as a  courtesy the return tracking number.

There are companies far smaller than Festool that have robust working customer status systems.  Here's the RMA email I was sent.....

[attachimg=3]

 

[Gregor]

I work in IT. If I posted new code to a customers web site and broke user logon, purchase history, repair tracking and told people we would have those functions back in 3 or 4 months my customers would terminate their contract for non-performance. Those customers would be right to do so.

Same here, plus the customers would sue me into oblivion for damages (and would rightfully win).

 

[TylerC]

The link on the email notification was removed this morning. Another hiccup of all of the recent changes.

While we don't publicly discuss individual service claims, our service team has been working [member=28483]iamnothim[/member] offline about his DF 500.

 

[Birdhunter]

Without violating Festool policy, is there a way to relate what the problem turned out to be?

 

[iamnothim]

The machine arrived yesterday.

It's perfect.  I'm pleased with the result.
I inserted a 5mm domino into oak end grain with my fingers. 

Also, I went to the Festool Road Show yesterday and got a demo of a 500series machine with a 5mm bit. I could insert the domino with my fingers.  That one was a tad more snug than mine. 

 

[Distinctive Interiors]

So,.....Does that mean that anyone with a DF500 using a 5mm cutter in it, and its cutting tight domino slots, that their machine is faulty...??? I have always assumed that they were supposed to be that tight fit..??

I will get my Festool End User Manager to take a look at mine the next time he comes to see me and show him this thread...!

 

[NL-mikkla]

There's a difference between a tight fit or what iamnothim discussed.
It was impossible to get a domino in the wood and when forced the wood was damaged.
Don't panic here...

 

[iamnothim]

So,.....Does that mean that anyone with a DF500 using a 5mm cutter in it, and its cutting tight domino slots, that their machine is faulty...??? I have always assumed that they were supposed to be that tight fit..??

I will get my Festool End User Manager to take a look at mine the next time he comes to see me and show him this thread...!

I would say yes, your machine is out of spec. I think that the spec number is in the manual.  I have not measured mine. Yet. 
I'd also say if it's a nuisance send it in.  Mine now behaves exactly like the DF500 in the Road Show.  Night and day!

 

[iamnothim]

There's a difference between a tight fit or what iamnothim discussed.
It was impossible to get a domino in the wood and when forced the wood was damaged.
Don't panic here...

Agreed

 

[ChuckM]

So,.....Does that mean that anyone with a DF500 using a 5mm cutter in it, and its cutting tight domino slots, that their machine is faulty...??? I have always assumed that they were supposed to be that tight fit..??

In the narrowest setting, the fit should be tight with no play for dead-on alignment purposes. How tight? It depends on your humidity conditions. In dry days, I can remove them with finger grips; otherwise, I may need the help of a pair of pliers. Of course, your muscle strength is another factor.

All this to say unless the fit is too loose or too tight that the insertion would damage the wood (or the domino), you should be fine. Regardless, I always microwave the dominoes before the glue-up (the dominoes also swell when you apply glue to them).