Domino Mortise Width

[luvmytoolz]

This is what mine measured.

Thanks for that - super interesting!

So, the DF700 mortise widths are 0.5mm narrower - which means a bit harder to remove the dominos when trial fitting, etc.

And the DF700's Wide setting isn't that wide at all - less than the middle setting on the DF500. I wonder if this is intentional since the DF700 is a later developed tool? That is, they decided the looser mortises didn't need to be that loose?

I suspect the width limitation is because the cutters for the DF700 are so much longer than the DF500's, the wider arc would probably put way more stress and load than they would be happy with.

 

[jeffinsgf]

Derek,

Those chairs are stunning. Are the legs bent or cut to shape?

 

[smorgasbord]

I suspect the width limitation is because the cutters for the DF700 are so much longer than the DF500's, the wider arc would probably put way more stress and load than they would be happy with.

But since the bits are longer they don’t have to arc as many degrees to get the same mortise width.

The 0.5mm strikes me as “good enough,” but the loose width differences seem more intentional, especially when coupled with having only 1 wide setting instead of 2.

 

[Jim_in_PA]

So, the DF700 mortise widths are 0.5mm narrower - which means a bit harder to remove the dominos when trial fitting, etc.

One suggestion I often make to folks is to make up a set of "trial fit" Dominos in the sizes one commonly uses that are abraded slightly so they are "snug" but not tight. Dye them some bright color so they are not mistaken for the tenons that will be used for the final glue up. Just a little hand sanding on that set of "trial fit" Dominos will do the job to knock down some of the striations so things go in and out smoothly.

 

[jeffinsgf]

Love the idea of dying them. I've made a couple sets of dry-fit Dominos and they've all ended up glued into projects.

Bright red Sharpie to the rescue!

 

[Jim_in_PA]

Love the idea of dying them. I've made a couple sets of dry-fit Dominos and they've all ended up glued into projects.

Bright red Sharpie to the rescue!

Yup...that's the reason for making them some obnoxious or at least visible color...so they don't accidentally get used. For final glue up you want the extra snug, unaltered ones!  ;D

 

[ChuckM]

Thanks to all - lots of great info. Derek's gauge is interesting but I have 15 - 14mm x 1-5/8” mortises to put in two boards. I was thinking of attaching a thin board to the end of my real board that had 15 - 5mm holes to reference with the trim stop, cut the mortises, and then readjust the trim stop and cut them a second time. This will give me very close to my 1-5/8” with a wide setting and reindex it 11mm different (on my 700).

Also, didn't notice this before but if you use the small mortise adapter on the DF700 the mortises will be 0.5mm wider than with the DF500. Right?

The concept of using the trim stop to mill wider mortises sounds interesting as well as promising. Please share how it works out (with images if possible) after you're done with it.

 

[derekcohen]

Derek,

Those chairs are stunning. Are the legs bent or cut to shape?

Thanks Jeff. I hope my reply does not interfere with the thread.

The Rock Maple legs were shaped with bandsaw, spokeshaves and scrapers. They are curved but also oval in profile. Pictorial: http://www.inthewoodshop.com/Furniture/DiningCarverChairs6.html

Back to the thread ...

Regards from Perth

Derek