Domino Outrigger Guides not Working? Help!

[Mettius]

Hello,

I'm unable to get the outrigger guides to work. Hopefully someone has a solution.  I'm using 5mm dominos.

The first domino is located via the edge stop dogs seems to be flush with the single domino. (photo 1,2)
However, using the outrigger guides, set for 170mm (photo 3), by the third domino there is drift such that the boards will not join (photo 4,5).

Am I doing something wrong? Does something need to be calibrated?

Regards,

 

[Toller]

It should work perfectly, but frankly I have never put it to the test.  I always use wider slots on one side after the first one. 
All the strength comes from the face, it doesn't much matter whether you use narrow or wide slots.  At least that is the way I see it.

 

[Birdhunter]

My technique, learned from Halfinchshy's video, is to make all the mortises on one board narrow and all the mortises on the other board wide. Thus, I get lots of lateral adjustment room without sacrificing strength.

I know lots of Domino users make the first mortise on both boards narrow. I can't see any reason to limit my adjustment flexibility.

 

[Toller]

I make the first one narrow because I have never failed to get the first one perfect and it makes aligning the parts easier.  Yeah, it would stop me from recovering from a small error in the first slot placement, but that has never happened.

 

[Cheese]

I know lots of Domino users make the first mortise on both boards narrow. I can't see any reason to limit my adjustment flexibility.

I'm one of those guys. First one narrow on both sides.

 

[semenza]

Hello,

I'm unable to get the outrigger guides to work. Hopefully someone has a solution.  I'm using 5mm dominos.

The first domino is located via the edge stop dogs seems to be flush with the single domino. (photo 1,2)
However, using the outrigger guides, set for 170mm (photo 3), by the third domino there is drift such that the boards will not join (photo 4,5).

Am I doing something wrong? Does something need to be calibrated?

Regards,

Hi

  Welcome to the forum!  [smile]

        The outriggers  will stack up any small amount of error with each mortise cut. Even when they are calibrated well. I have found that I get better alignment by placing the outrigger pin into the mortise and NOT pulling it hard to the side of the mortise. Just place it in against the side. Pulling against it sideways can / will introduce a bit of flex in the plastic and that is all it takes  to stack up the error with each succeeding mortise.  A .5mm flex will be 2mm at mortise number five and so on.

Seth