Domino problem or new user pilot error? aka my butt joint is crooked! - SOLVED

[denap]

Hi All...

I just got a brand new Domino and am doing my first sets of test cuts to get used to it.   I'm just trying to edge join 2 boards currently and the joint continues to come out at an angle implying that the fence and the cutter are not on the same plane.   I've checked the fence for square and it seems like it's ok.   I'm seeing ~1-2 degrees off.

Is this a problem with the machine or is there a trick for getting this flat?

thanks

 

[tjbnwi]

Are you pieces flat? Edges square to face? Any crown in the pieces will be amplified.

Make sure the fence is your reference face not the workbench.

Tom

 

[peter halle]

First,  welcome to the FOG!

I am glad to see you doing test cuts - I know that I certainly experienced a learning curve.  A couple of things to try while doing test cuts:  

First make sure that you have most of your weight on the hand at the front of the tool.  Second make sure that your hand on the barrel grip is located as far rearward as possible so that you are actually just plunging.  Third, experiment with the plunge speed so that a plunge is taking a couple of seconds.  The tool will let you know when you are plunging too fast and will chatter.

I am assuming that you are using dust collection.  That is required for the domino.  I am sure others will add some more tips.

Peter

 

[Sparktrician]

Since you're new to using a Domino machine, I'll first note that how you hold the machine can make a huge difference in getting consistent alignment.  Making certain that the sliding fence is well tightened and doesn't change position between boards is another factor to consider.  When you hold the Domino machine (presuming you're right-handed), use your left hand on the guide handle on top of the fence to hold it down to the wood surface with consistent pressure.  Place your right hand well back on the barrel of the machine such that you're actually holding it by the Plug-It connector and the dust extractor hose.  Find the balance of the machine such that the fence sits dead flat on the surface of the wood, then ever so gently and slowly, plunge the machine into the wood.  If you rush it or plunge too quickly, it's very easy to misalign things and get the results you describe. 

 

[PaulMarcel]

One thing I noticed with my older pin-style fence is that I would get the fence locked slightly crooked... sometimes.  I would get the results you had.  What I later determined is that with that fence, to set it I do the following in order:

start with the fence up and locked
now adjust the height of the fence and lock it
now tip down the fence and lock it.

On that pin-style fence, if I tipped down the fence then adjusted the height, it seemed that I could get the fence at a minor angle.  If I have the fence up and locked, it seemed to keep the bottom pivoting edge of the fence parallel to the cutter path throughout the height adjustment so later tipping it maintained the orientation.

Dunno, give it a try. I also have a paddle fence and I have not noticed needing to do this with it (although I now do this order of adjustment without thinking)

 

[denap]

thanks for all the tips guys, good stuff! 

It turned out to be pilot error, no surprise.  I think it was a combination of 2 things; there was a decent sized blop of dried glue where I was putting the back edge of the test piece which was angling it down just enough, and I think I wasn't holding the machine far enough back.  I moved everything to a new surface, stacked a scrap piece under the test piece to elevate it and then went very slowly and it worked like a champ. 

I've now got 4 perfectly aligned butt joined panels for a blanket chest!

-Tom

 

[peter halle]

[thumbs up]  [big grin]. Now you are on you way to Dominating wood joinery!

Peter

 

[semenza]

Hi, Tom

Welcome to the FOG!  [smile]

Those dried glue blobs will get you every time  [big grin]

Seth

 

[Slappy]

amazing that a glue drop can cause such of a offset  , but been there , done that ,  re-cut a mess of good wood just because a semi-obvious  sorta the same color glue drop was in the worst place , I didn't catch mine till I ran my fingers over the edge & felt the slight bump  [embarassed]

 

[festoolviking]

thanks for all the tips guys, good stuff! 

It turned out to be pilot error, no surprise.

-Tom

We've all been crash test dummies at one point, one day we'll all be pilots  [tongue]. That's what I like about the FOG, you can admit to your mistakes without being labelled as a fool. Me too had problems with my first domino-joints but, "practise makes good"  [wink]

Festoolviking