Domino running hot?

[Schmart]

Hi all!

I noticed that the router bit of my Domino gets fairly hot, to the point where it is uncomfortable to touch. This happens after running the machine idle for only about a minute, or after creating three or four mortises in MDF. The other various metal parts (front of the pendulum, sides of the main girder) of the machine also get warm.

That this also happens without any load tells me there could be a lot of friction in my machine. Ambient temperature is about 75F (or 24C).

Can you guys do me a favor? Let your machine run for a minute or so, remove the fence and (carefully!) touch the bit and other metal parts of the motor housing.
Please share your experiences, I'd like to know if this can be regarded as normal.

Thanks!

 

[EcoFurniture]

Mine is getting hot quite fast also. But i'm not worried.... at least as long as I have some warranty on it  ;D

 

[rwdawson]

Schmart,

Ran my Domino as you requested, everything was barely warm.  My machine is a little over one year old.

There was a discussion recently regarding a Rotex getting hot after a couple of minutes.  http://festoolownersgroup.com/index.php?topic=7270.0
The conclusion was this sometimes happens during the break-in period.  Is your machine new?

Richard

 

[Schmart]

Schmart,

Ran my Domino as you requested, everything was barely warm.  My machine is a little over one year old.

There was a discussion recently regarding a Rotex getting hot after a couple of minutes.  http://festoolownersgroup.com/index.php?topic=7270.0
The conclusion was this sometimes happens during the break-in period.  Is your machine new?

Richard

Hi Richard,

Interesting point. Yes, you could say it's new. My machine is only a couple of months old and did not get a true workout yet.
Maybe (some of) the bearings need run-in time? I'll keep an eye on the temperature then, see if it decreases gradually over time.

 

[Dave Ronyak]

My Domino has never run hot, except for the bit immediately after removal from the mortices just cut.

Dave R.

 

[Rick Christopherson]

Schmart,
The drivetrain on the Domino is quite complex with a series of gears and cams controlling the compound movement of the cutter. I just went down to the shop and ran my Domino at idle for 3 minutes. Here are some things I learned:

For the first 2 minutes, there appeared to be virtually no change in temperature above ambient with any of the components, but as this approached 3 minutes, I did begin to detect an elevated temperature near the bit (I couldn't feel the bit itself until after the 3 minutes). I did not detect a significant temperature rise on any component away from the bit.

The motor cooling system draws air in from the rear and expels it just below the geartrain. This design does two things: it helps to cool the drivetrain, and it assists in dust extraction.

If memory serves me, the bit is rotating at 20,000 rpm (the motor is spinning at 25,500 rpm). Prolonged rotation at this speed is going to heat up any bearing. You should be able to identify the primary area of heating to be the forward bearing directly behind the mortising bit. If you are feeling heat that appears to be originating from any other point, then you should be more concerned.

Moving forward, I strongly recommend that you inspect and clean dust from the face of this bearing, as this can lead to abrasive wear for any type of bearing. Sawdust is the worst enemy of all power tools. Secondly, you might want to keep the duty-cycle of the machine as low as possible. If there is a delay between plunging one mortise to the other (i.e. you set the tool down to reposition something) then I would turn the Domino off. Finally, make sure the area inside the fence where the mortising bit operates remains free from impacted dust. Never operate the Domino without dust collection.

Oh, I forgot to mention that this forward bearing is the type with a flexible dust shield due to the proximity to a dust source. This type of bearing will produce more heat than one with a steel dust shield or no dust shield. The seal is necessary for the type of environment, but it does produce more friction and heat.

 

[justinmcf]

i dont own a domino yet, but it is coming in the next few weeks! thank you for the great answers guys, the advice we collect from this forum is priceless.
btw, rick. a big thank you for all your manuals. i use them on a weekly basis.
regards, justin.

 

[NZrol]

Hi All,

I have a similar problem and thought I'd continue the same post to keep all the issues in the same place. I've only had my Domino DF500 for a few months and probably only cut a hundred slots with it. Since its first use the bit, and metal parts of the tool close to the bit, have got very hot. So hot in fact the depth stop becomes almost impossible to operate it becomes so stiff. I held off asking about it as I thought maybe it was wearing in (and maybe it still is). However, I have noticed wear on the base plate where the cutter assembly is obviously in contact with it and this may be the reason why it is getting hot. There is also wear on the end of the cutter assembly - see photos. Can anyone tell me if this is normal? I assume at some point it will stop rubbing and run cooler.

Thanks

Roland

[attachimg=1]
[attachimg=2]
[attachimg=3]

 

[peter halle]

I would suggest that you contact Festool New Zealand and find out a way to send them your images or post a link to your post here.  As Rick pointed out the drive train is complex but my guess is that what you have shown is not normal.  Best to try and handle this while under warranty.

Peter

 

[pettyconstruction]

Are you running a ct vac?
At a recent road show, the dude said the machine MUST have a ct attached.
The cutter gets clogged with dust otherwise.
Good luck
Chuck

 

[NZrol]

First month I used my old shop vac but I now have a shiny new CT36 I use with it (its been an expensive few months, the Domino was my first Festool and the start of a very slippery slope, I just wish I live in the US or UK where the tools are more affordable).

I'll contact Festool NZ and see what they say. Thanks