Domino Width Adjustment

[bobng]

I'd like to see the width adjustment be like a rheostadt rather than a three width adjustment. It would allow for minor adjustments in projects. Not to say that I would make a measuring mistake. You know measure twice screw up once.

 

[greg mann]

There is an infinite width adjustment already available, at no cost, by the way. Just move off your mark the amount you want to widen and re-cut.

 

[bobng]

There is an infinite width adjustment already available, at no cost, by the way. Just move off your mark the amount you want to widen and re-cut.

Thanks, I'll try it. I thought that it was necessary to go to the next detent?

 

[greg mann]

That's the beauty of the Domino. The cutter doesn't care if the material is solid or not. It's primary mode of removing material is side loaded milling, so if you're cutting a little air and just bumping one mortise end a little to lengthen the mortise it's no big deal. If you are milling a slot on a Bridgeport the equivalent here would be just cranking the handle a little further at the end you want to lengthen.

 

[John Stevens]

There is an infinite width adjustment already available, at no cost, by the way. Just move off your mark the amount you want to widen and re-cut.

Thanks, I'll try it. I thought that it was necessary to go to the next detent?

Bob, I think Greg means to keep the switch in the same (narrowest) position, but make a second (or third) cut with the Domino, each successive cut being centered slightly left or right from the first one.  I've done this and have found that the holes often come out a little loose, meaning I was tilting the Domino a tiny bit upward or downward from one cut to the other.  Hope this helps.

Regards,

John

 

[greg mann]

True, John, it is always possible to have a varying result when re-cutting. But, that begs the question: Which cut was the miscut? The first one? The second one? Both? I have generally found that re-cutting might make the mortise a bit looser but not objectionably so. Given the oft heard complaints that the dominoes are sometimes too tight I don't think it is much to worry about. In fact, re-cutting is a good way to self-check your technique. If I can make a cut, remove and reset the machine, cut again and still have tight fitting dominoes, then my technique must be good.

You were right on about not changing the width setting. The added benefit of using a new positioning of the mark is that you should know pretty closely just how much you are lengthening the mortise. I don't know how you would do that with a cam adjustment. In fact, there is a scale on the fence that can be used to offset precise amounts from the original center line.

 

[John Stevens]

I have generally found that re-cutting might make the mortise a bit looser but not objectionably so.

Yeah, I'm really bad with my hands, but I can't remember actually having the mortise so loose that I was afraid the joint wouldn't be strong enough after glue was applied.  The domino is an amazing, sweet machine.  I'll complain about anything at the drop of a hat, but I have yet to complain about the domino.  Any complaints from me in the context of using the domino are really about user error, and I should have been more specific about that in my post above.  The domino has been one of those rare purchases (like my two Softride bikes) where the product has exceeded my expectations by far.

Regards,

John