Domino XL Connectors - problems fitting

[Hojo133]

I tried searching for a similar topic but came up empty....looking for some help with the Domino XL connectors for joining side rails to post for a bed. The problem I'm having is the fit of the connectors into the mortises. I bought the Festool 203420 Domino XL Corner Joint Connector Set, 32-Pack. Reading through the instructions it indicates that on a standard corner setup all the mortise are bored with the narrow setting...
Problem 1: I cannot make the horizontal pieces (neither the anchor connector into which the post/bolt threads nor the bolt with the plastic cover attached) fit into the narrow mortise. If cut on the wide setting, I can make the anchor fit with a significant amount of pounding which leaves the wood marred... but I still can't get the bolt with the plastic cover to slide into the rail mortise so that the bolt can engage the transverse connector and be pulled tight.

Problem 2: The transverse mortise is too narrow for the transverse anchor such that again if I want it to fit I have to drill the original mortise at 40mm as indicated and then a second mortise with the fence set at 38mm and even then I have to pound the connector in hard enough that it caused the top of the horizontal mortise in the rail to collapse.

In the videos I've watched, the horizontal connectors require some tapping in but not the force I was using. The transverse anchors appear to be started with finger pressure only and then tapped home. Did I just get a set of connectors that were are out of spec (odd that all of them seem to be this same way) or have other experienced the same thing? Am I just missing something obvious?

Thanks!

 

[peter halle]

Sorry to read about your situation.  I admit that I don’t have experience with your particular situation.  My first thought after reading numerous Domino fit issue posts would be to check your cutter - especially if it isn’t new. 

Peter

 

[James Biddle]

Make sure you're using the right bit.  I just finished a bed using these connectors and everything went together perfectly without having to force anything.

 

[Doug S]

Think the Domino XL is supplied with 12mm bit as standard but you need 14mm for the connectors?

 

[Gregor]

As you said the wide setting works (somewhat better) than the narrow one:

In case you use the 14mm cutter: I would guess that it is (literally) broken, it to be shorter = less amplitude at the tip = the mortice not being as wide as it should be.

In case you don't use the 14mm cutter: the mortices made with smaller cutters are less wide, putting the Domino on wide might alleviate this for the long dimension - but you'll still have problems with the smaller (not 14mm sized) dimension of the mortices (as these are not modified by the width setting).

TL;DR: Use a 14mm bit, not doing so is very likely your problem.

 

[Stone Message]

It really does sound as though a 12 mm cutter is being used instead of the 14 mm one. If it helps, here are a pair of videos about the system:

Part 1:

Part 2:

Peter

EDIT:
Of course the DF700 comes with a 12 mm cutter only and this system requires the 14 mm cutter.

 

[Birdhunter]

I built a bed using the XL connectors. The fit required light tapping only.

I suggest trying a 14mm Domino tenon in a test mortise using the narrow setting. That should tell you if your cutter is ok.

 

[Green Mojo]

I recently built a large table using the XL connectors to attach the aprons to the legs and had no issues with the fit. Just followed the instructions and all went well. I really like the XL connectors. 

 

[Svar]

The transverse mortise is too narrow for the transverse anchor such that again if I want it to fit I have to drill the original mortise at 40mm as indicated and then a second mortise with the fence set at 38mm ...

[member=63137]Hojo133[/member] This means that your mortise is 2 mm too narrow. You attempt to do a second cut 2 mm closer to bring the mortise width to 14mm. As others have indicated you are probably using 12 mm cutter instead of 14 mm cutter.

[attachimg=1]

 

[Hojo133]

[embarassed] Well you all have correctly identified the issue... Somewhere in my head I got the idea that the Domino XL ships with the 14mm bit, but no it ships with the 12mm... soooo that would explain the mortise being approx 2mm too narrow.

I do appreciate that everyone politely pointed me in the correct direction without stating the obvious which is that I am a moron...I shall go back to lurking here and learning what I can from people who obviously are more intelligent. I have however confirmed another example of "anything can fit into anywhere if you push hard enough"

Thanks all

 

[Birdhunter]

We all venture boldly into dumb land. That’s what makes us human. Please post pictures of the finished project.

 

[peter halle]

[embarassed] Well you all have correctly identified the issue... Somewhere in my head I got the idea that the Domino XL ships with the 14mm bit, but no it ships with the 12mm... soooo that would explain the mortise being approx 2mm too narrow.

I do appreciate that everyone politely pointed me in the correct direction without stating the obvious which is that I am a moron...I shall go back to lurking here and learning what I can from people who obviously are more intelligent. I have however confirmed another example of "anything can fit into anywhere if you push hard enough"

Thanks all

I really hope that you will NOT just go back to lurking.  We are far from perfect here, but this community was started to help those who had questions about how to use their tools.  It’s existence and growth over the years is all due to the contributors who may have walked down the path and learned something in their experience: something that they want to share so that others can walk more directly.

Peter Halle

 

[Stone Message]

[embarassed] Well you all have correctly identified the issue... Somewhere in my head I got the idea that the Domino XL ships with the 14mm bit, but no it ships with the 12mm... soooo that would explain the mortise being approx 2mm too narrow.

I do appreciate that everyone politely pointed me in the correct direction without stating the obvious which is that I am a moron...I shall go back to lurking here and learning what I can from people who obviously are more intelligent. I have however confirmed another example of "anything can fit into anywhere if you push hard enough"

Thanks all

As Peter said, do not go back down in the weeds - keep with it and asking questions.

The beauty of making videos is that you can edit out most of the dumb bits - that's why it takes me so long !

Cheers.

Peter

 

[Birdhunter]

A really dumb (intellectually challenged) person would have simply bought a bigger hammer.

 

[Stone Message]

A really dumb (intellectually challenged) person would have simply bought a bigger hammer.

Yes, I think I have two bigger hammers !

Isn't wood wonderful - if it does not fit then you can use a hammer, a strong clamp or set light to it and start again.

Peter

 

[grobkuschelig]

Yes, I think I have two bigger hammers!

... use a hammer, a strong clamp or set light to it and start again.

Peter

Hi Peter,

Does this mean, there is a Hammer review coming up, followed by a „hot“ project video? [emoji41]

Can’t wait to see that! I think your garden might be large enough for this.
But be careful not to have to start again with the whole house...

 

[Kevin D.]

Don't feel 'like a moron'.  We all have 'Doh' moments.  Continue your adventures with pride, we've all been there.