domino xl df 700

[evwoodworks]

Hi, I just got by domino xl df 700. I was practicing and noticing every cut no mater how slow I went was crooked. I tried the 10 bit and the same thing. Put the 2 boards together and would not line up flat. I cut around 50 mortises. Any tips on this. Seen one other post on here about crooked cut. I was hoping to put my biscuit jointer in the trash.

 

[nclemmons]

Welcome to the FOG - great to have you join us.  Sorry for the Domino problem.

I have the smaller Domino, so I can advise on things that I do.  Perhaps this will translate for you.  I'm sure an XL user will also chime in.

A few things to check...

- First make sure the fence is aligned across the Domino.  You can use an adjustable square to make sure there is no slippage on one side that would make it not parallel to the cutter arc.
- Watch your feed rate.  I hold my 500 at the back where the cord is, almost light in my right hand with the left hand firmly pushing down on the front handle.  Then slowly glide the Domino into the wood.  I've used an XL and I'd just be careful about the feed rate and make sure you are pushing in straight to the wood.
- I assume you are using dust collection

You didn't say what wood you are using.  Sometimes a harder wood can be a bit more challenging to Domino.

If you purchased it from a local dealer, you might want to stop in and walk them through your technique and compare to another unit.  You have a 30 day return window, and of course Festool does great service paying shipping both ways if you choose to send it in instead of doing an exchange.

Good luck -

neil

 

[downtheroad]

Also, were you using dust extraction? All those chips need to be removed as you're plunging. Some users have better results with their plunging hand lower, more inline with the bit.

 

[evwoodworks]

I will try switching hand position. I tried it on red oak first and then on some hickory. Yes always have my ct attached to everything I can

 

[Birdhunter]

I've used the 700 to mortise Ipe, one of the hardest woods in the world. It's even cut mortises into Ipe end grain.

I found the a too fast plunge rate will produce a mortise with one end slightly higher than the other end. Seems to be like a router's climb cut.

I have also encountered a problem where a series of mortises were individually correct, but were at different distances from the reference surface (top of the board being mortised). In one case, the Domino fence had shifted very slightly as I cut the series of mortises. The last mortise was significantly higher than the first.  I didn't have the fence tightened adequately. In the other case, the bottom of the Domino was contacting my workbench. I didn't have the board being mortised high enough off the bench. So, the reference surface was the work bench and not the top of the board being mortised.

Senaca sells aftermarket screw-on plates that eliminate the need to use the Domino fence and produce level mortises. Woodpeckers has also announced a similar product. The Senaca product is cheaper and works very well.