Festool domino cutting holes smaller than before

[emayexe]

Hi, my festool domino has been cutting holes 1 to 2mm smaller than during my last project. Can anyone suggest an explanation for this. I have noticed that the bit doesn't seem to be in great shape. I may have hit some hard knots in some pine, could this have either damaged the bit or its alignment.
I can get the dowels in but they need a good whack, not like when i started using it.
I don't want to start fiddling with the insides but would a new bit solve anything other than cleaner cutting?

 

[chrisrosenb]

Without seeing the bit & going by what you say about the condition of the bit. My guess is that it is a 5mm bit & part of the bit broke off. That also happened to me.
Get a new bit & all will be fine. 

 

[sheeschen]

Two other things to consider would be that dominos might be soaking up some moisture or maybe your domino technique has improved considerably.  My dominos went from fitting really tightly on my first project to barely fitting at all on the next, a few months later.  Microwaving the dominos seemed to help somewhat, but I don't think they changed by a whole mm.

If the holes are actually measurably smaller, that wouldn't be the problem.  I know if I get sloppy/hurried/tired, I sometimes wiggle the domino while cutting and the hole is, um, less precise.  Maybe your hand has gotten steadier?

I've almost alway had to use a mallet or equivalent when inserting dominos.

 

[semenza]

Hi emayexe,

Welcome to the forum!  [smile]

Can you post a picture of the bit?

Seth

 

[Kev]

There are 3 width settings for tolerance - are you certain you haven't accidentally changed it?

[welcome]

Kev

 

[RKA]

1-2mm is pretty significant.  If it's smaller on both dimensions (height and width), that bit must be badly worn.  If it's just the width, then as Kev mentioned, there is an adjustment knob to set the width of the hole from tight to loose and somewhere in between. 

 

[emayexe]

Thanks guys, much appreciation for all the replies.

I will post a picture of the bit but I am currently wrangling with my insurance company because my camera isn't working.

I have a couple of checks  to do in response to your suggestions.

I have considered the moisture aspect, it could be a factor.

For the project I'm working on, I do one mortice with on the tightest setting and the opposite on the middle tightness setting. That's when i noticed that the dowels didn't fit the same.
I've actually picked up a test piece i used on my last project and the dowels fit perfectly. Snug, no wobble but i can push them in with my hands.

I have a new bit on the way. Hopefully that will make a difference.

 

[emayexe]

[attachimg=#]/Users/maxburgess/Documents/festool bit.jpg

Fairly obvious when they're seen side by side!

 

[emayexe]

/Users/maxburgess/Documents/festool bit.jpg

 

[Wuffles]

Your attachments aren't "attaching" properly. You need to upload them first mate (under additional options below the typing window).

 

[semenza]

1. Open a topic starting page.

2. Click 'Additional Options' towards the lower left.

3. Next to the 'Browse' button keep clicking 'more attachments' until you have enough.

4. Click 'Browse' and open/add an image file from your computer to each browse box.

5. Type your post. At points in the post where you want an image, click 'attach image as full size' from the Insert Inline Image dropdown.  Doing that will place the image in that spot in the post when you actually make the post. Do this for each spot that you want an image. The system will place them in the order of the browse boxes automatically. If you want to choose the order simply change '#' to the number (just count the boxes) of the image you want in that spot. Otherwise just leave '#' in each one.

Seth

 

[GregBradley]

I am guessing that when we see the pictures that the carbide is missing from the bit or that the very end is sheared off.

Don't ask me how I know...........