Festool Domino DF500 pin distance offset

[Alex200]

Hello, I hope you can help me with a question I haven't been able to resolve regarding a DF500 No. 574432.

I'm using the tool and using the pin stops, which should have a distance of 37 mm from the center of the drill bit according to the manual and all the information I've found. The problem is that on the left side, when drilling, the drill bit is 1 mm shorter, or 36 mm, and on the right side, it is 37 mm. This is using the tool in the smallest Mortise Width, I know I could fix it by setting the width adjustment to the middle level, but I think this error shouldn't exist.

I've tried fixing it by replacing the pin stops with new ones, and I've also replaced the drill bit with a new one, but the error persists. I've tried drilling slowly, pushing from the part where the power cable is, but nothing seems to work. I know it's only 1 mm off, but that millimeter is enough to prevent my pieces from being perfectly aligned.
Has anyone experienced a similar error?

Thank you so much!

 

[PaulMarcel]

If you have the older pin-style fence, I hope you kept it. Rare and I love mine vs the newer paddle fence.

You can adjust one of the pins. Idea is that you can adjust that pin to match the offset of the other fixed pin. It should be 37mm, but what honestly matters is that they are both equidistant to the middle of the bit.

Here's a photo of mine. The pin on the left of the photo is fixed. The pin on the right has a slot on the face so you can turn it to adjust the distance to center. Annoying to have to calibrate, yes, but after doing it once, you're set for life.

 

[Alex200]

Hi Paul, ttanks for your reply, unfortunately I have the other type of pins, where I don't think there's any room to make such an adjustment.

 

[PaulMarcel]

Ah you have the paddle fence; there was a pin fence, but those are exceptionally hard to come by now.

I don't know of a way to adjust the paddles. I looked at my paddle fence and the inside edge of one paddle (not pictured) is dead flush with the engraving on the underside. The other, though, is inset from that marking. Wonder if you have the same:

 

[Alex200]

Yes, the one I have is the same as the one in the photo you sent me. I've attached some photos. The error isn't visible at first glance, but when I drill the holes, the gaps don't match up.

I can't imagine what the problem is, since there's no room to make any adjustments. Maybe the tool just failed due to time?

 

[luvmytoolz]

What result do you get using the Domino against a mark without the stops engaged holding it firm enough to ensure it doesn't move under load, does it measure precisely equal either side of the mark?

If not, you might need to adjust the sight which would probably fix the issue.

 

[tjbnwi]

I own both a pin and paddle Domino, The stops are “adjustable” on either model.

See page 16 of your owners manual. (or click the link to the manual)

https://www.festoolusa.com/downloads/file?id=%7B3A80CA7E-27C1-4AFE-9C2C-87977FA06511%7D

Tom

 

[Alex200]

What result do you get using the Domino against a mark without the stops engaged holding it firm enough to ensure it doesn't move under load, does it measure precisely equal either side of the mark?

If not, you might need to adjust the sight which would probably fix the issue.

Hi luvmytoolz, if I do a test without the stops, just following a pencil mark on the wood through the sight gauge, the results are almost perfect. I attach some photos.

 

[Alex200]

I own both a pin and paddle Domino, The stops are “adjustable” on either model.

See page 16 of your owners manual. (or click the link to the manual)

https://www.festoolusa.com/downloads/file?id=%7B3A80CA7E-27C1-4AFE-9C2C-87977FA06511%7D

Tom

Hi Tom, I had already checked the manual and seen that part. In fact, that's what I did. I replaced the stops with the ones that came in the box, but it didn't solve the problem.

Could you explain how to make the adjustment?

Thanks!

 

[luvmytoolz]

I own both a pin and paddle Domino, The stops are “adjustable” on either model.

See page 16 of your owners manual. (or click the link to the manual)

https://www.festoolusa.com/downloads/file?id=%7B3A80CA7E-27C1-4AFE-9C2C-87977FA06511%7D

Tom

The manual says if the distance isn't matching, then the stops need to actually be replaced with the precision ones supplied extra?

I'm often wrong, but I don't recall seeing you can adjust the existing ones, for the paddle variant anyway? I'll have to have a look tonight as now I'm curious.

 

[tjbnwi]

The adjustment is made by swapping the paddles for the additional ones, swapping the paddles left to right, mixing and matching. There is not an adjustment where you turn something to move something. Either way you are moving something in relation to something else, thus adjusting one to the other.

If I recall correctly I ended up swapping the paddles left to right, the pin Domino also need to be adjusted, just a little easier to do.

Tom

 

[luvmytoolz]

@tjbnwi Ah ok that makes sense now. I was scratching my head that swapping to the other set was supposed to be the fix.

 

[Alex200]

I'll try again tomorrow. So far, all I've done is replace both paddles with the new ones that come in the box.

But tomorrow, I'll try combining left + right, right + left, from both sets of paddles, to see if that fixes it.

Thanks!