I figured out how to make the Domino work with 1/2" material (Pics)

[Bill Wyko]

Where the fence raises up and down, I took my dremel and ground down the contact points to a 45 degree which allows the fence to go lower so you can center the Domino in 1/2 inch material. This is possibly the easiest thing you can do and has more benefits than any other change you can make. I'll add pics tonight when I get home. For those of you that use it on 1/2" birch ply, this is your golden parachute. The simplest change that opens up a vast amount of new uses.

 

[Bill Wyko]

I'll post pics tomorrow, forgot the camera  and I had 666 posts so I had to add one more. ;D

 

[Tom Ryan]

Two questions:

1.  Could you achieve the same effect by putting a piece of 1/8" plywood on top of the fence, with the fence set for 3/4"?

2.  One worry I had about doing this is that 6 mm tenons are a bit thick for 1/2" (12 mm) plywood.  What is your experience?

Tom in SE Pennsylvania

 

[gkeas]

Two questions:

1.   Could you achieve the same effect by putting a piece of 1/8" plywood on top of the fence, with the fence set for 3/4"?

2.   One worry I had about doing this is that 6 mm tenons are a bit thick for 1/2" (12 mm) plywood.  What is your experience?

Tom in SE Pennsylvania

On question #2, and forgive my if I sound like a smart a##, but I believe they also have 5mm dominos (which are still a tad bit wide), but no 4mm (ideal for 12mm wood), but still a better choice than the 6.  I used a BUNCH of 5mm in 23/32 ply this weekend, and other than a few user errors, I had no blowouts or other issues. 

On question 1, I wondered this myself, although I haven't tried it yet.  Just remember to alter the mortise depth prior to plunging into the side of 1/2" ply!

 

[Bill Wyko]

I use a metal shock bushing to put over the shaft to limit the plunge. These work great because I have different thickness spacers. I can use a combination of them to create different plunge depths.

 

[john ferri]

Love the 1/2 birch ply. I have my festool dowel unit dedicated for that task. seems like the right tool for the job.

That said, I was at the dentist last week and the guy drilled for two fillings with his domino.

JF

 

[gkeas]

Bill,

I was having a hard time with this from the photo, but I finally got it, and I'm excited to try some 12mm Domi-Drawers this weekend!

 

[gkeas]

Bill,

many thanks for pointing out this VERY easy modification.  I cut Dominos dead center in some 1/2" maple ply (31/64, actually).  I shaved enought that I could conceivably center in 10mm stock, if the need arose.  Since I went a little too far, there is no positve stop at the 6mm mark, so I had to set, test, set, test, then cut, but it worked like a champ.

Props.

GK

 

[Bill Wyko]

Glad it worked for you. Simple mod that opens up all sorts of new projects.

 

[Bill Wyko]

Now that it's been a few months since I did this mod I've used my Domino more now than ever. I do a lot of projects with the 1/2" Birch. W/O this mod I'd have to use dowels. With this mod it's like having a whole new tool. If you weigh the factors. 30 seconds of modification makes another $1000.00 tool. That's a combo that will effect the outcome.....of your wallet. Sometimes simple solves the most complex problems.

 

[wnagle]

Bill could you elaborate on the metal shock bushing?

 

[Bill Wyko]

On racing shocks for offroad vehicles we use rings that are different thicknesses to space a shock. The ring is about 1/2 inch in diameter and range in thicknesses. I'll try to post a pic asap. ;D

 

[Jimhart]

Check out Rick Christophersons Domino manual. He shows PVC spacers to control plunge depth. I bought an 8' piece of white PVC that just slips over the Domino rods.
Have cut about a dozen spacers of various lengths. works great.

Jim

 

[Warrior]

Jim,

What size PVC are you using?

 

[johnbro]

I'm a bit slow so bear with me here. I don't quite get it. I looked at the picture, I looked at my Domino, I brought the Domino inside and put it next to the laptop, even angled it so it was aligned like in the picture, and I still don't get it.

IF the screwdriver is point to where you ground it down, I can't see how that will make the fence go lower.  As a matter of fact, I checked and if I pull the "stair step" fence stop thingamabob all the way back  (ie below the "16" level) the fence appears to drop down to where the mortise will be pretty close to centered in a 1/2" board. I should take the camera out to the shop and make a picture pointing to what I'm talking about.

Can anyone explain?

 

[Bill Wyko]

I'll try to get you a better explanation and pictures asap.

 

[gearup75]

Thanks for the awesome domino tip, took minutes and made it a more useable tools ;D

 

[Frank-Jan]

Thanks for sharing this usefull modification, I'll look into doing it to mine when the 4 mm dominoes come out (They are announced in the French flyer that showed the new model vacs)

 

[John Stevens]

I'll try to get you a better explanation and pictures asap.

Thanks Bill.  Chalk me up as one of the dense ones who can't figure out the pic you've already posted.

Regards,

John

 

[Bill Wyko]

That's the beauty of this modification. If you can see where my dremel went awry that is the little spot I dremeled. Look at your machine where the tip of my pen is and look at yours. I litterally remove a tiny bump in the aluminum and it allows the fence to move about a 1/4 inch closer to the bit. I'll see if I can find a hilite pen so I can mark it. IMHO this modification should qualify to win the contest for the watch. This is probably the simplest thing that you can do to the Domino that gives it a whole new world of possibilities. I'd be suprized if Festool didn't make this a permanent modification themselves.