I'm feeling frustrated with Festool, T-15 AND Domino problems

[erikfsn]

So the other day one of my chucks got stuck on my brand new drill, I couldn't pull it off and had to get my dealer's help. While I was there I wanted to exchange the drill bit that comes with the drill because mine came bent. My dealer had to try four new ones (4, count 'em) in order to find a straight one! 3 bent ones in a row, and how much do those little bits cost? My dealer was shaking his head too.

Now, today, I went to use my Domino for the second time and decided I wanted to calibrate the horizontal position guage since it was slightly out. I followed the instructions, however, the guage was prevented from moving in the direction it needed to go by the frame it is held in. So I sanded the plastic guage, only to discover that in addition to the frame, the screws were not permitting the necessary travel, so I enlarged the screw holes, but did it badly and now they are too big (larger than the retaining screw heads).

So now I have to go back yet again to the dealer to try and get a new plastic guage. For the money that Festool charges, they really need to do a lot more quality control.

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Erik,

I'm sorry to hear about your issues and understand your frustration.  I would recommend that you contact us rather than your dealer regarding the Domino gauge.  They are not going to have a replacement in stock and it sounds like it may be best for us to pick up the Domino for service to check it out.  I would highly recommend that customers not augment their tool under any circumstances.  We stand by our warranty so please call us if you have issues with your tool.  Repairs are very quick as many of the forum members have mentioned from their own experiences.

For what it's worth, I've never heard of issues with bent bits but I'll pass the info along to investigate the problem.  I would appreciate a PM or email with the dealer's name so I can contact them to get more information.

PS - the service number is on your tool and in my signature below.

Thanks,
Shane

 

[erikfsn]

Thanks Shane,

that's a shame about my dealer likely not having the part because I need it tomorrow to finish a job (I earn my living working wood) so I guess I'm up the proverbial creek?

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

the drills come with a bit?

did my c 12 have one?

what happened to it.

That stinks but, you will get it done another way.  Make your dealer use his domino to do what ever you have to do.

Take him no time, you are happy, tool goes back to get fixed.  [big grin]

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Dealers don't stock spare parts and individual non-wear components.  I think that's true for most, if not all, power tool brands.

By horizontal gauge are you referring to the clear plastic gauge with marks picture below?  If so, the triangular shaped cutouts in the fence can be used for alignment until you get the gauge replaced.  You could order a replacement gauge (directly from us) but my concern is that adjustments may have been made to the machine that would require it to be re-calibrated.  The Domino is calibrated at the factory and tested and should rarely require calibration out of the box.

Edit: Information for replacement clear plastic scale: 469800 ($2.56 USD).

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

the drills come with a bit?

did my c 12 have one?

Darcy, the drills come with a 4mm drill bit.  Not sure how long that's been the case.

 

[erikfsn]

Thanks Shane, using the metal triangles does work on my Domino. Perfectly aligned. Does this mean the unit does not need calibration?
Looks like I can finish the job today which was my main concern.
I've ordered the replacement plastic piece and will see how the new one works. If it's still a problem I will shortly have a period of time when I don't need the machine and can send it off to be checked out.
Erik

ps, they would only send the tiny $2 part by UPS at a $7 shipping charge! I suggested they pop it in a mail envelope and send it first class. It would cost 50 cents and take less than half the time! But no, they only do UPS.

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Great! Glad you'll be able to get your project done.  That's the important thing.

To be honest, my expertise does not include Domino calibration. Give the service department a call and they can help diagnose whether you have a calibration issue or not once you get the new scale.

 

[erikfsn]

It seems to me that the manual that came with my Domino has the directions reversed for calibrating the horizontal position gauge.
I've copied the relevant page below. I had the misalignment shown on the right. The manual says if that is the case to move the plastic indicator to the right. This is incorrect, it should be moved to the left.

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

the drills come with a bit?

did my c 12 have one?

Darcy, the drills come with a 4mm drill bit.  Not sure how long that's been the case.

I was making a funny  [big grin].

I was too excited about the drill to pay much concern with one drill bit.

I think I broke it off or something.  I am sure I was drilling something other then intended.

You know, square peg round hole.

 

[joraft]

the drills come with a bit?

did my c 12 have one?

I just received a new C12 this morning (couldn't resist the clearance price), it came with a bit, and it is straight.

 

[Rick Christopherson]

It seems to me that the manual that came with my Domino has the directions reversed for calibrating the horizontal position gauge.
I've copied the relevant page below. I had the misalignment shown on the right. The manual says if that is the case to move the plastic indicator to the right. This is incorrect, it should be moved to the left.

Even though the factory manual that came with your tool used much of the content and graphics from my first revision, the manual has gone through 2 revisions since then. As a new user, you should download the supplemental manual. http://www.waterfront-woods.com/festool/

 

[erikfsn]

Even though the factory manual that came with your tool used much of the content and graphics from my first revision, the manual has gone through 2 revisions since then. As a new user, you should download the supplemental manual. http://www.waterfront-woods.com/festool/

The supplemental manual you provided a link to instructs one to make the same adjustment as the original. I think they are both wrong.

 

[Frank-Jan]

That method seems all right to me.
If you have the situation that's on the right-side of the picture; moving the indicator to the right will move the mortice to the left. This will make the upper centre-line move left, and the lower centre-line to the right; thus coming closer together.

 

[erikfsn]

That method seems all right to me.
If you have the situation that's on the right-side of the picture; moving the indicator to the right will move the mortice to the left. This will make the upper centre-line move left, and the lower centre-line to the right; thus coming closer together.

Have you actually tried it? Because I just did this morning and determined otherwise.

 

[Frank-Jan]

Not recently, I calibrated my domino a few years ago, and mainly focused on the pins, because I use those for the alligning dominoes. (I usually only have 1 domino with both mortices on the narrow setting)
Last time I used my domino, I noticed it needs recalibrating, but I haven't done it yet. (it wasn't crucial for the job at hand then, and I didn't have much time)

 

[Brice Burrell]

That method seems all right to me.
If you have the situation that's on the right-side of the picture; moving the indicator to the right will move the mortice to the left. This will make the upper centre-line move left, and the lower centre-line to the right; thus coming closer together.

Have you actually tried it? Because I just did this morning and determined otherwise.

Erik, I think I know what might be going on. Look closely at the illustration of the sight gauge/centerlines, you'll notice the sight gauge viewed from the fence side, the opposite way you'd hold the tool in your hand. I suspect you were holding the tool in your hand as you made your adjustments. So that's why you needed to move the gauge in the opposite direction as the manual. Does that make sense?   

 

[Wood_Junkie]

Here is an extraordinarily bad re-draw of that manual page, basically reiterating what Brice said.

The adjustment direction is not from the perspective of holding the tool.  But the other way.
[attachthumb=#]

EDIT:
Okay, a MUCH better picture illustrating this...
[attachthumb=#]

 

[harry_]

the drills come with a bit?

did my c 12 have one?

Darcy, the drills come with a 4mm drill bit.  Not sure how long that's been the case.

I was making a funny  [big grin].

I was too excited about the drill to pay much concern with one drill bit.

I think I broke it off or something.  I am sure I was drilling something other then intended.

You know, square peg round hole.

Is that something like "When all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail"?

 

[Brice Burrell]

Here is an extraordinarily bad re-draw of that manual page, basically reiterating what Brice said......

Junkie, I would have been too embarrassed to post that drawn in Domino picture. It's good to see some guys are willing to take one for the team. [poke] ;D