Interesting improvement to the Domino locking levers

[jbarr]

I just saw this video about replacing the fence and height locking levers  and thought that was a great idea as I'm sometimes looking for slightly higher pressure even though I've never had fence drift. Has anyone done this update?=2s

 

[squall_line]

I saw that the other day, too.

It's almost like Sedge was reading my mind because I was fiddling with my DF-700 the other day and thought "I wonder if these will fit on my 500?  I wonder why the 500 didn't come with them?" and then he posted this video to help McMaster Carr clear out some inventory DF-500 owners who want to lock things tighter and/or get the knob out of the way more easily.

 

[Cheese]

I have not done the update but I'm sure those levers are Kipp because that's what Festool offers as an accessory on their MFS kit.

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[squall_line]

[member=44099]Cheese[/member] , Sedge put a link to the McMaster Carr part number in the description of the video.  The Country of Origin is Germany, but they don't list the manufacturer.  They're probably Kipp, I don't remember if he said in the video or not.

 

[ChuckM]

The locking levers on my DF500 have worked perfectly well since day 1, and I've never experienced the so-called fence drift (some say the drift happened only to the early version). So in this case with no benefits expected in the switch for me, I go by "if it aint broke, don't fix it." [tongue]

 

[jbarr]

BTW McMaster_Carr don't deliver to deliver to Australia, UK etc. I learnt that the hard way. Bizarrely they don't deliver to companies in the US who onward ship to other countries. I discovered, once I knew what they're called, companies in the UK and Australia that make these. I even found them on ebay

 

[usernumber1]

I like the little ones better, less snag, less bulk

 

[Bob D.]

I always heard those called Ratchet Lever Knobs.

I looked them up on McMaster and they call them Adjustable Handles.
https://www.mcmaster.com/knobs/low-profile-adjustable-handles-6/
https://www.kippusa.com/us/en/Produ...le-Handles-Modern-Design-Style-Novo-Grip.html

 

[Cheese]

The locking levers on my DF500 have worked perfectly well since day 1, and I've never experienced the so-called fence drift (some say the drift happened only to the early version). So in this case with no benefits expected in the switch for me, I go by "if it aint broke, don't fix it." [tongue]

I've also not experienced the fence drift phenomenon per se, but I have experienced the "the knob is tight but it is rubbing against the metal frame so that may be an issue" problem. For my DF 500 it's right on the edge but it's never gone over, however this hack would address that uneasiness felt from time to time.

I purchased my Kipp levers from MSC 4 years ago for $15 for the 5mm version and $16 for the 6 mm version. At the time, Festool wanted $35 for the 5 mm version.

 

[festal]

I experienced the drift because i didn't tigthen the levers down good enough.  Had to disassable and turn the levers to get more grip on it.

Something changed at mcmaster.  I ordered these on Tuesday and they still haven't arrived.  Usually mcmaster was overnight delivery to me, now it says expected this week.  Weird

 

[ChuckM]

Snip. but I have experienced the "the knob is tight but it is rubbing against the metal frame so that may be an issue" problem. For my DF 500 it's right on the edge but it's never gone over, however this hack would address that uneasiness felt from time to time.
Snip.

Rubbing against the metal frame is bad, but it isn't the case for my DF500. May be you can adjust the screw to keep it from hitting anything? The other two DF500s I've used never have that kind of problem.

This shows the locking levers in their tightest locking positions:

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Judging from the YouTube screen grab, I also wonder if the larger locking lever (from McMaster Carr) installed on the fence would get in the way when you put the machine in the systainer unless you somehow make an effort to position its handle up.

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I also don't like to over-tighten things, which can wear parts out over time.

As far as I can remember, McMaster Carr doesn't ship to Canada if you don't have a business account.

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[Michael Kellough]

As Chuck pointed out the stock lever can be adjusted to allow for more tight. I did that on my DF 500 so that I can just tighten it enough that the lever fits tight against the machine as in his photo.

I imagine upgrading to a longer lever would be very worthwhile in the case of arthritis in the hands.

 

[jbarr]

Just fitted these and happy with the feel and the extra tightness. Its a personal choice but I always I wanted the fence to be locked in that little bit more without over tightening and I found repositioning the lever wasn't enough. Also these help with my slight dexterity problems and there's no problem with the fit in the systainer. I ordered two sizes, the 30mm arm and the the 40mm arm as shown in the video. I found the smaller ones had a better feel. In my case this was a worthwhile upgrade.

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John

 

[promark747]

I bought the McMaster knobs but ran into an issue when I tried to install. The one that locks the fence angle was fine. However, I discovered my factory DF500 levers are different than Sedge’s. With his, once you take the little screw out, the plastic handle piece slides off of a separate bolt, which itself can then be screwed out. With mine, the lever and bolt are one piece (glued), and can’t be pulled or screwed out. I can’t figure out a way to remove the handle without destroying it, since when I turn counterclockwise it hits a stop on the aluminum piece that contacts the fence. I’m not sure if my unit is older or newer than Sedge’s, but the levers are definitely different.

It’s bugging me that I can’t figure out how Festool installed this lever. The only way I can see is gluing the lever to the bolt on the very last step, but I can’t imagine they did that since there would be no way to service it. I’m curious if anyone else who has my style of handle has figured out how to remove.

 

[festal]

I bought the McMaster knobs but ran into an issue when I tried to install. The one that locks the fence angle was fine. However, I discovered my factory DF500 levers are different than Sedge’s. With his, once you take the little screw out, the plastic handle piece slides off of a separate bolt, which itself can then be screwed out. With mine, the lever and bolt are one piece (glued), and can’t be pulled or screwed out. I can’t figure out a way to remove the handle without destroying it, since when I turn counterclockwise it hits a stop on the aluminum piece that contacts the fence. I’m not sure if my unit is older or newer than Sedge’s, but the levers are definitely different.

It’s bugging me that I can’t figure out how Festool installed this lever. The only way I can see is gluing the lever to the bolt on the very last step, but I can’t imagine they did that since there would be no way to service it. I’m curious if anyone else who has my style of handle has figured out how to remove.

I did the levers that sedge posted on my df500 and it was the same as in his video

 

[squall_line]

I bought the McMaster knobs but ran into an issue when I tried to install. The one that locks the fence angle was fine. However, I discovered my factory DF500 levers are different than Sedge’s. With his, once you take the little screw out, the plastic handle piece slides off of a separate bolt, which itself can then be screwed out. With mine, the lever and bolt are one piece (glued), and can’t be pulled or screwed out. I can’t figure out a way to remove the handle without destroying it, since when I turn counterclockwise it hits a stop on the aluminum piece that contacts the fence. I’m not sure if my unit is older or newer than Sedge’s, but the levers are definitely different.

It’s bugging me that I can’t figure out how Festool installed this lever. The only way I can see is gluing the lever to the bolt on the very last step, but I can’t imagine they did that since there would be no way to service it. I’m curious if anyone else who has my style of handle has figured out how to remove.

Are you the original owner?

It's possible that it's just stuck and needs a light application of a heat gun.

 

[Cheese]

The one that locks the fence angle was fine. However, I discovered my factory DF500 levers are different than Sedge’s. With his, once you take the little screw out, the plastic handle piece slides off of a separate bolt, which itself can then be screwed out. With mine, the lever and bolt are one piece (glued), and can’t be pulled or screwed out. I can’t figure out a way to remove the handle without destroying it, since when I turn counterclockwise it hits a stop on the aluminum piece that contacts the fence. I’m not sure if my unit is older or newer than Sedge’s, but the levers are definitely different.

It’s bugging me that I can’t figure out how Festool installed this lever. The only way I can see is gluing the lever to the bolt on the very last step, but I can’t imagine they did that since there would be no way to service it. I’m curious if anyone else who has my style of handle has figured out how to remove.

I checked Festool EKAT and there are 3 different DF 500's listed, 493795, 495346 and 498623. ALL 3 DF 500's use the same threaded pin (item 22) 465079 and the same lever (item 26) 465575.

I think once you remove the small screw from the lever, you just need to pull harder on the lever to separate it from the threaded pin. I can see that the male hex on the pin could be a very tight fit with the female hex socket on the lever.

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[EggCola]

Hi everyone.  I wanted to know if upgrade like this will affect the warranty in anyway?  Thanks

 

[squall_line]

Hi everyone.  I wanted to know if upgrade like this will affect the warranty in anyway?  Thanks

I don't see how it would, since the part is replaceable and doesn't have a strong material effect on the way the unit performs.

That said, if it's a concern, just don't lose the original lever and put it back in place if you ever need to send it in for warranty repair.

 

[EggCola]

Hi everyone.  I wanted to know if upgrade like this will affect the warranty in anyway?  Thanks

I don't see how it would, since the part is replaceable and doesn't have a strong material effect on the way the unit performs.

That said, if it's a concern, just don't lose the original lever and put it back in place if you ever need to send it in for warranty repair.

Thanks for the reply.  I've read even products like the Domiplate can interfere with the warranty so I guess I was being overly concerned.  Just ordered yesterday so should arrive today.  Thanks