Life-cycle of domino cutters?

[ear3]

I have yet to test it out thoroughly, but it has started to seem like the 5mm domino slots I'm cutting are a bit tighter than normal, which suggests maybe a small amount of wear in the bit.  It could of course just be variations in humidity that is swelling the dominoes -- but it got me thinking about whether anyone has ever clocked or (gu)estimated the number of plunges a bit can do before it wears past the point of usefulness.  I've gone through 4 300count bags of 5mm dominoes since I got the machine, so I'm somewhere in the neighborhood of 2600 plunges with that bit.

 

[Tyler Ernsberger]

I have yet to test it out thoroughly, but it has started to seem like the 5mm domino slots I'm cutting are a bit tighter than normal, which suggests maybe a small amount of wear in the bit.  It could of course just be variations in humidity that is swelling the dominoes -- but it got me thinking about whether anyone has ever clocked or (gu)estimated the number of plunges a bit can do before it wears past the point of usefulness.  I've gone through 4 300count bags of 5mm dominoes since I got the machine, so I'm somewhere in the neighborhood of 2600 plunges with that bit.

Festool says that a bit will last 5000-14000 joints depending on the material. 

 

[tjbnwi]

I've gone over 10,000 plunges on some bits. I had some bits that lasted only 5 plunges. Average for me, best guess, is around 7500 plunges per bit.

Tom

 

[Tyler Ernsberger]

Are the bits worth being resharpened or can the be resharpened?

 

[ear3]

Thanks.  So I'm still well below average life span at this point. 

I've gone over 10,000 plunges on some bits. I had some bits that lasted only 5 plunges. Average for me, best guess, is around 7500 plunges per bit.

Tom

 

[#Tee]

imo the domino should have a micro adjustment for the width of hole it cuts. the increments now is just tight/lose and super sloppy.

 

[mo siopa]

The material you are mortising (solid wood vs composites) will have a significant effect on wear.  If you are using a lot of melamine, you will have more wear.  Also, you should be cleaning the domino bits the same as you do your saw blades, router bits, etc.

 

[Holmz]

The cost of dominos should make the cost of replacement bits of little concern.

 

[hemdale]

Remember a french Festool rep saying that the Domino cutter geometry would be super difficult to resharpen.

 

[Tyler Ernsberger]

Remember a french Festool rep saying that the Domino cutter geometry would be super difficult to resharpen.

I know that Seneca Woodworking cuts down Domino Xl bits to smaller sizes.  So It can be done,  not sure who can do it. 

 

[Locks14]

The cost of dominos should make the cost of replacement bits of little concern.

Not to mention the cost of the machine itself.  Let's be honest, the domino machine flatters even the least talented woodworkers when you consider the alternative method to achieve such quick and accurate results.

To change over to a point when 99% of my M&T joinery is now domino facilitated meant, £600 for the DF500, £800 for the XL700, £200 for all the cutters and £300 to get an initial mix of dominos. That's £1850. So really if a £30 cutter needs replacing every 3 months as opposed to, 6 months, 9 months, 12 months, etc, is of little concern.

The domino machines are about convenience, accuracy and productivity for businesses/professionals; as well as the ability for hobbyists to have their joinery skills flattered beyond what they could achieve with traditional techniques. Either way, consumables cost isn't part of the equation.

 

[Wuffles]

The cost of dominos should make the cost of replacement bits of little concern.

Not to mention the cost of the machine itself.  Let's be honest, the domino machine flatters even the least talented woodworkers when you consider the alternative method to achieve such quick and accurate results.

To change over to a point when 99% of my M&T joinery is now domino facilitated meant, £600 for the DF500, £800 for the XL700, £200 for all the cutters and £300 to get an initial mix of dominos. That's £1850. So really if a £30 cutter needs replacing every 3 months as opposed to, 6 months, 9 months, 12 months, etc, is of little concern.

The domino machines are about convenience, accuracy and productivity for businesses/professionals; as well as the ability for hobbyists to have their joinery skills flattered beyond what they could achieve with traditional techniques. Either way, consumables cost isn't part of the equation.

It is annoying though when one cutter lasts for months/years and the replacement gives up after a couple of cuts  [huh]

 

[Holmz]

The cost of dominos should make the cost of replacement bits of little concern.

Not to mention the cost of the machine itself.  Let's be honest, the domino machine flatters even the least talented woodworkers when you consider the alternative method to achieve such quick and accurate results.

To change over to a point when 99% of my M&T joinery is now domino facilitated meant, £600 for the DF500, £800 for the XL700, £200 for all the cutters and £300 to get an initial mix of dominos. That's £1850. So really if a £30 cutter needs replacing every 3 months as opposed to, 6 months, 9 months, 12 months, etc, is of little concern.

The domino machines are about convenience, accuracy and productivity for businesses/professionals; as well as the ability for hobbyists to have their joinery skills flattered beyond what they could achieve with traditional techniques. Either way, consumables cost isn't part of the equation.

Liek=ke complaining about a chain saw chain life.
cut them by hand is always a good option to save some cash.

 

[alisadunk]

I was joining white oak table top boards, went through 3 5mm in 2 days. 2 bits broke off completely, dealer replaced them, and I went to 8 mm to finish the project. Dealer says white oak an exception but bits do break often.