Loose as a Goose Dominos

[deepcreek]

I just completed a Walnut countertop glue up using my Domino 700 to mortise for forty-four 10x100 tenons.

Unfortunately, they all came out loose as a goose.

What's going on here???

I tested some 10x100's from another box along with some 10x50's and 10x80's.  They were all loose so it has to be oversized mortises.

I measured the holes at 10.38mm.

I've cut hundreds of domino mortises with my 500 and never had them come out this loose.

Any thoughts?

Thanks!

Joe

 

[greg mann]

Check to make sure your cutter is mounted cleanly. If there is any debris in the contact area it will run out and cut oversized.

 

[sancho57]

How was your mortising technique?
If you plunge to fast you will end up with larger mortises.

 

[grbmds]

I know that you've done many before, but I've never had a problem of Dominos loose in the mortises that wasn't due to some failing of technique on my part. For me, the Domino never fails; only I do. Usually, when they are loose, it's because the Domino machine moved slightly while cutting mortises.

 

[tjbnwi]

My 700 cuts the mortices tight.

How's the dust extraction? Walnut is soft compared to most woods, maybe an extraction problem.

Tom

 

[Cheese]

In a spare piece of walnut, try cutting 1 Domino mortise at a time.  Then trial fit the Domino and attempt to figure out what the problem is.  It may just be as simple as how you’re holding the Domino tool or how fast you’re plunging it.

I recently fabricated a walnut countertop and using a DF 500, I used both standard beech? Dominos and some custom made aluminum Dominos. Both fit incredibly tight. That’s a good thing.  [big grin]

 

[sprior]

some custom made aluminum Dominos. Both fit incredibly tight. That’s a good thing.  [big grin]

You didn't think you were going to mention that and not have someone request a photo and explanation, did you???  [eek]

 

[Gregor]

Try a different cutter bit (10mm if you have a spare, different size if not) and see if you end up with per-spec mortices, possibly the bit is slightly bent (giving it a bigger rotating diameter).

 

[Cheese]

You didn't think you were going to mention that and not have someone request a photo and explanation, did you???  [eek]

Hey [member=14226]sprior[/member] , here ya go.  [smile]

I built a walnut countertop that needed to fit between two support posts so the rear of the countertop had to be removable. This project was before Festool released their new D 8/50 connectors.

The Dominos were fabbed from 10mm x 20mm aluminum flat stock, with chamfered corners and 3 holes drilled on each edge to "key" them into the mortise when they were filled with epoxy. It was a time consuming process, however it worked well.

[attachimg=1]

 

[sprior]

You didn't think you were going to mention that and not have someone request a photo and explanation, did you???  [eek]

Hey [member=14226]sprior[/member] , here ya go.  [smile]

I built a walnut countertop that needed to fit between two support posts so the rear of the countertop had to be removable. This project was before Festool released their new D 8/50 connectors.

Nice work, looks great!