My Festool Domino 500 warm up very quickly? Is that normal?

[Claudio Bravo]

Guys, i just purchased one slightly used Festool Domino 500. Don't had money for a new one. This one is only two years old and really looks like new. Few small scratches now and then but no cracks, dents, etc...

I don't had any experience with Domino until now.

When I turn Domino on, and without any cutting, after just one minute of working "in the air", the tool (cutter) become very hot, and vibrating base become hot also. Not hot that i can't hold my fingers at the base, but still hot.

On the other hand, cutter become very hot, i think i can't hold mu fingers on it. It will not burn my skin, but it is unpleasantly hot!
And again, all that without any cutting, just working in the air.

I don't know any one in my city in Europe, who has Domino, so i really can't compare.

Do you have any ideas? What is "normal working temperature" of Domino 500 "base" (vibrating part at the bottom of the machine)?

I don't have digital IR thermometer right now, but i will try to find some, to precisely measure temperature...

In the meantime, if you have Domino 500 and IR thermometer, can you please remove your base and measure temperature after minute or two of working, at normal, room temperature?

Thanks!

 

[Birdhunter]

I can use my Domino 500 and my Domino 700 for extended periods and neither get even warm. I would guess there is a problem with yours.

 

[mike_aa]

Not sure what the warranty is like in your part of the world, but can you call Festool and check to see if it might still be under warranty and if the warranty is transferable to you.  Maybe they will have some suggestions?

And, Welcome to the FOG!

Mike A.

 

[Tinker]

Claudio Bravo,  [welcome]
I can only guess, but sometimes when a tool heats up as you describe, a dust and dirt buildup is the root of the problem. You might give it a thoro cleaning with brush and/or blower.  See if that helps.
Tinker

 

[festup]

I read this right before I was going to cut 30 dominos. I took my IR thermometer and measured the temperature in various places on the Domino. The highest measurement was near the top-center, at 32 degrees C. That's just warm to the touch. Seems like yours is getting way too hot. I'd send it in for a checkup.

 

[Claudio Bravo]

Thank you very much and thanks for welcoming me to the FOG!

My Domino 500 is really like new. I opened it and there is almost no dust. No scratch marks or anything. I only wasn't able to open that pentalobe "torx" screw protected inside mechanism to see what's inside

Warranty period was two years, so, it's out of the warranty right now.

Tomorrow will bring it to the "doctor" and we will see...

Thanks again!

 

[Ziya]

The domino *requires* dust collection - at least in part to keep it cooled down.  Were you running a dust collector when using your domino?

 

[DzordanoBruno]

My Domino is hot too. Arm with cutter is hot, but body have normal temperature.

 

[Claudio Bravo]

Of course i'm using dust collection when i'm cutting something.

But when i test it, i remove metal fence and test if without it. I turn on just a "machine" part and left it to work empty in the air. (It is a little  bit difficult to me to explain in English, because i have never talked in English about woodworking topics and tools )

I do that in the beginning, because i have filing that Domino is somehow week. I'm cutting through the wood very slowly, the tool (6 mm cutter) is like new and i'm cutting some soft pine planks, but it looks like as it don't have enough power. So, i remove a fence and try it "in the air" without cutting anything, just to hear the sound of the motor and gear mechanism and to check for heating.

 

[wow]

Claudio Bravo, [welcome] to the FOG.

I haven't used my Domino hard enough or long enough to get it hot - if it will even get hot? But here's a quick temperature test for you:

Once you think your domino is hot, try seeing if you can hold your hand on it. If you can hold your hand on it for 5 seconds, the temperature is likely 135-140 degrees F or less. If you can't, the temperature is above that.

This test is very rough, but it's accurate enough to 'get you in the ballpark'. Let us know your findings, OK?

 

[Birdhunter]

The Domino should cut pine like warm butter. It is possible that your Domino is binding up or has some other problem. I'd get it to Festool service before it becomes unrepairable.

 

[Claudio Bravo]

Yes, i know. If it can't bear a pine, what about oak or similar tree...

I have talked with repair person. Will drop tomorrow at his shop and we will see... He told me that's are symptoms of bearings which could be at the end of life cycle and should be exchanged...

Thanks guys!

 

[NL-mikkla]

What about your 6mm cutter, maybe it's blunt?

Mine heats up a bit on the bottom piece where all moving parts are.
This seem pretty normal to me once you realise what's happening in there
No heating on the grip tho.

If it the machine looks really new how can the bearings be worn out?

 

[thedude306]

My domino got hot like that.  It was sent back and replaced.  No idea what the issue was.  Handle got warm and the bottom plate was REALLY warm.

Take it in for service. 

 

[NL-mikkla]

My domino got hot like that.  It was sent back and replaced.  No idea what the issue was.  Handle got warm and the bottom plate was REALLY warm.

Take it in for service.

Here you have it, take it in for service than.
Festool is not bad with their warranty policy, even if the period has passed.
I have heard many times that items where replaced or repaired even out of the warranty period.

 

[Claudio Bravo]

My cutter is sharp, mortised slots are pin sharp. Handle is also cold.

Vibrating metal part is hot, and cutting tool is very hot.

Machine (in my opinion) vibrate more than it is normal (again, in my opinion), and i would tell that my domino don't have enough torque. I expect more strength from such expensive tool, especially when cutting in soft wood.

But, we will see tomorrow...

 

[Claudio Bravo]

Been there, done that.

Repair person check my Domino and he thinks it is all right! He thinks that vibrating part (not the base/bottom of the fence) is not hot at all.

About torque, he told me that i expect too much from 420W motor. I have few projects in mind, so we will see... I ordered IR thermometer and will measure temperature of the oscillating mechanism and cutter soon.

Thank you guys for your support!

 

[Birdhunter]

That advice is not consistent with my experience with my Domino 500. Mine powers through very hard wood with ease. Never noticed any heat buildup.

 

[Claudio Bravo]

He told me to also try with new cutters.

I have ordered few and will see in a few days!

Then i will make a video, and you will be able to see is it slow or not, comparing to your tools!

Thanks.