New Domino DF 500 - Height Not Accurate Under 20mm

[masonwoodshop]

Hi All - I just picked up my brand new Domino a couple of days ago and while I'm having a blast with it, I've run into a number of issues relating to setting the right height. If I'm selecting any of the stopped heights at 20mm, 22mm, 25mm, and up the distance between my table and the bottom of the fence is exactly as set.

HOWEVER, when setting it to 16mm (the gauge shows 8mm properly) the measured height between my table and the bottom of the fence is ~18.5mm  and when setting it to 18mm (setting gauge to 9mm for the 18mm material I'm using), the measured height between my table and the bottom of the fence is ~19.5mm.

I tried to upload photos but keep getting an error (files are small, so I'm not sure why!)

UPDATE: This has been resolved and was new user error! Ignore the actual height of the plate from the base and work off of the edge of your table. Watching Sedge's "Four Laws of the Festool Domino" is well worth it with law #2 exactly referencing the issue I ran into.

 

[masonwoodshop]

Here are 3 photos (hopefully attachments work) - first showing no issues at 20mm, second showing issue at stopped 16mm, and third showing issue at manually-selected 18mm (setting to 9mm on gauge).

[attachimg=1]
[attachimg=2]
[attachimg=3]

 

[grbmds]

I use the height gauge when I need to do a Domino that isn't at one of the set heights, just want a height closer to the middle of the board, or have a project which needs joints at unique offsets. I think my Domino is fairly accurate when using the height gauge, but not perfect. I usually set it where I think it should be;  then do a test cut and keep doing that and resetting the height gauge until it's at where I want. Usually, though, it's close enough on the first try.

It isn't necesary to have a joint exactly in the middle of a board. As long as you use the correct reference faces on the boards you're joining, the exact middle doesn't matter.

Also, be careful that the Domino plate is truly the reference and the base of the Domino is not resting on the bench or table below the board. I usually hang the board over the edge of the bench to make sure the body of the Domino is not touching the bench. (Although, in this case, that wouldn't seem to be the problem.)

 

[Tom the Remodeler]

My memory is that the height scale of the Domino machines is referenced from the centerline of the cutter, and has no relationship to the table surface.....

 

[masonwoodshop]

My memory is that the height scale of the Domino machines is referenced from the centerline of the cutter, and has no relationship to the table surface.....

This is a great point and has me thinking that the distance from the table to bottom of fence is completely irrelevant! This takes me back to one of the "laws" Sedge mentioned in a video about always cutting off the table.

UPDATE: I just tested it all working off the table and this was exactly my issue. I think I got too obsessed with thinking these numbers should match, when it's all about the face your referencing and the best way to avoid any impact from a table top is to work off the edge.

 

[luvmytoolz]

With the Domino there's a lot to be said to keep things simple, and therefore help greatly in repeatability, and that's to use the preset stop as much as possible always referencing off the face, even as others have said if it's not exactly centred, this is of no consequence generally.

 

[ChuckM]

Yes, use the preset stops (thickness gauge) whenever possible to speed up things (because of consistence) and minimize blunders.

The thickness gauge has another use that many users aren't aware of: To make reveals in joinery. By setting the first cuts with the 16mm preset and the second ones with the 28mm preset, I built this frame with a 6mm reveal:

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