Sanding Domimos

[BigHonu]

I don't know if it is the humidity here, but my 5mm dominos barely fit and need some help in the form of a mallet to get seated.

The 6mm domino needs some serious sanding both in width and thickness or will not even think about fitting into the mortise. Even after sanding them down and seating them with a hammer, I couldn't remove them and needed to cut them flush (I wanted to change their placement).

Anyone else have this issue?  Is there something I can adjust on the machine to make it cut a little wider?

 

[WoodChuckWoods]

Are you using a new bit cause if it's worn or damaged it will cut the hole a little smaller.

 

[neeleman]

I somewhere read that people put the Dominos in the oven of the kitchen.
That way they shrink a little due to evaporation of moisture.
Don't know for how long and at what heat setting but you have to find out yourself (try & error).

 

[ajones]

Try slowing the plunge rate see if that helps

 

[BigHonu]

Thanks for the replies!

Yes, it is a brand new bit as I have had the Domino for only a couple of weeks.

Plunge rate for a 12mm plunge is about 2 seconds or slower with the 6mm bit. Is that about right?

I may have to resort to the oven trick because sanding the dominos gets a little tedious after the 15th one or so.

 

[bruegf]

I've found that 10-15 seconds in the microwave helps quite a bit.

Fred

 

[BigHonu]

I've found that 10-15 seconds in the microwave helps quite a bit.

Fred

Thanks!  I'll give that a try.

 

[flair woodworks]

I don't know if it is the humidity here, but my 5mm dominos barely fit and need some help in the form of a mallet to get seated.

I find that depending on whether I'm inserting the domino into end grain or face grain, it requires a different amount of pressure.  I use a small steel hammer to set them in end grain, then use either hand pressure or clamping pressure to coax the joint together.  Of course, the glue will swell the wood too, making the joint a bit tighter.  I don't waste time once glue is applied.

 

[Tezzer]

I would never, ever sand a Domino. As its obvious, humidity causes them to expand, so when you sand them they will fit now, but when it stabilises later and shrinks back to its intended size, it will be smaller and the effect a weaker join.

And the 5mm Domino has rarely fitted, as it’s the extra rib on the sides caused from a faulty machining (my opinion anyway- but have a close look and see what you think) and it craps me off Festool hasn’t addressed it.

My solution for the 5mm is a quick swipe of both long edges over the sole of a plane, and that usually makes them fit.

On other Dominos that have swelled, I also give them an edge swipe on the sole of a plane, then three or four moderate hits over the surface with a hammer to “temporarily” flatten them. That way they fit  perfectly, but will swell back to normal later on.

The reason i plane a small amount from the sides is when i give the faces a little flatten, they compress and push the sides out causing them to still be to tight.

Also, just a tip. Keep your Dominos in an air tight jar with a small bag (muslin cloth} of sea salt. That will absorb any excess moisture.  ;D

 

[BigHonu]

Tezzer,

Yes I did notice that extra rib on the 5mm Dominos, though oddly enough, those were the easiest to fit.  The 6mm were never going to fit unaltered.

Thanks for the tips!  I'll see if I can get away with a good smack or two. Along with the quick blast in the microwave oven I hope that does the trick.

 

[mosez]

i keep one of those bags that come with new shoes that absorb moisture in each of the domino compartments. it says "DO NOT EAT" on the little paper bags. i hope you know what i mean...
anyways - it works pretty well. however, it is not as humid in germany...

 

[FM_SC]

Tezzer,

Yes I did notice that extra rib on the 5mm Dominos, though oddly enough, those were the easiest to fit.  The 6mm were never going to fit unaltered.

Thanks for the tips!  I'll see if I can get away with a good smack or two. Along with the quick blast in the microwave oven I hope that does the trick.

Microwave definitely works for me.  Generally I microwave and then keep them sealed in zip-loc bags for use on the same day.  Never had to sand any microwaved dominoes...