Some New Domino Information

[Bob Marino]

And it was mentiond here the new pins are square? Hope not. Interesting the German and UK sites show the "new" Domino with the original pins.
[/quote]

Tezzer,

  What we are getting on the Domino fence are square stops or flaps. Hope to have my new fence withing a month.

Bob

 

[LLesniak]

Larry ,

Please post a pic of your jig

I'd be happy to!  Here are some photos of the jig and how it's used to mortise 3/8" thick by 1 3/4" wide stock for Dominos.  First, a full view photo of the jig:
[attachimg=1]
The jig is designed to allow me to place mortises on both the end and long edge of the stock.  Next, a photo of the stock placement when mortising the long edge.  The jig is constructed so that the stock is centered on the Domino cutter.
[attachimg=2]
Note that there are two positions on the jig for the Domino, both indicated by the brass wear strips set into the jig body.  This allows me to place the stock into the jig from either end and still be able to mortise with sufficient clamping pressure.  Next, a photo of how the Domino machine aligns with the stock.  Someday I'll update the jig to eliminate the need to make centering marks on the stock, but for now I'm using the cast alignment triangle on the Domino with a pencil mark on the stock.
[attachimg=3]
In this photo you can sort of see how the jig places the Domino and stock so that the stock is centered on the Domino cutter.  This can't be done with the Domino fence alone as it won't drop far enough to center on 3/8" thick stock.
[attachimg=4]
To mortise the end of the stock we move to the other end of the jig.  Here you can see the 3/8" thick stock clamped down and ready for the mortise to be cut in the end grain.
[attachimg=5]
For this operation I added "wings" to the jig to hold the Domino machine in alignment from side to side.  The end result of using the jig is to create a perfect 90-degree joint, end to long side, in 3/8" stock.
[attachimg=6]
The component being constructed is used as part of the looms that I build.  The piece with the long side mortises (there are actually 2 about 10 inches apart) are always 22" long while the piece with the mortise in the end varies in length depending on the size of the loom.  For my current build these pieces are 60 3/16" long.
[attachimg=7]

I hope this gives you some idea of how I built a jig to center a 5mm Domino on 3/8" stock.  If you have any questions please let me know.

Larry

 

[Bob Marino]

Larry ,

Please post a pic of your jig

I'd be happy to!  Here are some photos of the jig and how it's used to mortise 3/8" thick by 1 3/4" wide stock for Dominos.  First, a full view photo of the jig:
[attachimg=1]
The jig is designed to allow me to place mortises on both the end and long edge of the stock.  Next, a photo of the stock placement when mortising the long edge.  The jig is constructed so that the stock is centered on the Domino cutter.
[attachimg=2]
Note that there are two positions on the jig for the Domino, both indicated by the brass wear strips set into the jig body.  This allows me to place the stock into the jig from either end and still be able to mortise with sufficient clamping pressure.  Next, a photo of how the Domino machine aligns with the stock.  Someday I'll update the jig to eliminate the need to make centering marks on the stock, but for now I'm using the cast alignment triangle on the Domino with a pencil mark on the stock.
[attachimg=3]
In this photo you can sort of see how the jig places the Domino and stock so that the stock is centered on the Domino cutter.  This can't be done with the Domino fence alone as it won't drop far enough to center on 3/8" thick stock.
[attachimg=4]
To mortise the end of the stock we move to the other end of the jig.  Here you can see the 3/8" thick stock clamped down and ready for the mortise to be cut in the end grain.
[attachimg=5]
For this operation I added "wings" to the jig to hold the Domino machine in alignment from side to side.  The end result of using the jig is to create a perfect 90-degree joint, end to long side, in 3/8" stock.
[attachimg=6]
The component being constructed is used as part of the looms that I build.  The piece with the long side mortises (there are actually 2 about 10 inches apart) are always 22" long while the piece with the mortise in the end varies in length depending on the size of the loom.  For my current build these pieces are 60 3/16" long.
[attachimg=7]

I hope this gives you some idea of how I built a jig to center a 5mm Domino on 3/8" stock.  If you have any questions please let me know.

Larry

Way to go Larry, verry impressive!

Bob

 

[LLesniak]

Way to go Larry, verry impressive!

Bob

Thanks for the compliment Bob, but my work is really secondary.  What's really impressive is the Domino itself with its ability to create strong, perfectly aligned joints in a variety of settings.  All I did was to extend the range of the machine via a work holding fixture.  Before I acquired my Domino the task depicted above used face frame biscuits which are sloppy to fit and provide little added strength to the joint and NO alignment side to side.  The Domino addresses all of these deficiencies and is quick, simple, and CLEAN to use when connected to my CT22.  It really is, like all Festools, a marvel of engineering.

Thanks again,

Larry 

 

[Bob Marino]

Way to go Larry, verry impressive!

Bob

Thanks for the compliment Bob, but my work is really secondary.  What's really impressive is the Domino itself with its ability to create strong, perfectly aligned joints in a variety of settings.  All I did was to extend the range of the machine via a work holding fixture.  Before I acquired my Domino the task depicted above used face frame biscuits which are sloppy to fit and provide little added strength to the joint and NO alignment side to side.  The Domino addresses all of these deficiencies and is quick, simple, and CLEAN to use when connected to my CT22.  It really is, like all Festools, a marvel of engineering.

Thanks again,

Larry 

Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too modest, Larry. Damn nice jig!

Bob

 

[Anthony]

I have had a chance to try the new cutters and accessory, and they are excellent. Was able to do mitres of 16mm MDF with the 4mm dominos, nice and solid. Also the new attachment works well. A really sensible solution to the problem of the pins being out to far for some joints. I like the fact that it is a dual purpose solution. Bringing the spacing in with the flip out tabs, and acts as a support bracket (no need to use the one that comes in the domino Sys).

 

[Bob Marino]

I have had a chance to try the new cutters and accessory, and they are excellent. Was able to do mitres of 16mm MDF with the 4mm dominos, nice and solid. Also the new attachment works well. A really sensible solution to the problem of the pins being out to far for some joints. I like the fact that it is a dual purpose solution. Bringing the spacing in with the flip out tabs, and acts as a support bracket (no need to use the one that comes in the domino Sys).

Thanks Anthony. Can't wait o get mine.

Bob

 

[fshanno]

I have had a chance to try the new cutters and accessory, and they are excellent. Was able to do mitres of 16mm MDF with the 4mm dominos, nice and solid. Also the new attachment works well. A really sensible solution to the problem of the pins being out to far for some joints. I like the fact that it is a dual purpose solution. Bringing the spacing in with the flip out tabs, and acts as a support bracket (no need to use the one that comes in the domino Sys).

How do you center the attachment so it registers the same from both sides?  Does it depend on how it threads into the holes or is there a fine adjustment?

 

[rnt80]

Bob, any word on when the new Centrotec set will be available in NA?

 

[Bob Marino]

Bob, any word on when the new Centrotec set will be available in NA?

Nothing definite at this point, but will try to get something more specific.

Bob

 

[Forrest Anderson]

Hi Bob, is it the model that has been i EU for som time now?

 
I am not 100% sure. Maybe someone (Forrest) from across the pond can chime in here.

Sorry, but I can't help much on the new Domino bits and pieces. I knew about the new 4mm bit, the new 4mm Domino tenons and the plastic Base Support Bracket, as they featured in Festool promotional material in Europe earlier in the year, but the new metal front fence with square pins is totally new to me.

Here is a picture and article taken from the Spring edition of the UK Festool Facts newsletter (the same information is presented on the Festool UK website):

Some things to note:

• No mention of the new metal fence with square pins and different plastic cursor
• It says the centre of cut is now 22mm from the edge, rather than the 20mm that Bob mentioned.
• The 4mm cutter and 4mm tenons will be included with the machine or the assortment Systainer, and the new plastic base will be included with the machine (for the UK market at least).

With regard to the 20mm/22mm distance, the German Festool page for the item says "Zur Reduzierung der D?belmitte von 37 mm auf 20 mm", so there seems to be a bit of confusion at Festool over the exact distance! 

I'm looking forward to seeing the revised metal fence with square pins - first we had round metal pins with adjustable spacing, then plastic "paddles" with no adjustment, and now square pins which might be adjustable. Who's going to be first to get their hands on a photo...?!

Forrest

 

[Bob Marino]

I'm looking forward to seeing the revised metal fence with square pins - first we had round metal pins with adjustable spacing, then plastic "paddles" with no adjustment, and now square pins which might be adjustable. Who's going to be first to get their hands on a photo...?!

Forrest
[/quote]

Thanks Forrest,

The new metal fence for has plastic, squarish "paddles" for lack of a much better word.

Bob

 

[Schmart]

I'm in Europe, and last month I bought the Domino and the assortment box with the 4mm included.
I don't have the new support frame, but I remember the Festool rep mentioned it should have been in the box.
So I'll contact Festool about it.

Question to Bob; are the pins you mention just like in the image below?

If not I think I'm also entitled to the new fence 

 

[Bob Marino]

Question to Bob; are the pins you mention just like in the image below?

If not I think I'm also entitled to the new fence 
[/quote]

  No worries - that's the pins or "paddles".

Bob

 

[Schmart]

Fhew, thanks for confirming this Bob!

Off topic: I checked my mortises and they are also not horizontal. My machine is built 2009.

 

[Anthony]

Those square plastic paddle/toggle/thingies are what we have had for some time now here is Oz. I can't remember the exact time they replaced the round pins, back in 2008 sometime.

 

[Tezzer]

And they are terrible. I dont like them, and most Domi users i know dont either. You cant set them into the 5 or 6mm mortice is by far the most annoying thing.    When Bob said "square"  ones are on the new model i thought they had changed them "again" and had square pins the same as the current round. My advice, if your going to get a Domi soon, be quick and get the older original model.

 

[Schmart]

I remember some Domino users reported that the springs of the old pins were too stiff for their taste.
Those new pins do have the advantage that you can disable/retract them completely.

I was never convinced by the old metal guide pins because they only allow a small distance between mortises.
The QA-DF 500 would probably fix most of the disadvantages of the new plastic paddles.

Just my opinion of course...

 

[Mike B]

Yes, Australia has had the modified "stop latches" (as Festool describe them in the parts breakdown) for some time. I think they are a worthy improvement.

FWIW I always considered most of the complaints against the upgrade to be issues with existing Domino users (theoretically) having to change the way they used the system... assuming they switched from an old to a new machine for some reason. 

New users have nothiing to lose and everything to gain I think.

 

[Tezzer]

Mike whats to gain. I have used a Domino for over 3 years and have no issue with the pins. The newer pins are a backward step with no advantage at all.