Unhappy Domino 500 Owner

[smorgasbord]

Here's Sedge on replacing the DF500's lock levers to mimick the DF700s:


He mentioned fence drift. And here's the in-depth video:


and here's the link to the handles on McMaster Carr:

McMaster-Carr

McMaster-Carr is the complete source for your plant with over 595,000 products. 98% of products ordered ship from stock and deliver same or next day.

www.mcmaster.com

 

[Lincoln]

My fence is as supplied in the UK in 2009 - but I can't seem to find a clear explanation of the changes and consequently can't quite say what I have.

It prompts a concern mind you. If Festool come up with a later spec fence to solve my problem (if....) is it possible that it could make obsolete the accessories that I have? (pretty much everything that was available in 2009)

I tripped over this video when looking for information - it purports to solve fence drift/slippage:


'.....shows how to adjust the fence height on your DOMINO joiner so that you don't get fence drift.'

It doesn't fix the fence slippage problem - at least not on my tool.

Not to say that it doesn't happen or that the information will not be useful to some - but an assertion that seems to assume that users won't notice a basic matter like a lever fouling something so that the fence can't be locked down tight risks muddying the water on more fundamental issues.....

On the face of the machine, either side of the cutter opening, there's either a plastic 'paddle', or a steel sprung pin. Both are for referencing the end of a workpiece. Festool had to change to the plastic paddle, as the pins were a bit too close to another manufacturer's existing design.

 

[Blackerty]

Thanks Lincoln. It seems that the paddles on my tool may be plastic - the triangular black sprung stops?

 

[peter halle]

Correct - those are the "paddles."

Peter

 

[six-point socket II]

If the local rep can’t help, go through Festool HQ Germany. Do not e-mail/ go through first level support, write an old fashioned letter, explaining the issue/ overall circumstances, direct them towards this thread. I’m sure they will take care of you & the issue.

Kind regards,
Oliver

 

[Blackerty]

Thanks Peter & Oliver.

The letter to HQ option sounds like a good idea. It may yet not be necessary. Time will tell. First line support in the UK citing the age of the tool won't touch it without a commitment to pay, but the rep seems to be getting behind it. It may take a while....

 

[smorgasbord]

First line support in the UK citing the age of the tool won't touch it without a commitment to pay...

While it would be great to get it fixed without cost to you, I personally would not expect anything free on a portable tool that's well over a decade old.

 

[MaineShop]

We have a couple dominos in the shop the oldest being I think 2014 so about ten years. They don't always see daily use but certainly weekly. At least enough it was worth getting a second one about 5 years ago since we had times that running two was more cost effective then waiting for the other one to be done.

In all that time we have never had an issue with the purchased dominos not fitting. Moisture is def a issue and you can have times when the dominos are left out overnight that you gotta tap them in with a hammer and pull them out with pliers. Too loose has never been an issue unless we messed up the hole or used the wrong bit, had a guy drill a project with 5mm and then used 4mm to assemble before.

Three things usually cause us issues with the domino. First if the bit is dull, it makes the tool move and gives some climb to the cut. If we start getting climb or the fence is moving side to side to side we put a fresh cutter on.

Second the height scale sucks and is hard to read at times, we use set up blocks for all our standard set ups, much faster and repeatable.

Lastly how you hold the tool when you plunge makes a huge difference. Holding it back by the power cord is the only way to use it in our shop. New hires always struggle with this.

Sorry to hear of your issues and hope it can be worked out as once you get the tool dialed in it is a great joinery meathod.

Adam

 

[Blackerty]

Thank you for the input Adam, it all fits with my (limited) experience.

It seems clear that there is something odd about the dominos I have.

The plan is to try some more if the fence slippage problem gets sorted out..