Using Domino on Aluminum, Acrylic, Plastics

[John Stevens]

Anyone done it?  I'm guessing plastics would be a breeze.  How about 1/8" aluminum bar stock?  How about thicker aluminum?  Would you use cutting oil for aluminum?  Thanks in advance for your sharing your experience.

Regards,

John

 

[paul_david_thomas]

As odd as it might seem I was looking at the requirement of cutting Ali myself...

However, I don't thing the Domino would be the right tool. I'd use a plunge router and the appropriate bit - yep, you can get them for Ali. I would ensure you use cutting oil and a lower cut speed (pretty sure it's a lower speed) should check the books...

I was looking at this as I have some old straight bit's of Ali I wanted to use on the MFT/3, but needed to adapt them to hold into the MFT/3 holes.

Festool sell such a beast 491036, but you will also find more options from other suppliers.

I need to find one with a diameter large enough to take a M4 threaded rod.

Paul.

 

[Brice Burrell]

John, I can't help you with aluminum, but I have used my Domino on acrylic and plastic (Azek, PVC trim), worked fine with tenons made from the same material.

 

[greg mann]

I agree that a router would be best, template routing with a smaller cutter or a well constrained morticing guide. If you try the domino, plunge very slowly. Fluid use depends on the grade of aluminum. Gummy stuff will need it (like hardware purchased structurals). Cutting forces will probably be 3 to 4 times hardwood if you grab too much stock. I've done it, but be careful.

 

[John Stevens]

Thanks, guys!

Regards,

John

 

[daveg]

Is cutting oil non-conductive? At worst, I'd hate to get electrocuted, at best, I'd hate to short out my Domino if oil was drawn into the motor.

 

[greg mann]

I think the vacuum would keep it out of the motor. Think of it this way. If the domino was likely to get the cutting oil in the motor, then it would be far more likely to be collecting wood dust in the motor. I see no evidence of that with my Domino. This machine probably has the best integrated dust collection going, considering the amount of debris generated.