Using Domino's Height Gauge with narrow stock

[Don]

OK, I need Domino for Dummies.  Even using Rick’s draft I can’t figure this out.

I’m trying to mortise the end of a slat (1 of 15) for a side table. The slat is 3/8” deep (roughly 10 mm).  Since the Board Thickness Gauge does not go as low as 10, I’m trying to use the Height Gauge.  I have the Narrow Frame Fence on since the slat is 1” wide.  I cannot get the Height Gauge to move to the lowest engraved height line which looks to be 5 mm (pretty much what I need).  I can’t see what is stopping it from moving lower than 7mm.

What am I missing?

 

[Bill]

You aren't missing anything.

The fence cant move any lower without interfering with the cutter (not good).

The 7mm measurement is the distance from the lowered fence to the centerline of the cutter.

Bill

 

[Jerry Work]

Hi Don,

The height scale is the distance from the cutter center line to the under side of the fence.  The lowest the fence will go is 7mm.  That way if you have a 10mm cutter mounted there still will be 2mm clearance between the upper mortise wall and the bottom of the fence.  If the fence could be set as low as 5mm, that same 10mm cutter would be cutting right across the bottom of the fence itself - not good.  To center the cutter on your 10mm slat just add a 4mm thick shim to the top face of the slat making it effectively 14mm thick.  Now the 7mm fence height will place the cutter on the centerline of your slat.  Be sure to clamp everything down before cutting to make sure the slat/shim package does not move while you cut.  What is sold in the lumber store as 3/16" plywood is likely actually 4mm so a shim made from that should get you close.  Hope this helps.

Jerry

OK, I need Domino for Dummies.  Even using Rick’s draft I can’t figure this out.

I’m trying to mortise the end of a slat (1 of 15) for a side table. The slat is 3/8” deep (roughly 10 mm).  Since the Board Thickness Gauge does not go as low as 10, I’m trying to use the Height Gauge.  I have the Narrow Frame Fence on since the slat is 1” wide.  I cannot get the Height Gauge to move to the lowest engraved height line which looks to be 5 mm (pretty much what I need).  I can’t see what is stopping it from moving lower than 7mm.

What am I missing?