Filter
Top Products
Supplemental Owner’s Manual 21
Troubleshooting
Symptom Possible Causes
Motor does not start
► Make sure the power switch is off before plugging in the tool.
► Check that the cord is properly plugged into an outlet.
► Make sure the Plug-it connector is properly inserted and fully tightened.
► Make sure the outlet has power. Check the circuit breaker or try another outlet.
► If used with a Festool dust extractor, make sure the selector switch is pointing to “Auto”.
The auxiliary outlet on the dust extractor has power only when the selector is at Auto.
► Inspect the power cord (including extension cords) for damage or missing prongs.
► The motor brushes may have worn and need replacement.
Plunging action is not
smooth
► Clean the linear rails and bronze bearings of the plunge slide, and make sure they are
properly lubricated (refer to the ”Routine Maintenance” on page 19).
► Inspect the linear bearings for damage. Improper insertion of the fence body onto the
motor housing can damage the linear bearings.
Domino tenons are too
loose
► Make sure you hold the Domino joiner rmly in position at the front handle and loosely
at the rear handle while plunging the mortise slot. It is not uncommon for new users to
experience this problem, and is a matter of rening your technique for plunging mortises.
► Plunging too fast can cause the mortise slot to be enlarged. Slow down the plunge rate.
► Make sure the mortise width setting is correct.
► Make sure you are using the correct mortising bit for the size of the Domino tenon.
► Check the mortising bit to ensure it is not bent or has a broken tip. A bent bit will make a
thicker and wider mortise slot than desired.
► The Domino tenons may have shrunk in an overly dry or warm environment. This is
normal wood movement.
Domino tenons are too
tight
► The tenons are intended to be snug tting, and may require a light tap with a mallet to
insert them. This is what affords such high precision for Domino tenon joinery.
► The most common cause for this is that the tenons are stored in a humid environment,
and they have swelled from moisture absorption. Store the tenons in a cool dry envi-
ronment. (Swollen tenons can be re-dried by heating them to 10 to 15 degrees above
ambient temperature for a short period.)
► The mortising bit may have been improperly sharpened or sharpened too many times.
Replace the bit.
Workpiece joints are
misaligned horizontally
► Make sure the workpiece is securely clamped before plunging.
► Retract the locating pins when not in use.
► Check the calibration of the horizontal position gauge (sight gauge).
► Don’t plunge the mortising bit into the work too fast. This may cause the joiner to move
during the plunge.
► Make sure the friction pads on the front of the joiner are not worn, damaged, or missing.
Workpiece joints are
misaligned vertically
► Take care not to tilt the joiner while plunging.
► If the mortise slots were registered from the bottom of the baseplate, make sure there is
no dust or debris under the joiner or workpiece.
► Make sure the fence is properly locked at the desired height setting.
► Inspect the fence height adjustment lock to ensure it is not broken (slipping).
Tilted or misaligned
mortise slots
► Make sure the fence is set to the correct angle (e.g. 90 degrees).
► Make sure to hold the Domino joiner rmly to the work surface.
► Plunging too slow can cause the mortise slots to be tilted slightly.
Workpiece joint won’t
close (gaps between
pieces)
► Make sure the proper plunge depth is set.
► Make sure the mortising bit is not broken.
► Make sure the joiner is tight to the face of the workpiece.
► The mortising bit may have been sharpened too many times and is too short.
► Excessive dust may be present inside the linear slide.
► Excessive glue may be present at the bottom of the mortise.
Tearout or rough mortise
slots
► Plunging speed too fast. Slow down the rate of your plunge.
► Low-grade materials and plywoods will tear out more than solid woods. Decreasing your
plunging speed will improve the results but may not eliminate the problem completely.
► Dull or broken mortising bit.
Tapered mortise slot. The
Domino tenon ts only
part way into the slot
► The plunge speed is too fast and the bit is not cutting the sides properly. Slow down the
plunge speed.