Troubleshooting
Symptom | Possible Causes |
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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 |
| ►► 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 | ►► Clean the linear rails and bronze bearings of the plunge slide, and make sure they are |
smooth | 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 | ►► Make sure you hold the Domino joiner firmly in position at the front handle and loosely |
loose | 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 refining 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 | ►► The tenons are intended to be snug fitting, and may require a light tap with a mallet to |
tight | 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 |
| 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 | ►► Make sure the workpiece is securely clamped before plunging. |
misaligned horizontally | ►► 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 | ►► Take care not to tilt the joiner while plunging. |
misaligned vertically | ►► 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 | ►► Make sure the fence is set to the correct angle (e.g. 90 degrees). |
mortise slots | ►► Make sure to hold the Domino joiner firmly to the work surface. |
| ►► Plunging too slow can cause the mortise slots to be tilted slightly. |
Workpiece joint won’t | ►► Make sure the proper plunge depth is set. |
close (gaps between | ►► Make sure the mortising bit is not broken. |
pieces) | ►► 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 | ►► Plunging speed too fast. Slow down the rate of your plunge. |
slots | ►► |
| plunging speed will improve the results but may not eliminate the problem completely. |
| ►► Dull or broken mortising bit. |
Tapered mortise slot. The | ►► The plunge speed is too fast and the bit is not cutting the sides properly. Slow down the |
Domino tenon fits only | plunge speed. |
part way into the slot |
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Supplemental Owner’s Manual | 21 |