Domino® XL DF 700
Tenon Joiner
Tenon Joiner
Supplemental User’s Manual
WARNING To reduce the risk of serious injury, read and understand all safety
precautions and instructions in this manual before using this tool.
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Contents
About This Manual........................................... 3
Tool Symbols...................................................3
General Power Tool Safety Warnings .............. 4
Work Area Safety ..........................................4
Electrical Safety ............................................4
Personal Safety .............................................4
Power Tool Use and Care ................................4
Service ........................................................5
Specific Safety Rules for Tenon Joiners................5
Domino Tenon Placement Guidelines .............. 10
Plug-It® Power Cord ...................................... 10
Using Dust Extraction ..................................... 11
Using the Stop Pins ........................................ 11
Using the Base Support Bracket....................... 11
Using the Optional Cross Stops ........................ 12
Using the Vertical Alignment Marks................... 12
Using the Optional Trim Stop ........................... 13
Using the Optional Hand Rail Fence .................. 13
Respiratory Exposure Safety Warnings................5 Applications .................................................. 14
Tool Description .............................................. 5
Technical Specifications.....................................5
Intended Use...................................................5
Functional Description ......................................6
Setup............................................................... 7
Setting Up a New Domino Joiner ........................7
Setting the Fence Angle ....................................7
Setting the Fence Height...................................8
Edge Joining Boards ....................................... 14
Making Miter Box Joints .................................. 14
Making Butt Box Joints ................................... 15
Making Frame Joints ...................................... 16
Making Carcase Butt Joints.............................. 17
Making Lock Tenon Joints................................ 18
Shortening a Domino Tenon’s Length................ 18
Tips for Applying Glue..................................... 18
Setting the Mortise Width..................................8 Maintenance.................................................. 19
Setting the Mortise Depth .................................9
Changing the Mortising Bit ................................9
Routine Maintenance ...................................... 19
Calibrating the Sight Gauge............................. 20
Operation ...................................................... 10 Troubleshooting ............................................ 21
Overview, General Notes, and Tips ................... 10
Choosing the Right Domino Tenon Size........... 10
About This Manual
Save These Instructions
It is important for you to read and understand this manual. The information it contains relates to protecting YOUR SAFETY
and PREVENTING PROBLEMS. The symbols below are used to help you recognize this information.
WARNING! Indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result
in death or serious injury.
CAUTION! Indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result
in minor or moderate injury.
NOTICE: Indicates a potential situation which, if not avoided, can result in property
damage or damage to the tool.
Note: Indicates information, notes, or tips for improving your success using the tool.
Tool Symbols
V
Volts
W
Watts
Hz Hertz
~
no
Ø
Alternating Current (AC)
No-load Speed
Diameter
Class II Double Insulated
Supplemental Owner’s Manual
3
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General Power Tool Safety Warnings
WARNING! Read all safety warnings and
Save all warnings and instructions
for future reference.
instructions. Failure to follow the warnings and
instructions may result in electric shock, fire, and/or
serious injury.
Work Area Safety
► Keep your work area clean and well lit. Cluttered or dark work
tools create sparks which may ignite the dust or fumes.
areas invite accidents.
► Keep children and bystanders away while operating a power
► Do not operate power tools in explosive atmospheres, such
tool. Distractions can cause you to lose control.
as in the presence of flammable liquids, gases, or dust. Power
Electrical Safety
► Power tool plugs must match the outlet. Never modify the
plug in any way. Do not use any adapter plugs with earthed
(grounded) power tools. Unmodified plugs and matching
outlets will reduce risk of electric shock.
► If operating a power tool in a damp location is unavoidable,
use a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protected supply.
Use of a GFCI reduces the risk of electric shock.
► Never use an extension cord that is damaged, including cuts,
exposed wires, or bent/missing prongs. Damaged extension
cords increase the risk of fire or electric shock.
► Avoid body contact with earthed or grounded surfaces such
as pipes, radiators, ranges and refrigerators. There is an
increased risk of electric shock if your body is earthed or
grounded.
► Use only extension cords rated for the purpose.
► Use only extension cords rated for the amperage of this tool
and the length of the cord. Using too small of an extension
cord can cause the cord to overheat.
► Do not expose power tools to rain or wet conditions. Water
entering a power tool will increase the risk of electric shock.
► Do not abuse the cord. Never use the cord for carrying, pull-
ing, or unplugging the power tool. Keep cord away from heat,
oil, sharp edges or moving parts. Damaged or entangled
cords increase the risk of electric shock.
Extension Cord Ratings
Cord Length
<50 Ft.
50-100 Ft.
>100 Ft.
Size (AWG)
14
12
► When operating a power tool outdoors, use an extension
cord suitable for outdoor use. Use of a cord for outdoor use
reduces the risk of electric shock.
Not recommended
Personal Safety
► Stay alert, watch what you are doing, and use common sense
when operating a power tool. Do not use a power tool while
tired or under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or medication.
A moment of inattention while operating power tools may
result in serious personal injury.
tool on. A wrench or a key that is left attached to a rotating
part of the tool may result in personal injury.
► Do not overreach. Keep proper footing and balance at all
times. This enables better control of the tool in unexpected
situations.
► Use personal protective equipment. Always wear eye pro-
tection. Protective equipment such as dust mask, non-skid
safety shoes, hard hat, or hearing protection used for appro-
priate conditions will reduce personal injuries.
► Dress properly. Do not wear loose clothing or jewelry. Keep
your hair, clothing, and gloves away from moving parts. Loose
clothes, jewelry, or long hair can be caught in moving parts.
► If devices are provided for the connection of dust extrac-
tion and collection facilities, ensure these are connected and
properly used. Use of dust collection can reduce dust-related
hazards.
► Prevent unintentional starting. Ensure the switch is in the
off-position before connecting to power source, picking up,
or carrying the tool. Carrying power tools with your finger on
the switch or energizing power tools that have the switch on
invites accidents.
► Always wear safety glasses complying with ANSI Z87.1.
Ordinary glasses are not proper protection.
► Remove adjusting key or wrench before turning the power
Power Tool Use and Care
► Do not force the power tool. Use the correct power tool for
your application. The correct power tool will do the job better
and safer at the rate for which it is designed.
the tool accidentally.
► Store idle tools out of reach of children and do not allow
persons unfamiliar with the power tool or these instructions
to operate the power tool. Power tools are dangerous in the
hands of untrained users.
► Do not use the power tool if the switch does not turn it on
and off. Any power tool that cannot be controlled with the
switch is dangerous and must be repaired.
► Maintain power tools. Check for misalignment or binding of
moving parts, breakage of parts and any other condition that
may affect the power tool’s operation. If damaged, have the
power tool repaired before use. Many accidents are caused by
► Disconnect the plug from the power source before making
any adjustments, changing accessories, or storing the tool.
Such preventive safety measures reduce the risk of starting
4
Domino XL DF700
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poorly maintained power tools.
dance with these instructions, taking into account the working
conditions and the work to be performed. Use of the power
tool for operations different from those intended could result
in a hazardous situation.
► Keep cutting tools sharp and clean. Properly maintained tools
with sharp cutting edges are less likely to bind and are easier
to control.
► To reduce the risk of serious injury, never alter or misuse the
power tool.
► Use the power tool, accessories, and tool bits etc. in accor-
Service
► Have your power tool serviced by a qualified repair person
the safety of the power tool is maintained.
using only identical replacement parts. This will ensure that
Specific Safety Rules for Tenon Joiners
► Mortising bits must be rated for at least the speed recom-
mended on the tool. Mortising bits running over rated speed
can fly apart and cause injury.
mortising bits can cause the tool to lurch sideways unexpect-
edly and lead to a loss of control of the power tool.
► Do not operate the tool if the spring-loaded fence does not
return to its forward rest position. The fence covers the mor-
tising bit and prevents accidental contact. If the slides of the
fence do not move freely, have the tool serviced immediately.
► Always use the fence. The fence protects the operator from
unintentional contact with the mortising bit. When the fence
is removed from the joiner, the spinning and oscillating cutter
is exposed and can cause serious injury.
► Wait for the cutter to stop before setting the tool down. An
exposed cutter may engage the surface leading to possible
loss of control and serious injury.
► Keep hands away from the cutting area. Never place your
hand on the front face of the fence while the tool is running.
► Use only Festool authorized mortising bits. Non-approved
mortising bits can come loose during operation.
► Use clamps or other practical way to secure and support the
workpiece to a stable platform. Holding the work by hand or
against your body is unstable and may lead to loss of control.
► Never use dull or damaged mortising bits. Dull or damaged
Respiratory Exposure Safety Warnings
► Substantial or repeated inhalation of dust and other airborne ► arsenic and chromium from chemically-treated lumber; and
contaminants, in particular those with a smaller particle
► some wood dusts, especially from hardwoods, but also from
size, may cause respiratory or other illnesses. Various dusts
some softwoods such as Western Red Cedar.
created by power sanding, sawing, grinding, drilling and other
► The risk from these exposures varies, depending on how
often you do this type of work. To reduce your exposure to
these chemicals: work in a well ventilated area and use a
properly functioning dust extraction system. When the inhala-
tion of dust cannot be substantially controlled, i.e., kept at or
near the ambient (background) level, the operator and any
bystanders should wear a respirator approved by NIOSH for
the type of dust encountered.
construction activities contain chemicals or substances known
(to the State of California and others) to cause cancer, birth
defects or other reproductive harm. Some examples of these
chemicals/substances are:
► lead from lead-based paints;
► crystalline silica from bricks, cement, and other masonry
products;
Tool Description
Technical Specifications
Power Consumption
Motor Speed
720 Watts (6.25 amps @ 120 volts)
21,000 RPM (no load)
All metric dimensions are controlling. Mortising bit dimen-
sions are critical for safe operation, and are presented in
metric units only.
Mortising Depth
Mortising Width
Mortising Bit Range
Spindle Thread
Weight
15 - 70 mm (0.6 - 2.75“)
13.5mm & 16.5mm + bit diameter
8mm, 10mm, 12mm, 14mm
M8 x 1
5.2 kg (11.5 lbs)
Intended Use
The Domino tenon joiner is designed to produce mortises in
soft and hard wood, chip board, plywood and fiber boards. All
applications beyond this are regarded as improper use. The
tool should not be altered or used for any other purpose other
than as specified in these operating instructions. Using the
tool in contravention to this manual may lead to injury and will
void your warranty. The user shall be responsible and liable for
accidents, injury, and property damage resulting from misuse or
abuse of this tool.
Supplemental Owner’s Manual
5
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Functional Description
The Domino DF 700 Tenon Joiner is used to cut mortises in
wood for floating tenon joinery. Mortise and tenon joinery
fies the task of cutting mating mortises in workpieces to be
connected together. A rotating and oscillating cutter sweeps
is one of the oldest and strongest methods of joining pieces across the workpiece to quickly and effortlessly cut a uni-
of wood together. The Domino tenon joiner greatly simpli-
form mortise, in which a Domino floating tenon is inserted.
P
W
B
A
Q
R
S
V
T
D
C
O
G
U
N
M
F
E
L
G
H
I
J
K
J
Item Name or Description
Ref. Page(s)
Item Name or Description
Ref. Page(s)
A
B
C
D
E
F
Fence Body
M
N
O
P
Main Handle
Power Switch
Motor Housing
Auxiliary Handle
Mortise Width Indicator
Mortising Bit
Plug It® Power Inlet
Fence Height Gauge
Fence Angle Locking Lever
Fence Angle Gauge
Stop Pin Release Button
Height Stop
Q
R
S
Spindle Lock
G
H
I
Dust Extraction Port
Fence Height Locking Lever
Outrigger Mounting Slot
Locating Pins (qty. 6)
Sight Gauge
T
Fence Body Release Lever
Depth Adjust Limit Stops
Depth Adjust Slide
Mortise Width Lever
U
V
W
J
K
L
6
Domino XL DF700
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Setup
Setting Up a New Domino Joiner
Congratulations on your purchase of a new Festool Domino
Tenon Joiner. The Domino joiner is the finest portable loose
tenon joiner in the world. Before using your new Domino
joiner, make sure you fully read and understand all of
the precautions and safety information presented in this
manual.
4. Make sure that the fence height and angle locking levers
are properly tightened.
WARNING! To reduce the risk of injury from contact
with a moving part, always unplug the joiner before
making any inspections or adjustments, or before
installing or removing any accessory!
Protective
Film
1. With the joiner unplugged, inspect the mortising bit.
Make sure it is not bent, chipped, or otherwise damaged,
and make sure the bit is fully tightened on the spindle.
more information).
CAUTION! Check regularly whether the mortising
bit is in good condition. Mortising bits that are bent
or damaged can break, and should no longer be
used.
5. Install the power cord into the Plug-It receptacle on the
2. Peel off the protective film from the bottom of the joiner
baseplate.
6. Before you use the joiner, make sure to read the
3. Set up the joiner for the appropriate type of operation as
described throughout the remainder of this section.
Setting the Fence Angle
Some joints require the fence to be set to an angle from the
mortising bit. The most common application is for making a
1. Unplug the joiner for safety.
2. Loosen the fence angle locking lever by rotating it coun-
terclockwise about ¼-turn.
3. Rotate the fence face to the desired angle, and tighten
the locking lever.
Gauge
Notes:
Pointer
Detent
► The fence has detent stops at 22½, 45, 67½, and 90
Stops
degrees.
► Use the gauge pointer for setting the fence to angles other
than the ones listed above.
Locking
Lever
► For greater stability, the locking lever clamps down on
both right and left sides of the fence.
Fence
The table below provides some common miter angles for
easy reference.
Number of
Equal Sides
Mitersaw
Angle
Domino
Angle
3 – Triangle
4 – Square
60
45
30
45
Hint: If the position of the locking lever interferes
with your operation, you can rotate the lever after it
has been tightened by slightly pulling the lever out
and rotating it to a different position.
5 – Pentagon
6 – Hexagon
7 – Heptagon
8 – Octagon
36
54
30
60
25.7
22.5
64.3
67.5
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Setting the Fence Height
The height of the fence needs to be adjusted depending on
the type of joint being made and the thickness of the mate-
fence height for the specific application. There are two
features available for setting the fence height; the height
gauge and the height stop.
b. Slide the stop in or out until the desired setting (in
mm) is shown in the window.
c. Lower the fence down until it touches the stop.
d. Tighten the locking lever.
3. To use the height gauge:
a. Make sure the Height Stop is retracted out of the way.
Note: It is not necessary to set the mortise height to
be exactly in the center of a board. Attempting to do
so can be difficult, and may actually lead to assembly
errors. It is more important to always ensure that the
same surface is referenced for each workpiece.
b. Raise or lower the fence until the pointer is pointing to
the desired height on the gauge.
c. Tighten the locking lever.
Height Stop
The height stop provides quick access to repeatable height
settings. This can be especially beneficial in applications
where you need to continually change the fence height from
one mortise to another, such as an offset joint with a reveal
between the pieces.
Locking
Lever
Height
Gauge
Height Gauge
The height gauge shows the distance between the bottom
of the fence face and the centerline of the mortising bit. Use
this gauge to set the mortise height relative to the surface
of the workpiece.
Note: Make sure to retract the Height Stop to its
lowest setting when using the Height Gauge.
Height Stop
Window
Setting the height
1. Loosen the fence height locking lever by turning it ¼-turn
counterclockwise.
2. To use the Height Stop:
a. Raise the fence above the desired setting.
Setting the Mortise Width
The width of the mortise slot can be increased to permit
some side-to-side flexibility in the tenon position. The mor-
tise width lever has two positions. In the standard position,
the Domino tenon will fit snugly into the mortise slot. In the
wide position, the mortise slot will be 3 mm wider than the
Domino tenon.
Mortise Width
Indicator
NOTICE: Never rotate the dial during a plunging
operation. This can bend or break the mortising bit,
and can also damage the machine.
Mortise
Width Lever
13.5mm
16.5mm
13.5 + Ø
16.5 + Ø
Ø = Bit Diameter
8
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Setting the Mortise Depth
The mortising depth determines how deep into the work-
If you are frequently switching depth settings, use the two
piece the mortising bit penetrates. This needs to be adjusted limit stops to assist in setting those positions. This is also
for different sized tenons. In most cases, the tenon should
be centered across the joint, and the depth of the mortise
should be ½ the length of the tenon. However, in some
cases you may want to have more of the tenon in one piece
than the other (lower Domino tenon pictured below). In this
case, the sum of the two depths must equal the length of
the tenon. (In the offset tenon example below, the Domino
tenon is 50 mm long, the left mortise is 35 mm deep, and
the right mortise is 15 mm deep.)
helpful when working with thin materials and you set the
maximum limit to be less than your material thickness.
To set the depth position, press down on one of the two
release buttons, and slide the adjustment pointer to the
desired setting.
Centered
Domino
Depth
Adjustment
Release
Button(s)
50mm
Offset
Domino
Minimum
Limit
Maximum
Limit
15mm
35mm
Changing the Mortising Bit
Different mortising bits are available for a variety of Domino 3. Loosen the mortising bit by turning it counterclockwise
tenon sizes. The DF 700 comes equipped with a 12mm bit;
and 8, 10, and 14 mm bits are available as an option.
(standard right-hand thread).
Spindle
Lock
WARNING! To reduce the risk of injury from contact
with a moving mortising bit, always unplug the tool
before changing mortising bits or removing the
fence body from the motor housing.
1. Using the provided 12mm wrench, pry up on the fence
body release lever, and slide the fence body off the motor
fence body and motor housing when separated.)
Wrench
Loosen
Fence Body
Tighten
Release Lever
4. Insert a new mortising bit, and start the threads by hand
to avoid cross-threading.
5. Press in on the spindle lock while tightening the bit. Do
not over tighten the bit.
6. Carefully reinstall the fence body onto the motor housing,
and push the fence body in until the latch clicks.
► Make sure there is no sawdust inside the guide tubes
(hollow tubes) before inserting the fence body.
► Be careful not to damage the linear bearings (inner sur-
face of guide tube) when reinstalling the fence body. If
it does not slide on easily, it means the fence is skewed
with respect to the bearings.
2. Press and hold the spindle lock button. This stops the
spindle from turning while you loosen the mortising bit.
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Operation
Overview, General Notes, and Tips
Because the look and feel of the Domino joiner may already For best results, observe the following tips:
be familiar to you, or similar to other tools you may have
used in the past, you might be tempted to forego a basic
► Always secure the workpiece firmly.
► Hold the Domino Joiner firmly by the front handle and
loosely by the rear handle. This keeps control of the joiner
at the front without biasing the main body skewed from
the fence.
introduction to using the tool. However, unlike other tools
of similar look and feel, the Domino machine is extremely
precise in its operation. For this reason, it is recommended
that you spend some time practicing using the Domino
joiner before you begin using it for your fine woodworking
projects.
► Plunge the mortising bit into the workpiece with a slow
and steady pace.
Choosing the Right Domino Tenon Size
Because the Domino system is a form of the classic mortise
and tenon joinery, it should follow much of the same guide-
lines of mortise and tenon joinery. Here are some guidelines
to assist you in making your choices:
approximately 1/3 the thickness of the workpieces.
► For softer woods, such as pine, the joint will be stronger
when the tenon is 1/3 or slightly less.
► For plywoods, especially low-grade construction plywoods,
the Domino tenon is much stronger than the surrounding
wood, so it is best to maximize the strength of the sub-
strate by minimizing the thickness of the tenon.
► When the strength of your workpieces is comparable
to the strength of the Domino tenon (e.g. general hard
woods) then the thickness of the Domino tenon should be
Domino Tenon Placement Guidelines
There are no steadfast rules on where tenons should be
placed, especially when they are used for alignment pur-
poses. For edge joining boards, a typical placement might
be 6 to 8 inches apart.
distance between a mortise and the wood surface should
all be equal to (or larger than) the thickness of the tenon.
Minimum spacing
equal to one
domino thickness
However, when tenons are used to strengthen a joint, you
might be tempted to place the tenons too close together.
This can actually weaken the joint by removing too much of
the substrate material.
► A wide mortise weakens the substrate, so it is better
to have several narrow mortises with uncut space in
between, than it is to have a single wide mortise with
several tenons side-by-side.
► When placing several tenons close together, leave at
least the thickness of a tenon between mortise holes. As
a general rule, this means the minimum tenon spacing
should be about 8 mm to 14 mm, but they can be spaced
much wider.
Minimum Spacing
Equal to Domino
Thickness
► When creating stacked mortises for extra thick lumber, an
extension of the “1/3 rule” mentioned above still applies.
Specifically, the distance between mortises, and the
Plug-It® Power Cord
The Domino joiner comes equipped with a removable Plug-It
power cord. To install the power cord, insert the cord into
the inlet on the tool with the key and keyway of the plug
aligned with the key and keyway of the port. Then twist
the locking ring a full ¼-turn until they lock. Reverse the
procedure to remove the cord.
Key
Notice: Failure to fully lock the plug into the recep-
tacle will damage both the plug and the receptacle.
Twist to
Lock
Keyway
10
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Using Dust Extraction
The Domino joiner is intended to be used with a dust extrac-
tion system. Using the machine without dust extraction will
cause it to clog with wood chips.
Vacuum
Hose
Dust
Port
When installing a Festool dust extraction hose onto the dust
port of the machine, it is easiest to insert the hose at an
angle and then push it on the rest of the way as shown to
the right.
Note: If you have a non-Festool vacuum system
and your vacuum hose does not fit the dust extrac-
tion port, a Festool vacuum hose will fit many other
brands of vacuums.
Using the Stop Pins
On the front of the fence are 3 pair of stop pins. These are
used to register the tool against the edge of the workpiece
or against a previously machined mortise slot, and provide
rapid and precise placement of the tool on the workpiece.
To retract a pin, push in on it until it clicks into place. To
release the pins, press the release button on the side of the
fence. There is a release button for the left and right sets of
pins.
The distances between the locating pin and the center of
The pins are spring-loaded, so it is not necessary to retract
the mortise slot are 20, 37, and 50 mm. The pins are spring a pin when not in use. However, retracting unused pins will
loaded, but can also be locked in the retracted position.
prevent them from pushing your workpiece away from the
fence.
50 mm
37 mm
20 mm
Retracted
Stop Pins
3
2
1
1
2
3
Stop Pin
Stop Pin
Release
Using the Base Support Bracket
The base support bracket stabilizes the joiner when mortis-
ing on the face of a narrow board as shown to the right. The
base support bracket mounts to the underside of the joiner
with two thumbscrews. Stand the joiner upright on a flat
surface when installing the bracket to ensure it is flush with
the front of the joiner.
Support
Bracket
Narrow
Workpiece
Support
Bracket
Thumbscrews
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Using the Optional Cross Stops
The optional Cross Stops extend the position of the locat-
ing pins for wider tenon spacing. These are also adjustable
so the spacing can be tailored to the needs of the specific
application.
DF 500 versus DF 700 Setup
The new model Cross Stop is compatible with both DF 500
and DF 700 joiners by inverting the stop pin assembly. This
changes the height of the stop pins to line up with existing
mortises. (The previous model will still fit the DF 700 joiner,
but the pins won’t line up with existing mortises.)
Note: The two Cross Stops are specific for right and
left-hand mounting, such that the locking levers point
toward the rear when locked. If you install the adjust-
able stop pins backward, the locking levers will point
forward when locked, and this will interfere with the
workpiece. If this happens, remove the stop pins from
the outrigger arms and turn them around.
To invert the stop pin, loosen the clamping knob far enough
to allow the rear clamp to rotate, then rotate the rear clamp
180°, and retighten the clamping knob. The front of the
stop pin assembly indicates which position is for the respec-
tive joiner.
Setup
Calibration
To ensure that the stop pins are centered on either side of
the mortise location, they can be calibrated to the Domino
machine to which they are attached. If the stop pins are not
centered about the mortise location of the machine, loosen
the locking setscrew and rotate the eccentric adjuster
slightly. When the screw slot is vertical, the eccentric is in
the neutral position. When the screw slot is horizontal, the
eccentric is in the maximum offset toward or away from the
mortise position. (A stamped “0” indicates the minimum
offset of the eccentric.)
Mounting
Tab and Slot
Lock
Clamping
Knob
DF500
Eccentric
Adjuster
1. With the locking handle rotated toward the front of the
joiner (as shown in the upper photograph) insert the
mounting tab into the slot from below.
2. Turn the locking lever toward the rear to lock the Cross
Stop to the base of the joiner.
Rear
Clamp
3. Loosen the clamping knob on the adjustable stop pin and
Locking
Setscrew
slide the pin to the desired position.
4. Before tightening the clamping knob, make sure both
pointers on the locating pin are pointing to the same
measurement on the outrigger arm.
Stop Pin
Assembly
DF700
Using the Vertical Alignment Marks
The side of the fence body contains a pair of alignment
marks to indicate the vertical position of the mortising
location. These marks are helpful for identifying the mortise
location when plunging into the face of a large flat work-
piece. Use these to align the joiner with a pencil line that
represents the desired center of the mortise location.
These can also be used in conjunction with the horizontal
alignment mark on the base of the joiner to position a
mortise at the intersection of two lines.
Alignment
Mark
12
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Using the Optional Trim Stop
The optional Trim Stop is used to securely hold small work-
pieces for cutting mortises.
Locked
Thumbscrew
Position
Installing the Trim Stop
1. With the fence tilted to 90 degrees, slide the Trim Stop
over the fence face of the Domino joiner as shown. Make
sure the Trim Stop is fully seated onto the joiner’s fence.
2. Slide the two latch tabs inward.
3. Tighten the two thumbscrews.
Latch
Setting the Stop Width
1. Loosen the two green thumbscrews on the bottom of the
Trim Stop.
2. Place the workpiece between the two guides and slide the
guides inward.
3. Use the position gauge on the Domino joiner fence face
to center the workpiece.
4. With the side guides tight to the workpiece and the
workpiece centered in the position gauge, tighten the two
thumbscrews.
Sight
Gauge
Hint: Make note of where the workpiece lines up
on the sight gauge, and use the sight gauge when
cutting the mortise on the mating frame for a T-joint
frame.
Thumbscrews
Workpiece
Using the Optional Hand Rail Fence
The optional hand rail fence is used to help stabilize rounded If the hand rail fence is not sitting perfectly centered on the
workpieces that won’t otherwise rest flat against the fence. mortising location, it can be shifted to the side by adjusting
the four gib screws.
Installing the Hand Rail Fence
1. With the fence tilted to 90 degrees, slide the hand rail
fence over the fence face of the Domino joiner as shown.
Make sure the hand rail fence is fully seated onto the
joiner’s fence.
Round
Stock
2. Slide the two latch tabs inward.
3. Tighten the two thumbscrews.
Locked
Thumbscrew
Position
Latch
Gib Screws (4)
Supplemental Owner’s Manual
13
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Applications
Edge Joining Boards
Edge joining boards is a common method for creating wide
boards from a series of narrower boards. The Domino
tenons add strength to the joint and also assist in aligning
the boards to be flush.
setting, but you may find it easier to set the mortise width
dial to the next widest setting.
► Place the mortise slots 6 to 12 inches apart for standard
joints, but this spacing should be decreased for joining
plywoods or when a stronger joint is needed.
For edge joining boards, a series of tenons are placed down
the length of the joint. The first tenon is used to register the
two boards horizontally, so it is milled at standard width.
The remaining tenons align the boards flush and may be
milled with an oversize width.
► Instead of marking the mortise placements with pencil
evenly space the mortises down the length of the boards.
To do this, use the stop pin in the previous mortise slot.
Tips for Successful Joining
Standard
first mortise slot with the mortise width
lever set to the narrow setting (page
8).
Width
Oversize
Width
► For subsequent mortise slots you can
keep the mortise width at the minimum
Pencil Lines
Making Miter Box Joints
Without tenons, miter box joints are fairly weak because the
joint is predominately endgrain to endgrain. Tenons signifi-
cantly increase the strength of the joint and make it easier
to assemble and clamp the pieces.
Setup and Machining
1. Tilt the fence to the appropriate angle. (Refer to the table
2. Lower the fence to the desired height. Note that the
mortise should be close to the inside corner to avoid
penetrating through the workpiece.
Construction Tips
► For thinner materials, keep the mortise close to the inside
corner. This minimizes the chances for boring all the way
through the workpiece.
3. Tip: Before milling the mortise, double check your depth
settings to ensure you don’t cut all the way through.
► For very thin materials, it may be necessary to shorten
4. Plunge the joiner as shown below.
5. The stacked mortises are used for thicker stock.
6. Grasp the joiner by the auxiliary handle for best control.
► For thicker materials, stacked mortises can be used.
14
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Making Butt Box Joints
Butt box joints are typically used in general box construction 7. Grasp the Domino joiner by the auxiliary handle, hold
or for drawer construction. The Domino tenons strengthen
the joint without the need for additional fasteners. The
example below highlights drawer construction, but the same
techniques are used on other types of box construction.
it firmly down to the workpiece, and slowly plunge the
cutter into the edge of the workpiece.
Construction Tips
► For drawer construction with a separate drawer front, the
front and rear of the box should be Captive, as shown
below.
► The drawer front is installed onto the drawer box after
the box has been assembled.
► This increases the strength of the drawer because the
tenons are in shear (perpendicular) to the operation of
opening and closing the drawer.
Clamped
Workpiece
► The ends of the side boards are concealed by the sepa-
rate drawer front.
► For drawer construction without a separate drawer front,
the Sides should be Captive and the Front/Rear should be
the Caps (the reverse of the image below).
Machining the Cap-Side Mortises
► For cabinet carcase construction, the Top/Bottom of the
1. Don’t change the fence height from the previous opera-
tion. It is used to register the mortise placement from
the edge of the board.
2. If necessary, install the Base Support Bracket as
3. If necessary, change the mortise depth setting.
4. Clamp the workpiece in a vertical position as shown.
5. When plunging, grasp the Domino joiner at the Base
Support Bracket and hold it firmly against the face of the
workpiece.
WARNING! To reduce the risk of injury from contact
with a moving mortising bit, keep hands clear of the
back of the workpiece in case the mortising bit cuts
all the way through the board.
Front/Rear
(Captive)
Side
(Cap)
Machining the Captive-Side Mortises
1. Choose a Domino tenon size to be less than or equal to
1/3 of the board’s thickness.
2. Set the height of the fence so the Domino tenons are in
the center of the board’s thickness.
3. Set the mortise depth according to the instructions on
Stop Pin
4. Note that if your workpieces are thin, you may need to
offset the tenon from center as shown in the picture on
Vertical
Workpiece
5. Clamp the Captive boards flat to your workbench.
6. Align the tenon position using the stop pins (refer to the
Supplemental Owner’s Manual
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Making Frame Joints
For larger frame stock, you may be able to use the stop pins
for setting the mortise position.
Butt Joint Frames
When making butt joint frames, such as cabinet faceframes,
use pencil lines to lay out the position of the tenons. Use the
sight gauge on the joiner’s fence to position the joiner over
the pencil line.
Make sure to securely clamp the workpiece to the bench
when mortising a mitered joint.
For narrow frame stock, the optional Trim Stop can be used
to securely hold the workpiece (shown below).
Cope and Stick (Stile and Rail) Frames
Domino tenons can also be used to strengthen cope and
stick frame construction too (bottom right picture). This is
typically found in raised panel door frames.
It is important to note that the two frame pieces overlap, so
the depth of the mortise needs to be extended. The amount
that each mortise needs to be extended is one-half the
amount of overlap.
Trim Stop
Example: A typical stile and rail router bit set has a profile
width (overlap) of 3/8-inch (about 10mm). For a 40mm long
tenon, instead of plunging 20mm deep, you should increase
this to 25mm for both workpieces.
Stick Profile
Bench Dog
Mitered Frames
Cope Profile
Overlap
When making mitered frames, position the tenon closer to
the inside corner. This reduces the likelihood of cutting the
mortise all the way through the workpiece.
16
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Making Carcase Butt Joints
Using tenoned butt joints is an effective method for con-
structing a cabinet carcase. The tenons provide a strong
support for each of the horizontal partitions of the cabinet.
The simplicity of this method is that you use the carcase
components for aligning the joiner.
Because the mortises are registered from the base of the
Domino (fixed 15 mm distance), the direction that you
tip the shelf (either toward the top or toward the bot-
tom) depends on how thick the shelf is. Use the following
guidelines:
► If the shelf is thick (greater than 30mm), tip it down
with the top-side facing up.
► If the shelf is thin (less than 30mm), tip it down with
the bottom-side facing up.
4. Clamp the two pieces together to prevent them from
moving.
5. With the Domino baseplate resting on the face of the
side-piece, plunge the joiner into the edge of the shelf.
Do not use the fence for height positioning.
Vertical
Side Piece
Horizontal
Shelf Piece
Clamp
Bottom
Setup and Machining
1. Lay the vertical side pieces on your workbench, and draw
lines across both left and right pieces to indicate where
the shelves will be located. Note that it is easier to avoid
mistakes later on by drawing double lines, with one line
above the shelf and one line below the shelf as shown.
Horizontal
Shelf Piece
Vertical
Side Piece
6. With the joiner standing upright and its baseplate against
the edge of the shelf, plunge downward into the side wall
of the cabinet (see image below).
Mark the
Locations of the
Finished Shelves
7. Repeat these steps for each of the shelves.
8. When you repeat this process for the other side wall,
make sure you keep the same side of the shelf facing up.
Clamp
2. For reference, label the top and bottom face of each
shelf. This is so your left- and right-hand mortises are
referenced from the same face of each shelf.
3. Working with one shelf at a time, lay the shelf on top of
the side piece so its edge lines up with the outside pencil
line for that shelf location.
Bottom
Note: To help you remember how to position the
shelves for mortising, simply stand the shelf up verti-
cally between the pencil lines, and then gently tip it
over so it is laying flat against one pencil line.
Horizontal
Shelf Piece
Vertical
Side Piece
Supplemental Owner’s Manual
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Making Lock Tenon Joints
A locked tenon joint is any type of joint with two or more
tenons at opposing angles. Once the opposing tenon(s) are
inserted, the joint cannot be disassembled. At least one of
the tenons must be exposed so it can be inserted after the
joint is assembled. This is referred to as the Locking Tenon.
There are many variations of a locked tenon joint, but the
simplest involve a mitered corner in a box or flat frame. The
miter angle provides an easy reference for the two tenon
angles.
Insert After
Assembly
Locking
Tenon
In the example shown to the right, a standard miter joint is
constructed using a large Domino tenon for strength in the
main joint. The locking tenon is a smaller tenon.
The mortise for the locking tenon is milled with the joiner’s
plunge depth set to the full length of the tenon. This mortise
is typically milled after the joint is assembled, but it is pos-
sible to mill the mortise in each piece separately.
Main Tenon
Shortening a Domino Tenon’s Length
There may be times when you need a large Domino tenon,
but the length of the tenon does not fit your application. It
is important to firmly and safely hold the tenon while you
cut it to length.
has been cut to length. Cut the tenon to the desired length
with either a hand saw or miter saw.
Tenon
Holder
WARNING! Never attempt to cut a Domino tenon’s
length without using a mechanical holder. Holding
the tenon with your hand poses an extremely seri-
ous risk of personal injury.
To make the simple tenon holder shown to the right, mill a
full-depth tenon slot into the end of a board, and then cut
out a notch in the side of the holder. This notch allows you
to push the shortened tenon out of the mortise slot after it
Removal
Slot
Tips for Applying Glue
There are many different ways to apply glue to joints; how- ► When applying glue for the tenons, you can either apply
ever, how you apply glue can have an impact on the quality
of the joint or the ease of assembly.
glue into the mortise slots, spread a thin layer across the
Domino tenons, or both.
► For a longer glue open-time on complex assemblies,
apply the glue generously to the workpieces. The thicker
the glue, the longer the time it will take to skin over
(see image below). Excess glue can be cleaned off after
completion.
► When the tenon is the primary structure holding the joint
together, you should apply the glue at least to the tenon
(or both). The Domino tenons have small glue pockets
and ridges that will hold glue as the tenon slides into the
mortise slot.
► Apply glue to the workpiece face and the mortise slots
before inserting the tenons into the slots.
► When applying glue to the mortise slot, take care not to
use too much glue, as there is not enough space for the
excess glue to squeeze out past the tenon.
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Maintenance
WARNING! Any maintenance or repair work
NOTICE: Do not use compressed air to clean the
motor housing of the tool, as you could inject for-
eign objects into the motor through the ventilation
openings.
that requires opening of the motor or gear hous-
ing should be carried out only by an authorized
Customer Service Center (see your dealer for
information on locating a service center).
NOTICE: Certain cleaning agents and solvents are
harmful to plastic parts. Some of these include, but
are not limited to: Gasoline, Acetone, Methyl Ethyl
Ketone (MEK), Carbonyl Chloride, cleaning solutions
containing Chlorine, Ammonia, and household clean-
ers containing Ammonia.
WARNING! To reduce the risk of electrocution or
other personal injury, always unplug the tool from
the power supply outlet before performing any
maintenance or repair work on the tool.
Routine Maintenance
The Domino tenon joiner does not require much routine
maintenance except for cleaning. For best performance
and long life of the Domino tenon joiner, keep the machine
clean.
b. With low-pressure compressed air, blow out any dust
from inside the guide tubes.
c. With a soft cotton cloth, wipe down the interior of the
linear bearings (interior of the guide tubes).
► To ensure proper cooling of the tool and motor, the cooling
vents in the motor housing must always be kept clear and
clean.
4. With a clean cotton cloth (not the same cloth used previ-
ously), apply a coating of light-weight machine oil to the
linear rails and/or linear bearings.
► Keep the linear rails, guide tubes, and linear bearings
clean and free from sawdust.
5. Replace the fence body, and with the plunge depth set to
maximum, plunge the joiner in and out several times to
spread the lubricant into the internal linear bearings.
► Never store the joiner with the fence body separated from
the motor housing, as this can permit dust and debris to
enter the guide tubes.
6. Wipe off the excess oil from the linear rails.
► Periodically inspect the mortising bit(s) for damage, wear,
or dullness. Re-sharpen or replace the bits as necessary.
► Never attempt to sharpen the mortising bits yourself. The
mortising bits should be sharpened only by a qualified
sharpening service.
► For best results, only the tip of the bit should be ground,
not the sides.
Linear
Guide
Bearing
Tube
Cleaning and Maintenance
Linear
Rail
1. Blow off the exterior of the machine with low-pressure
compressed air to remove sawdust, but do not blow
air directly into the air cooling vents on the back of the
motor as this can drive debris into the motor.
2. Blow out impacted sawdust from the mortising bit area.
NOTICE: To avoid getting debris inside the guide
tubes, do not remove the fence body from the motor
housing when the joiner is coated with sawdust.
3. With the exterior of the joiner free from sawdust, remove
the fence body from the motor housing and clean the
slide components:
a. With a soft cotton cloth, wipe down the linear rails.
Supplemental Owner’s Manual
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Calibrating the Sight Gauge
The horizontal position gauge (also called the sight gauge)
is used for aligning Domino tenons to a pencil mark on the
workpiece. If the gauge is not perfectly centered over the
mortising slot, the two workpieces will not be aligned when
the joint is assembled.
4. Join the two pieces of wood together without glue, and
examine the alignment of the original pencil lines.
5. If the pencil lines are not aligned, loosen the two screws
on the sight gauge and slide the gauge sideways as
noted in the upper image.
Calibration Procedure
Note: The distance between the lines is twice the actual
error. When adjusting the sight gauge, move it only 1/2
the distance between the lines.
1. Take two pieces of scrap wood, and draw a thin line on
each piece where a tenon is to be placed. You do not
need to be concerned with how the edges line up.
Move Sight
Gauge Left
Move Sight
Gauge Right
Alignment
OK
Fine Line
Sight Gauge
Center Line
8).
3. With the middle line of the sight gauge lined up on the
pencil line, plunge a mortise slot into each piece of wood.
(Do not use the stop pins.)
Screws
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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
► 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 firmly 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 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
tight
► The tenons are intended to be snug fitting, 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 firmly 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 fits 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.
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