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5K views 18 replies 13 participants last post by  JackDuren 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
Hi All,

So I have two Festool Domino 500s. I purchased one off of CL and the other online. The previous owner of the used one has used it quite a bit but other than saw dust, it's well kept. When comparing the sound of the old one to the new one, the new one is louder and higher pitched. It also runs a bit hotter. See below, I made many holes (about 100) and that's how hot the new one got.

No doubt, making this many holes would create some heat. Maybe 110 F is normal? But I don't know and am curious what you LJers think. What has me most concerned is the sound. It's the second one I've ordered new that has sounded like this (in addition to the front fence ceasing on me which is why I returned it) and am pretty surprised by the lack of quality coming from Festool considering their reputation. Anyway, this (second) new one sounds better, but not by much. Is this normal?

Thanks LJ,
M

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#2 · (Edited by Moderator)
Have you posted your question on the FOG (Festool Owners Group), or contacted Festool service? There's moving parts where your temp gun is pointed, it does not surprise me that it is hot, and that is not a part that you touch during normal operation. Perhaps a quick video so we can hear the sound difference is in order. The machines have production dates on them, were they made around the same time? And, I see the vac hose in your pictures, you are using a dust extractor during use of the Domino, correct?
 
#4 ·
FWIW, I agree with the other comments to contact the manufacturer. Personally, I'd find the sound more worrisome than the temperature…110F seems pretty nominal after that much use.
 
#5 ·
I agree, perhaps the temperature is not an issue. I did speak to Festool tool repair. They were able to walk me through fixing the fence - I had to file some milling marks off to get the fence to work smoothly (this was another issue I forgot to mention). As for the sound of the motor, Festool said every Domino sounds somewhat different due to the brushes but it is something I shouldn't worry about. Personally, that wasn't an answer I was satisfied with which is why I'm here.

Old Domino sound link:
New Domino sound link:

To note the volume of both sound similar in the video, but please note the NEW Domino is significantly louder than the old one.

Thanks again LJs.
 
#6 · (Edited by Moderator)
Here is my totally non scientific, just messing around temperature test. Really an excuse to mess with the Milwaukee temp gun I got on sale! Don't read anything more into these photos, just showing my results.

For this set up, the Domino was turned on and clamped upside down to the table. It was connected to a CT26 vac at full suction, and left on for about 30 minutes. As with your image, mine got Hot! But I dont think it is anything to worry about. It is hard to see the red dot from the temp gun in some of these resized photos, so I have tried to point it out with a red arrow. I did not make any plunges with the machine, just let it run.

As for the sound, my Domino sounds more like your 'old domino' on your video

Except for the first two pictures, the rest were taken while the machine was on.

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#8 ·
First I have the thank all of your for your efforts. A special thank you to copcarcollector. You went beyond any effort I could imagine to replicate my issue. LJers rock!

I think it's fair to say that the heat is not an issue. It was primarily the sound. But it doesn't seem like it appears to be too alarming based on the responses here. Do you think I should keep it and see how it performs? Or return it?

Thanks again all!
 
#10 ·
I wouldn't worry about it at all, but that's me and I don't get too wrapped up in such things. It sounds like it might be an issue to you, and if you don't return it you may be second guessing yourself for a very long time. With the cost of these things you should be no less than 100% happy…..and it seems like you aren't. With a cheaper tool I might blow this off altogether, but anything that expensive.
 
#12 ·
If I have to return this one which I'm basing on the opinions of this forum, this will be the second one I will have returned. I thought Festool was supposed to have superb quality control. Shame. For this price the tools should be perfect.

So what do we think? This new one was much better than the first I returned… Should I keep it or get rid of it?
 
#13 ·
What's the warranty period? You could just use the heck out of it - it seems to be in fine working order and what you are worried about is premature failure - and see if you can wear it out in the warranty period. If it makes it that long in heavy use you're probably good.
 
#17 ·
I agree with rhett let the brushes wear in. You can drive yourself crazy worring about the noise difference,I have a RO 90 sander that I think runs a little hot, Festool said it was normal and not to worry,2 years later they were right. If it does not fail with normal use in three years it probably won't fail.
 
#18 · (Edited by Moderator)
Proof is in the pudding. How do the mortises turn out?

That temperature rise isn't going to hurt anything. Video sound isn't good enough for me to make an evaluation. I'd have to hear it in person. My Domino is an annoyingly noisy tool and I always wear earmuffs while using it. Since I've never had a similar tool to compare it to I've always considered it the norm.
 
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