Amana after-market Domino DF500 bits

[scott vroom]

Amana sells an after-market 8mm DF500 Domino bit for $28 compared to Festool $48. Anyone have experience with the Amana bits? Are they on par with Festool OEM bits?

[Jim Becker]

There have been a few threads online here and in the Festool forum about Amana and CMT Domino-compatible cutters. Many folks feel they have worked well and a few were not satisfied. I personally have not looked into them to-date.

[Prashun Patel]

I’ve used the cmts and have many Amana router bits. I’d put the Amanas as about as reliable as Whiteside. I believe in their quality and would be comfortable with the domino bits they make. Thanks for sharing; I did not realize they made these.

[scott vroom]

Thanks gents. I'll give the Amana a spin, so to speak:D

[Jeff Roltgen]

FWIW, just a few days ago, tried a 10mm CMT. Did not want to seat very well on shaft - was resistant, as though the lead-in to the threaded part was slightly under-sized. No matter - fired up, gave a test cut, and very surprised at the poor fit. You could dry fit a domino, drop it in, turn the part over and the domino falls right out. Very loose. Caliper shows CMT dead-on at 10mm. Old OEM bit reads a few thousandths under. Re-chucked the OEM and was back to perfection - nice, snug fit.
Not sure if OEM's are deliberately undersized, but definitely feel the CMT had some subtle machining difference - perhaps the poor-fitting seat causes it to run untrue? Either way, not wasting money on knock-off Festool domino bits again, regardless the reputation the brand carries for all other bits/blades I use.

[Jim Becker]

Jeff, I wonder if there was some runout in addition to the slight variation in size from the OEM. Perhaps ask for a replacement, given it was hard to install, and see if that one is ok or, um...not.