3.5mm Counter Sink

[mstilesoh]

I just got the counter sink today and like the bit but the supplied allen wrench is junk metal  [eek] .  Trying to adjust it for the first time it completly rounded before it could break loose the screw so I could adjust depth.  I have many Festools and I buy them for thier top quality, but when they cheap out on an important accessory for adjustment on a $65 counter sink to save a few dollars makes me wonder are they cheaping things up to maximize profit. 

 

[Timtool]

I have had this one for a year or two and adjusted it dozens if not hundreds of times without problems.
Are you sure you inserted the wrench all the way? It could also be that they over tightened it at the factory, did you manage to get it loose?

 

[upscale]

I just got the counter sink today and like the bit but the supplied allen wrench is junk metal  [eek] .  Trying to adjust it for the first time it completly rounded before it could break loose the screw so I could adjust depth. 

I commiserate. There's nothing more frustrating than getting your hands on a new tool or toy and right from the get go, something doesn't work properly.

All I can suggest is to talk to the dealer you bought it from.

 

[SittingElf]

My problem is that I have kept every single allen wrench that comes with any product I buy. Tools, toys, electronics, furniture items, knick knacks, etc..  I finally got somewhat organized in my tool chest, and discovered I had more than 100 of the little devils from who knows where. Over a hundred in only about 3-4 sizes!  I can send you some... [eek] [big grin]

 

[Brice Burrell]

I have had this one for a year or two and adjusted it dozens if not hundreds of times without problems.
Are you sure you inserted the wrench all the way? It could also be that they over tightened it at the factory, did you manage to get it loose?

I remember being on a job a few years back were someone had an old style MultiMaster with the allen bolt for the blade.  He complained about how cheap the wrench and bolt were because he kept stripping them.  He just couldn't believe I never stripped mine.  There are some people that just don't get how these allen's are supposed to work.  I guess Festool may have changed the wrench with some cheaper version and that's really is the problem.  Calling your dealer or better yet, Festool, might yield positive results. 

 

[John Bates]

Or just go and buy a decent Bondhus set and throw the junk away.

 

[RC]

Or get a Festool toolie and just have that for your Festool screwing needs ;-)

(Disclaimer: I don't really know for sure if the small allenkey will fit the countersink since I don't have that bit myself)

 

[Tinker]

I have my Festoy Toolie in a drawer (systainer drawers)all by itself where i can get my hands on it almost instantly.  It is somewhat limited in the number of screws/bolts or whatever it can handle.  For what it will handle, it is quite non expendable.  If Festool came out with a toolie with wider range, i would not hesitate to grab one.
Tinker

 

[SittingElf]

I just checked....

YES, the Toolie does fit the 3.5mm countersink...PERFECTLY, and with better control than the allen wrench that comes with the countersink. Also fits the 4.5mm CS.

I'm picking up 10 Toolies next week from my local dealer in Germany. I already have four. (Also Festool Swiss-type knives, and more clocks)

Haven't decided yet how and where I'll be unloading them, but certainly somewhere for North Americans!  [drooling]

 

[AlexThePalex]

I have the 3,5 and 4,5 mm countersinks and adjusted them many times, never had an issue.

 

[mstilesoh]

I just grabbed another allen I had and no problems.  It was really tight, made the snap sound as it broke loose.  The Allen was inserted properly just the torque need to free the set screw was more than either end of the supplied Allen wrench could provide.  I used another cheap allen wrench I had laying around and it did it, no problem.  I threw away the supplied one and replaced with one I had.  The metal was extremely soft on the provided wrench, my bet they switch to a new supplier.  My disappointment is if Festool is going to bill themselves as a premium brand then everything including the small details should be up to snuff.  FYI I am a Festool fan and infact I am switching all my shop tools to them, this is the first disappointment so far and hopefully just a bad batch or wrench from thier supplier. 

I currently have the CT36, boom arm, C15 set, ETS150/5, ETS125, TS55, MTF/3, OF1400 plus accessories.  My next purchases will be the CMS and Domino.

 

[leakyroof]

I just checked....

YES, the Toolie does fit the 3.5mm countersink...PERFECTLY, and with better control than the allen wrench that comes with the countersink. Also fits the 4.5mm CS.

I'm picking up 10 Toolies next week from my local dealer in Germany. I already have four. (Also Festool Swiss-type knives, and more clocks)

Haven't decided yet how and where I'll be unloading them, but certainly somewhere for North Americans!  [drooling]

Sure "Elf", just rub it in... [wink]

 

[greg mann]

I tend to discard any hex, torx, or screwdriver type tool when I don't know its pedrigree. There are a number of good ones out there, from Allen to Wera, which is as close to A to Z I can conjur up right now. Come to think of it, Wiha would stretch that a little furnther.  [embarassed]

A poor quality tool has the annoying characteristic of being just good enough to compromise the fastener while it itself is failing, and that is the worst outcome for me.

 

[John Bates]

Dead right. Apart from including Allen

 

[greg mann]

Actually, I just included Allen because they fit my A-to-W quip. I had originally started typing Bondhus but wanted to get an A in there. It is a bit ironic we tend to refer to the tools as Allen wrenches because the  'Allen' brand is on the mediocre side of the spectrum. That is why I originally used the term 'hex'; to specifically stay away from 'Allen".

 

[John Bates]

I've been in plenty of meetings with Bondhus who almost stop breathing if you say Allen key, makes it more worthwhile

 

[leakyroof]

I tend to discard any hex, torx, or screwdriver type tool when I don't know its pedrigree. There are a number of good ones out there, from Allen to Wera, which is as close to A to Z I can conjur up right now. Come to think of it, Wiha would stretch that a little furnther.  [embarassed]

A poor quality tool has the annoying characteristic of being just good enough to compromise the fastener while it itself is failing, and that is the worst outcome for me.

 Very well stated. when your tool starts to damage a fastener during the removal process, it's twice the headache.. [mad]
That sickening feeling of a Hex Key or Allen Wrench starting to slip inside a hex bolt is one you don't soon forget... [embarassed]
No, No, No,,,,ohhhhh.   [sad]

 

[John Bates]

The guy who services our range cooker has reamed out the head of a socket screw and left it, he was using Eklind and it didn't fit properly! Not happy, might have to hammer in a close fit!