Axial spindle play on my brand new Festool CXS, how to deal with it?

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pauleck

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Greetings from Germany (funny there is no comparable Festool owners forum here!)

So I got a brand new Festool CXS (2,6 Li-Plus) (manufactured in December 2018) and would like to know from other owners of this particular machine if they have witnessed some slight axial play on the drill spindle? I am not sure about this, because in contrast, there is absolutely no play on my Festool C18. Some feedbacks from Festool officials would be great as well!

Cheers,
Paul
 
Welcome to the forum. There should be no play at all. If there is, return your drill and get a new one, you've got 15 days if I'm not mistaken.
 
Thank you!  I am aware of the 15 days festool return policy.  Do you own a CXS? Maybe I sounded too dramatic with the spindle play. The drill works well and the spindle looks fine and solid to me, though there is some minimal play, maybe about 1mm. Some (german) owners and product reviewers have already mentioned this condition.

But, as I previously said, my C18 don't have any spindle play, maybe because it is a much newer, modern (brushless) motor with a better gearing and bearing mechanism with tighter tolerances? I just want to have certainity that anything is ok with it
 
I found it to be normal. I returned one that was worse and the second one still has it but it hasn't affected its use. I think if you search there are several threads.
 
There is no play on my CXS, T18 or PDC spindles.

pauleck said:
Greetings from Germany (funny there is no comparable Festool owners forum here!)

So I got a brand new Festool CXS (2,6 Li-Plus) (manufactured in December 2018) and would like to know from other owners of this particular machine if they have witnessed some slight axial play on the drill spindle? I am not sure about this, because in contrast, there is absolutely no play on my Festool C18. Some feedbacks from Festool officials would be great as well!

Cheers,
Paul
Click to expand...
 
ear3 said:
There is no play on my CXS, T18 or PDC spindles.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your feedback, but are you really sure in case of the PDC? I also own the PDC and in this case the spindle needs to have some play due to the percussion function, otherwise it would lead to a faster wearing of the bearings. Mhh....

EDIT:

this is how it looks like on my PDC, and this should be more or less normal on these types of machines, confirmed by Festool Germany.
https://vimeo.com/309380594
 
DynaGlide said:
I found it to be normal. I returned one that was worse and the second one still has it but it hasn't affected its use. I think if you search there are several threads.
Click to expand...

thanks! I will take a deeper look on them.
 
Michael Kellough said:
How do you measure?
Click to expand...

you don't have to measure, just  move the naked spindle up and down - or (better) do it with a drill or screw bit mounted to the drill chuck attached to the spindle.  the machine has to stand absolutely still on a plane surface. the enviroment should be well-lit
 
pauleck said:
Michael Kellough said:
How do you measure?
Click to expand...

you don't have to measure, just  move the naked spindle up and down - or (better) do it with a drill or screw bit mounted to the drill chuck attached to the spindle.
Click to expand...

[member=70955]pauleck[/member]  - where / from which particular dealer did you purchase this particular drill?

Hans
 
TSO Products said:
pauleck said:
Michael Kellough said:
How do you measure?
Click to expand...

you don't have to measure, just  move the naked spindle up and down - or (better) do it with a drill or screw bit mounted to the drill chuck attached to the spindle.
Click to expand...

[member=70955]pauleck[/member]  - where / from which particular dealer did you purchase this particular drill?

Hans
Click to expand...

do you mean the PDC or the CXS? both were bought from offical Festool dealers in Germany.
 
pauleck said:
Michael Kellough said:
How do you measure?
Click to expand...

you don't have to measure, just  move the naked spindle up and down - or (better) do it with a drill or screw bit mounted to the drill chuck attached to the spindle.  the machine has to stand absolutely still on a plane surface. the enviroment should be well-lit
Click to expand...

Don’t get the bold bit at all...

Adding a bit to the chuck adds two more possible sources of runout, so I’m back to asking how you measure? You need a way to determine if the spindle is at fault, or the pieces you add to the spindle.

In any case, if the tool is unsatisfactory it should be exchanged.
 
You got it wrong. The reason for using a bit attached to the chuck is because this way it is much easier to detect any possible axial / radial movements of the visible spindle, between the machine housing and the chuck. (it is self-evident that additional play, coming from the centrotec system, has to be taken into account)

P.S My only aim is to obtain clarification on this matter.
 
This has been discussed so many times. I'm with Alex and Michael on this one, if the tool is unsatisfactory to you, return/exchange it.

However, since I felt playful like that this morning: I checked my PDC and CXS.

PDC has almost zero lateral play when I try to wiggle the spindle. The spindle can move in and out, and that should be, as you already pointed out, by design - as it is a percussion drill.

CXS has also almost zero lateral play.

There might be a tiny wee bit of wiggle room on both, but nothing that would concern me at all. And if you hadn't asked, I would have never checked/noticed.

Both drill/driver work flawless, no noticeable run out when used. And that is what matters to me. Tool works as intended = six-point socket II is happy.

Then again, if  >>you
 
six-point socket II said:
This has been discussed so many times. I'm with Alex and Michael on this one, if the tool is unsatisfactory to you, return/exchange it.

However, since I felt playful like that this morning: I checked my PDC and CXS.

PDC has almost zero lateral play when I try to wiggle the spindle. The spindle can move in and out, and that should be, as you already pointed out, by design - as it is a percussion drill.

CXS has also almost zero lateral play.

There might be a tiny wee bit of wiggle room on both, but nothing that would concern me at all. And if you hadn't asked, I would have never checked/noticed.

Both drill/driver work flawless, no noticeable run out when used. And that is what matters to me. Tool works as intended = six-point socket II is happy.

Then again, if  >>you
Click to expand...
 
It's definitely a bit more noticeable on your PDC. And mine doesn't make that clicking/squishy noise.

But as long as you're not running into problems while drilling/driving screws, I'd just keep an eye on it.

Kind regards,
Oliver
 
I don't see how a small amount of axial play has any effect on the function of a drill.  Can anybody suggest a situation where this would have a negative effect on the performance?
It is probably within manufacturing tolerances.
 
In theory the drill bit can wander/ produce a hole that is not round. I say in theory because - in the end - it's a handheld drill.

If there is a lot of play/ an imbalance the mayor problem really is the wandering off drill bit when starting to drill.

Kind regards,
Oliver
 
six-point socket II said:
It's definitely a bit more noticeable on your PDC. And mine doesn't make that clicking/squishy noise.

But as long as you're not running into problems while drilling/driving screws, I'd just keep an eye on it.

Kind regards,
Oliver
Click to expand...

Thanks! I am actually satisifed with all my Festool drilling machines so far.
 
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