Batteries Discontinued

[peter halle]

Just a heads up. I just learned that the Festool 14.4 batteries were discontinued in March. I needed some for my T-15 drill. I ordered some from Burns Tools - I'll wait to see if they are really in stock and not a hopeful dropship from Festool which isn't going to happen.

So, if your batteries are beginning to show their age you might want to search and try to find spares.

Peter

 

[Coen]

Beware of old, very old, stock.

 

[mwolczko]

Festool 14.4 batteries were discontinued in March.

Well, that stinks. This is the kind of move which makes me question their long-term support commitment - and mine to the brand.

Thanks for the heads-up.

 

[smorgasbord]

Yet another reason to stick with corded tools. Mains power ain't going away in our lifetimes.

 

[luvmytoolz]

Or at least pick a battery supported by a wide variety of tools, far less likely to be discontinued if a whole range of tools then becomes obsolete.

Case in point, the Makita LXT range, I can't even remember how ancient that gear is, but I can still buy all the batteries and a slew of tools, and although they brought out the XGT, there's no sign yet of the 18v disappearing anytime soon.

And the few 14.4V LXT's I own have been happily using the 18V batteries for many years now with no adverse results!

 

[smorgasbord]

On the subject of Makita LXT, there’s now a US manufacturer of clone batteries that got good reviews:

Titan Batteries - 8Ah 18v Battery... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D84F411K

 

[luvmytoolz]

@smorgasbord It wouldn't show me the price, but the LXT batteries are just superb so if I ever had to buy new I wouldn't quibble. I have to say I've never used any other type of batteries that hold their charge for so long and have lasted so many years of heavy use and abuse. The ROI has been very impressive. If I get even close to that kind of life and performance from the Festool batteries I'll a happy camper!

 

[smorgasbord]

$159 US for the 8 AH version, which I own. The Torque Test Channel did a review about 8 months ago. They also make DeWalt versions I think.

 

[luvmytoolz]

That's not bad, around $250 before shipping, the largest local is 6ah @ $229.

 

[Coen]

Well, that stinks. This is the kind of move which makes me question their long-term support commitment - and mine to the brand.

Thanks for the heads-up.

I really thought they dropped the 14.4V over 10 years ago, but I just looked it up and even though the 15V Carvex and Ti 15 are gone from the 2015 catalog... the T-15 and C-15 are still there. Then I checked the 2016 catalog... and they are still there. Only in the 2017 catalog onward they seem to be gone. So that wouldn't compute nice with the 10 year spare parts warranty? (Which they honest exceed by a ton in most cases)
I checked the local Festool website and the BPC 15 5,2 (500434) is still listed. But it seems availability is rather limited and most etailers have say it's only available past 1st of august.

If the cells fail, you can always (have someone) revise the battery with a nickel strip spot welder

If you take that one notch off so the 18V batteries actually fit... would it really be bad for the machine?

Yet another reason to stick with corded tools. Mains power ain't going away in our lifetimes.

Hehe, that too

 

[peter halle]

I am not upset about finding out about the batteries. My absolutely favorite drill is my reconditioned C-12 (production date 2008). I have had to buy aftermarket NiMH batteries for that and there are aftermarket batteries out there for the T-15, but after buying a couple Festool one last year late, I wanted to future proof for the next 5 years or so. Managed to get my hands on at least three with tw more possible. It is interesting how many of the internet ads from dealers were for drop shipments. I know that Festool changed things up somewhat years ago to discourage those by making it less profitable for the dealers to do so. I have already had two orders cancelled due to non fulfillment from the warehouse due to discontinuance. Hopefully I don't get an email like that for the last two.

Peter

 

[Coen]

There aren't that many people that buy spare batteries, so for small dealers it doesn't make sense to stock them. They might sit on the shelf for five years..

Usually what happens when customers come in with a drill with two worn out batteries... they look at the cost of two new spare batteries vs the cost of a complete new kit and they leave with the latter.

The Ni-Mh batteries too can be rebuild DIY if you can source the Sub-C cells. I did that for my TDK 15.6 once. I never use it anymore. It is insanely more heavy, larger, slower and weaker than a modern 12V machine. And the batteries discharge themselves..

 

[Cheese]

There aren't that many people that buy spare batteries, so for small dealers it doesn't make sense to stock them. They might sit on the shelf for five years..

I recently needed to purchase a Festool 18V/4.0 battery from Rockler. The manufacturing date...2022. I was surprised to say the least.

 

[Coen]

I recently needed to purchase a Festool 18V/4.0 battery from Rockler. The manufacturing date...2022. I was surprised to say the least.

They might not be doing first in, first out either on those.

When I worked at a dealer we would just list the spare batteries as available, then rip them from sets if we actually sold one. That way there was no insane shelf time on the batteries.

However, that good practice had to end when Festool started printing the tool's serial number on the batteries.