Bought unused tools, but they turned out to be old – need advice!

[Ilikewood]

I bought two new tools that were unused from the second-hand market. When I got home and inspected them, I realized they are from 2009 (jigsaw) and 2010 (drill/driver). From what I can tell, it also seems like some chucks are missing for the drill? Is anyone familiar with this model who can confirm that?

I bought them from an elderly man who was talkative and friendly. He had purchased them from a widow who inherited the tools after her husband passed away. I don’t suspect that the tools are stolenI have the seller’s name, address, and all necessary details.

He sold them to me for what seemed like a good price, but now, considering their age, I feel a bit tricked. For the jigsaw, maybe the age doesn’t matter much? But for the drill, I’m worried the batteries might be bad, even though they haven’t been used.

Everything seems to work fine, but I’ve only tested them briefly and haven’t actually used them. I did notice a slight burnt smell when running the jigsaw—should I be concerned?

I’m attaching pictures of the tools. Should I try to return them, maybe get some of my money back? I’m mostly worried about the drill. What do you guys think? I’d really appreciate any advice from those with experience.

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[Packard]

I thought chucks had a universal mount. I thought that they were all interchangeable.  But not Festool?

 

[mino]

That jigsaw is very much a current model.

There are no "chucks missing". What the drill in is a "Systainer" and the insert has places for accessories which shipped along the tool as well as those purchased separately. E.g. one of those two Centrotec chucks and the depth stop chuck were likely additional purchases by previous owner.

Both of these tools are indeed "new" in the sense that Festool does not use short-life plastics or greases. So their tools, especially from this period, were designed to operate not for years but for decades.

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As for your best next steps - check the batteries, if still good keep using the drill as is.
If the batteries are dead, your best action is to purchase a T18+3 drill base set (without chucks) and sell-on the T15+3 + dead batteries to someone as a bare tool /without any chucks/.

As or the batteries, do charge them fully, then fully drain, then again charge fully about 3-4 times to try "re-formatting" them. Festool used very high quality cells, so those packs may still be very much alive.

You can also sell-on or offer to swap the Systainers for the newer T-Loc or SYS3 version. The old ones are no longer available and there are people who prefer/need them, so they can be sold pretty much for same or even more money as a new SYS3 can.

Also, the TRC 3 charger is the smallest of all the LiION compatible Festool chargers. Do not throw it out but offer it for sale once/if no longer needed/wanted.

ADD:
Just for reference, in that drill package picture, you have the special depth stop chuck for dry walling ($150) the standard Jacobs ($50 used), two Centrotec chucks ($20 ea used), charger ($30 used) and a Sys II Classic ($50 in this condition). Even without the drill and batteries, that is $300 value right there ...

As for the jigsaw, you may send it to Festool for a preventive service, asking to replace bearings and re-grease basically. That will be a new $250 tool once that is done. But I would not do that.

That Trion is still sold, so spare parts will be available for 10 years from now, should it fail at some point.

 

[Jim_in_PA]

The jigsaw is indeed still a current product, based on recent discussions here. Interesting anecdote...that was the very first Festool product I bought from 'Uncle Bob' back in the day...my "gateway drug", as it were. LOL

The T15 is a good drill/driver...I have one that is now my "house" drill/driver, replacing the much, much older T12 that I could not justify rebuilding the batteries for anymore.  The batteries for the 15v are still available from Festool should you need a replacement. I agree that all accessories are there, although I don't see the right angle in the photo, but it could just be my eyes. The "drywall screw" accessory was not part of the kit and was added by someone.

 

[Holzhacker]

The slight burn smell on the jigsaw might just be it burning off manufacturing residue. If it continues then that might be another issue. Pretty unlikely though. That Trion is a good jigsaw.
I have a T15 that just recently stopped working because I dropped it bad (again). Need to get it fixed. It is from 2010, 11 right around there. The original batteries still work great and hold a long charge.
Stop worrying and start enjoying the great new tools.

 

[semenza]

[member=82899]Ilikewood[/member]  Welcome to the forum!

      The right angle and eccentric chucks are not present. However I believe there were set variations of the drill that did not include those. As already said ^^^ the drywall / screw depth chuck is actually an add in. Do yourself a favor and get the RA and Ecc chucks. They are worth there weight in gold.

    It doesn't seem like you were tricked. I think the way to think of it is ....... NOS. Or even if they were slightly used I am guessing you got a good deal.

    Do you mind sharing what you paid?

  Seth

 

[Laminator]

My trion is probably 20 years old and has seen lots of use and is still good as new.  My festool lithium batteries, which have not seen heavy use, are 10 years old and work perfectly.  I think you have some tools that are ready to go do serious work for quite a while...

 

[Ilikewood]

Thank you for the detailed responses, I feel much better about the purchase now. I originally only intended to buy the jigsaw, but he also had the drill with him and asked if I was interested, so I got a bundle deal that I couldn’t say no to. I already have an 18V Bosch, but it’s nice to have a smaller and lighter one as well.

I paid $400 for both tools, so I think I got really lucky there. The new price for just the jigsaw alone where I live would be $625 if I convert from my local currency.

Thanks again! I really appreciate it!

 

[peter halle]

You got a good deal.  I just bought a couple of batteries for my drill.  Price seemed reasonable to me.  I would suggest that you buy at least one new one.  They won’t be available forever.

Peter

 

[onocoffee]

I've been buying a lot of used Festool lately and I gotta say: the tools in your pics look incredibly clean. As though they were new. Even the original systainers look to be in excellent condition. $400 for both kits? Very well done.

 

[slavi.yordanov]

I'm pretty sure you can run 18V batteries in that drill by removing a notch or something to allow the new 18V batteries to slide in. At least that's what I have heard from people that have 15V tools.

 

[Lincoln]

Back when the drills were still made in Germany. That one's a keeper!

 

[mino]

Back when the drills were still made in Germany. That one's a keeper!

Um. Nope. Not for that reason. It is a great drill, same as the T18 variety of it. It is exceptional/different because it predates the youtuber/etail era.
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The thing is, Festo was never a drill company ... that is why they bought the Czech Narex Česká Lípa company in the 1990s .. who had the heavy-duty drill and angle grinder know-how. My DR 20, made in 2018, is an update of a 1980s original Narex design with some parts still compatible .. same with my AG 125 series multi-grinder.

There was a period the Festo-heritage T/C series drills were made at the old plant in Germany in parallel, but later all in-house drills production was concentrated in the Czech republic as that is where the know-how was.

That said, it does not matter. All Festool plants are run the same way as far as QC goes. That is what makes them kinda unique - both on the good and bad side. They still produce stuff in the "19th century style low-volume series production" way. Unlike the huge Chinese tool factories that dominate today's market.
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There can be seen a design philosophy difference if a tool is designed in-house versus being ODMed like the recent recips or the AGC 18 series being a joint design with Fein ..

But it is not all roses with the in-house made stuff either. It is easy to forget many of the legendary tools, some still being made made like the HL 850 (Holz-Her), are not "in-house" designs but descendants of companies or designs Festo(ol) acquired decades ago.

These days the differences are more from the design philosophy/focus changes over time. See the "bling youtuber" era mentioned above.

 

[Coen]

The jigsaw is a current product. All new tools have a smell.

The only thing that I see missing is the transparent plastic lid for the triangle shaped blade storage in the jigsaw Systainer insert.

For the chucks on the drill; it was sold in a few configurations. I think originally none included the depth stop. There were sets that had the right angle and eccentric chucks. Those sold without still had the space for them in the inlay.

Can't really go wrong with the jigsaw. For the drill; most depends on the status on the batteries. If dead, [member=61254]mino[/member] 's suggestion is very good; get a T18+3 base set. You already have chucks and a charger.

Back when the drills were still made in Germany. That one's a keeper!

Nah. It's on a battery platform that basically got disappeared, pretty much like all 14.4V platforms. It's heavy, it's only light is powered by a separate battery that drains once you forget to manually turn it off and it's quite big too. No anti-kickback function too.

Other than that it's a very nice drill, very, very good trigger.