Broken hose garages on both CT-Midi, and CT-26

[RRWOODWORKING]

Brett at Festool repair could sure use some schooling in customer service.  Two out of three Festool Vacuums I own have broken hose garages.  I called Festool repair to see about getting a replacement, and was told it wasn't covered under warranty, even though it is a known defect, very thin, brittle plastic that breaks easily in cold weather.  My advise to Festool is if you want to keep customers buying your expensive tools is to take care of them, especially when it comes to known issues with there tools.  As an example, I bought a Kapex and in two years of service the motor burnt out, and I busted the thin plastic bevel lever lock, from normal use.  It would be nice if Festool factored in the seriously known issues with there tools, when determining warranty work, and replacement parts.

 

[PA floor guy]

This seems to be quite an epidemic.  I will keep saying it. I have 5 broken units. This needs fixed.  BY FESTOOL!!!!! 

 

[Holmz]

This seems to be quite an epidemic.  I will keep saying it. I have 5 broken units. This needs fixed.  BY FESTOOL!!!!!

Did you get all five at once?

 

[PA floor guy]

No.  bought 1 mini like 4 years ago.  Been broke for 2-3 years
Bought 2 minis Same day like 3 years ago.  Both been broke for a long as I remember
Bought a 26 and a mini ad packages same time. Both are broke now. The 26 is only cracked in a couple spots. The minis have no garage at all. Completely gone.

 

[Holmz]

It is hunan nature to be in denial of a problem
Festool will not likely fix the vacuum if people keep buying them regardless of there bring a problem.

The ct26 was my first new FT, and it was sent in for repairs.
I am "once bitten, twice shy".

Buying 5 is noteworthy.

 

[antss]

Mafell - starmix might be in many guys' futures. 

They have systainer storage compatibility and no hose garage to break.

They have no uncleantec hose end to leak when used and spill dust on our projects when removed.

[member=57769]TylerC[/member] - please share this with your mgmt. team - along with the cliche that if you don't take care of your customers, someone else will.  The "we know best" mentality they are currently displaying re: this is so early 20th century.

 

[Michael Kellough]

Festool vacs have two good features; variable suction and the ability to lock Systainers on top (until the garage breaks). In nearly every other factor they are eclipsed by the more experienced high end (by-pass motor) vac manufacturers like Alto. I have several high end vacs and my favorite by far is the most ancient (still running strong and way quieter than the Festools) WAP Turbo. If I'd bought the tool start version 30 years ago I probably wouldn't have bought the first Festool.

 

[Tayler_mann]

I have two dust ectractors used by employees and me alike. Never broke one hose garage yet. I have even watched my mini tumble down a flight of stairs end over end when it got bumped down the stairs and everything worked fine except a few scrapes.

I don't know what people are doing to break hose garages but rough treatment should not be covered under warranty.i know I've heard of people breaking them but seriously treat your tools with respect. I also have a friend that owns a wap and he dropped it and broke a switch but he did t complain to the tool company that he was an idiot for breaking it. He slapped his forehead and made a make shift knob.

 

[RRWOODWORKING]

Tayler_mann I'm glad you haven't had any issues with your hose garage, unfortunately for me mine came damaged from the factory, or from shipping.  Festool did send me out a new and updated hose garage for my Midi.  I believe severely cold weather was a main contributor to my Ct-26 hose garage breaking as it happened first thing in the AM pulling it out of my trailer, on a brutally cold morning.  Festool would not warranty my Ct-26.

It would be nice if Festool tweaked there policy, for example broken hose garages aren't technically covered under warranty, but because of the known breaking issues we'll send you out a new one. 

Overall I'm happy using Festool, with the exception of there service department.  I also enjoy this website as I get to learn new tricks and tips from other users.