C12 Trigger Question

propmonkey

Member
Joined
Feb 26, 2007
Messages
2
I have a question about the C12 cordless drill.  I love it and think it is the best cordless I have ever used, BUT, I find that the trigger sometimes fails to function.  It happened the first time about six months ago, so I called the 1-800 number from the sticker on the drill -  am still waiting for them to call back.  In the mean time, I took the drill apart and shot compressed air in the trigger mechanism - voiding the warranty I'm sure- and it worked for a few more months.  Now it is failing to work again.  I'll probably blow it out with compressed air again,  but I was just wondering if this has happened to  anyone else?  By the way, I bought the drill from Canadian distributor (Hafele) and due to the poor initial customer service, I haven't bothered to contact them with my problem.  Any other suggestions?

Thanks in advance
Propmonkey
 
I am not sure about who takes repairs tools bought in Canada, but  retry the 800 number tomorrow. I am sure you'd get help.

Bob
 
By the way, is it just me, or did anyone else take a moment to get used to the fact that the C12's trigger is unusual. Having my index finger on a rest and using my middle finger to modulate the trigger has been weird for me. Every other cordless I have has the trigger under the index finger. Any ideas why this unusual setup? Doubtless there is a reason for it, but other than as a grip aid, I can't for the life of me figure out what that might be. Enquiring minds can't help asking dumb questions.

GB
 
Some years ago, my boatbuilding guru urged me to use my middle finger on the trigger and to 'point' the drill with my index finger. This was on a conventional cordless. It was weird at first, especially since I spent a good part of my youth in a small-bore target shooting club, but it is a good technique once you get used to it. The C12 practically forces that technique. My advice would be to surrender to it and it will become second nature. BTW, are we sure the trigger failure here is not just the drill cutting out when it reaches the set torque> This is different than what most of us are used to.

Greg
 
Greg B,

At first I questioned that too.  But then I noticed something...

Grasp the C12 so that your index finger hits the trigger in the traditional position.  Screw in a long screw (say 2-3 inches).  Now move your hand UP so your MIDDLE finger is at the TOP of the trigger, and the web between your thumb and index finger is high on the handle.  Screw in the same size long screw. 

Which one felt better?  I'll bet the second, "abnormal" position felt better.  Why?  I think what is happening...

When your hand is in the "high" position, notice that your arm and the head of the drill are in alignment.  You push straight forward to drill.  When in the "low" (traditional) position, the drill is twisting your hand upwards as you drill.  I.e. to drill you have to push forward and twist downward to keep the drill straight. 

I have no proof to back this up, but I think the design is intentional to reduce hand fatigue.

Dan.
 
propmonkey said:
I have a question about the C12 cordless drill... I find that the trigger sometimes fails to function. 

Up to now I've just been a lurker, and since I don't have any Festool kit (yet!), all my meagre knowledge has been gained from this forum, its Yahoo predecessor, and various online reviews. In light of that, please don't take the following comments as gospel...!

It is my understanding that the electronics in the C12 are different from most cordless drills, in that when the drill is used heavily they will protect the machine by cutting off the power.

The following is taken from the Technical Review of the C12 by Rick Christopherson at http://www.festoolusa.com/Web_files/C12_technical_review.pdf

The C12 monitors the battery to determine if it is capable of providing the power required. If the battery cannot supply the power asked of it, the drill will shut down to protect the battery. This is an important feature that might be misunderstood by many users. Even though the drill seems to have plenty of power for a moderate load, if you try to take a heavy load from a low battery, it will shut down the motor to protect the battery. Other drills will allow you to over-draw the battery and shorten its life.

You say that your drill has failed to function more than once, but you don't say whether this was immediately after some hard use. Perhaps the electronics have deliberately shut the drill down?

Just a thought...

Forrest

 
I've not had mine cut off due to battery heat yet, but when the battery runs down and the drill shuts itself off or doesn't start it makes a little "beep beep" sound. Since they've got the audio cue anyway, I'd guess that they'd make the drill do something similar in the event of an overheat.

So not starting at all seems to be a failure, beeping and not starting is probably a design feature.
 
Dan Clark said:
Greg B,

At first I questioned that too.  But then I noticed something...

Grasp the C12 so that your index finger hits the trigger in the traditional position.  Screw in a long screw (say 2-3 inches).  Now move your hand UP so your MIDDLE finger is at the TOP of the trigger, and the web between your thumb and index finger is high on the handle.   Screw in the same size long screw.   

Which one felt better?   I'll bet the second, "abnormal" position felt better.  Why?  I think what is happening...

When your hand is in the "high" position, notice that your arm and the head of the drill are in alignment.  You push straight forward to drill.   When in the "low" (traditional) position, the drill is twisting your hand upwards as you drill.  I.e. to drill you have to push forward and twist downward to keep the drill straight.   

I have no proof to back this up, but I think the design is intentional to reduce hand fatigue.

Dan.
\
Dan,

You are exactly correct about the design of the handle.

Bob
 
I want to thank everyone for their valid comments and suggestions. 
In response I should add that; a) the batteries were neither hot nor cold, b) the trigger problems were not related to torque settings or the drill being overstressed and, c) blowing the trigger mechanism with compressed air immediately fixed the problem - for a few months.  I will try to call the 1 800 number again.

Thanks, Propmonkey
 
Hi,

      I just came accross this somewhat older post while researching the C12. This is in relation to the three posts above regarding the hand / handle position on the C12.  Yup, it puts your hand and arm more straight in line behind axis of the bit. This is why I really don't like the T handle drill/ drivers. I find it more difficult to be accurate when driling and MUCH more difficult to drive screws than with the traditional pistol style. In fact the last time I bought a couple of DW drills I could no longer get the style I prefer. DW offered the same  drill in both styles for about a year or so. I ended up buying the T handle used, and then ordering the housing parts from DW. The guts are the same, and I swapped them out. 
      The fact that it is more difficult to drive screws with T handles is born out by the fact that even though manufacturers have pretty much switched everything to T handles. The screwguns are all still made the other way. Even to the point of having a "cut out" " channel" molded into the upper body on the back and sides to accomodate the web of your hand. And triggering with middle finger.
    Sorry if this is not exactly all about Festool. But I though tit was interesting and does relate to the Festools design.

Seth Semenza

 
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