c15 burnt out

[-the rookie-]

I've had a c15 for about 2 years now.  Its been awesome until yesterday.  Its mainly used for drilling pilot holes, occasionally a hole saw(2.75" max in .5" pre-fin ply), and rarely will drive fasteners. Anyway, smoke came pouring out of the vent at the bottom of the grip. Anybody have any input on this?

 

[pingvinlakrits]

Not more than that it has happened to me too a few years ago. In my case it was a T15, two months old and lightly used. While backing out a screw it started to smoke. When I had a look at it and pulled the trigger with no load the smoke started belching out!  [eek]

I quickly removed the battery and placed the drill in the sink (not running water through it though).

Mine was replaced under warranty. The next one I got developed another problem so eventually I ditched Festool drills altogether.
I think screwdrivers and drills with too much electronics onboard are more prone to failure. Sad to say that with my four Festool C15/T15's over the years - NONE has been without electronic failures. One failed two times. So failure rate is over 100%. 

Today I am back at it and I do run a C15 and a CXS just because I have too many add ons and the CXS is not powerful enough to be the only Centrotec drill in my kit. I don't trust the C15 and it does have some issues but at least it "does the job" and since I have a BHC18 (which is great) they share some add ons.

I love my CXS but I am hoping to switch out my C15 for something more reliable eventually.

 

[semenza]

Welcome to the forum, wish it were under better circumstances.

If still under three years old it will still be under warranty. Call Festool on Monday (888-337-8600) or use the web based repair form.

https://www.festoolusa.com/account/repair/

Seth

 

[pingvinlakrits]

I forgot to add that I have received excellent service in all but one case of my Festool troubles.

In one case Festool could not find anything wrong with the machine (C15) and sent it back unfixed. I managed to replicate and show the fault to the store rep and they got on the phone with Festool and promptly sent it in again. Then it took a whole month before I got it back - and no loaner. After I got it back the C15 developed the very same problem again.

Apart from that vein popping experience I have only had good to great experience with Festool. But I still don't trust the drills.

 

[-the rookie-]

Thanks for your responses. I'll call festool and contact the retailer I purchased the drill from.

 

[roblg3]

I killed one...it was me.  Festool service fixed it up and in a hurry too!!!