C18 stuck forward and reverse switch

[retrac]

Hi,

Had this drill in for a service to fix the forward and reverse switch on two different occasions, now its just starting to stick again. 

What are my options with this?, do I just get it fixed again and wait for it to go wrong again?

Any thoughts??

Thanks

 

[Gregor]

Please clarify: does it stick mechanically or does it cease to change direction but still can be moved?
Also: do you still have warranty?

 

[retrac]

Hi,

It's hard to switch from forward to reverse, sometimes it works and switches with a finger push, other times i have to change my grip to push change direction.  Hope this makes sense. 

It is still under warranty but its already been in twice for the same thing.

This seems to happen every 3-4 months, I don't abuse my tools its only used to fit kitchens.

Thanks

 

[Gregor]

Question is why it gets stuck, repeatedly.

- The switch movement is plastic on plastic, so something sticky could get inside with time and hinder free movement. Should the problem happen out of warranty some applied grease might help against the plastic parts sticking to each other.
- There is one spring that locks the switch in the selected positon against unintended movement, it might have accumulated dirt.

As it's still under warranty: service all included. Maybe ask them what they dit to fix it when you have it back.

 

[ldmillar1981]

Hi Retrac,

Any luck with a lasting solution? mine is doing this for the third time also.

I only use for cabinet fitting never in dusty environments, its incredibly annoying that a £500 drill has such a cheap switching mechanism. I know they will fix it with the all inclusive but it leaves me a week without my drill and the nagging feeling once the warranty is over I am going to be stuck, much like the forward/reverse switch.

Thanks
Leigh

 

[jim g]

Mine been doing the same thing for about a year. I was fixing to send it in but the motor on the other one completely locked up. So I had to send that in first.

Other then that I've been completely happy with them for the 2 years that I've had them.

 

[Naildrivingman]

I love and respect festool but I cannot bring myself to spend more than $300 on a battery drill. I wish you all best of luck.

 

[Dan1210]

Just bought a t18, not even 4 weeks old, forward and reverse is tough to toogle and the gear selector is really tough to move too, the trigger sometimes sticks in the on position and the case comes apart around the trigger area when I squeeze the grip/trigger, ive must have used it a couple hours in total, quite disappointed.

 

[retrac]

Select switch gone again. This time loose, no positive stop on forward or reverse. Can easily be nudged to forward or reverse.

Looks like back to Festool again.

Not pleased.

 

[Mahomo59]

Same for me, stuck at first and now gravity controls the switch! Very frustrating. Makita drill for 8+ years nil drama.

 

[Rip Van Winkle]

There was a past thread were somebody was asking about the grease used in the PDC drills, and I believe someone from Festool mentioned two separate greases, one of which may have been used as a lubricant specifically for the gear box switch.
http://festoolownersgroup.com/festo...ol-pdc-gear-grease-cleaning-a-used-pdc-drill/
http://www.woodworkforums.com/f58/regreasing-protool-gearbox-176562?highlight=protool+drc

 

[Gregor]

Just bought a t18, not even 4 weeks old, forward and reverse is tough to toogle and the gear selector is really tough to move too, the trigger sometimes sticks in the on position and the case comes apart around the trigger area when I squeeze the grip/trigger, ive must have used it a couple hours in total, quite disappointed.

This shouldn't happen, the case should be held together by enough screws so it shouldn't be able to split.

Select switch gone again. This time loose, no positive stop on forward or reverse. Can easily be nudged to forward or reverse.

Same for me, stuck at first and now gravity controls the switch! Very frustrating. Makita drill for 8+ years nil drama.

Interesting. When reassembling my T18 (bought very cheap as it was broken clean through between the head and the handle, looks like someone stepped on it) after giving it a brand new case (~28€) to turn it back into a working tool I had some trouble to correctly insert the small metal feather board that makes the direction selector stick at both extremes - sounds like that one is giving you guys trouble.

Possibly it hasn't been inserted correctly, so it first stuck and then you bent it further by actuating the lever till it fell out of the holder notches.

In case you're out of warranty you could replace that one yourself (it's available as a spare for a few cents), only suggestion I have is to use another power driver for the screws (as they're next to impossible to screw in/out with a normal screwdriver) and limit the torque on assembly to not rip the screw heads off at the end (as happened to me with one).

 

[Dan1210]

Luckily i was within my 30 days, my retailer has arranged a swap, hopefully the new unit is better.

 

[johnledbetter]

I sent in my C18 for the same problem you described. It went from annoying right after I bought the drill (having to change my grip to move the switch) to nearly impossible months later (wouldn't budge), to a nearly free-floating switch that mere gravity would move.

The repair at Festool fixed it for a very short time but I feel the switch getting sticky again. I'm curious if sending it in again is of value or whether this is bound to keep happening. Any luck with further repairs? I've had mine for around 2 years at this point.

 

[mrboult]

Hmmm not seen this thread before... Interesting.

Sorry to hear of all the problems, and repeat service returns for the same issue is def not acceptable.
Just to throw in some balance, I've two T18s that have never had this issue. One is 2yrs old, the other is about 5 years old and taken a lot of abuse, dust and dirt..

Not that this helps your understandable frustration!

 

[Fogy]

Was Just about to buy a T18 before prices go up .. but after reading this i might just go for the cheaper and faster Panasonic ! 

 

[leakyroof]

Hmm, my T15+3 has never shown this issue.  Is the switch on it very different than the C18?  [eek]

 

[retrac]

My original C12 works apart from the batteries not lasting like they used to. That was purchased 8 years + ago.

My new one, I’ve given up sending it in. Just put up with it.

I won’t purchase another one