Ct AC 36 vac stopped working

[toolnut]

Hello everyone, I'm new here and just joined this morning!

Add me to the club. I bought my first Festool products 2 months ago, an AC 36 and a planex. Both are awesome but my vac quit after a month, so I sent it out for repair. The main on switch was fried. "manual-auto" dial. I got it back monday and plugged it in the first time again yesterday and it lasted 45 minutes. UPS is coming to get it again today and back for repair.

The outlet in the vac still works so I know it's the switch again. This is HIGHLY unacceptable for a $700 vacuum! Here in Canada it's $850. I am also a contractor and rely on my tools to perform, which is why I purchase high quality tools. Unfortunately when it comes back for repair I am going to sell it and get another vacuum. It's too bad because I like this vac, but it's reliability is proving unworthy.

My vac quitting twice in two months and only 45 minutes after having it repaired Festool should buy back my vacuum or at least take it back and give me a credit for what I paid for it towards other tools, this may warm me back up to their products, but right now I'm pretty upset with my first purchase.

Maybe someone on here from Festool will help me out? I bought it from a dealer in Ohio and they were great!

BTW, the Oneida ultimate box for this vac works amazing even on drywall dust. It fills TIGHT before the vac sees less than an inch.

 

[MrMac]

HI Toolnut! welcome!  I'm guessing that you are not near a Canadian Festool dealer? I've had good luck with mine. I had a small issue with my CT26 last week, and I drove it into the dealer where he fixed it while I stood there.

I guess  I'm fortunate that I live close (13.1k) to a dealer. I do know that he also will loan out a tool for folks to use while yours is being fixed.

I do live about 1/2 hr north of the border, but I don't get my Festools in the U.S. partly due to worries about the warranty, and partly to support my local dealer who's helped me out on at least two occasions - saving me time!

Good luck! the Festool service is famous for being over the top so I wouldn't worry too much.

 

[semenza]

Hi toolnut,

Welcome to the FOG!  [smile]

Interesting that the switch went twice, to me that suggests  that some other part or condition is causing it to go bad  ???  I really don't know though... just thinking about it.

So the Planex is good?  How about starting a topic on using the Onieda unit with the CT36AC for drywall?  I think a lot of people might have an interest in that idea.

Seth

 

[toolnut]

I also find it very weird that it blew twice. So here's what's happening thus far and I must say I am rather impressed with Shane, and also with Festool which is allowing him what he needs to do to keep the tool owners happy:

Shane called me directly this morning and seemed to genuinely want to make this right on Festool's behalf. He took some info from me and offered to send me a new AC 36 and ship the old one back to him. Excellent! Later that afternoon he called back and said the local Canadian warehouses were in short supply and actually on a back-order status and mentioned having the old one repaired (which actually was a pretty quick turn around the last time it quit) so I could use it while waiting 1-2 weeks for the new one to come in from the USA. I was so appreciative of the first rate service I turned down the repair offer and told him I would wait for the new one to arrive and ship him the old one directly. I have a back up vac and didn't see the need to force repair this unit again for not much reason, and hopefully sending the faulty unit right to Festool will allow proper diagnosis from the people who know the products the best.

Interesting however, is the incredible amount of static this unit builds up. I have non-festool hoses and festool hoses, and the OEM hoses do make some difference, but holy cow! When we are using the vac we have to draw straws on who gets to move or shut off the vac lol. I have foil tape from the Onida to the vac, and a static strap from the vac to the cement floor which seems to work extremely well. Otherwise ZAP!

I tested the voltage in the house we are working in and it's running 122-124 volts AC, of course at 60hz. So even though tis is 4 volts high, I would like to assume the vac would not be more voltage sensitive than a TV or home computer which run fine. Maybe a re-design of the switch or a fuse / circuit breaker is needed ahead if the switch if it is delicate??

I could write another review of the Planex if anyone wishes just let me know. I have a pic of the Jammed Onida, I just don't know how to attach it yet, little help??

 

[Bikeboy80]

I can only imagine how heavy those bags are trying to lift them out [eek] full bags of drywall dust in the 36ac are heavy enough!

 

[semenza]

toolnut,

Here is some picture attaching help.  If you can downsize them (assuming they are big) some before uploading that would be good. Sometimes pics are so large that scrolling is required to see the whole thing.

1. Open a topic starting page or reply page as normal.

2. Click 'Additional Options' towards the lower left.

3. Next to the 'Browse' button keep clicking 'more attachments' until you have enough.

4. Click 'Browse' and open/add an image file from your computer to each browse box.

5. Type your post. At points in the post where you want an image, click 'attach image as full size' from the Insert Inline Image dropdown.  Doing that will place the image in that spot in the post when you actually make the post. Do this for each spot that you want an image. The system will place them in the order of the browse boxes automatically. If you want to choose the order simply change '#' to the number (just count the boxes) of the image you want in that spot. Otherwise just leave '#' in each one.

It would be great to have your review and info from the above post as a new topic!

Seth

 

[toolnut]

let's see.....

 

[semenza]

Looks like you got it  [thumbs up]

And  ..... holy dust Batman !  [eek] 

Seth

 

[Kev]

Just add water and mix - instant plaster, 100% recycle  [wink] [big grin]

[welcome] btw!

I wish people would stop talking about how good the PLANEX is on here ... I've got zero use for it, but you're all making me want one. [embarassed]

 

[semenza]

For toolnut's  excellent Planex info see This  thread.

Seth