Drill torture test....water!?!?

[Nick2cd]

I'm sure this has likely made its rounds through here in the past, but this was my first time seeing it.  The guy is crazy but I was impressed by what I saw. Granted, he probably cut the life span of the drill short.....time will tell

 

[mike_aa]

Shane posted this some time ago.

http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tools-accessories/are-festool-power-tools-as-tough-as-we-claim/

Mike A.

 

[nclemmons]

Well, I didn't have that luck with mine.

Basement workshop flooded 18 months ago with 18" of water due to a failed pump and six inches of rain.

A few tools were under water for about 2 hours.

Domino - gone
C12 - gone
1010 Router - gone
Rotex 150 - gone
CT26 - gone
ETS 150/3 - gone
Sandpaper - gone
Domino assortment - gone

I let all the tools dry out, but the electronics were shot and none of them would turn on.  Even the drill battery charger would no longer charge a battery.

Fortunately, I had insurance that put everything back together except deductible.

What was interesting was that I had Porter Cable drills and saws, table saw motor, a Black & Decker saw, a Hegner scroll saw, a PC router and a few other non-Festool tools.  A Porter Cable air compressor needed about $50 in repairs and is going strong.

I called Festool Service to inquire about service and they advised me that parts plus service costs would be more than replacing the tools.

Only the Festool's needed replacement.  The rest of them dried out and continue to work today.

Your mileage may vary but my experience is that Festool's don't like water.  Dust - no problem.  Sawdust - no problem.  Water - no way.

Yes I have now have redundant pumps and a generator in place.  Not going through that again!

neil

 

[AlexThePalex]

A few tools were under water for about 2 hours.

Domino - gone
C12 - gone
1010 Router - gone
Rotex 150 - gone
CT26 - gone
ETS 150/3 - gone
Sandpaper - gone
Domino assortment - gone

The T15 drill in video works wet because it is a brushless drill. If it wasn't it wouldn't work anymore. All the tools you mention have brushes too.

But quick, short immersion is not the same as prolonged immersion over time. The longer something is under water the more damage will be done.

Only the Festool's needed replacement.  The rest of them dried out and continue to work today.

Your mileage may vary but my experience is that Festool's don't like water.  Dust - no problem.  Sawdust - no problem.  Water - no way.

I have the same experience. I have not lost any power tools to water, but I noticed Festool metal rusts like crazy. Bits, router plunge bars, saw blades, one spec of water and you have rust. Keep your Festools dry at all time. 

 

[jmbfestool]

A few tools were under water for about 2 hours.

Domino - gone
C12 - gone
1010 Router - gone
Rotex 150 - gone
CT26 - gone
ETS 150/3 - gone
Sandpaper - gone
Domino assortment - gone

The T15 drill in video works wet because it is a brushless drill. If it wasn't it wouldn't work anymore. All the tools you mention have brushes too.

But quick, short immersion is not the same as prolonged immersion over time. The longer something is under water the more damage will be done.

Only the Festool's needed replacement.  The rest of them dried out and continue to work today.

Your mileage may vary but my experience is that Festool's don't like water.  Dust - no problem.  Sawdust - no problem.  Water - no way.

I have the same experience. I have not lost any power tools to water, but I noticed Festool metal rusts like crazy. Bits, router plunge bars, saw blades, one spec of water and you have rust. Keep your Festools dry at all time.

I know why.

All your other tools you don't mind using with greasy fingers after eating chips, crips etc

With festool tools you keep super clean and wash your hands before use. 

So non of the metal on festool has been able to form a natural grease barrier over a period of use.

Admit it just to anal with festool tools

 

[nclemmons]

A few tools were under water for about 2 hours.

Domino - gone
C12 - gone
1010 Router - gone
Rotex 150 - gone
CT26 - gone
ETS 150/3 - gone
Sandpaper - gone
Domino assortment - gone

The T15 drill in video works wet because it is a brushless drill. If it wasn't it wouldn't work anymore. All the tools you mention have brushes too.

But quick, short immersion is not the same as prolonged immersion over time. The longer something is under water the more damage will be done.

Only the Festool's needed replacement.  The rest of them dried out and continue to work today.

Your mileage may vary but my experience is that Festool's don't like water.  Dust - no problem.  Sawdust - no problem.  Water - no way.

I have the same experience. I have not lost any power tools to water, but I noticed Festool metal rusts like crazy. Bits, router plunge bars, saw blades, one spec of water and you have rust. Keep your Festools dry at all time.

I know why.

All your other tools you don't mind using with greasy fingers after eating chips, crips etc

With festool tools you keep super clean and wash your hands before use. 

So non of the metal on festool has been able to form a natural grease barrier over a period of use.

Admit it just to anal with festool tools

Actually JMB, I'm probably anal with most of my tools.  The problem was even turning the tools on.  The shafts would turn, but the electronics would not work.

Brushless might have helped some, but I wonder if the electronics are truly waterproof over time.

Lesson is of course, insurance!  And keep eating chips!

 

[Brice Burrell]

My only experience with Festool tools and water is with one of my T15 drills.  I left it out in heavy rain for about an hour and a half.  That was four years ago and the drill still works perfectly.

 

[wow]

Neilc:

Seeing that list of damaged tools makes me want to cry - Insurance or not!

You are going to make me go update my tool list this weekend for my insurance records...

 

[jmbfestool]

My reply was more towards Alex as a joke lol. 

But I see what your saying.

Well I left my T15 out in the rain for 3 days heavy rain about year ago.

I left it on my parents garden from Friday till Monday. I was going to work at my parents but it was raining all over weekend and Friday so I didn't bother.  When I turned up Monday I was thinking..... Where is my drill?  Couldn't find it then I remembered I didn't put it away and left it outside.

I was gutted.  Took it inside didn't even bother pulling trigger thought let it dry first.

So far it's still working.

 

[Pixel]

lost a ETS 125 about a year ago, searched everywhere but gave up the ghost thinking one day it will appear. Few months ago set up the spray machine to prime the walls but the neck wouldn't go in the bucket, yes my 125 was in the paint drum, looked nice in white.

 

[AlexThePalex]

I know why.

All your other tools you don't mind using with greasy fingers after eating chips, crips etc

With festool tools you keep super clean and wash your hands before use. 

So non of the metal on festool has been able to form a natural grease barrier over a period of use.

Admit it just to anal with festool tools

I like the idea of the natural grease barrier. I now realise I've been going at it all wrong all this time.

Great tip.  [thumbs up]

 

[ear3]

Funny this topic should come up -- I just had to clean a small rust spot off one of the plunge bars on my OF1400.  I have no idea how it got there -- maybe from the moisture in the wood I had been cutting (there was sawdust left on from the last time I used it)?