ETS 150/3 sander bogging down under very little load.

[TGJR]

Hello,

While sanding on a piece this morning my ETS 150/3 started acting up. It began where it would sand at full power for a few seconds and then bog down to the point it sounds like it is going to stall. Now it is to the point where very little pressure causes it to act up. Literally the sander's own weight will cause it to bog down. As soon as you pick the sander up off the piece, the power will pick back up but go right back down when you set it down.

Before I shipped it off for out-of-warranty repair (warranty went out 5 months ago), has anyone ever experienced this?

Thanks.

 

[AlexThePalex]

I have had sanders with this problem. Sounds like a burned field coil. Expensive repair best done by Festool, unless you're comfortable ordering the parts and do it yourself. You do need to take the entire sander apart.

But you should have it checked out by a qualified technician, my words are just and indication of what might be the problem, can't know for sure of course without seeing it.

Do you also notice the sander gets crazy hot?

 

[TGJR]

Thanks for the help, Alex.

The sander has never gotten crazy hot. When it was acting up, it wasn't even overly warm to the touch.

 

[Cjgiombi]

Same problem.
7 year old sander with lots of use.
Tried re-lubing the bearings which made it smooth but still bogs.

 

[TGJR]

As it turns out, the problem seems to be with the cord connection on the sander. It was temporarily losing power when the sander was in the horizontal position but as soon as I lifted the sander up off the piece, the connection would be made and power was restored. I only realized this when I held it down long enough to notice the vacuum actually turned off too.

The Plug-it connection on the sander is much looser than on any of my other Festool products using the same cord.

 

[AlexThePalex]

These Plug-It cords break all the time.

 

[judger615]

Had a similar issue with my ets 150/5 this past summer. It turned out to be the plug-it cord and was a two minute fix. To diagnose the problem, I turned the sander on and would move the power cord, up down, etc, and see what would happen. Might be worth a try. Also if you see any carbon build up on the plug it cord that was a good indicator for me.

 

[asdwoodwork]

Hi there, Has anyone figured out this issue yet? i have cleaned the entire sander thoroughly. as well as replaced the plug-it connector.

still the sander will bog down with very little pressure.
Please, before anyone says "you shouldn't have to apply pressure to sand." I've been working in the trades over 20 years, as well as owning multiple festool sanders. I promise I am well aware of the amount of pressure an orbital sander should be able to handle without loss of power.

Thanks in advance!
Shane Doyle

 

[leakyroof]

Hi there, Has anyone figured out this issue yet? i have cleaned the entire sander thoroughly. as well as replaced the plug-it connector.

still the sander will bog down with very little pressure.
Please, before anyone says "you shouldn't have to apply pressure to sand." I've been working in the trades over 20 years, as well as owning multiple festool sanders. I promise I am well aware of the amount of pressure an orbital sander should be able to handle without loss of power.

Thanks in advance!
Shane Doyle

  Are you using the same cord with the Sander, or another Cord to rule out the cord vs sander as an issue?  I know you said you replaced the Plug-It connector... Otherwise, it would seem it's time to send the sander to Festool as you appeared to cover all your bases in diagnoses

 

[woodferret]

Probably a bearing issue.  There's a diff between what a bearing assembly can take vs the optimal longevity of said component.  Re-lube or send it in.  It might already be past due if it's been running hot/hard on those.