Fein 18v ASCM

[johnleve]

Maybe I missed it but have you tried it with a bit in the hex key without a chuck or with the jacobs chuck?  It seems odd that the ball detent chuck would cause that much of a wobble on its own.  I have two units and never tested the chuck on the second, I will have to go back and do that.

Small bits in the hex receiver, without a chuck, work fine.  Everything works fine in the Jacobs chuck.

I wish you would try that second unit and let us know.

Sorry, I clearly did not read your post about the issue correctly.  I will try both of mine out tonight and let you know.  I assume you only use the ball chuck on speed 1 or should I try it on higher speeds as well?  I have used one of mine on speed 1 with 2" bits to drive headerloks and deck screws and have not noticed anything.

Worst case scenario if they cannot get you a working ball chuck I would probably be willing to part with one of mine if they both work.  I personally do not like how they are designed and have a centrotec adapter mounted in one of the jacobs so I can use centrotec.  When I need to reduce the length I can just use the base hex.

I would note that they are a single piece and there is a connection which appears to be welded so if the shaft was not centered and plumb when that weld was made then I can see if causing wobble and not being an isolated problem but one that might affect a production run.

 

[johnleve]

I tested both of mine tonight and did not see a problem with either when driving screws into wood.  From 3" deck screws to 9" headerloks I have not had any vibration travel back up the drill at speed 1.  I popped in a 1/4" drill bit and it seemed to work fine but in speed 4 it goes in so fast and with so little force that it is probably not a great test.

Using a 2" ball detent bit I measured the flex and it appears to be about 3/16" which if you were bearing down on it could possibly be the cause of the vibration.

 

[pettyconstruction]

I like the drill,but hate that it doesn't have a belt hook,kinda a deal killer for me.
I won't send it back,but for a dude in the field,a hook is vital.

 

[Bill Chang]

Bingo.  Magnetic bit storage wouldn't hurt either.  [blink]

 

[Tyler Ernsberger]

The Festool PDC has magnet bit storage, a belt hook and no wobble.  Plus it comes in a systainer

 

[Shane Holland]

[member=2018]fshanno[/member], I had sent you an email via the forum yesterday or day before yesterday letting you know that we'd coordinate getting you a replacement if there's a problem with the drill. I'd like to confirm you received that communication. We want you to be satisfied with your purchase and will work with you to get this resolved to your satisfaction.

Thanks,
Shane
shane[member=18445]toolnut[/member].com

 

[Tayler_mann]

For me I really don't care about the belt loop. I am either on a ladder that I have a nice little shelf for drills, bits and screws etc or I have my workstation with me. Regardless of where I work one of the two is right next to me at all times. I've worked with belts, aprons and all but I've never found anything more convenient than a second surface around waist level or higher. No matter where someone works you can always have one no matter what. People always make fun of me at first, but an hour or so later guess who they are asking to use my small work area so they can  real quick drill a hole or to mark a pattern. I do find it odd that it does not have these options though as its competitions do. In all aspects of what a drill really does it without a question outperforms all of my Bosch, Dewalt, hitachi, and makita drills. I think he drill has a great feel to it and had all the power to fully eliminate the need to use an impact to drive masonry screws, lags and other high torque fasteners. I really enjoy getting to reach down and grab the Orange off of my bench and have thrown my other drivers aside and haven't looked back. Not only is it a good drill but I have used my drill for a solid week and still have he first battery in it. I'm not sure how many holes it's drilled and how many screws it's drove but it gets put to good use daily. I would say for sure a few boxes of screws with the pilot holes to match.

 

[fshanno]

[member=2018]fshanno[/member], I had sent you an email via the forum yesterday or day before yesterday letting you know that we'd coordinate getting you a replacement if there's a problem with the drill. I'd like to confirm you received that communication. We want you to be satisfied with your purchase and will work with you to get this resolved to your satisfaction.

Thanks,
Shane
shane[member=18445]toolnut[/member].com

I don't think I got the email but I appreciate the attention.  Let me state for the record that Toolnut has been great.  I spoke with customer service several days ago and was immediately offered a refund or exchange then.  A refund is out of the question.  Where else am I going to find a value like this?  I'd have to be off my rockler, pun intended.  There's not an 18v drill on the planet that touches the value of the Toolnut deal on this Fein right now.  Individuals may have certain criteria that precludes this model, such as battery platform, but I don't.  I'm after a strong 18v brushless drill with nice features.  This is it.

I also declined an exchange because I didn't think it was necessary and I still don't.  I called Fein and talked about it.  They also hinted at replacing the drill but I just wanted to try a new bit.  So they sent one.  It's nice to know that Toolnut and Fein are solidly behind this product.  I'm sure we'll get the chuck thing straightened out. 

Mostly I'm trying to understand what my expectations should be, what "normal" is.  I'm probably going to get back with Fein and have them send another one and this time run it though it's paces before shipping to verify that it's performing according to spec.

 

[fshanno]

The Festool PDC has magnet bit storage, a belt hook and no wobble.  Plus it comes in a systainer

Festool doesn't recognize the existence of the drill bits we are discussing so the application is not relevant.

I take it back, it is relevant.  Snappy now offers a Centrotec bit holder for standard ball detent bits and it functions beautifully.  It's a bit holder holding a bit holder holding a bit which is a cheesy arrangement.  But there is no wobble.  So you've got me.

And I do think I can integrate the Fein case into my work pattern.  Especially since there's a good chance there will be another orange box showing up at the door.  You guessed it.  $299 for the cordless Supercut basic kit.

 

[rst]

I regards to the belt hook, I've used the Big Lugg ball bungies for years on my tools that do not have integrated systems.  Kudos to Toolnut, I also ordered the 18V Fein Supercut after not being able to resist the drill deal.