FESTOOL Price Reduction!

Question: are the batteries covered by the 3yr warranty...or any warranty for that matter?

 
Just have to believe these batteries are being replaced with a new series more compatible with the new drill and charger. Has been several years since Festool had a sale. I really took advantage of the Loyal Festool Owner sale with 20% off I think it was and greatly expanded my sander collection. Sure wish they would do something again but know it will never happen.
Pete
 
The old batteries are excluded from the warranty but I'm not sure about the new ones. I'll find out next week.

From the warranty verbage:
Also excluded are wearing parts, such as carbon brushes, lamellas of air tools, rubber collars and seals, sanding discs and pads, and batteries.

Tom
 
Tom,

So what does this mean for support for the old drills.  It's not a great idea to buy a battery before you need it and just let it sit on the shelf so what happens in a year or two when I need a battery for my TDK?  Will rebuilding it be my only option?  And now that I'm thinking about it, what about the batteries for the TDK 12v?

Thanks
 
Bill:

The way I understand it, Festool guarantees that spare parts will be available for at least seven years "AFTER a tool has been discontinued".

Festool is still selling batteries & accessories for the CDD, TDD, and TDK drills. Though I can't predict the future, I seriously doubt that the 7-year policy will change. After all, these tools are meant to last a lifetime...

Tom
 
bill-e said:
Tom,

So what does this mean for support for the old drills.  It's not a great idea to buy a battery before you need it and just let it sit on the shelf so what happens in a year or two when I need a battery for my TDK?  Will rebuilding it be my only option?  And now that I'm thinking about it, what about the batteries for the TDK 12v?

Thanks
Click to expand...
I was also wondering about the TDK 12v too Bill because that's the drill that I have.   Both original battery packs  died about a year ago and I have had one of them rebuilt (it's not cheap to do so).
 
I looked at the picture of the C12 2.4ah battery pack that is on sale and it certainly looks identical from the outside -and the specs are the same.  But, it has a different part number.  It would be good if someone could confirm whether or not that battery pack also works with the TDK 12v drill.
 
I don't own any battery-powered Festool products  -- yet.  But..., didn't Festool publicly state that the older NiCd and NiMH batteries and the new Li-Ion batteries are compatible with and can be used with older battery-powered tools?  I have been thinking of buying a C12 set, and since I am working only around my home that the smallest NiCd batteries would be my best choice as well as lowest purchase cost.  But this "old type batteries" sale causes me to think "no way" until I better understand what batteries can be used with what Festool drills.

Forrest Anderson to the rescue?

Dave R.
 
Dave, while that would be nice, No, they actually said the opposite.  The old battery packs can be used in the new drills but not vise versa.
 
Dave Ronyak said:
I don't own any battery-powered Festool products  -- yet.  But..., didn't Festool publicly state that the older NiCd and NiMH batteries and the new Li-Ion batteries are compatible with and can be used with older battery-powered tools?  I have been thinking of buying a C12 set, and since I am working only around my home that the smallest NiCd batteries would be my best choice as well as lowest purchase cost.  But this "old type batteries" sale causes me to think "no way" until I better understand what batteries can be used with what Festool drills.

Forrest Anderson to the rescue?
Click to expand...

The T+3 series drill brochure says that the NiCd and NiMH batteries which power the C12 and TDK series of drills can be used in the new T12+3 and T15+3 drills. Indeed, here in the UK some T+3 drill sets even come supplied with older-style 3Ah or 2Ah NiMH batteries (eg Order Nos 564207 and 564222)!

The brochure also says that the new TRC3 charger will charge these older types of batteries as well as the Li-Ion batteries. Here are some quotes:

The powerful T 12+3 & T 15+3
The highest degree of flexibility and economy - TDK and C12 Series battery packs can also be used

and

To work with Festool means using the advantages of a complete tool system. That also goes for the recently developed and especially powerful charging station for the latest T+3 Series. Optimally matched and with integrated monitoring functions, it charges battery packs quickly, gently and for many many charging cycles ? both the latest Li-ion battery packs as well as the NiCd and NiMH battery packs that are already being used in the TDK and C12 Series.

That nicely covers backwards battery compatibility (eg using old batteries with the new drills). What I've not seen is official documentation about using the new Li-Ion batteries with the old C12 and TDK drills. Li-Ion batteries need special charging, so it is highly likely that there will be some kind of moulding on the Li-Ion battery case to phycially prevent people inserting it into one of the old NiCd/NiMH chargers. The moulding may also prevent insertion of the Li-Ion battery into the battery housing of the C12/TDK drill, but I don't know.

One of the selling points of the DeWalt 18V system is that although DeWalt's new Nano Li-Ion batteries require a special charger, the old NiCd batteries can fit new Li-Ion drills, and new Nano Li-Ion batteries can fit old NiCd/NiMH cordless tools produced since 1996 - tools and batteries are interchangeable both ways. See http://www.dewalt.com.au/productvirtualtour/battery/ and click on "Battery Technolgogies" for an explanation of different battery types.

Forrest

 
Tom Bellemare said:
The old batteries are excluded from the warranty but I'm not sure about the new ones. I'll find out next week.

From the warranty verbage:
Also excluded are wearing parts, such as carbon brushes, lamellas of air tools, rubber collars and seals, sanding discs and pads, and batteries.
Click to expand...

I don't know what the arrangements will be for the USA, but in the UK the new Li-Ion batteries are included in the 3-year T+3 series drill guarantee:

http://www.festool.co.uk/artikel/artikel_weiterleiten.cfm?id=973
Three year warranty
We are so convinced of the T 12+3 & T 15+3 quality's [sic] we offer three years warranty even on the batteries.

Forrest
 
Thank you, Forrest.  You're the man!!

I would hope that older Festool machines can be used with their newest Li-Ion batteries.  As you pointed out, DeWalt offers that possibility.  I'm certainly no battery-powered tool expert, but it seems to me that the tool electronics and motor will work with any battery (or other electrical source) that is capable of supplying the requisite amperage in the requisite range of voltage.  I also recall reading that the V output of an Li-Ion battery is flatter (more uniform) than some of the older types of batteries.  I can appreciate why the battery charger technology may have to be different and thus why older chargers are likely not suitable for Li-Ion batteries.

This is another topic whose understanding would be greatly assisted if Festool would have one of their experts respond in detail, or if they would publish a clear and comprehensive press release regarding forward and backward compatability.

Absent that information, I may well choose a Panasonic drill/driver set rather than risking purchase of a C12 set (with small NiCd) only to later find that batteries are no longer available for it except through a re-builder.

Dave R.
 
Dave Ronyak said:
...This is another topic whose understanding would be greatly assisted if Festool would have one of their experts respond in detail, or if they would publish a clear and comprehensive press release regarding forward and backward compatability.

Absent that information, I may well choose a Panasonic drill/driver set rather than risking purchase of a C12 set (with small NiCd) only to later find that batteries are no longer available for it except through a re-builder.
Click to expand...

That's a very good point, and something that I believe the company could benefit from.  I suggest you put that concept together and post a separate discussion in the "Festool Wish List" area of the forum.

Keep in mind that Festool people check into the forum pretty regularly and, although they might not post, they do read material here.

Thanks,
Matthew
 
I just verified what I thought I had learned earlier...

The 3-year warranty applies to the new +3 Drills, Charger, AND Li-ion Batteries.

Tom
 
So, I've gotten my new battery packs at the easier to swallow price.  I got one 2.4 and one 3.0 for my TDK.  Not knowing any better, I assumed the 2.4 was going to be the same size as my current batteries and the 3.0 would be bigger and heavier.  Nope, the 3.0 is the same size.  Without taking it apart, I'd say it's the exact same case just with different cells in it.  So, if you're considering replacing TDK or C12 batteries, I'd say spend the $5 and get the 3.0s.  Not sure what the difference translates to in real world use, but for $5 why not.
Anyhow, it was nice to do some heavy drill work this weekend and never have my battery die.  I picked it up this morning and it still had a charge.  Nice.
 
The 1.3 Ah and 2.4 Ah batteries for the TDK and C12 are NiCD.

The 3.0 Ah for for the TDK and C12 are NiMH.

Tom
 
Tom Bellemare said:
The 3.0 Ah for for the TDK and C12 are NiMH.
Click to expand...

One of the reasons I bought one of each was to see if that meant better longevity.

There is a Festool brochure somewhere that shows them all lined up and makes the 3.0 look bigger than the 2.4.  I was pleasantly surprised they were the same.  I was wondering why they would be different.  I assumed the NiMH needed a heatsink or something.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

P
Why aren't the batteries for my Festool CXS available???
Replies
9
Views
4K
xedos
X
Aldo
Festool Saw Blades - 30% OFF (While supplies last only)
Replies
1
Views
3K
Aldo
Aldo
tbellemare
Price Changes in April
3 4 5
Replies
89
Views
33K
JavierMoreno
JavierMoreno
GarryMartin
Some new Festool bits and pieces coming soon (hopefully...)
2
Replies
30
Views
19K
3R PROJECT
3
M
New C cordless drill
Replies
7
Views
4K
Brice Burrell
Brice Burrell
Back
Top