Festool Repair Service UK - Worth it?

[mrboult]

Hello all,  I was hoping I could pose my current dilemma for some feedback

My 5+ year old very hard worked RO125 stopped mid sand the other day. I flipped the brushes over and got not a glint of it trying to work, so I assume it's not the brushes. Do I send it in for repair?

I am aware that if the festool repair price is too high for my liking, then I have lost the sander, as the alternative is having it returned in parts for about £30 cost.
So do I sell it on eBay as is for (I guess) £30 to £50 towards it's replacement or do I send it in and hope the repair cost isn't 60%+ of the new cost?

To those that have sent old, well used, out of warranty tools into festool service. . What have the repair prices been like?

Many thanks.

 

[ginge]

I have a very similar issue.

My soon to be 4 year old PDC started playing up the other week. It basically cuts out whenever it gets even remotely warm- the clutch cheeps. Once its had a little break its works again for a little bit.  It's been a brilliant drill.

I spoke to service who were very helpful, she said it was probably one the two of the electronic parts thats faulty. One was £30 the other was something like £115 plus VAT. By the time you add postage, labour etc. the maths just didn't add up- a new basic unit was being sold for as little as £200 which come with free battery, warranty, theft insurance etc.

Dunno what a new a RO125 costs new- its a shame festool don't sell a more basic basic tool whereby its just the tool in a cardboard box instead of another systainer.

Did they give you any clues as to what parts may be causing the problem?

 

[mrboult]

That's interesting, thanks.  I haven't called them so maybe I will, as it seems from your experience they can at least do some guessing on the phone. The new RO125 is about £450. A £100 more than I paid for it I'd happily pay £200 for a repair and service, but much more and I'd probably go another route.

And while I'm looking at the sanders in my life.  . Can someone remind me which of the ETS EC sanders can "illegally" accept the other pad size? If i remember correctly the 125 can take the 150 pad, but not the other way around?

Thanks