Has your drill ever malfunctioned like this?

[hockey_magnet]

I was drilling a hole with my C15 - completely blind reaching under a sill plate and between floor joists with the 90 degree chuck. I was holding the drill in one hand and the chuck in the other. Anyway all was well until I heard a ringing grinding noise. I pulled the drill out and found that when I pulled the trigger, the grinding noise was present and while the drill was turning I could hold the chuck in one hand and the drill would stop turning but the motor was still running. I thought that something had stripped in the drill which is fairly new and hasn't been used much. Anyway I checked more closely  and saw that the speed switch was halfway between 1 and 2. When I moved it into the 1 or 2 position, it ran fine -

Would running the drill like this cause any damage? Certainly I doubt it would be good for it? I also wonder why that switch wouldn't have a lockout - I quickly checked and found that the drill will run with the switch halfway which doesn't seem right to me. Any suggestions?

 

[jonny round boy]

I've had this happen, but only because the speed switch was tight against something. As you drill, the drill moves forward but the switch stays where it is...

I bet this was similar in your situation, especially since you couldn't see the drill! Obviously you were using the 90 chuck which is different, but I bet you knocked the switch against something. I doubt that the switch would move purely due to vibration or anything like that.

As you found out, the drills will run in what is effectively 'neutral'. It is a gearbox after all!!!

 

[Wuffles]

I've managed to do it with a few brands other than Festool too (I don't own a Festool drill/driver). I don't think it's anything to worry about at all.

 

[AlexThePalex]

Same here, happened sometimes with drills I've used, of multiple brands. Nothing to worry about, it's what Jonny says, the switch is stuck between gears. 

 

[mastercabman]

Done it many times
Still runs fine

 

[TelcoRandy]

I haven't done it with either of my Festool drills yet but I do it to my Metabo all the time.

The placement of the 1st/2nd speed switch is different from any other drill, it's mounted on both the left/right side of the drill and constantly gets bumped when trying to drill in tight quarters so I know what you're talking about. I've just never been able to bump my Festool drill that way though.

Anyway after 3 years of constantly falling in between gears on my Metabo, it hasn't failed and runs strong.

 

[hockey_magnet]

Thanks for the info. I think it was the ringing grinding noise that had me concerned.

Chris