Price certainly could have been a major part of the decision of what to continue to sell in various markets. Of course here in NA the lack of information on the advantages of the 8mm shafts and their much lower popularity might have also been part of the problem. No sense in keeping money tied up in inventory that isn't selling. Although Festool and all their sales managers have a crafted value proposition presentation, often times for items like router bits it can make sense to go for a cheaper version if you only need it for a couple of cuts or have to make cuts in nasty material.
OK? so don't stock them over here. But, why restrict the ability, of the dealers in other countries, to export them?
This is the thing that has been chaffing me the most! I've run into this several times. The first was getting the inlay for the LR-32 for the systainer. Couldn't get a replacement from festool of NA. They refuse to give you some molded plastic. Germany won't ship one out either. The next that has really p-d me off is the Centro tech 100mm bits. They have discontinued any of the metric bits here. So you can't get the torx but any more. I broke one of mine and had to ship a replacement from Germany. I did run into several places saying we can't ship it to the US. Why on earth are you restricting your own proprietary bits to a place you sell the freaking drill!
I'd try asking Festool Service one more time. I've purchased several Systainer inserts from Festool Service along with receiving several cardboard inserts for Systainers. Unfortunately, sometimes it's the person that picks up the phone that's the problem.
Since when is a Torx bit "metric" in the sense that it's not justified for NA? Torx is extremely common and pretty much the standard for construction screws these days.
Over the past three years I've tried several times. They won't bend on this one. Although the LR-32 kit is sold her and one presumed if you got a cracked one in shipping they won't do a replacement.I'd try asking Festool Service one more time. I've purchased several Systainer inserts from Festool Service along with receiving several cardboard inserts for Systainers. Unfortunately, sometimes it's the person that picks up the phone that's the problem.
It makes no sense to me. They discontinued the 100mm long ones for Phillips and Robertson bits. Pozi is gone in that size too!
I'm pretty sure they are. Of course, they are not marketed that way, but IIRC, they fit inside of the appropriate size metric hex. (internal and external) I'm not entirely sure about the point of the external though? Why do those even exist? For that matter, why the internal either?
Called up to ask as well and got the same line. I pushed a bit asking what regulatory a new fence on the DF500R could be subject to and didn’t get anywhere. Finding it difficult to bring myself to pay full price (plus price hike) for a tool that’s been discontinued in most other markets.
This is true. I too have called in several times on different occasions seeking out different inserts and FTCS has typically accommodated me.I'd try asking Festool Service one more time. I've purchased several Systainer inserts from Festool Service along with receiving several cardboard inserts for Systainers. Unfortunately, sometimes it's the person that picks up the phone that's the problem.
Certainly possible but I can’t imagine there’s that much of a difference in markets. And while we’re on this train of thought, I can’t imagine anyone wasn’t buying a Domino because of they hadn’t updated the fence (until now), so why do so at all?
