I declare my Festool jig saw dead --IT HAS NOW RISEN FROM THE DEAD

[Frank Pellow]

I am sorry to have to report the demise of my faithfull PS 2 Festool jig saw which has accompanied me on most projects that I have worked on over the last 6 years.

This is the first death in my Festool family.

Last week ,the armature to which the blade is attached stopped going up and down although the motor contined to work.  I took the saw appart and determined that the gears on the end of part #1 were worn right down:

[attachimg=#1]

so I expect that is the problem.

I contacted Claude Ouellette who is located near Ottawa and is an "official" Festool repairman and he informed me that the part in question would cost $81.77.  There would, of course be shipping charges as least as much to have the saw repaired than it was to purchase it.

This has been a heavily used and much appreciated tool and I am very sorry to be without it.  I will wait until the (corded) Carvex becomes available and will muddle through until then with my Bosch 18 volt battery powered jig saw.  It's not nearly as easy to use as my PS2 was.  

 

[justinmcf]

sorry to hear about your trusty old jigsaw frank.
it looks like you have a perfect excuse to buy the carvex now!

regards, justin.

 

[waho6o9]

Sorry to hear that. It seems that the gear didn't last that long.  One would think the jigsaw would last quite a long time.  Six years is nothing for a premium priced tool. [eek]

 

[Frank Pellow]

Thats what I thought.  I did use my jig saw A LOT, but I expected it to last for at least 20 years. 

 

[CharlesWilson]

Frank,

That sure looks like a motor armature to me. I would expect the gears to be pressed on instead of being machined onto the motor shaft. If they were machined directly onto the shaft, it would be the first time I have ever seen that in my life. (edit: Well, maybe not the first time, but I would certainly consider it unexpected.)

A replacement gear may be available for a much smaller amount than a whole armature. The service department may be able to help you find a suitable replacement.

Charles

 

[joiner1970]

Thats rubish I have an old Bosch that must be 20 years old still going strong never serviced you would expect Festool to last just as long at least.

 

[Inner10]

That is pretty weak, makes a good case for a lifetime repair cost limit.

Can you order the part and do the repair yourself?

 

[Holzhacker]

Stop the nonsense Frank, big brother is watching.
- We know a Festool lasts more than a few years under normal conditions
- We know your wife reads the FOG
- We know you beat that poor little Trion like an apprentice who just cut the last piece of moulding too short
- We know YOU know the Carvex is coming out in a few weeks
- We know you want one
- We know you just need THE need to go out and buy one
;D [poke]

 

[Wonderwino]

So, Frank, are you going to mount the old one in a shadow-box and hang it on the wall in your cabin?  [scared]  [big grin]

 

[Frank Pellow]

So, Frank, are you going to mount the old one in a shadow-box and hang it on the wall in your cabin?   [scared]  [big grin]

I really liked that jig saw so I just might do something like that.

 

[peter halle]

My wife's brother's ex father in law had one-third of his race car mounted on his wall.  Of course, the Ferrari Testarossa and the Rolls took up the remainder of the garage.  With track lighting it looked cool.

Frank - give it a place of honor!  It is a Festool after all.

Peter

 

[Wood_Junkie]

Here ya go Frank.  I found ya a new baby to shower with love and see you through another 6 years.

http://grandrapids.craigslist.org/tls/1639494486.html

PS2E, $175:
This is the Festool jigsaw model PS 2 E-Plus. Comes with the systainer case, instruction manual and all original accessories. It is in BRAND NEW condition and has been used only one time.

 

[Frank Pellow]

That's more than my saw cost me new 6 years ago. but it is tempting.  :-\ Thanks for letting me know about it. 

I really do want to wait for the Carvex to arrive, but I am already getting annoyed with the Bosch back up that I have been using.  It is a battery model and the batteries have a very short life.  And, boy is the Bosch ever awkward and heavy.

 

[jonny round boy]

Frank,

you could always go for an even earlier model. He might ship, and it's 110V so would work over there....

 

[Frank Pellow]

Thanks Jonny, its interesting to see the earlier generation saw.  I only wish that my saw had had the same longevity. 

But, I will pass on the opportunity the own such a piece of history.

 

[Frank Pellow]

Follow-up:

I got tired of using my Bosch jigsaw and decided that I could not do without a Festool jigsaw while waiting for the Carvex to be available in Canada.  So, I went ahead and had my old PS2 repaired.

It's great to have it back and I hope that, this time, it will last for many years.  But, I will still purchase a Carvex at the first opportunity.

 

[bill h]

Did they replace the entire armature or just the gear on the end?

If they replaced the entire armature, I hope they gave you the old to save for the future.

 

[sancho57]

Frank,

Im so sorry for your loss, my heart and prayers go out to you and your family in this sorrowful time.

I should be saying this to your wallet as we all know festool"  [big grin]