Moving tools internationally

[Slartibartfass]

If I would move to Europe for a couple of years could I run Festools with a power converter or would the difference frequency be a problem? Malte

 

[Peter Durand]

And I would also wonder about the warranty. From what I gather, the Festool warranty is region specific.

I do hope to be corrected on this.

For example, I buy a Festool (insert tool here) whilst living in the USA and move to Canada, or anywhere in the EU for instance, and need a warranty repair, they will not honor it. I forget where I saw this and really hope I am wrong.

Cheers,

Peter

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

If I would move to Europe for a couple of years could I run Festools with a power converter or would the difference frequency be a problem? Malte

Welcome to the forum. I can't give any specific feedback regarding using a power converter, but I do know that we have several forum members who have moved from North America to Europe and who use their tools there without issues. They may be able to chime in with information on how they have adapted.

And I would also wonder about the warranty. From what I gather, the Festool warranty is region specific.

I do hope to be corrected on this.

For example, I buy a Festool (insert tool here) whilst living in the USA and move to Canada, or anywhere in the EU for instance, and need a warranty repair, they will not honor it. I forget where I saw this and really hope I am wrong.

Peter, Festool USA services any tool sold in the US or Canada. Regarding warranty status of a tool purchased in North America in another country, I would suggest that you contact the Festool offices in that region for their feedback. We (Festool USA) cannot speak on their behalf. Below is a snippet from our warranty for your reference.

http://festoolusa.com/service/warranty/

This warranty policy is only valid for tools that are purchased in the US and Canada. Warranty policies of other countries may vary when obtaining warranty service outside the US and Canada. Some countries do exclude warranty for products bought outside their territory. Festool reserves the right to reject the repair of any tool that is not part of the US/ Canada product line.

 

[SittingElf]

Look at the power label on each tool. Those that say 50Hz/60Hz (and I think that is most of them now) will work just fine with a step up transformer. If they only say 60Hz, then you could run into some issues with timing and full power.  If you have a battery charger that is only 60Hz, you can use a Festool EU model to charge your batteries without a problem. The current chargers I have are dual Hz and I have used to charge my 18V batteries off of a transformer with no problems. (When I'm in Germany).

Suggest you buy transformers on Amazon prior to going to the EU. They are very expensive in Europe...even in the military exchanges. Much better pricing from Amazon for higher wattage transformers. Make sure you buy a "STEP-UP" model, not a Step-Down version. The latter is for EU 220V tools used in the U.S.  

Most of Europe is on 50Hz cycles. The U.S. is 60Hz. That is the only issue that you need to focus on.  Electric clocks, microwaves, electric timers, etc.. will all have errors if the Hz is not matched to the product. Heat is another potential issue if the Hz frequency is different. That being said, many manufacturers now produce products that have auto-switching frequency...and most newer computers and related equipment can be used from 100V-220V with auto voltage switching as well. The Mac I'm writing this on is being charged by a standard Apple charger plugged into Nigerian 220V, 50Hz power without a transformer necessary. Wish ALL electric product manufacturers would do the same with their tools and machines! [blink]

Good luck,

Frank

 

[Slartibartfass]

Thx everyone. I am originally from Germany and immigrated to the US in 1999. Never had heard about Festool before. Best kept secret I guess. Found out about them while I was doing some research for plans about a workbench (Ultimate Workbench by Ron Paulk. I gonna blame him for all the money I will spend).

I already have multiple power converters as I have still some of my tools from Germany (e.g. Bosch Hammer Drill).

Other thing to ponder is metric vs imperial scale. Now so used to imperial it's not funny....

Cheers, Malte

 

[Paul G]

And I would also wonder about the warranty. From what I gather, the Festool warranty is region specific.

I do hope to be corrected on this.

For example, I buy a Festool (insert tool here) whilst living in the USA and move to Canada, or anywhere in the EU for instance, and need a warranty repair, they will not honor it. I forget where I saw this and really hope I am wrong.

Peter, Festool USA services any tool sold in the US or Canada. Regarding warranty status of a tool purchased in North America in another country, I would suggest that you contact the Festool offices in that region for their feedback. We (Festool USA) cannot speak on their behalf. Below is a snippet from our warranty for your reference.

http://festoolusa.com/service/warranty/

This warranty policy is only valid for tools that are purchased in the US and Canada. Warranty policies of other countries may vary when obtaining warranty service outside the US and Canada. Some countries do exclude warranty for products bought outside their territory. Festool reserves the right to reject the repair of any tool that is not part of the US/ Canada product line.

Shane, for clarification, if a person in NA buys a Festool in NA, will FESTOOL NA provide warranty service for these tools if the owner moved to EU and took their tools with them? Or is the warranty service limited to the tool being located in NA also? I guess ultimately it's a question of shipping and if FESTOOL NA limits the warranty shipping to NA also.

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Paul, sorry if I wasn't clear.

Tools bought in the US/Canada are only guaranteed to be services in the US/Canada. If you take the tools outside of North America, you would need to check with the Festool offices in the country you are moving to regarding warranty service availability.

Cheers from Germany,
Shane

 

[SittingElf]

Cheers from Germany,
Shane

DRAT!  I'm still in Nigeria. If I was in Germany, I'd have tried to hook up for a drink with ya!

Oh well..tell Festool while you're there that they need to get a BHC, PDC, and TSC55 down to my German dealer in a couple of weeks. Hauling them back to the U.S. with my family in June. Still deciding on a Conturo, but the ASA5000 and Energy box is coming home too.

Cheers,

Frank

 

[Wooden Skye]

Shane,

I certainly hope this trip to Germany is about getting some of NAINA stuff stateside!! I am sure that the members here will cut you some slack to spend a day looking at your $900k Porsche if you get some of these desired goods stateside! [thumbs up] [thumbs up]

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

I certainly hope this trip to Germany is about getting some of NAINA stuff stateside!! I am sure that the members here will cut you some slack to spend a day looking at your $900k Porsche if you get some of these desired goods stateside! [thumbs up] [thumbs up]

I've been trying to get more tools stateside for almost 10 years now. But, I am doing my best to push that agenda some while I'm here, among other things.

I did take in the Porsche museum the last time I was here in September. Pretty cool seeing all of the cars I can't afford in one place.  [crying]

 

[Wooden Skye]

Just busting your chops, I know you are pushing. 

 

[sancho57]

Ive moved from the US to the UK. I use a 3.3 KV tranny with no problems.

I can run all my tools using the tranny.

Things to keep in mind, you will need to buy a adaptor from a UK plug to US plug. The tools will run at a slightly slower RPM.

It will NOT affect performance of the tool.

They do have festool service here.

I have not taken my tools in for repair.

I have called them for help when I ran into some issues they were more then happy to help me.

Any other questions feel free to ask me either here or PM. Ill give ya the best answers I can.

 

[Slartibartfass]

Thx for all the answers. Appreciated. Malte