I finally purchased my first Festool. Sadly it died during the 2nd time I used it. The first time I was practicing with a few scrap pieces of wood switching between grits and modes for approximately 30 minutes. The 2nd time I was using it I was using 120 grit in RO mode at a setting of 3.5 and it stopped. I can turn the switch to off and then back on and it will run for a few seconds and then die again. The head of the Rotex is warm but not hot. Temperature where I was using the sander was around 50 F. I'm at a loss and very disappointed in Festool. What should I do?
New Rotex 150 Died
- Thread starter m8
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Forrest Anderson
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m8 said:
Sorry to hear about your problem.
The first thing I would do is to check that the PlugIt cord has been inserted into the back of the sander properly. When new, the twist-lock connection is very stiff and it is very common for people not to turn the connector through a full quarter turn clockwise. Instead, they twist it just a little bit, which works to begin with but the metal electrical contacts will arc and become pitted.
To make sure you are turning the connector fully, make a mark on it so that you can see that you are rotating it 90 degrees.
You'll want to read the Technical Note Tight fitting of Plug-it cord.
Let us know how you get on!
Forrest
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I'm sorry to hear about your situation. If I were in your position, the first thing I would do, is take the cord off and reinstall it. I would make sure that it turned clockwise until it could not go anymore and that it looked secure, i.e. the gap where the cord attached to the tool was tight. I would also make sure that the selector between rotary mode and random orbital was not halfway in between.
If the tool didn't work then, if I had it less than 30 days, I would return it to the place of purchase and ask for a replacement. If it was after 30 days, I would contact Festool at the number that is on your tool and talk to them.
Although your experience has not been the first, please remember that issues can happen in any manufacturing process and issues can and will happen. Festool has outstanding customer service and warranties. That is not my opinion, search here and you will find many positive comments. I hope that you get some solice out of the fact that you have avenues and protections.
Peter
If the tool didn't work then, if I had it less than 30 days, I would return it to the place of purchase and ask for a replacement. If it was after 30 days, I would contact Festool at the number that is on your tool and talk to them.
Although your experience has not been the first, please remember that issues can happen in any manufacturing process and issues can and will happen. Festool has outstanding customer service and warranties. That is not my opinion, search here and you will find many positive comments. I hope that you get some solice out of the fact that you have avenues and protections.
Peter
Thank you for the quick response. I had heard of so many problems with the cords and not turning them all the way that I had the dealer show me and even then I personally twisted the heck out of it. I made not of the position of one of the arrows on the cord and sure enough it went a full 1/4 turn. I purchased the sander last week so hopefully the local dealer where I purchased it will work with me. It was the last Rotex 150 he had in stock so I may be without a sander till a new one comes in.
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You may want to ask him if he has a loaner? Also Festool customer service is extremely quick. Many reasons for that. Call them on Monday if all else fails.
Peter
Peter
Forrest Anderson
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m8 said:
Since your sander is covered by the 30 day warranty, and can easily be returned to the dealer, my only other suggestion is to make sure that the other end of the cord is plugged into the mains socket properly. Also try plugging the cord into other sockets in the house/workshop to see if it makes a difference. You've probably tried this already, but just thought I'd mention it in case you hadn't! It's a pity that you don't have another PlugIt cord that you can use instead, so that side of things could be eliminated.
Forrest
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Bill, I sent you a private message. If you need assistance, please give us a call tomorrow. We'll be happy to assist you in getting this taken care of.
Thanks, Shane.
Thanks, Shane.
Dropped it off with the dealer this morning, he ran it for a few seconds before it died and also pointed out that it was the roughest running Rotex he has ever used. He is going to contact Festool this morning and see if they can get one shipped out now because he doesn't have a shipment from Festool for a few weeks.
