PDC18 speed selector

[Bigchasbroon]

I find the speed selector on my PDC18 quadrive really stiff. It takes 2 thumbs to change it. The drill/ hammer switch is really smooth. Anyone else have this issue?

 

[Stone Message]

I have just checked the one that I have on loan and agree that it is slightly stiffer than the torque control but I would not really call it stiff. I have quite arthritic wrists and hands and have no problem. Perhaps yours needs a bit of attention.

Peter

 

[SMJoinery]

I find the speed selector on my PDC18 quadrive really stiff. It takes 2 thumbs to change it. The drill/ hammer switch is really smooth. Anyone else have this issue?

Hi CHAS

Yes mine is also exactly the same, very stiff to select between 1-4.
Been like that since new (4months).
It doesn't prohibit use or feel broken but it's certainly not a slide with the thumb like the hammer switch.

 

[Kev]

Mine isn't stiff at all, but it's the Protool variant (identical apart from colours and the 4.2 v's 3.0 battery to my understanding.

 

[Bigchasbroon]

Thanks gents, I think I might phone the service team. I could live with it but at the end of the day it costs the equivalent of 2 dewalts and it is irritating.

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

I was told by my colleague in the UK that the PDC's speed selector is meant to be firm so that it's not vibrated to another position during use.

Shane

 

[Bigchasbroon]

Thanks Shane
It seems like it may be meant. I'll just have to sup more porridge.

 

[jonny round boy]

Mine is a little stiff in places. Unfortunately, one of those places is speed 2. If I drop mine down to speed one, then trying to get it back into speed 2 without it going too far and into speed 3 (or sometimes even 4) is very tricky.

It tends to go 1 - 3 - 1 - 3 - 1 - 4 - 1 - 3 - 1 - 3 - 2!!!!!!!!

I found it really frustrating at first, now I've just got used to it. I can now usually get it from 1 to 2 in 4 or fewer moves.  [big grin]

More annoying (on mine at least) is the direction switch. Like most Festool drills, I assume this is not a mechanical or electrical switch, but electronic, relying on a sensor to detect the position. When it's in forward, it only takes a slight touch on the switch to knock it into reverse by accident. Even if the switch moves only 0.5mm, that's enough to put the drill in reverse.

It's a real problem when you're working in a confined space, or need to pass the drill from one hand to another, or need to hold it in a non-conventional way.  [sad]

 

[AlexThePalex]

It's the same for the Protool PDC I know. Very stiff to the point you sometimes feel it's breaking your fingers.

But when you use it in hammer mode, you'll understand why this isn't so bad.

 

[Kev]

Seems people's impressions of "stiff" may not be the same.

I'm going to say mine is "firm" and you need to be very deliberate when changing gears, but I still consider it easy to do.

 

[Lasse Pelkonen]

More annoying (on mine at least) is the direction switch. Like most Festool drills, I assume this is not a mechanical or electrical switch, but electronic, relying on a sensor to detect the position. When it's in forward, it only takes a slight touch on the switch to knock it into reverse by accident. Even if the switch moves only 0.5mm, that's enough to put the drill in reverse.

It's a real problem when you're working in a confined space, or need to pass the drill from one hand to another, or need to hold it in a non-conventional way.  [sad]

I have had a couple of similar cases here in Finland. Have you been drilling in to metal? The direction switch uses a magnet and the problem might be that there is metal shavings or some other magnetic "trash" that has build up on this magnet. This might disturb the direction switch. There is a small gap between the main switch and the housing where this "trash" might find its way inside, especially when doing overhead work. This problem can be solved by cleaning the magnet and for that you have to open the housing. If the machine is under warranty, don`t open the machine yourself. This might void the warranty.