power cords burning out

[petercarpentryassociates]

[attachimg=#] We have a number of Festool ETS 150 RO sanders in the shop and have used them with no problem for years. Now, I am getting shorted power cords on these. Any thoughts as to why this may be happening? See attached immage.

 

[Bikeboy80]

Not fully connected causing an arc?

 

[peter halle]

Burned cords are like a virus.  You should contact Festool service.  If you have one cord that has an issue due to whatever reason, it can cause damage to the tool Plug-it connection.  Then if a new cord is added then it will happen again.  Move a damaged cord to a good tool and there is the risk that that tool will have its connections damaged.

Peter

 

[Brice Burrell]

Welcome to the forum.  Sorry it is under these circumstances.  Peter is right, this can trash several tools if you aren't careful.  Festool has a hard wire conversion for the RO150.  That might be a good idea if you use your sanders hard.  Give Festool a call.  

 

[semenza]

What they said, and it seems that  length of time they have been used matters.  Had this happen on my TS55 with the one cord that gets the most use. I luckily notice that something wasn't right.  Sort of happened all of a sudden.  Realized the problem from posts here on FOG and caught it before I spread it to other tools.

Seth

 

[jashawk]

Yes I have had this problem multiple times. I agree that it seems to transfer from one tool to the next if switching cords.

 

[mrboult]

This is very interesting, and a good thing to know about!

So does this issue stem from the power cord only, or can a tool that has been affected by a dodgy cord transfer the issue to another cord as well?  Does that question make sense?

 

[Brice Burrell]

This is very interesting, and a good thing to know about!

So does this issue stem from the power cord only, or can a tool that has been affected by a dodgy cord transfer the issue to another cord as well?  Does that question make sense?

The answer is yes, this problem can go from tool to cord and cord to tool.

 

[rljatl]

I am regretting going down the Festool path more and more.  This problem and the Kapex issues have been going on for ages.  So now I have to constantly worry and be vigilant about this issue and hope that I catch it in time.  Festool is making a big mistake by letting these problems fester and never provide a solution.  Why can't I just use and enjoy my tools? 

 

[Holmz]

I am regretting going down the Festool path more and more.  This problem and the Kapex issues have been going on for ages.  So now I have to constantly worry and be vigilant about this issue and hope that I catch it in time.  Festool is making a big mistake by letting these problems fester and never provide a solution.  Why can't I just use and enjoy my tools?

Enjoy the tools.
If they break then fix or sell them.
If you do not get joy, then move them on.

 

[Cheese]

I am regretting going down the Festool path more and more.  This problem and the Kapex issues have been going on for ages.  So now I have to constantly worry and be vigilant about this issue and hope that I catch it in time.  Festool is making a big mistake by letting these problems fester and never provide a solution.  Why can't I just use and enjoy my tools? 

Who say's you can't just use your tools?
This is just a hobby and should be enjoyable. If you need to treat this as a money making task, then so be it, and retain the tools you trust, and sell the tools that cause you angst.

If this is just a hobby...please see the above comment... [big grin]

 

[mwahaha]

I am regretting going down the Festool path more and more.  This problem and the Kapex issues have been going on for ages.  So now I have to constantly worry and be vigilant about this issue and hope that I catch it in time.  Festool is making a big mistake by letting these problems fester and never provide a solution.  Why can't I just use and enjoy my tools?

Why don't you try a Disston? they never have any electrical problems.

 

[ajones]

I am regretting going down the Festool path more and more.  This problem and the Kapex issues have been going on for ages.  So now I have to constantly worry and be vigilant about this issue and hope that I catch it in time.  Festool is making a big mistake by letting these problems fester and never provide a solution.  Why can't I just use and enjoy my tools?

All tools that are used regularly need maintaining, the power lead would be a part of this, As zxcv says use them if they break fix them. look at power leads as part of a maintenance regime.
the plugit lead is a useful addition.
however do worry if you own a kapex

 

[Stephen B]

Simple, every time, just before I 'plug it', I look at both the tool and the lead. So far so good, even for the twelve year old.

 

[tedpancoast@att.net]

This is a normal problem.  We chose to hardwire all our tools.  (Festool has provided this solution, they aren't ignoring it).  Its better than melting the connections with worn cords. 8)

 

[chrisrosenb]

This is very interesting, and a good thing to know about!

So does this issue stem from the power cord only, or can a tool that has been affected by a dodgy cord transfer the issue to another cord as well?  Does that question make sense?

This is caused by plugging & unplugging the cords. The same thing happens to extension cords. The more the cords are plugged & unplugged the quicker the ends where out. 

 

[Holmz]

This is very interesting, and a good thing to know about!

So does this issue stem from the power cord only, or can a tool that has been affected by a dodgy cord transfer the issue to another cord as well?  Does that question make sense?

This is caused by plugging & unplugging the cords. The same thing happens to extension cords. The more the cords are plugged & unplugged the quicker the ends where out.

These cords are not as good as Neutrik TrueOne PowerCon.
Ideally all tools would have those.

 

[AlexThePalex]

I never experienced burning of the plug it cord, but they do fail way too often. Mostly the wire inside breaks on the tool side because of twisting.

Same happens with power tools of other brands, but with those you simply cut away the broken part and reattach the slightly shorter cord. Not possible with Festool of course, because everything is molded on.

And of course they discontinued the replacement plug. Which was way too expensive already anyway at €16.

Now, a fix that's FREE on other brands' tools, cost €26 for a completely new Festool cord. I'm getting sick of this.   

 

[mwahaha]

Mostly the wire inside breaks on the tool side because of twisting. 

This can be reduced by leaving the cord loose when packing away tools, not winding the cord around the tool tightly.

The Bosch multi tool has a neat little ball joint swivel at the base of the cord to allow the cord a LOT of flexibility where it meets the tool. It will be interesting to see how long it hold up compared to other tools. The Fein supercut comes with the best cord i have seen on a power tool, its very rubbery and flexible, it took about 7 years of torture before it gave out, and that's with the old case where you have no option but to squash the cord up tight.

 

[AlexThePalex]

Mostly the wire inside breaks on the tool side because of twisting. 

This can be reduced by leaving the cord loose when packing away tools, not winding the cord around the tool tightly.

I don't wind the cords anyway.