Rocker switches

[Dixon Peer]

Has anyone noticed that the rocker switches used on some of the sanding tools are very hard to turn on/off?  Not a big deal really, but sometimes annoying.

 

[ccarrolladams]

Has anyone noticed that the rocker switches used on some of the sanding tools are very hard to turn on/off?  Not a big deal really, but sometimes annoying.

No, Dixon, I have not had a problem with any of the switches on any of my Festools, including sanders. When sanding I usually have a toggle foot switch between the CT auto-on outlet and the tool. This way I can set the rocker switch on the sander to the lock on position. When I am ready to sand I tap the foot switch to its on position. Then when I am finished sanding I tap the foot switch again to turn it off.

All this could reduce the number of rocker switch cycles, so they last longer. Since 2006 I have bought and used a whole lot of Festools and have yet to need to replace a tool switch.

 

[AlexThePalex]

Has anyone noticed that the rocker switches used on some of the sanding tools are very hard to turn on/off?  Not a big deal really, but sometimes annoying.

I've had this problem with some DTS/RTS/ETS125 models. Up to the point where it was almost impossible to use the switch. When posting a question like this it would be nice to mention the extact type of sander(s) you're talking about. There's a good dosen of different types of Festool sanders, all with their own types of switches.

Knowing most Festool sanders and their specific switches, I assume you're talking about the DTS/RTS/ETS125. If that assumption is correct, then I know what causes it and how to remedy it. See picture below.

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As you can see in the picture, the green switch of these sanders 'rocks' around a center column and has two prongs on the end with a nub on them that locks onto another pin, one on each side of the switch. The problem is that these two pins can become rusty and that gives extra friction which causes the problem. All you have to do is remove the rust. I use a Dremel with a small metal wire brush and that does the trick. After that you just have to screw the lid back on the sander with the two screws. Easy as pie.

 

[Dixon Peer]

Alex, I didn't have the sanders in front of me when I posted, but your post has it about right.  One is the small orbital sander that takes rectangular sheets, and another is a random orbit sander, 125 mm diameter sheets.  The switches are sometimes very hard to use.

 

[AlexThePalex]

Alex, I didn't have the sanders in front of me when I posted, but your post has it about right.  One is the small orbital sander that takes rectangular sheets, and another is a random orbit sander, 125 mm diameter sheets.  The switches are sometimes very hard to use.

Seems my assumption was right. The small rectangular sander is the RTS 400, the 125mm is the ETS 125. If you follow the instructions above it's easy to get them working correctly again. If you don't feel comfortable doing this yourself you can always contact Festool's service department. But it's an easy fix, shouldn't take more than 10 minutes per sander.

 

[Dixon Peer]

By the way, and off topic, my Peer family heritage goes back to Holland.  A fellow from your country came over here about sixteen fifty and settled in New Amsterdam.  Not too long ago I saw a clip on TV, perhaps from the show "Frontline", that showed a restaurant in Amsterdam called "Peers". 

 

[Dixon Peer]

I took the top off of one of the sanders, but there was no rust on either of the pins that the rocker engages.  But I found that the green plastic rocker was apparently a little "out of whack", that is it was slightly mis-aligned.  After putting it in its proper position and re-assembling the sander, the switch worked like new.

 

[AlexThePalex]

Glad to see you solved it. [smile]