Rotex 125

[Ajax Carpenter Carl]

I have a Rotex 125 sander. It was purchased November 2012. It is not a tool that we use often and mostly sits in the shop. Last summer the variable speed stopped working.
I just had the sander sent to Festool Canada through Atlas machinery, I was told it was going to cost $368.00 plus tax. I was also informed that the bearings needed replacement along with the electrics. When I mentioned that I had no issue with the bearings I was informed that this was discovered upon inspection. I was not prepared to pay for bearing replacement on a unit that gets used maybe 2 times a year. I was then informed that if I did not want to complete all of the repair they would not do any repair and I could have the sander returned but it would be returned disassembled.
For a high end tool company I find this unacceptable. If this was all explained to me, I would not have sent the tool in as it worked fine prior to being sent out. Has anyone had similar experiences with repair? I realize it was out of warranty and did not expect any free service, although I think it should not have happened considering the slight use this tool gets.
Are Festool parts available for purchase only?
Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[peter halle]

Sorry to hear about your Rotex.  If Festool (at least in North America) has to take a tool apart to diagnose it and then the customer decides to not go forward with the repair they will not put it back together.  Same thing with a partial repair.  It is an insurance thing.

Yes you can purchase parts for your tools.  You will need to look them up on the ekat system.  Here is a link that should get you to the main page:  http://ekat.festool.de/login/jsp/main.jsp?doAction=start&autologin=true&userId=US-Kunde-FT_US&password=Customer&design=festool  (please not that this might not work on all mobile devices)

Then the best way to get the parts is to call Festool to order.

Peter

 

[Ajax Carpenter Carl]

Thank you Peter. If this was explained to me I would not have sent the sander in. My real peave is that they want to replace the bearings and there has never been an issue and I did not send it in for the bearings. For the money I paid for the sander I expected much longer service out of it.
Knowing that I can purchase the parts in the future I will look at the tool myself. In a previous occupation I was an apprenticed toolmaker. Failing that I have a very skilled tool mechanic around the corner who has serviced my other makes. My concern was not being able to obtain the parts, expensive lesson learned.
I do like Festool and many of their tools have many strong points. The carpentry saw not so much but I have discussed this at the Festool Roadshow.

Carl

 

[AlexThePalex]

Very odd you'd need bearing replacement on a machine that's hardly used. My Rotex 150 is 10 years old now and there's nothing wrong with the bearings.

You can order the electronics part yourself, and installing it is a very easy task. You can even bypass the electronics if you want, you can run the sander without it. But if you're in a professional setting think about the insurance regulations. 

 

[Vondawg]

90% no 95 of the time I run mine (125) at full speed...but own all three for their different advantages.

 

[Brice Burrell]

Very odd you'd need bearing replacement on a machine that's hardly used. My Rotex 150 is 10 years old now and there's nothing wrong with the bearings.

I suspect the issue might be the grease has separated from a lack of use so Festool wants to replace the bearings.   

 

[Cheese]

The electronic unit costs $105, while the 7 bearings total $79.

I'd start with the electronic unit and once you get the Rotex back in pieces  [sad]  you'll have the opportunity to check each bearing for smoothness or leaking seals and just go from there.  [smile]

Chances are you'll not need to replace any/all of the 7 bearings.