T15+3 Drill Battery date codes?

[ripperj]

Hi- First post here, got here the same way as most, bought the track saw, then the dust vac,then the Domino. Was definitely Going to stop there as I have a well equipped shop,but then my old Porter Cable 18v died. I bought a 18v Milwaukee combo drill and driver set,but hate it. The chuck loosens often, the clutch won't go low enough to keep from stripping screws,and the batteries don't last. I packed it up and shipped it out.
Picked up the T15 set locally yesterday, seems nice,i love the clutch. I bought it because I re'ally needed the eccentric chuck. The place I bought it from does not move tons of stock(not complaining, very happy they even stock the stuff, it s a Rings End Lumber in Niantic Ct) and the box was pretty dusty from sitting around. How can I tell how old the batteries are?
Thanks! Keith in Ct

 

[semenza]

Hi,

  Welcome to the forum!  [smile]

  Glad you discovered the tools  [thumbs up]

    Look on the drill label  probably right above the word "Germany"  for a date EX- "2015-01" is January 2015. That is the manufacture date for the tool. I doubt the batteries would be much older.

    Also see this for info on the battery warranty.  http://festoolownersgroup.com/ask-festool/t18-battery-warranty/msg313610/#msg313610

Seth

 

[AlexThePalex]

There is no info on the battery itself. They do have a serial number, so maybe if you asked Festool by phone or email they can provide you with the information you seek.

For what it's worth, my T15 is from 2008 and both batteries are still perfectly fine. I'm not a pro so I don't run the drill all day. On average, I probably load each battery once a month.

 

[ripperj]

Thanks, I didn't think to look the drill itself
Looks like mine is 4 years old even though I just bought it yesterday, I'm going to take it back and order a newer one, the drill and bits set me back 800 bucks, I shouldn't have a 4 year old one!

 

[semenza]

Date code style is different than the one I referred to but it does look like 2011.

Seth

 

[ripperj]

Probably because it's so old

 

[ripperj]

Is festools return policy pretty bullet proof, I belive you can use it for 30 days and return it right, I want to get a new drill, but really need it this weekend

 

[semenza]

Is festools return policy pretty bullet proof, I belive you can use it for 30 days and return it right, I want to get a new drill, but really need it this weekend

Yes, it is pretty bullet proof. But it is also not a tool rental program so to speak.

If you plug your zip code in  here you can find local dealers http://www.festoolusa.com/where-to-buy/

Seth

 

[ripperj]

I hear you re the rental, I'm not one of those guys, but when you dump that much money on a drill, you shouldn't be 1/2 thru the expected life of the battery(at least)
I guess I will return it unused and drive to wood craft, they turn over more product, but I don't really care for the store anymore( I'm still po'd that they stopped selling LN planes)

 

[semenza]

Here is a list  dealers that participate on FOG.

  http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-sales-dealer-area/list-of-dealers-in-the-festool-owners-group/

Seth

 

[AlexThePalex]

If it's from 2011 then you're right about returning it. That's way too old when you expect a new one. I think there have been a couple of upgrades in the meantime.

I don't know how LiIon batteries degrade when they're never used, but I doubt you're already through 1/2 it's capacity.

If you plan on returning it, don't use the drill, that's not fair.

 

[ripperj]

I'm going to return it unused, but i'm not sure I agree about "not fair", I spent $800 on a drill and now have to spend almost 3hrs driving to return the original and buy a new one.
IMHO a store shouldn't charge full price for old stock, especially if as indicated above there have been upgrades made over the years. The research I have done on cell phone Lion batteries says Lion batteries have a shelf life even if unused,but it depends on several things including temperature,charge state of the battery when stored and the actual design of the battery
I understand from a pm that this is a sore subject, so I am going to leave it at that. Thanks for the help.

 

[AlexThePalex]

I'm going to return it unused, but i'm not sure I agree about "not fair", I spent $800 on a drill and now have to spend almost 3hrs driving to return the original and buy a new one.

You were sold a good product. The fact that there are newer ones out there you'd rather have does not make this drill defective in any way. The dealer is not to blame for anything and neither is Festool. If you want to return it, that's your own choice and your right.

 

[mlfaber]

I'm going to return it unused, but i'm not sure I agree about "not fair", I spent $800 on a drill and now have to spend almost 3hrs driving to return the original and buy a new one.

You were sold a good product. The fact that there are newer ones out there you'd rather have does not make this drill defective in any way. The dealer is not to blame for anything and neither is Festool. If you want to return it, that's your own choice and your right.

Is it the model with the LED light, belt clip and ratcheting chuck in a T Lock?  If so, I would keep it.  The batteries have a 3 yr warranty on them anyway.  That is 3 years from the date of sale.  I have a T12 from 2009 and the batteries are fine.

 

[ripperj]

Wood pulp, not sure what you mean, it looks the same as the ones in the 2014 catalog, here is a pic
Thx

 

[ripperj]

I just looked at my warranty, it says batteries are not covered, does that mean disposable batteries or drill batteries
Edit: I see the website says that that two batteries and the charger are covered for three years. I can't find another drill even remotely local, the warranty relieves my concerns, I'm just going to keep the one I have

 

[semenza]

I just looked at my warranty, it says batteries are not covered, does that mean disposable batteries or drill batteries
Edit: I see the website says that that two batteries and the charger are covered for three years. I can't find another drill even remotely local, the warranty relieves my concerns, I'm just going to keep the one I have

  I suspect the batteries will perform and last just fine. I can understand your initial concern though.

  Let us know how you like the drill after you get to use this weekend. That eccentric chuck is awesome!

Seth

 

[ripperj]

Will do, I dropped the ball in the design dept on my camper and forgot to make dozens of recesses in my cabinets for hydraulic lines, so now I have to use the eccentric chuck to make 1/2" holes thru all the cabinets and storage boxes, right up tight against the wall

 

[AlexThePalex]

That's indeed a task where the eccentric chuck makes life so much easier. Just pop in a drill bit with a hex shank and a ball detent and you're good to go.

People always think the right angle chuck is the best, and the eccentric is not all that great, but I use my eccentric chuck more often than the right angle chuck.