T15 Cordless Drill beeps under load, sent in for repair.

[DeereJon]

Anyone know if the batteries & chucks from the T15 fit on any other models? 

I have the T15 from 2010 lightly used since under load it just beeps.  I finally sent it in for repair since it just sat on the shelf for years.  After the repair team took it apart, repair cost was $305.  Since a new T15 is cheaper and with a one year warranty, I told them to just return the drill.  Unfortunately, they are returning it in pieces as putting it back together is an extra charge.  Not sure I'd send anything else to the Festool repair center, anyone know alternatives?  For the price of these tools I'd expect repairs to at least be less than new, no ?

 

[copcarcollector]

For factory service sending the tool to Festool is the only way. I guess you could buy the parts needed, if you knew what they were... and try and fix it yourself.

I can't comment on what the repair costs, but i think if you send them a tool that is assembled, it is absolute BS for them to send you back a tool that has been disassembled. I know they have reasons for this, but it just rubs me the wrong way for sure.

 

[Frank-Jan]

The batteries and chucks fit the T and C model drills. (not the csx and pdc) (The batteries will also fit the pdc, but the right angle and excentric chuck won't)

I had something similar happen to me once but not with festool.

I wanted to order parts for an old makita dust extractor at a dealer (filter, cloth filter and a replacement handle); the dealer talked me into sending it to the makita repair service (which is located very nearby to the dealer).
They came with a repair estimate that was near the cost of a new vac, and since it was old and still in working order when I send it to them I had them send it back.
It came back dissassembled to the last screw, and they wanted to charge me an examination fee, which the dealer took care off as a service to me.

A few years earlier the same makita service department had a light demolition hammer in repair, and the repair cost was also near the price of a new one, and they offered me an interesting discount on the new machine, which I gladly accepted.

 

[mrboult]

[member=8438]CJV[/member]  -  That's super frustrating for you to recieved the drill back in pieces, I'd struggle to believe the drill was dangerous in its previous "beeping state" (the typical justification for returning tools in bits)

FYI - Festool Warranty is 3 years - i hope you didn't leave it sat broken  on that shelf while it was in warranty...

As for the beeping issue - are you sure you had the T15 in drill mode, rather than screw mode with a low torque set? (Sorry to ask such an obvious question)

We've had similar reports here about old festools going in for repair. The result seems to be that repair costs are often high and you might be better selling it on ebay and getting a new one. Broken festools fetch more on ebay than you'd imagine.

 

[DeereJon]

Thanks for all the feedback.  I struggle to even have the drill returned but based on the last comment it will be worth getting it back.  It was in drill mode when trying to use it only to have it stop and beep when trying to drill 1" or larger holes.  Unfortunately, we were moving quite a bit at the time and the Milwaukee was easy to grab to do the job.  So it did sit unused throughout the warranty period.  Once I get enough funds I'll look to replace it since there is too much invested already with all the added accessories.  I was thinking of a different model but it sounds like not all the parts are interchangeable.  Prior to sending it for repair the drill worked on small jobs, hopefully that will still be the case once it is returned.

 

[rljatl]

Thanks for all the feedback.  I struggle to even have the drill returned but based on the last comment it will be worth getting it back.  It was in drill mode when trying to use it only to have it stop and beep when trying to drill 1" or larger holes.  Unfortunately, we were moving quite a bit at the time and the Milwaukee was easy to grab to do the job.  So it did sit unused throughout the warranty period.  Once I get enough funds I'll look to replace it since there is too much invested already with all the added accessories.  I was thinking of a different model but it sounds like not all the parts are interchangeable.  Prior to sending it for repair the drill worked on small jobs, hopefully that will still be the case once it is returned.

Maybe you can get a T18 at the next reconditioned sale.  It can use the accessories you already have.

 

[leakyroof]

I seem to remember that Shane and Tyler covered why Festool returns unrepaired tools disassembled. Something about liability or other such policy.

 

[TylerC]

I seem to remember that Shane and Tyler covered why Festool returns unrepaired tools disassembled. Something about liability or other such policy.

Yes, it's a liability issue. We can't assemble and send you a tool that we know won't work, especially because there's then a chance that it would be dangerous. The only real way for us to re-assemble a tool is to fix it -- or at least mostly fix it.

 

[antss]

[member=57769]TylerC[/member]  - would you please clarify your last statement and how it differs from [member=8438]CJV[/member] 's accounting that Festool would reassemble the drill for an additional charge.

 

[DeereJon]

The drill was returned assembled, does that mean it wasn't ever taken apart ?  Anyway, I'm still not sure why a new T15 with a 3 year warranty would be cheaper than a repair.  That was a shocker, even though the warranty expired, I wasn't looking for a free repair but hoped sent in good faith cost would at least be reasonable.  Something to consider when sending in tools out of warranty.  Basically, it cost me $30 ($15 each way) for shipping the repair just to be told it doesn't work.

 

[NHSP759]

Does the problem you sent it in for still exist?

 

[antss]

Once again , the silence from the mother ship is telling.

Ignoring the issue may make the noise fade away, but it doesn't solve the underlying problem - or the long term sentiment it fosters.

 

[TylerC]

[member=727]antss[/member] I'm not sure what you're getting at here. Are you referring to repair costs or not returning disassembled tools?

 

[antss]

[member=57769]TylerC[/member]  - what I'm asking about is the apparent discrepancy between the policy you stated and what [member=8438]CJV[/member] is claiming.

He says that you guys would return the drill unfixed and reassembled for an additional charge.

So, either he mis-interpreted repair as reassembly,

- or -if you guys will reassemble a broken tool for a charge - makes little sense under the assertion that "we can't reassemble a tool we know won't work". 

I'm not looking to debate or bash your policy, just looking for clarification on whether the service department will reassemble without repair as the first post seems to indicate.

 

[TylerC]

[member=727]antss[/member] I got some more detail for the service team about this today, but I'm waiting for clarification on one point. I think I'll have a better answer tomorrow.

 

[TylerC]

It appears that there has been a misunderstanding. Festool doesn't charge to reassemble tools unless they are being fixed. To put it a different way, our technicians will only reassemble a tool is if they're fixing it.

This is what a member of our service team sent me:

"Company policy is that the tool cannot be re-assembled if it is not back to factory specifications. We get some guys that want partial repairs as well and the same rules apply."

"Returning the tool unrepaired is standard operating procedure. We only put them back together if they pay to have it repaired.  Some tools would have extreme safety issues if we re-assembled them without repairing them.  It is also fairly common practice in the tool repair industry."

I hope that's helpful.

 

[DeereJon]

Yes, the problem still exist.  I'm using it for light work until I can get a replacement since I've already purchased most of the accessories back in 2010. 

-In summary, I sent it in for repair and was then told the repair cost is $305.
-Told them I could get a new one for under $300 and to send it back.
-Was told it was disassembled and I'd either have to pay for it to be reassembled or take it back in pieces but still pay for return shipping.
-Received it back assembled while paying shipping both "to and from"
-Drill works the same as it did prior to sending for repair.
-Got a call yesterday that they were going through system changes and inventories at the time of repair so they were following up to see where things stood.  Basically, inquiring as to if they sent it back or not.
-This was a painful experience that will really makes me question future repairs and ongoing purchases.  After the 3 year warranty runs out, since repairs are as costly as new and you have no idea what your getting into until sending the unit, these might as well be disposable tools.