The LS130 being discontinued, do discontinued models become white elephants?

[Sulzu]

I've been looking to get the LS130 which I've recently learned is being discontinued. It's still in stock locally and I would like to get the set of profile pads for it. I'd like to have the functionality since I'm not aware of anything that will take its place. I'm relatively new to Festool, do discontinued models become white elephants? Can anyone offer advice?

 

[Birdhunter]

For me, the LS is a very seldom used tool. But, for that very special and rare occasion, it is the perfect sander. It is SLOW!  Don’t expect to whiz though yards (meters) of profile.

 

[Cheese]

I believe Festool says they will support a discontinued product for 10 years. Generally, replacement parts aren't really an issue...

However having said that, I know of several items for the discontinued RAS 115, the RS 2, the HL 850 bench stand and the Surfix oil system that are no longer offered.

So it can be kind of a crap shoot.  [tongue]

 

[mino]

Festool guarantees 10 years of spare parts (for the original buyer).

The "issue" with a specialty tool like the LS130 is that accessories/consumables are not covered.

With LS130 that is mainly the various pads.

 

[Frank-Jan]

I don't own one, but from reading older threads on the forum what I remembered is that the pads have a shelf-life.
So if you don't use it much, but buy all the possible pads, chances are, that when you finally need them they'll dessintegrate.

(a bit like the rubber on some workboots)

 

[Sulzu]

I don't own one, but from reading older threads on the forum what I remembered is that the pads have a shelf-life.
So if you don't use it much, but buy all the possible pads, chances are, that when you finally need them they'll dessintegrate.

(a bit like the rubber on some workboots)

Good point, I would not have thought of the pads disintegrating like that.

 

[Sulzu]

Festool guarantees 10 years of spare parts (for the original buyer).

The "issue" with a specialty tool like the LS130 is that accessories/consumables are not covered.

With LS130 that is mainly the various pads.

That's helpful to know as that definitely increases the risk in buying the LS130. I need to research the shelf of the pads.

 

[DynaGlide]

I believe Festool says they will support a discontinued product for 10 years. Generally, replacement parts aren't really an issue...

However having said that, I know of several items for the discontinued RAS 115, the RS 2, the HL 850 bench stand and the Surfix oil system that are no longer offered.

So it can be kind of a junk shoot.  [tongue]

Which accessories for the RAS?

 

[Gjarman12]

There was a member who made their own using a 3d printer. That would get you pretty far. I think it was [member=34574]anthonyz[/member]

 

[Cheese]

Which accessories for the RAS?

Unfortunately, the plastic bristles used to aid dust collection.

 

[DashZero]

What’s the thought on Festool replacing it with a cordless version?  Or an updated version?

What do people sand already painted baseboard with if not a linear sander?

 

[jeh]

Festool guarantees 10 years of spare parts (for the original buyer).

The "issue" with a specialty tool like the LS130 is that accessories/consumables are not covered.

With LS130 that is mainly the various pads.

I don't think original buyer matters. They will have parts for at least 10 years. If they have the part they will sell it.

 

[mino]

I don't think original buyer matters. They will have parts for at least 10 years. If they have the part they will sell it.

Every guarantee is about what happens when they do -cannot- meet the commitment /to have the part you need/.

As far as I remember*), for the original buyer, in such case you are entitled to get a new tool of same type or a money-back.

Of course, if available, they will sell parts to anyone.

The 10-year guarantee is mostly about them guaranteeing they will maintain production of spare parts for the period and, if not, the "enforcing" is that they will replace your tool. Every part sold is a business income for Festool, no reason not to sell when you have ongoing production ability.

*) was some time I researched this

 

[Coen]

I believe Festool says they will support a discontinued product for 10 years. Generally, replacement parts aren't really an issue...

However having said that, I know of several items for the discontinued RAS 115, the RS 2, the HL 850 bench stand and the Surfix oil system that are no longer offered.

So it can be kind of a junk shoot.  [tongue]

The discontinued the bench stand. But parts for it you can probably still buy for 10 years.

How do you think I got my PS module for the CMS? I handed my dealer a list of parts I wanted  [cool]

 

[luvmytoolz]

I don't own one, but from reading older threads on the forum what I remembered is that the pads have a shelf-life.
So if you don't use it much, but buy all the possible pads, chances are, that when you finally need them they'll dessintegrate.

(a bit like the rubber on some workboots)

That's a bit unusual, and not been my experience. As it's a PU material, so long as it's kept out of heat/damp/sun it should retain it's state for many, many years without issue. Generally it's when exposed to temp extremes and/or dampness, and UV light especially, that compounds tend to break down.

I have spare Festool sander pads I bought when I got my first Festo RS2E some 30 years ago, and have kept them in a cupboard in the shed, and they are as pristine now as when I bought them. The RS2E pads would be more likely to break down than the PU pads for the LS130 I would expect.

 

[jeh]

I don't think original buyer matters. They will have parts for at least 10 years. If they have the part they will sell it.

Every guarantee is about what happens when they do -cannot- meet the commitment /to have the part you need/.

As far as I remember*), for the original buyer, in such case you are entitled to get a new tool of same type or a money-back.

Of course, if available, they will sell parts to anyone.

The 10-year guarantee is mostly about them guaranteeing they will maintain production of spare parts for the period and, if not, the "enforcing" is that they will replace your tool. Every part sold is a business income for Festool, no reason not to sell when you have ongoing production ability.

*) was some time I researched this

That might be true outside of the US, but here there is zero chance of that happening. Europe is probably a different story. On a related note I had my circa 1993 Porter Cable framing nailer reworked by Dewalt and it is as good as new. The cost was less than $100. I had considered throwing it out but there is nothing for sale that can match the build quality and I don’t mind the air hose. The weight of the battery powered nailers is too fatiguing.

 

[mino]

That might be true outside of the US, but here there is zero chance of that happening.

I took the time to search it:
https://www.festoolusa.com/service/warranty-all-inclusive/original-parts-guaranteed

Statement as of 2022-07-06:

Your Festool tool is designed for a long service life. However, it may become necessary to replace a part at some point in time. This is why we guarantee the availability of every spare part for at least ten years after discontinuation of production. In the rare event that we don’t have the part in stock, you receive a new machine free of charge from us.

 

[Cheese]

They discontinued the bench stand. But parts for it you can probably still buy for 10 years.

How do you think I got my PS module for the CMS? I handed my dealer a list of parts I wanted  [cool]

Unfortunately no...Festool no longer offers the cutting depth scale ring and that was at least 2 or 3 years ago. It took me about 6 months to locate one/two.

[attachimg=1]

Just noticed something else, along with no longer offering the depth scale ring, they also no longer offer the "hood" which is basically the guard that covers the cutting head...that's really not a good situation.  [eek]

Unfortunately Festool has also removed the part numbers for those 2 pieces from Ekat which makes finding those items on the internet just about impossible.  [mad]  [mad]  [mad]

For those who may need this information in the future, the depth wheel item #1 is 715167 and the guard item #10 is 715150.

[attachimg=2]

[attachimg=3]

 

[FestitaMakool]

Festool has just, as of now, decided to discontinue the LS 130. Considering buying a new or pre-owned now leaves heaps of years to order parts. If any needed?
I bought two (don’t ask..) pre-owned recently. The sander is simple yet yields very high quality.
Being only linear in its movement I find it aggressive and hard working.

There’s none that I know of that can do the same (sander). And hand sanding can’t compete with it at the task where it can be used. Even just the ability to sand close to a vertical surface is in my experience very useful - that even with the standard flat pad. Having the RTSC which uses the same paper, as the hand pad (HSK) and LS 130 - the LS 130 is a no brainier to keep for my use.

I sure hope Festool will re-release this in their cordless sander line up - it would be a perfect companion to every one of them for fine and detail sanding. Give it an attachment that accepts smaller rubber profile sanding blocks alà Fein’s setup and it’s a party of cordless sanders.

And yeah, the former owner was (A professional - he kept one of two for future tasks) quite enthusiastic about its ability and performance.

 

[luvmytoolz]

While putting up some herringbone panelling last night I had a need for the LS130 as the lineup of 3 boards was a little out and causing the next board to sit proud minutely, but with the SL130 I was able to sand along the edge to even it all up without damaging anything.

The only other way I could have done this was by hand, which would have been tedious to the extreme. This is such a unique and incredibly useful sander, couldn't recommend having one enough!