There is a real problem with NEW 12" clamps (489571)

[iamnothim]

Guys,
There is a real problem with new 12” clamps. (489571)

I purchased two sets of two on Feb 4, 2014 from Amazon.  Which is fulfilled by Amazon for Festool direct.  After a few weeks they started to give way, slip and loose tension.  All of them.   I kept thinking it was me.  Finally I contacted Festool Support.  

Here’s the reply….
Hello iamnothim,

I wish I could help more with the issue your having with the clamps and I would like to send 1 set free of charge out to you just as a good will gesture. Please provide me with a good ship to address and I can get a set out to you to see if they work any better for you. We realize it could take some time for Amazon to help with this matter so Festool would like to provide as much help as we can.

Steven Greenly
Festool USA
Logistics Associate
Dept.    Logistics

I wrote back:

Hi Steve,

Thank you for your diligent follow through on my problem and your gracious replacement offer.
As we discussed, I truly want to send you the clamps so both of us know I’m not delusional. After all, they are “just clamps”.  I figure if I can use a CMS table, an OF 1400, a 150/3 and a couple MFT/3 sets with guides, I ought to be able to figure a clamp out.  But then, “ya never know”
Here is my address:

xxxxxx

Kind regards,
iamnothim

NEXT Steven wrote back that he would send two sets.

Hello iamnothim,

No problem, I hope we can get this issue resolved and get you back in business. I have sent two sets of clamps to your address that should leave the building by tomorrow and I also sped up the delivery with 3 day select because you are so far away. Please put on the box of clamps my name attention to Steve Greenly. Our address is

Festool
400 North Enterprise Blv,
Lebanon, IN 46052

Thanks
Steven Greenly
Logistics Associate
Dept.    Logistics

I thanked Steven for sending me four clamps instead of two.  That way I didn’t have to deal with Amazon.  I boxed up my four bad clamps and sent them out.   I waited a week or so after I got the new clamps and emailed Steven to ask if he had a chance to test my clamps and if I was delusional.  Here is his reply…..

Hi iamnothim,

I did receive them and you are not CRAZY sir. They are definitely bad. To be honest another tech and myself tightened them down, stood back and literally watched them fall off the surface! First I have seen of this issue.

I ran it up the Ladder and our folks here are aware of the issue and taking the appropriate actions. I want to apologize again for the issue you had with them and if there is anything you need in the future, don't hesitate to call.

Best regards,
Steven Greenly

GUESS WHAT....
Then new clamps are failing.   [eek]  

 

[Kev]

I know the quick clamps are Bessey, but I think the others are probably a lesser or "no name" brand (pretty certain Festool doesn't actually make them).

Bad batch maybe ?

I was about to grab a few of these for MFT specific use, so I'll be interested to see how this pans out.

 

[wow]

I don't have any 12" clamps to worry about, but THANK YOU for posting this here so others don't waste time with a potentially defective product. It once again demonstrates that Festool can have problems just like any other company, but they stand behind their products like almost no other!

 

[peter halle]

Thanks for posting, but based on a report of 4 bad clamps out of potentially thousands doesn't get my hair standing on end personally. 

Peter

 

[iamnothim]

Thanks for posting, but based on a report of 4 bad clamps out of potentially thousands doesn't get my hair standing on end personally.  

Peter

How about the same guy with two different batches one set of four from Amazon and one set of four from Festool in Indiana?  Those are long odds...
EDIT:  Eight weeks apart...

Also Steven wrote:  "The folks up the ladder are aware of the situation"

I'm thinking I'll contact Amazon, see if they'e refund the Feb purchase then buy the ratchet clamps.
It a real problem when your glue up falls apart.

 

[peter halle]

I wasn't criticizing you at all. Everyone has their own comfort factor.  Mine is just different than yours.

There is no doubt that haven't a clamp(s) loosen during a glue up sucks or worse.

Peter

 

[iamnothim]

It's too late for an Amazon refund.  However I purchase everything on my AMEX card and they have a 90 day purchase protection policy.
I should be able to get my money back.

I'm not bashing Festool.  I love the company and the products.  Problems happen.... Yes they took care of the problem once.  I have not called and updated them on the new failure... yet.
But Festool can't refund my money....  I get that.  Amex will issue a refund and I can order the ratchet type clamps.  I need this resolved quickly.

A clamp is just as critical as the mortise and tenon joint it is clamping.  The clamp cost $40 the Domino $1,000

 

[Timtool]

I have four 120mm clamps and used the heck out of them for the past 3 years, rarely for clamping rails but daily for general woodworking tasks. And there is no sign of any wear while i think i really ask too much of them.
from what i know Bessey makes all the festool clamps, and Bessey is now producing partially in China, there is no miracle. If companies were able to get something made to European standards in China with consistent quality, we would have heard about that by now.

Last week i heard from a supplier that he ordered a container full of door hinges from China, and now he is regretting it badly because he now had hundreds of doors out there and they are breaking off one by one.

 

[chrisrosenb]

Thanks for posting, but based on a report of 4 bad clamps out of potentially thousands doesn't get my hair standing on end personally.  

Peter

How about the same guy with two different batches one set of four from Amazon and one set of four from Festool in Indiana?  Those are long odds...
EDIT:  Eight weeks apart...

Also Steven wrote:  "The folks up the ladder are aware of the situation"

I'm thinking I'll contact Amazon, see if they'e refund the Feb purchase then buy the ratchet clamps.
It a real problem when your glue up falls apart.

The odds are really very small, because all of the clamps more than likely came from Festool in Indiana. I believe that Festool in Indiana is the only US Festool distribution center.

 

[Kev]

Personally I wouldn't rely on these clamps for a glue up. I think they're probably fine as hold downs for the MFT and for rail clamping, etc for track saw work. I have high end Bessey's for glue up work. Traditionally sash clamps with rail pins and positive threaded jaws were my "go to" before quick clamps improved.

I've been curious about the concept of using the metal pallet strapping with crimps for glue ups ... not necessarily this one, but something like it:

http://www.globalindustrial.com/p/packaging/strapping/strapping-kits/polypropylene-strapping-kit

... not sure you'll get the right amount of pressure and reliability though.