Thread: $300CAD - Festool FES-201516 RTSC 400 PLUS 18V Brushless Orbital Sander 2x 3.1

Originally Posted by barrysumpter

Yes, as mentioned you can now select from a list of dealers.
Sweet!

For those looking on and thinking of using an Australian retailer to register a tool purchased off-shore

I'm not sure how "smart" the Tooltechnics Systems Australia tool registration website is, or for that matter if the site is even tied to Tooltechnics Systems Australia's tool import records, but you could come a cropper if the tool you are seeking warranty service on was purchased from an offshore retailer.
If the tool registration and import systems are linked, Tooltechnics Systems Australia records would show the tool was a grey market import and therefore a warranty claim could be denied as the tool was not imported to Australia by them.

Doesn't your warranty claim need to be accompanied by both the "2+1" documentation AND the original invoice? Mine always have.

Admittedly, it's been quite some time since I've submitted any Festool for service or repair. These days, F/tools need to be "sent off" for repair since my local repairer was disqualified, creating untenable expense & turnaround time in my opinion.

The tools' unique serial numbers won't register on the F/tool Oz database, used by the repair workshop to lodge work orders & repair history. The only way to circumvent this MIGHT be to "accidentally" but irrevocably damage the serial number...

Very happy to get the quality of tool for this ridiculous price.

And, as instructed, NOT expecting a Canadian product warranty to be honored in Australia like an Apple Global Warranty.

If it happens to work out then fantastic.

Again as already mentioned, I'll be way way ahead if it all works out without the warranty.

Purchasing for hobby use, I do expect the tool to last far beyond the three years coverage.

Outside corona virus restrictions I'm close enough to Festool Australia Melbourne to drop off and pickup myself.
Kicking myself not getting my Kapex 120 in for perfect preset adjustment as soon as I got it.
If they could give me a standard cost(s) quote instead of "we'll let you know once we get it" I could decide if a delivery service would be worth getting it sorted straight away or not.

Originally Posted by barrysumpter

Purchasing for hobby use, I do expect the tool to last far beyond the three years coverage.

For hobby use the sander will last you a lifetime. However the batteries won't. Do you specifically want a cordless sander? My understanding is they are designed for taking to the job site. I have the corded version of that sander. The cord isn't an inconvenience because the sander has a vacuum hose connected anyway (you'd be crazy to use it without dust extraction).

Make sure this is really the tool you need rather than seeing the discount and buying on price.

Originally Posted by Ratbag

Doesn't your warranty claim need to be accompanied by both the "2+1" documentation AND the original invoice? Mine always have.

My tool admittedly was registered in the Festool database (as are all my locally purchased tools). From what I found, given that the the tool is registered, there is no need for any documentation. You take the tool to a Festool Authorised Dealer (i.e. Carbatec/Sydney Tools/Whomever), and let them know what the issue is.

They then send it off for repair, and call you when it's fixed.

It's a simple process - except when Festool doesn't fix the problem and instead puts snide notes in the return telling you how to use a tool you've owned for 2 years 10 months... then the process starts again.

Originally Posted by jack620

...

Make sure this is really the tool you need rather than seeing the discount and buying on price.

LOL!
What a ridiculous comment!
"No one" NEEDS a Festool.

It's purely WANT!

Now that I've broken into the market.
It's an obsession.

Damn you Festool!

Wait it IS a need!
I retract my statement.

Well for me anyway!
If it all works out I'm happy to keep it until I change my mind.

The plug-it version isn't the one on sale for half.

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Another ~$250AU for Plug-It cord and battery slot to Plug-It Power Adapter.
Happy to have the non-bluetooth batteries.

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Still just discussing at this point.
Until I get it in me hands.

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Heard back from Festool Australia regarding price variations on getting my Kapex presets calibration perfectly.
Anywhere from ~$50 for the calibration only.
Up to worst case ~$500 for replacing all related parts with installation cost and calibration, etc.

Originally Posted by jack620

For hobby use the sander will last you a lifetime. However the batteries won't. Do you specifically want a cordless sander? My understanding is they are designed for taking to the job site. I have the corded version of that sander. The cord isn't an inconvenience because the sander has a vacuum hose connected anyway (you'd be crazy to use it without dust extraction).

Make sure this is really the tool you need rather than seeing the discount and buying on price.

Agree 100%. Specific to sanders, I'd consider a cordless option a colossal inconvenience. You have to regularly exchange papers of course, but now also batteries: every 30 mins. at the very least. More frequently as the batteries age. It isn't as if the batteries can be used to power any alternative tools either. They're unique to the small sander family only at the moment. The company to date has a fairly limited cordless range. In this particular instance the battery format is limited to a family of 3!

Which means that you'll almost always be tied to a mains outlet anyway. For battery recharge. For dust extraction also, which is obviously if not actually at the tool, then at least near. Personally & specifically regarding the act of sanding, I think I far prefer the tireless, endless power & stamina of mains electricity.

Lol!

Originally Posted by Ratbag

Agree 100%. Specific to sanders, I'd consider a cordless option a colossal inconvenience. You have to regularly exchange papers of course, but now also batteries: every 30 mins. at the very least. More frequently as the batteries age. It isn't as if the batteries can be used to power any alternative tools either. They're unique to the small sander family only at the moment. The company to date has a fairly limited cordless range. In this particular instance the battery format is limited to a family of 3!

Which means that you'll almost always be tied to a mains outlet anyway. For battery recharge. For dust extraction also, which is obviously if not actually at the tool, then at least near. Personally & specifically regarding the act of sanding, I think I far prefer the tireless, endless power & stamina of mains electricity.

Another factor to consider in cordless vs cabled sanders is weight - every moment you're using the sander, you're lifting, moving around or pushing around the additional weight of the battery. I have no idea on the weight of the Festool batteries, but even the Milwaukee 5Ah batteries weigh a bit.

Given that the sander in question is the rectangular version of the DTS400 (essentially, a cute and super useful sander that is light and can work near anywhere), I would imagine a lot of the agility of the sander would be reduced by having to lug a bettery around with it as well - particularly if you're working over your head on door frames, cornice moulding, architraves etc.

All depends on what you want to use the sander for, of course - but when I bought my DTS 400 I swore it would be mostly, if not always used at the workbench... hah!

Originally Posted by barrysumpter

Lol!

Strange reply.

Originally Posted by jack620

Strange reply.

If a man has his heart set on a cheap tool ..... he doesn’t want to hear a logical argument against it [emoji85][emoji86][emoji87].