My Festool impact is being returned for ever. I am buying makita again

[Tom Bainbridge]

When I first got it in September 2010 I was very impressed and said so here in no uncertain terms.

The first one I had went back 3 times, once for a broken belt clip on the battery and twice because the impact sensor went down.

The third time it went back, I was given a replacement foc

Another belt clip broke a couple of weeks ago and this afternoon the sensor went.

Methinks the German's realise they have a problem, they are sending a guy over to England this comming thursday to meet various users. The purpose of the visit is to understand the UK market

This isn't just a Festool problem, I think it might be a German mindset problem.

They (the German's) simply do not understand the impact market. German trademen don't buy impact drivers......... end of. I have no idea why

What I do know is that a tool rep I know was sent on a 4 day course in Germany to Metabo about 3 years ago. One day of the course was spent "prooving" that impact drivers where less effective than standard drill drivers.

What does intrigue me is that a Festool rep is comming to England ( not Wales or Scotland) for ONE DAY to understand the market.

.......In one day they expect to understand the whole UK market? I don't think so.

Methinks Festool (and perhaps other German tool makers) have a mental block

Perhaps........ because German tradesmen don't buy impacts, they cannot comprehend the need for them or understand the design requirements.

I wouldn't hire an Arabian to design a good snowmobile or an Ice dweller to design a good sand tire.

In the same way I wouldn't hire myself to build a termite resistant building because I don't know enough about termites

But if I was called to build one............ I WOULD spend more than ONE day's research in an area of less than 1000 square miles of termite territory

[Ottoman]

This is a classic example of why I buy a tool and not a brand. In the time you have replaced yours thrice, I've been running down my 6 year old set. I agree a day isn't going to make a difference, but I'd ask you hire hard is it to design belt clip that doesn't break?
This is just a case of an under engineered product.

[Tom Bainbridge]

Ottoman........... guilty as charged

Festool make brilliant cutting edge power tools (pun intended) that everybody else copies several years down the line.

But they do not major in battery operated gear, I should have known better

My defence is..... that normally Festool come up trumps and I am ahead of the game

In this case it didn't happen. It IS an expensive hiccup

But over time I have made far more money by buying into Festool

[Kent Brobeck]

Tom, some interesting info indeed. I was told by an old timer many years ago never to buy the first model year of anything. Sound advise I usually live by but not always. I think the Makita impact is the best out there. I recently bought a Milwaukee impact cause it was on sale and I read a review that liked it. I hate it!! The impact mechanism is far to aggressive and it's very tuff to keep it engaged. I'm still using my Makita. The one to buy is the brushless motor that has three different settings for impact and speed.

[Tom Bainbridge]

Kent, just like you I keep a "weather eye" on what other tradesmen are using

In my case I spotted the Millwalke as a possible

Then when I got to borrow one, like you say, it is too heavy and far too agressive

The one thing I will really miss about the Festool is that the impact only engages when it is required

......... when it works right

[Lanya LaPunta]

Tom, some interesting info indeed. I was told by an old timer many years ago never to buy the first model year of anything. Sound advise I usually live by but not always. I think the Makita impact is the best out there. I recently bought a Milwaukee impact cause it was on sale and I read a review that liked it. I hate it!! The impact mechanism is far to aggressive and it's very tuff to keep it engaged. I'm still using my Makita. The one to buy is the brushless motor that has three different settings for impact and speed.

Interesting, Kent.

I have a Makita and recently picked up a Milwaukee, due to my inherent cheapness (combo pack was CHEAP).

I much prefer the Milwaukee.

Perhaps, my Makita is a factory lemon (and those would be exceedingly rare for Makita).

Who knows?

[Kent Brobeck]

Interesting, Kent.

I have a Makita and recently picked up a Milwaukee, due to my inherent cheapness (combo pack was CHEAP).

I much prefer the Milwaukee.

Perhaps, my Makita is a factory lemon (and those would be exceedingly rare for Makita).

Who knows?

Can I interest you in another Milwaukee ? I'll make you a great deal. Let me know, thanks.

[GregBradley]

Huge difference between Makita brushed and brushless LXT drivers. 3 brushed and 2 brushless models.

Milwaukee also has brushed and brushless 18v Li drivers also.

[ericbuggeln]

All the European guys on the FOG were disappointed also. I have the Makita and love it, so I wasnt looking anyway, Eric

[Hoover]

Tom, some interesting info indeed. I was told by an old timer many years ago never to buy the first model year of anything. Sound advise I usually live by but not always. I think the Makita impact is the best out there. I recently bought a Milwaukee impact cause it was on sale and I read a review that liked it. I hate it!! The impact mechanism is far to aggressive and it's very tuff to keep it engaged. I'm still using my Makita. The one to buy is the brushless motor that has three different settings for impact and speed.

Very, very rarely do I buy a 1st year product. Even when there are no issues, they still get info on the product back and make improvements or add ons to the next. The biggest to pay attention to is cars/trucks. Even existing models, never buy the new engine, paint, etc. You'll get screwed almost every time.

[dlhunter]

I liked my Milwaukee but then I was given an old dewalt. I never used it until I had 200 ledger locks to run in and figured I'd use the dewalt as to not beat up the Milwaukee. Now I am not so fond of the Milwaukee. It lacks torque and speed by far when compared Side by side with the dewalt.

[Lanya LaPunta]

Can I interest you in another Milwaukee ? I'll make you a great deal. Let me know, thanks.

Well, if I'm drivin' all of that way for another "rarely used" tool.

Lemme know your baseline bottom dollar (like via PM) on your Makita slider, of which I have only one ... and I really like. Assuming you still have it (special emphasis added).

Who knows ... a double header?

[Deansocial]

I used 1 recentlt tom and wasnt impressed by it at all. Drills half the price do a better job and with less messing about. My 14.4v panasonic is lighter, nicer in the hand and more powerful. The adapters are pointless too.

[Kent Brobeck]

I used 1 recentlt tom and wasnt impressed by it at all. Drills half the price do a better job and with less messing about. My 14.4v panasonic is lighter, nicer in the hand and more powerful. The adapters are pointless too.

Sometimes it seems the green cool-aid is tuff to put down... :D~

[hdrider_chgo]

Tom, interesting statement that the German tradesmen don't use impact drivers. Why do you suppose that is, and what do they do instead?

I have to admit, I've never seen much value in them myself, but maybe it's just the types of work I do. I bought one on a whim a number of years ago and used it like once. I ended up selling it at a yard sale, and never did replace it.

What do you guys mostly use them for?