Vermont American® 13-inch-Long Masonry Drill Bits
CPSC Recall #06-185 — June 8, 2006
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 06-185 |
| Recall Date | June 8, 2006 |
| Remedy Type | Label, New Instructions |
| Units Affected | About 700,000 |
| Manufacturer | Robert Bosch Tool Corp., Mt. Prospect, Ill. |
| Manufactured In | United States |
Where It Was Sold
| Hardware stores and home centers nationwide from January 2001 through April 2004 for between $7 and $10. |
Product
Vermont American® 13-inch-Long Masonry Drill Bits
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Robert Bosch Tool Corp., Mt. Prospect, Ill., is voluntarily recalling about 700,000 Vermont American 13-inch-Long Masonry Drill Bits. The drill bit packages are not properly labeled with precautionary information on proper use and operation. These and other manufacturers' 13-inch bits can bend when run at a high speed without being in contact with a work surface, resulting in loss of control of the drill and possible lacerations.Name of Product: Vermont American® 13-inch-Long Masonry Drill BitsUnits: About 700,000Manufacturer: Robert Bosch Tool Corp., Mt. Prospect, Ill.Hazard: The drill bit packages are not properly labeled with precautionary information on proper use and operation. These and other manufacturers' 13-inch bits can bend when run at a high speed without being in contact with a work surface, resulting in loss of control of the drill and possible lacerations. The safety label should read:"! WARNING Read, understand and comply with tool manual before use. Wear eye protection. Max operating speed 600 RPM. At higher speeds the bit is likely to bend if allowed to rotate freely without contacting the work. Start drilling at low RPM and with bit tip in contact with work. To avoid bit bowing - Apply pressure only in direct line with bit and do not apply excessive pressure. Bits can bind causing breakage or loss of control. Do not use in hammer drills or in drill press."Incidents/Injuries: Robert Bosch Tool Corp. received one report of a minor injury.Description: The drill bits are 1/4-inch by 13-inches long, 5/16-inch by 13-inches long, 3/8-inch by 13-inches long, and 1/2-inch by 13-inches long. They were sold separately as accessories under the "Vermont American" brand name under catalog numbers: 14044, 14045, 14046, and 14048.Sold at: Hardware stores and home centers nationwide from January 2001 through April 2004 for between $7 and $10.Manufactured In: USARemedy: Consumers should make sure that 13-inch masonry drill bits are in contact with a work surface at all times while operating the drill. Consumers with these drill bits that are missing the safety instructions should contact Vermont American Customer Service to obtain safety warning information.Consumer Contact: Call Robert Bosch Tool Corp. at (800) 742-3869 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. CT Monday thru Friday.
Hazard
The drill bit packages are not properly labeled with precautionary information on proper use and operation. These and other manufacturers' 13-inch bits can bend when run at a high speed without being in contact with a work surface, resulting in loss of control of the drill and possible lacerations.
Incidents & Injuries
Robert Bosch Tool Corp. received one report of a minor injury.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should make sure that 13-inch masonry drill bits are in contact with a work surface at all times while operating the drill. Consumers with these drill bits that are missing the safety instructions should contact Vermont American Customer Service to obtain safety warning information.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Label, New Instructions at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Follow the consumer action instructions in the recall notice above. Most recalls require you to stop using the product and contact the manufacturer directly — either by calling the toll-free number listed in the official CPSC notice or by visiting the manufacturer's website. You generally do not need a receipt or original packaging to claim a remedy. The manufacturer is legally required to provide the remedy (Label, New Instructions) at no cost to you.
Yes. If you were injured by a defective consumer product — whether recalled or not — you may have grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer and potentially the retailer. A recall notice can serve as evidence that the manufacturer was aware of the defect. Injuries that may support a claim include burns, lacerations, fractures, electric shock, choking incidents, and chemical exposure. Most product liability attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless you win. Consult an attorney promptly, as statutes of limitation vary by state.
In most cases, no. CPSC-coordinated recall remedies are designed to be accessible without proof of purchase. Manufacturers typically ask consumers to self-certify ownership and may ask for photos of the product or its serial number. Some manufacturers request that you mail in a portion of the product (such as a cut cord or removed component) as proof of disposal. Check the specific remedy instructions for this recall for exact requirements. If you registered your product at the time of purchase, the process is usually even simpler.
If the original manufacturer has gone out of business, the recall remedy may no longer be available through them. In this case, contact CPSC directly at 1-800-638-2772 or cpsc.gov for guidance. If the brand was acquired by another company, the acquiring company may have assumed recall obligations. In some cases where a remedy is unavailable, CPSC advises consumers to safely dispose of the product. If you were injured by the product of a defunct company, consult a product liability attorney — parent companies, distributors, and retailers may still bear liability in some circumstances.