Is this normal?

Yeah I had the same thoughts when I took my T8 2250 motor out of the box. Guy sold it to me and said it was never used. I almost called hit a liar. LOL. Still though, the motor rips and does everything it's meant to.

Also with the my new 1518 and 1520 the magnets are so strong but with the 1717 it seems much smoother turning by hand. I don't think that stronger magnet necessarily mean more torque.