TI15 or Dewalt 20V Impact

[3PedalMINI]

My Trusty Makita driver is showing signs of a near death and ive narrowed my decision down to the Dewalt 20v Brushless or the TI15. I just cannot choose, For the price of the TI15 i can buy two dewalts and i have been trying to find online any bad review about it to push me to the TI15 and i just cant. I know the TI15 may be the last impact drill i ever purchase for quite some time and it does offer some nice features but im not sure its enough to sway me (I will be purchasing the C15 set soon) I will also be purchasing the Syslite and it would be nice to just have one charger for the C15/TI15/Syslite so that is a + for the TI argument  

So, Can anyone sway me to purchase the TI15? anyone out there have the dewalt and wished they had gotten the TI15 or visa versa?

Not sure if this helps but Im an AV guy and use my impact frequently for driving lags, screws and building walls etc. Also an AVID DIYer so i do alot of household projects, impact is by far my most used drill out of any of my drills.

Thanks Guys!  

[Bikeboy80]

Got my Dewalt brushless a few weeks ago and I love it, you are more then welcome to try it out.

[Kev]

I have the Ti15 + C15 and the full range of chucks ... this makes the combo valuable. Just buying the Ti15 set alone would leave you with a capable impact and a so, so drill ... it's important that a T15 or C15 is in the equation.

If you need the "most powerful" impact driver on the market, it's not the Festool ... but the Ti15 hasn't been an disappointment for me power wise.

If you're looking at or have a C15 or T15 already and would be adding a Ti15 the benefits are obviously ...

1. You can buy a "bare Ti15" in a two drill systainer that also fits a T15 or C15 and all of your accessories ... giving you a spare Systainer
2. All of your chucks and Centrotec accessories are compatible
3. Batteries and chargers are interchangeable
4. Festool warranty

I can see use cases where the Dewalt (or other) could be a better choice (where you weren't already invested in Festool drilling or bit changeover was infrequent ... or where maximum possible power was required). All that said, the task you describe is well within the parameters of the Ti15. Further - if max power was the need, the answer probably isn't the Dewalt ... probably Hilti or other would be.

As an aside, reducing charger and battery proliferation is a consideration - in Festool alone I have CXS, C15, Ti!5 and Protool PDC18 (3 battery types, 2 charger types). I've added Syslites (yes more charges) and will add a PS420 cordless and relegate my PS400 to a CMS module.

I can truly see the attraction of a big bag of compatible cordless tools, all running on the same batteries and though I've invested in Festool, I would still consider a bundle of Metabo or similar cordless tools (if someone released a broad range of cordless stuff with systainer inserts I'd be very attracted). Problem with the big bag though is that a couple of the tools I'd like as cordless (circular saw and reciprocating saw) are only "average" items in these sets. A circular saw that takes 2x18V batteries would address this!

Last comment - I really don't like the Dewalt yellow, but it is a smart job site colour!

[skids]

I agree with Kev...

But if you want the best impact driver you go with the Panasonic 14.4 brushless. I personally do not like ANYTHING Dewalt, so take this for what it's worth. I have a C15 and it's the best drill I have ever owned. Couple that with a dedicate impact driver of your choice and you have a sweet set up.

[MrToolJunkie]

I have a Hilti and it is awesome, but bought it before Festool was out.  If I had it to do over again I might opt for the Festool tool keep the same batteries.  Having the interchangeable chucks are another plus too.  I would try the Festool and see if it fits your needs... You have the 30 days to give it a workout.  My .02.

Scot

[cue003]

Do you already have a large collection of bits and driver that you use and like?  If so, most if not all of them may not fit into the centrotec chuck so you should also include the cost for buying specific bits and drivers etc for your festool drills when using the centrotec system.

[Timtool]

From what i heard the TI15 isn't revolutionary or anything, but it's decent.
If you plan on getting the C15 set, then you could get the TI15 bare, just the drill with no battery or chucks beside the adapter, and comes in a sys 3 with room for a C/T15 set.
I suppose that version is available in the states, over here it's half price from the set version.
You will need to use your C15 battery in it, but battery life is excellent on these, my T15 is getting close to it's first birthday and i haven't yet ever managed to drain the battery in one day, usually it lasts a week or two in daily normal use (not driving 1000's screws a day obviously)

[Alan W]

I have a DeWalt 14v cordless drill and a c12. I rarely use the Dewalt, and when I do, I miss the centrotec system, it feels clunky and the ratchet torque stop is irritating. When the DeWalt falls on the floor (which seems to happen a lot), the battery *always* falls out. For some reason the Festool hasn't taken as many spills. Perhaps it's an ergonomic thing.

I only ever use the DeWalt when switching between bits doesn't make sense with just the c12.

Festool is made in Germany where workers are paid a living wage, and DeWalt is made in China and other 3rd world countries where, well,  you know. So if that matters at all it's something to consider.

[3PedalMINI]

Got my Dewalt brushless a few weeks ago and I love it, you are more then welcome to try it out.

Awesome! i might take you up on that Im not sure if my impact is going to last another week or two so im hoping to pick something up soon!

Thanks everyone that has chimed in. The bits are a concern too, especially not fitting in the centrotec so that is an added cost of the Impact and it kind of sucks that if i break a bit on the job I cant swing by HD/Lowes and pick up another one on the way home. I only have the ratchet kit and that has given me a taste of centrotec and its awesome, i absolutely love it. I have a large set of the Milwaukee Impact bits that i do really like but they are also showing their age and will get replaced soon.

Since i was already planning on getting a C15 set the TI15 stand alone kit is easier to swallow. Since i put most of my tools in systainers i was also factoring the cost of a sys2 with the dewalt. still, dropping $900 on a "drill/driver" "set" is a hard pill to swallow. What also makes it harder is that i cannot find a single negative review on the dewalt 20v brushless anywhere and they are also offering a 3 year warranty on it, not sure about the battery's though. Personally i really dislike Dewalt and the only tool i own from them is a biscuit joiner lol but i was playing with it at lowes and it is a really nice tool.

Decisions Decisions, leaning towards the TI15

[TOOLTOWN]

I might be misunderstanding you, but you don't need all centrotec bits.  The Centrotec Impact Rated Holder will hold the Festool Impact Bits, or non festool 1/4" impact rated bits (like your current Milwaukee ones).  So in theory you could get replacement bits at HD or Lowes.  

Ken

[cue003]

I might be misunderstanding you, but you don't need all centrotec bits.  The Centrotec Impact Rated Holder will hold the Festool Impact Bits, or non festool 1/4" impact rated bits (like your current Milwaukee ones).  So in theory you could get replacement bits at HD or Lowes.  

Ken

HD or lowes bits don't fit into the locking mechanism of the centrotec system.  Sure you can use them via the magnetic bit holder you linked to but the system then isn't as compact as it was intended.  Full benefit of the way the festool system is designed comes from using festool bits.... None of which is available at HD or lowes.  You can make the solution work in a pinch but that is not really the intended use case that festool set out for.   

[TOOLTOWN]

cue003:  That "in a pinch" is exactly what I was going for.  If he breaks a bit on the job and doesn't have a centrotec replacement on site, he could use what is available locally.

Plus the Centrotec Driver Bits are not impact rated.  The only impact rated Festool bits that I know of are the insert bits. 

Ken

[GregBradley]

I was loaned a Ti15 for a few days. I own T15 and CXS drills and absolutely love them.

I will keep my Makita 3 speed Brushless, thank you.

I have the brushless impact made when it was the only brushless tool Makita made. It seems to be unchanged but renamed the LXDT01.
I suppose it does matter what type of work you do. If you already have any other Makita LXT tools, that should make the choice easier.

[waltwood]

There is a well written and detailed review of brushless impact drivers in the newest Tools of the Trade Magazine(Winter 2013). They give Panasonic and Milwaukee the best ratings. I have several non- brushless Makitas and I am in the market for a new one also. Dewalt has let me down many times but many folks like them.