18v DRC Drill

[MSQelect]

Hey guys

I'm a newbie from N.Ireland and I'm very close to buying the new festool 18v drill. I've done a bit of homework on the drill. I believe it was available as a protool (sister company of festool). But I'm new to festool and there's nothing like some current online reviews or opinions.

I'm an electrician and to be honest most sparks over here haven't even heard of festool but I've been reading up and it seems there isn't any better out there. I've had panasonic 14.4v for the last 5/6 years the little impactor and the drill/driver,cracking little set never let me down but the time has come for an upgrade.

I like the idea of the two combined into one unit, how does the festool operate as an impactor when I want to put screws in . Will this operate in the same way as my current panasonic impactor

Most of my drilling will be into steel trunking, electrical panels etc and general industrial electrical installation. I have no need of the hammer function as I've just bought the TE-4 22v Hilti.

Regards Mark

 

[carlb40]

The DRC is a normal drill, no impact on it what so ever. Some of the Festool drills are misleading when they get called impacts.
They have one impact drill - Ti15
The others stated as having impact are hammer drills, i think it's a translation issue from german to english.

 

[MSQelect]

You see this was the bit that confused me. My perception of the festool drills are that they can be used as drill or impact driver.

Would you say that the functionality of the screwdriving mode would be as affective as a separate impact unit ie my little panasonic  ;D

 

[carlb40]

The Ti 15 can be used as an impact and with a separate ( supplied) adapter be used as a normal drill. Plenty of threads on here though on how as a drill the Ti15 isn't that good.

A couple of vids





The only festool drill i own at the moment is the CXS. The DRC is on my to get list.  ;D

 

[MSQelect]

Yes that's what I thought they all done  ???  ;D

So that puts a little doubt in my mind now cause I couldn't imagine myself not having the impact mode to put screws in. You say the T15 has mixed reviews so it's not ideal to have the two functions together it would seem or maybe I'm jumping to conclusions.

I was going to buy the 22v Hilti SFC and impact driver but thought the one festool would make more sense. Don't know what to do now lol.

Thx for the advice and good links

 

[neth27]

You see this was the bit that confused me. My perception of the festool drills are that they can be used as drill or impact driver.

Would you say that the functionality of the screwdriving mode would be as affective as a separate impact unit ie my little panasonic  ;D

I have the DRC drill, also have the Hilti 22v sds and the Hilti 22v impact driver  [big grin]
The DRC will do everything the Hilti impact driver will do, but the impact driver won't try to break your wrist like the DRC will.

john..

 

[MSQelect]

I have the DRC drill, also have the Hilti 22v sds and the Hilti 22v impact driver  [big grin]
The DRC will do everything the Hilti impact driver will do, but the impact driver won't try to break your wrist like the DRC will.

john..
[/quote]

Hey john

I think it's just dawned on me I should just get the Hilti 22v impact along with the Te4 then if I buy the DRC I have the best of both worlds.  [eek]

So you have no complaints with the DRC and how you find the Te4??. I'm coming from a 28.8v panasonic and I had a Te4 in my hand the other day,drilled a few holes and it was like night and day the difference in the two drills. Te4 delivered tomorrow so I might have to send it back and add the impact in,works out 135 quid extra for the 22v impact bare unit. Good deal you think

 

[sae]

Makita has an impact driver/drill/hammerdrill/screwdriver if you're looking for the single tool solution.

I myself like my impact drivers to be just impact drivers, and screwdrivers to be just screwdrivers for maximum portability and low weight.

 

[neth27]

No complaints at all with the DRC, i used to own the 22v Hilti sfh combi drill but sold it to get the DRC. The DRC is just as powerful as the 22v Hilti but a lot smaller and lighter (its around the size of a impact driver)
  The TE4 is brilliant, thats one drill would not swap for a Festool  [big grin]
As you work as a electrician i could not see a reason for you to get a impact driver, the DRC would be enough for 100mm screws etc.. but if you can get the impact for £135 get it... if you think its not getting used you will probably get more for it than you paid on Ebay..

John..

 

[MSQelect]

Makita has an impact driver/drill/hammerdrill/screwdriver if you're looking for the single tool solution.

I myself like my impact drivers to be just impact drivers, and screwdrivers to be just screwdrivers for maximum portability and low weight.

To be honest I wouldn't buy makita,the amount of guys on a site recently that have had batteries die was shocking. I'd stick with panasonic before makita.

I have a 18v milwaukee Bandsaw with the 4.0amp fuel batteries and milwaukee have a good range in the 18v but I'm sceptical of them for some reason. I just don't see any horror stories or bad experiences with festool, I wish I was joiner (like my old man) just so I could buy the festool range  [wink]

 

[neth27]

Two of the joiners i work with both bought the Milwaukee 18v drill/impact driver kits.. In less than 6 months they have all been back for repairs twice.. They got told the reason they were breaking  was they were been over worked  [blink] [blink]

John...

 

[MSQelect]

No complaints at all with the DRC, i used to own the 22v Hilti sfh combi drill but sold it to get the DRC. The DRC is just as powerful as the 22v Hilti but a lot smaller and lighter (its around the size of a impact driver)
  The TE4 is brilliant, thats one drill would not swap for a Festool  [big grin]
As you work as a electrician i could not see a reason for you to get a impact driver, the DRC would be enough for 100mm screws etc.. but if you can get the impact for £135 get it... if you think its not getting used you will probably get more for it than you paid on Ebay..

John..

You see this is the reason I joined up,you can search and read google all you want there's nothing beat on the spot answer to your questions on a forum  [big grin]

Always thought the SFH was a big an clumsy if I'm honest that's why I never opted for it with the Te4. Yeah 100mm max and that wouldn't be daily, 1"-3" square heads so I understand what your saying.

Suppose it would be ignorant not to get the Hilti impact  [laughing]

 

[MSQelect]

Two of the joiners i work with both bought the Milwaukee 18v drill/impact driver kits.. In less than 6 months they have all been back for repairs twice.. They got told the reason they were breaking  was they were been over worked  [blink] [blink]

John...

You see i heard a few ones say the batteries where good but the build quality of the drill bodies wasn't so good. I can't fault the bandsaw it's cuts strut,threaded bar and armour cable for fun and no permits

 

[Davej]

To be honest I wouldn't buy makita,the amount of guys on a site recently that have had batteries die was shocking. I'd stick with panasonic before makita.
 

Interesting to see you have heard bad feedback about makita batteries,  I got the impact and drill (3 speed ) combo about 4 years ago and have abused it on a daily basis and the original batteries     
are still going strong.

 

[MSQelect]

I think it's just luck of the draw with de walt,makita,panasonic, etc all makes and models will have some problems with their products. All you can do is maintain them and look after them and hope your still in warrenty. If you have no problems you tend to stick with that brand

I don't mind paying a little extra if the aftercare service is good. Ive got a good feeling about festool and Hilti, I suppose it's abit like apple products you pay a little more but you get quality and good aftercare.

 

[CO_JCD]

Would you say that the functionality of the screwdriving mode would be as affective as a separate impact unit ie my little panasonic  ;D

Mark,

The DRC is an incredibly powerful drill/driver and will cover the majority of your needs far more than lesser drills.  However, it does not have the brute driving capacity of an impact.  I would suggest you just keep your existing impact for the 1% of the time you need an impact and enjoy the controllable power of the DRC for the remaining 99% of the time.

Hope this helps.

John

 

[MSQelect]

Thanks John good simple honest opinions is exactly what I'm after. 

I don't think I need anymore convincing this is the drill for me

Just need to get one bought then ill report back on my thoughts on the drill. Thanks for all the replies and advice guys,been really helpful.

Best regards Mark

 

[Pennywise]

I'm an electrician based in the UK and have had the protool 12v DRC since it was realised 4/5yrs ago brilliant tool for an electrician small light and can use it in pretty much all applications related to the trade. Only down side is now festool have pulled the 12v which in my opinion was the best  [crying].
I've got the TE 4 as well, bought it at the beginning of the year and have only just got around to getting the sid 22v impact as we are fitting more and more hilti HUS anchors for stud and tray fixings perfect combo still wouldn't touch the 22v drill driver as the protool wins hands down!, I've even got a 14.4v hilti drill driver I bought 4months before the protool sitting in the shed almost new because it got retired immediately lol. Well worth a look as a sparks is the metal saw for tray and strut amazing speed, though I opted for the 22v grinder as hot works permits are readily available  [big grin]
Hope you got a good deal on the festool.

 

[iamnothim]

As a Yankee Festool owner, I am once again compelled to Whine "NAINA !!!!"

That DRC looks like a cool product.  I wish I could buy one.....  Which begs the question.
It would be interesting to track the date/year a Festool product is introduced so you can guess when it might be replaced.

Thanks for the links to Ti15 reviews....  I guess I'll hold off on that one and keep using my red drills. [smile]

UPDATE:
On second thought I should be thanking Festool for this.  You see I truly want to spend $1,000 on a cordless drill and "Installers Kit". However,  Festool is saying.... Sorry, I'm not going to sell you one.  I know my wife is very happy with this.

 

[Mdr6407]

Ok what's the difference between the PDC and Th DRC?