18v Drill, which to buy?
- Thread starter Carquest
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The PDC has a reputation for being difficult to change settings. The slide switches can be stiff or indistinct. I have not had any problems with mine.
There is an offset (eccentric) chuck available for the C/T18 that is not available for the PDC.
I have never used it, but the C/T18 may be smoother and have better trigger control than the PDC. The C/T drills, therefore, may be better or more appropriate for furniture building. I am happy with my TXS for that use.
The PDC is more of a jack of all trades, general use drill. It has a faster top RPM speed, light duty hammer function, and a 43mm collar.
The 43mm diameter collar behind the drill chuck on the PDC works with some after market accessories like this drill guide (Not made by Festool). The drill guide is handy when you need to make sure you are drilling holes at 90 degrees. It was the deciding factor for me, in addition to the fast drill speed.
Drill Guide
Not much difference in weight between the two drills. Your best bet is to try them in person at a dealer.
There is an offset (eccentric) chuck available for the C/T18 that is not available for the PDC.
I have never used it, but the C/T18 may be smoother and have better trigger control than the PDC. The C/T drills, therefore, may be better or more appropriate for furniture building. I am happy with my TXS for that use.
The PDC is more of a jack of all trades, general use drill. It has a faster top RPM speed, light duty hammer function, and a 43mm collar.
The 43mm diameter collar behind the drill chuck on the PDC works with some after market accessories like this drill guide (Not made by Festool). The drill guide is handy when you need to make sure you are drilling holes at 90 degrees. It was the deciding factor for me, in addition to the fast drill speed.
Drill Guide
Not much difference in weight between the two drills. Your best bet is to try them in person at a dealer.
Birdhunter
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From my reading, Festool no longer makes a true hammer drill. You might want to research this before you buy.
ear3
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If you don't anticipate needing a hammer function at all, or would sometime down the road get a dedicated hammer drill like the BHC, then I think the T/C18 is probably the best choice. You'd be surprised by how often the eccentric chuck comes in handy.
McNally Family
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Carquest said:
What I did was purchase the C18 set, with the idea being, I could later buy just the Basic versions of either the PDC or BHC, and use my existing batteries, should the need arise.
While I was organizing my shop, which has block walls, I used my old corded Milwaukee hammer drill, and that got me through the project without needing to buy another drill. I don't have any needs other than stationary shop/home work, and I also have a drill press, so I doubt I will need another specialized drill. Your circumstances may be different.
I also am hesitant to accumulate too many battery powered tools that would be considered "current technology" today, but in five (5+) years, might be dated and need replacement. When cleaning out our basement, I came across many examples of the evolving nature of cordless tools, all of which today are considered obsolete. The exception's were the older twenty (20) year old corded tools, that still function as they did when new. Thankfully, when I was accumulating cordless tools, the field was pretty much limited to drills, unlike today where almost anything can be purchased with a battery. Anytime I see a battery tool now, I immediately think "shelf-life" or "life expectancy".
mrboult
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I've owned all the festool drills. i have settled on T18, BHC & CXS.
The T18 is a little more refined in all ways than the PDC. The PDC is a bit more powerful and about 200g heavier.
Personally i didn't like the speed settings of the PDC. The greater variation can be useful but i missed the more 'standard' 1500rpm (ish) that most drills offer in 2nd gear. The PDC jumps from 800 to 1750. Neither of witch i like as much for general use. Also with 4 grates i found myself messing with the speed too much. 2 gears is simpler.
The T18 is a little more refined in all ways than the PDC. The PDC is a bit more powerful and about 200g heavier.
Personally i didn't like the speed settings of the PDC. The greater variation can be useful but i missed the more 'standard' 1500rpm (ish) that most drills offer in 2nd gear. The PDC jumps from 800 to 1750. Neither of witch i like as much for general use. Also with 4 grates i found myself messing with the speed too much. 2 gears is simpler.
McNally Family
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Carquest said:
The choice between the T18 or C18 usually boils down to personal preference. If you have a dealer near you, I would recommend holding both to see which you prefer. If you end up buying blind, remember you do have a 30 day return option if you simply don't like the one you order, so you won't be married to whatever you choose initially.
On paper, it appears the T18 has slightly more power, but I doubt it is a large enough difference to sway me one way or another. I just liked how the C18 drill fit in my hand. The fact I could "hang" the C18 also appealed to me, rather than alway's needing to stand it up, or lay it on it's side.
Perhaps I was swayed by the fact my original purchase was the CXS, which is also the C style, which I took back and upgraded to the C18 (although I ended up winning the 90-year anniversary edition of the CXS in the end, so now I have both).
It could have just been the fact when I walk through Home Depot, I don't see other C Style drills on the shelves, so my Festool C18 is rather unique from a design perspective. I don't think you can go wrong with either, although I will add you might want to consider the CXS set as an alternative to either the C18 or T18, if all you need is a lighter duty cordless drill/driver. Anyone here will tell you just how much they love their CXS, and many use it as their go-to drill, 90% of the time. Had I not won mine in a contest, I would have eventually re-purchased it. It is a sweet little driver/drill, that can handle all but the most intensive projects. It is not however on the 18v platform, so if you are into cordless tools, you will end up with another platform to maintain, and you would lose the advantage of sharing batteries between the other Festool cordless tools.
Sorry if you are more confused now than you were. The initial plunge does require some thought.
Mike Upstate
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I wish I had taken the time to research before purchasing a PDC in June. Made a decision to upgrade from old and much abused (once left outdoors for 10+ days of wet winter weather) 18V Dewalt to Festool cordless. My intention had been to compare the T18 and C18 and purchase one or the other that day for an immediate project. The dealer, about an 1.5 hour away only had the PDC in stock but as I was hot to trot and figured that the hammer drill function might come in handy some day went for it. The dealer did a good job explaining Centrotec and made sure I left with a bit holder. As mentioned in other posts, moving the speed rotator between 2&3 is a little clunky, but speed, battery life and ergonomics are exceptional. I added the Centrotec installers kit and a PSC420. Over all I quite like the drill but was disappionted to learn that the eccentric chuck is not compatible (after receiving as gift and having to travel to UPS to return) and concluded that the T18 would have better met my needs.
What is totally mind blowing is POWERSELECT system's lack of an impact driver [mad]. "One System" Really? Now I still have to haul around the Dewalt kit that is slated for retirement.
While this is my first post, I have used festools for years and would be lost without the Domino and T55 saw; and get a kick out of the WRC1000 workcenter & MFT every time I use them.
What is totally mind blowing is POWERSELECT system's lack of an impact driver [mad]. "One System" Really? Now I still have to haul around the Dewalt kit that is slated for retirement.
While this is my first post, I have used festools for years and would be lost without the Domino and T55 saw; and get a kick out of the WRC1000 workcenter & MFT every time I use them.
leakyroof
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. The lack of an Impact Driver has been noted for years. The Ti came and went.Mike Upstate said:
I own 4 impact drivers in cordless form, and of course none of them are Festool.... [wink]
I DO own 4 Festool drills however as well, just none in Impact form. BHC, PDC, T15, and the CXS
Mike Upstate
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Mr Leakyroof,
Family chipped in for CXS b'day gift (along with the now returned eccentric chuck) and that is also a great drill. My son will receive a hand me down 10V bosch set in near future. Totally my fault for not doing thorough research on the Festool lineup (like visiting FOG [embarassed]).
My helper did LoL when my $$$ new drill had to be put aside for the old beater DeWalt impact when we were driving 6" headlok screws to support some deck rail columns. The PDC woud drive them but we were working 12' overhead on ladders and the impact required minimal body langauge to control.
Family chipped in for CXS b'day gift (along with the now returned eccentric chuck) and that is also a great drill. My son will receive a hand me down 10V bosch set in near future. Totally my fault for not doing thorough research on the Festool lineup (like visiting FOG [embarassed]).
My helper did LoL when my $$$ new drill had to be put aside for the old beater DeWalt impact when we were driving 6" headlok screws to support some deck rail columns. The PDC woud drive them but we were working 12' overhead on ladders and the impact required minimal body langauge to control.
