I also received the survey via E mail. I currently have two 18v Milwaukee impacts, one is the new Surge brushless. I also have a 12v Milwaukee. My use is mostly in metal and with a lot of self drilling metal screws. As a commercial steel and aluminum entrance installer, doing automatic door and locksmithing work, my opinion is that they probably my most important installation tools.
18V Impact driver
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pingvinlakrits
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After speaking with an official German Rep today, face to face, I did learn that an Impact is "coming". No release date, no additional info other than 18V and he openly said that they are not allowed or supposed to talk about future products as things could change directions so tell no promises - tell no lies...
...I told him I had the Ti15 but didn't like it and he said, No - that was a piece of cr*p! I though I misheard him and he repeated that the Ti15 was a piece of cr*p - in his view. Then he acknowledged after a longer conversation that there has been a long process convincing the developing team that an impact is a purposeful tool - they seemed not so popular in Germany. He himself did not like them at all at first but he said he now definitely understand both the purpose and value of the impact driver. We talked about some scenarios and he agreed to all of them and slipped out that an impact was in the works - mid sentence - and then realized he slipped it out and said - well, yes, there is one in development but we have no release date yet. "Maybe within a year".
I asked him about the possibility of a CXS impact and he looked puzzled and said No, 18V only. Asked him about CXS/TXS brushless and again he thought that No, would make them a little too expensive. So apparently not even considered yet. [unsure]
We talked on about a lot of the line up and wants and wishes and how we would use any "potential" machines. After half an hour we let him off the hook with a few bits of information and sadly a few straight denials of future products that I'd like to see. He took notes on some ad hoc solutions to some products I had made and was amused about the fact I had equipped a MIDI Vac with a cable garage from a CT26. Then he disclosed that there is a new smooth hose being developed and urged us to keep an eye out since it would be quite flexible and solve the rail dragging problem.
On the way out I grabbed the Hitachi Impact - which is a fantastic machine - and then the German rep poked me and said "No, wait a little, until next year". [big grin]
That is not an official Festool statement but three hints in 30 minutes about the impact as well as a lengthy and informed conversation on the matter leads me to HOPE MORE that an Impact may very well hit the shelves next year.
...I told him I had the Ti15 but didn't like it and he said, No - that was a piece of cr*p! I though I misheard him and he repeated that the Ti15 was a piece of cr*p - in his view. Then he acknowledged after a longer conversation that there has been a long process convincing the developing team that an impact is a purposeful tool - they seemed not so popular in Germany. He himself did not like them at all at first but he said he now definitely understand both the purpose and value of the impact driver. We talked about some scenarios and he agreed to all of them and slipped out that an impact was in the works - mid sentence - and then realized he slipped it out and said - well, yes, there is one in development but we have no release date yet. "Maybe within a year".
I asked him about the possibility of a CXS impact and he looked puzzled and said No, 18V only. Asked him about CXS/TXS brushless and again he thought that No, would make them a little too expensive. So apparently not even considered yet. [unsure]
We talked on about a lot of the line up and wants and wishes and how we would use any "potential" machines. After half an hour we let him off the hook with a few bits of information and sadly a few straight denials of future products that I'd like to see. He took notes on some ad hoc solutions to some products I had made and was amused about the fact I had equipped a MIDI Vac with a cable garage from a CT26. Then he disclosed that there is a new smooth hose being developed and urged us to keep an eye out since it would be quite flexible and solve the rail dragging problem.
On the way out I grabbed the Hitachi Impact - which is a fantastic machine - and then the German rep poked me and said "No, wait a little, until next year". [big grin]
That is not an official Festool statement but three hints in 30 minutes about the impact as well as a lengthy and informed conversation on the matter leads me to HOPE MORE that an Impact may very well hit the shelves next year.
demographic
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I wonder if it will have a decent belt hook, tried one of Festools cordless drills a while ago and that flappy thing on the site was just pathetic.
I have a Hitachi 18 volt brushless impact driver and it just has a metal hook thing thats brilliant, just drip the gun down and it hangs off the hammer loop or the side of the pockets of my toolbelt pouch.
The one on the T 18 thing I tried was just damn irritating to use and to me looked like Stevie Wonder designed it.
I have a Hitachi 18 volt brushless impact driver and it just has a metal hook thing thats brilliant, just drip the gun down and it hangs off the hammer loop or the side of the pockets of my toolbelt pouch.
The one on the T 18 thing I tried was just damn irritating to use and to me looked like Stevie Wonder designed it.
pingvinlakrits
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Considering the many great impacts out there today I am hoping for a compact and decent offering from Festool. No frills.
I was hoping a bit more refined than the Metabo I have (works great though) but even that would suffice.
If it is approaching Makita, Hitachi or Milwaukee in footprint and capability - hellayeah!
I was hoping a bit more refined than the Metabo I have (works great though) but even that would suffice.
If it is approaching Makita, Hitachi or Milwaukee in footprint and capability - hellayeah!
Kev
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The Makita oil-impulse format (low noise) would be attractive to me .. assuming the drive format doesn't change the performance significantly. Add Centrotec compatibility and match the battery platform - DONE!
All said, the Makita oil-impulse impact and the Makita cordless router are the two tools that could swing yet another battery platform into the stable [unsure]
The Metabo brushless 400Nm impact wrench is a nice tool .. if you're happy with different tools for low power and high power use it's a good option and I can't see Festool addressing the impact wrench product gap in the next 5 years or so!
All said, the Makita oil-impulse impact and the Makita cordless router are the two tools that could swing yet another battery platform into the stable [unsure]
The Metabo brushless 400Nm impact wrench is a nice tool .. if you're happy with different tools for low power and high power use it's a good option and I can't see Festool addressing the impact wrench product gap in the next 5 years or so!
pingvinlakrits
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Kev: I am neck deep into Mafell/Metabo 18V so that wrench is certainly on the radar. As a bare bones unit it is quite affordable and one dealership is running a special on a few brands, Metabo included.
For Festool I "only" have the T18, C18, BHC18 and the DWC 18-2500. I'd like to keep the driving/drilling in Festool for as much as possible for interior work - I like Centrotec.
Outdoors I work the Mafell/Metabo 18V impulse drill/driver, hammer drill from Metabo and their old but reliable impact.
For Festool I "only" have the T18, C18, BHC18 and the DWC 18-2500. I'd like to keep the driving/drilling in Festool for as much as possible for interior work - I like Centrotec.
Outdoors I work the Mafell/Metabo 18V impulse drill/driver, hammer drill from Metabo and their old but reliable impact.
yetihunter
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Henrik, have you eyed the new 3 speed Metabo that replaces the BS/SB 18 LTX BL and BS/SB 18 LTX BL QUICK?
I believe it is the BS/SB 18 LTX-3 BL and BS/SB 18 LTX-3 BL QUICK.
My local Metabo dealer finally got some new/newish Metabo stuff in (actually, they got in new angle grinders, last year...the
first new Metabo stuff there in years...not the fault of the store..) and now I get it. Their new cordless range of the last few years seems leagues ahead of their prior power tools. The only drill there similar to yours was the tapping drill that came out last winter.
It was really nice. And it totally made that electronic whine noise that you referred to as a constant beep. [big grin]
I did finally buy a FEIN ASCM last week! the 18, not the 12. [big grin]
It wasn't for me. I was about to put the A18 (with an additional purchase of a 110V charger and compact batteries)
on my next drill to try list; but I found out about the 3 speed Metabo and...well... 3,800 rpms.
All that said; the PDC and T18 still do everything I need. :0
I believe it is the BS/SB 18 LTX-3 BL and BS/SB 18 LTX-3 BL QUICK.
My local Metabo dealer finally got some new/newish Metabo stuff in (actually, they got in new angle grinders, last year...the
first new Metabo stuff there in years...not the fault of the store..) and now I get it. Their new cordless range of the last few years seems leagues ahead of their prior power tools. The only drill there similar to yours was the tapping drill that came out last winter.
It was really nice. And it totally made that electronic whine noise that you referred to as a constant beep. [big grin]
I did finally buy a FEIN ASCM last week! the 18, not the 12. [big grin]
It wasn't for me. I was about to put the A18 (with an additional purchase of a 110V charger and compact batteries)
on my next drill to try list; but I found out about the 3 speed Metabo and...well... 3,800 rpms.
All that said; the PDC and T18 still do everything I need. :0
pingvinlakrits
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yetihunter said:Henrik, have you eyed the new 3 speed Metabo that replaces the BS/SB 18 LTX BL and BS/SB 18 LTX BL QUICK?
I believe it is the BS/SB 18 LTX-3 BL and BS/SB 18 LTX-3 BL QUICK.
My local Metabo dealer finally got some new/newish Metabo stuff in (actually, they got in new angle grinders, last year...the
first new Metabo stuff there in years...not the fault of the store..) and now I get it. Their new cordless range of the last few years seems leagues ahead of their prior power tools. The only drill there similar to yours was the tapping drill that came out last winter.
It was really nice. And it totally made that electronic whine noise that you referred to as a constant beep. [big grin]
I did finally buy a FEIN ASCM last week! the 18, not the 12. [big grin]
It wasn't for me. I was about to put the A18 (with an additional purchase of a 110V charger and compact batteries)
on my next drill to try list; but I found out about the 3 speed Metabo and...well... 3,800 rpms.
All that said; the PDC and T18 still do everything I need. :0
I haven't seen it in the flesh - I do think a three speed drill with three _useful_speeds would be sweet! I ended up not keeping the ASCM 12 though I loved much about it. Too bad the ASCM 18 didn't pan out.
The Mafell A18 is a superb machine but I still think Festool is on top for delicate driving so I still run the T18/C18 at times.
I think you might happily replace the PDC with an Impact if/when it surfaces. I really look forward to one as I think the speed/gear on the Festool drills are a little off for some of what I do. The A18m drives screws in high gear as well as the T18 at low gear. The Festools are better geared in high gear for smaller screws and are easier to manage when driving small to medium screws where the A18m is prone to just send them in a little too fast [eek]. For larger screws the A18m is a delight. Zip zip done... 8)
And yeah, Metabo has seriously upgraded their line up. Still some gaps to fill but most are solid performers! Did NOT like the drywall drill so I ended up getting a Festool which I really like, it is just a 2500 speed one but it handles really well and has useful innovations (impuls for pulsing in protruding screws).
Lots to choose from nowadays huh? [smile]
pingvinlakrits
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Do NOT click the above link by Lukas. It is an unboxing video of the regular 18V drill and has nothing to do with this thread about Impact Drivers. Reporting this as clickbait.
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Henrik R / Pingvinlakrits said:
I have removed that post and link and "Moderated" appropriately.
Peter Halle - Moderator
