3rd Festool Drill

[ScotF]

I just sold my C12 and bought a C18 Basic before the price increase. Man - this is a great drill - much more powerful, obviously, but I noticed the forward/reverse switch now has a slightly better indent for locking it in neutral than the C12 - which is nice if you just want to turn on the light with the trigger. Overall it is the same as my former C12, so no learning curve or anything - just much more powerful - which will be welcome for certain tasks. Initial thoughts only and I am very happy so far.

I did not buy any batteries - so I am currently using the 5.2 aH that I had with my TSC and my PDC. I think that the balance of this tool, with the Jacobs chuck, is really designed to work with these bigger batteries. They are heavier but I have found the drill is very balanced with them. On my C12, with the lighter-weight 1.5 aH LI batteries, it was nose heavy and awkward. The bigger batteries seem to help balance it. I do like the new belt-hook design, but I have not installed it yet as I typically do not carry my drill around on my belt. I may buy a smaller battery at some point, but I am going to give the larger size a go for awhile and see if the weight is really overly intrusive. I am not drilling 8 hours a day, so I think that the size will be OK - although I have need on occasion for tight spaces and the smaller pack might help in certain situations. Of course, I have my TXS for some of those scenarios too.

I think I am well set with drilling/driving now and I am glad to have all my current FT cordless as 18V versions.

 

[nclemmons]

Where are you using the PDC vs the C18?

 

[ScotF]

Furniture and cabinets, mostly. I bought the PDC because of the higher torque and needing to run spindles through a dowel maker. Having the hammer function is nice for the times I need to drill concrete, stone and brick. I was screwing 2x together and the PDC made quick work for some framing I was working on a few weeks ago.

But, I always liked the C-handle form factor and the eccentric and right angle chucks have saved me countless times. It works great with the BCTW doweling jig (DJ-2) and other tasks where I need more power than the TXS, but more refined than the PDC.

 

[McNally Family]

[member=6605]ScotF[/member]

I also have the C18, and the CXS (90th year anniversary edition).  The PDC has caught my eye, and I already have the 18v batteries, so while all I would need is the basic version, there are some tool companies selling the previous non-airstream sets for a substantial discount. 

Do you have any problem with using the gear case on your PDC?  I have read some threads regarding this issue.

 

[grobkuschelig]

I also have CXS, C18 and PDC. Great combination any drilling use I encounter...

I bought the basic Versions when Festool was giving away new Airstream Batteries with every tool here in Germany, last year. But what I purchased was a pair of the smaller 3.1 Ah batteries. This allows me to have a 3.1 and a 5.2 with C18 and PDC. Mostly I use the 3.1 just because it maker the tool lighter and easier to handle. Have not found it to be top-heavy, but I am also almost exclusively using the centrioles chuck, which might differ from the Jacobs.

 

[ScotF]

[member=6605]ScotF[/member]

I also have the C18, and the CXS (90th year anniversary edition).  The PDC has caught my eye, and I already have the 18v batteries, so while all I would need is the basic version, there are some tool companies selling the previous non-airstream sets for a substantial discount. 

Do you have any problem with using the gear case on your PDC?  I have read some threads regarding this issue.

I do not have an issue switching gears - I hold the tool in my left hand and use my thumb to switch gears. The switch is tight, but moves smoothly and it locks in the detents. You cannot move it super fast or you might overshoot gear 3. Once you get used to it, I find it easy to get to where I need to be. It is a great drill. If it had the eccentric option, I likely would have just used it for everything, but that eccentric chuck is so darn handy. I might pick up a smaller battery to use in time. It's weight is about the same as the C18 with the same size battery - a little heavier, but it too is well balanced and negligible.

 

[ScotF]

I also have CXS, C18 and PDC. Great combination any drilling use I encounter...

I bought the basic Versions when Festool was giving away new Airstream Batteries with every tool here in Germany, last year. But what I purchased was a pair of the smaller 3.1 Ah batteries. This allows me to have a 3.1 and a 5.2 with C18 and PDC. Mostly I use the 3.1 just because it maker the tool lighter and easier to handle. Have not found it to be top-heavy, but I am also almost exclusively using the centrioles chuck, which might differ from the Jacobs.

With the Centrotec it is not nose-heavy at all - with the smaller battery and Jacobs chuck, I found the nose could dip on my C12 LI. With the larger battery this is no longer the case - I can balance the drill on my finger. So the weight works to offset the Jacobs chuck. I too mostly use the Centrotec chuck, so not a huge issue.

 

[rljatl]

[member=6605]ScotF[/member]

I also have the C18, and the CXS (90th year anniversary edition).  The PDC has caught my eye, and I already have the 18v batteries, so while all I would need is the basic version, there are some tool companies selling the previous non-airstream sets for a substantial discount. 

Do you have any problem with using the gear case on your PDC?  I have read some threads regarding this issue.

[member=60452]McNally Family[/member] Have you seen any T18's on sale?