Agonising over the drills

[hilly9795]

Hello all,

My first post here after agonising over the best combo of festool drills to purchase. Having read thread after thread and post after post, one thing I can clear up is that I will be purchasing Festool drills so we can get that one out the way!

My main avenue of work is relatively varied but tends to revolve around renovations and minor extensions. We do also build new timber framed homes from the ground up right through to cabinetry and final fix on site. I am after suggestions on the best combination of drills to purchase as my local dealer wasn't all that helpful. At this stage I am thinking a T15 & Ti15 as a reliable versatile combo to suit most of my needs. The other idea is a Ti15 & CXS.

Any comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[roblg3]

I have owned many conventional drills. Dewalt, Makita, Black and decker and porter cable.  I purchased a C15 Li+3 set.  I have found it to be the Most balanced, light-weight and versatile drill i have ever owned.  It has good power and can drill a 3/4 hole in an 8X8 with reasonable speed using a screw auger bit.  I have been able to overpower the drill, but backing off the feed rate it continued through the depth of the material.  If you need to bore large holes often, maybe consider an 18.  Reaching into corners with the eccentric and having the ability to switch right angle and the use any bit with the conventional chuck makes these drills fantastic!  I hang the drill off my back pocket and forget that it's there.  Something that was unfathomable with my 18v Dewalt.  Another really nice feature that is easily overlooked is the large capacity of tips that can be stored on the strong magnets located on the front edge just under the quite bright light.  Great time saver.  I keep a utility bit and 4 common tips right on my drill so i dont' have to waste time looking.  Switching chucks and bits is a breeze.  The beauty of FESTOOL is, buy whatever you want and if not satisfied, return within 30 days no questions. Your dealer should allow you to play with the drills pre-purchase to help you get a feel for the one you like.  Grab a couple and give them a try to find which one "FEELS" best.  Drive a few screws and drill a couple holes to get the feeling of each. But like i said, satisfaction guaranteed returns are super simple. If not, find a different dealer or post here and let Shane or a moderator know and it WILL get taken care of.  So you can stop agonising and jump in without fear of being stuck! Let us know how everything works out for you.

 

[festivus]

I have the CXS and PDC 18 combination and this handles everything from fine cabinet making to DIY to trade (shop fitting). I could get away with just the PDC to be honest but bought the CXS first ! I imagine you could handle everything with the PDC - but maybe a bit heavy for overhead use.

 

[RC]

I've got the trio of CXS, PDC and Ti15 and unless you build decks or drive large bolts every day and need an impact you'd probably cover all bases with the CXS + PDC combo.

 

[mike68au]

PDC/18 is currently not available in Australia though the DRC is available.  If you don't need the percussion then the DRC is the same in every other way.
I would guess the PDC/18 will be out in t he next few months along with the BHC.

personally i have the T15, Ti15, DRC/18 and CXS  - the DRC/18 and CXS are my most go to drills now. 

 

[SittingElf]

In the USA, I'd go with the T18 vs. the T15 primarily due to batteries.

If you are planning to purchase additional Festool cordless tools, you will probably want the 18V version only because you can't use an 18V battery on the T15, but you can use 15V batteries on all 18V units.  Therefore, you would always be stuck with one set of batteries that can be used on other tools, but you can't use the other tool's batteries on the T15.

I have the T18+3 and CXS...and now also have the BHC and PDC (thought I haven't used them yet because they are currently being shipped to the USA). Between the two originals, I find myself with the CXS in hand much more than the T18, which is used for much more heavy duty uses. The CXS is light, comfortable, and almost unnoticeable hanging on your belt.

Just my  [2cents]

Cheers,

Frank
[attachimg=#]

 

[Birdhunter]

I own a TI15, C12, and CXS.

The CXS is especially delightful to use and surprisingly powerful. The C12 is very powerful and does everything I need done in combination with the CXS.

I'm a little disappointed with the TI15. I guess I had extremely high expectations after having used the other two drills. I use a Festool 3/8" socket drive stub and Snap-on sockets. The sockets are always coming loose from the Festool stub.

I tend to turn to a small DeWalt hammer drill more often than the TI15.

 

[Kev]

[welcome]

Always good to see another Aussie.

In cordless I have CXS, C15, Ti15, PDC 18-4 and DWC12-4000.

The CXS gets a lot of use as a small utility driver. It punches above it's weight for sure!

The C15 comes out when the CXS just isn't enough. The C15 is an awesome combination of power and refined control.

The Ti15 get used for bolts. Maybe it's not the greatest impact on the market, but it certain covers my needs and offers Systainer, battery and Centrotec compatibility with my other drills.

The PDC 18-4 comes out typically when I would have normally gone for a corded drill in the past. I could probably use it in place of the C15 as  the PDC is still quite well balanced and controllable, but the "C" hand on the C15 seems to offer better precision control (this is probably a personal thing). The PDC is also very handy for small masonry drilling jobs.

I got the DWC12 on a promotion, haven't used it in anger yet.

 

[MattrYYC]

While I don't have experience with the full array of Festool drills, I've had the C15 Set now for about 4 months and I wouldn't change my choice if I could go back. I really like the C handle, and the power has been more than satisfactory for general use.  Just my $0.02, and I'm Canadian so it's only $0.01 USD.

 

[Doug S]

Whatever combination you get make sure the CXS is in there, out of all the drill drivers I own the CXS gets by far the most use.

 

[wow]

I don't own any Festool drills - yet - but the PDC sure looks good! If it becomes AINA, it might just be my first battery-powered Festool purchase.

Oh - you spelled 'agonizing' wrong...

[poke]

 

[dltflt]

I have the C12 which s obsolete now but it is a well balanced drill with good power. So I would go with the C15.

 

[Max Fracas]

I bought the T18+3.  I wanted one "do everything" drill.  It was a lot of money, so I hesitated over it for a long time and spent quite a whle looking at some non-Festool alternatives.  In the end, the LoML said "get the T18 and get it over with." 

Quite an upgrade from my old 9.6V Makita and a cheap 18V DeWalt clone I got in Germany for about $50.  Every time I use the T18 I'm glad I bought it.  Terrific power and battery life in a package that is fairly lightweight and (for me anyway) well balanced.  I am amazed at how quiet it is and how well the trigger controls the speed. 

 

[gsdvorak]

In the USA, I'd go with the T18 vs. the T15 primarily due to batteries.

If you are planning to purchase additional Festool cordless tools, you will probably want the 18V version only because you can't use an 18V battery on the T15, but you can use 15V batteries on all 18V units.  Therefore, you would always be stuck with one set of batteries that can be used on other tools, but you can't use the other tool's batteries on the T15.

I have the T18+3 and CXS...and now also have the BHC and PDC (thought I haven't used them yet because they are currently being shipped to the USA). Between the two originals, I find myself with the CXS in hand much more than the T18, which is used for much more heavy duty uses. The CXS is light, comfortable, and almost unnoticeable hanging on your belt.

Just my  [2cents]

Cheers,

Frank
[attachimg=#]

+1    These two drills do everything I need for building custom furniture.  CXS gets the most use- my local Festool dealer was almost discouraging me from buying.  I'm glad in that case I didn't listen to him.

Regards,
Gerald

 

[Throwback7r]

I love my CXS drill Now if that PDC ever gets here.. *cough cough *

 

[wow]

Now if that PDC ever gets here.. *cough cough *

Festool, did you hear that?

Festool?

(sound of crickets chirping....)

 

[AofD]

T18 set all the way.  I hemmed and hawed about purchasing the pricy Festool drill.  My only regret was not doing it sooner.

 

[Stephen B]

[size=13pt]

Welcome Hilly. Enjoy the FOG.

 

[hilly9795]

All, thanks for the comments. Very much appreciated.

CXS is a lock and I will pick up the the PDC18 as well. I am in Australia and it does appear to be available? http://www.festool.com.au/epages/tooltechnic.sf/en_AU/?ObjectPath=/Shops/tooltechnic/Products/767468/SubProducts/767468
Unless I am looking at the wrong one? Can anyone clear that up for me?

Thanks again.

 

[RC]

Yes, you are looking at the wrong drill... the Protool PDC Compact is a non interchangeable chuck drill without Centrotec support.

The PDC discussed here is the 'non-compact' model PDC 18-4 from Festool UK