Best Festool drill?

[Rozay12]

Hi Guys,

I am new on this forum. My apologies if I''m posting in the wrong section.

Here is my situation;
My dad's birthday coming up. He is retired but still loves to do nice stuff like making furniture and such.

I know he is a big fan of festool. What is the best Festool drill I could get him? Like I said, he mostly makes furniture as a hobby.
Here is the selection I want to choose from: https://www.klium.com/festool-cordless-screwdrivers-c68927

Thank you for your help

 

[bertv]

Being of a certain age (the other side of sixty) I feel that the weight of a tool becomes more and more of an issue & from the three models of Festool drills I own, I most often use the CXS (in fact I own two of them). It will take care of most of the tasks you throw at it, is light enough so that you can handle it for long stretches of time & (not unimportant) is the cheapest of the range — so you can buy some Centrotec bits to go with it.

A tip: buy it in Germany (you are Dutch or Flemish, I presume), eg at Rubart. There are substantial savings. Just mind that delivery will take longer...

 

[chrisrosenb]

In the shop, I use the TXS most of the time. On site, I use a T 18+3 the most.

 

[rst]

As some one that has Fein 18v, Milwaukee - 12 & 18V and Festool CSX, C-18 and PDC.  I love the CXS, and I'm 66.  In my history I've owned B&D, Freud and Makitas.

 

[waho6o9]

https://www.klium.com/festool-t-18-3-li-52-set-cordless-screwdriver-575693-763161

Good idea!

 

[Birdhunter]

I have just about every Festool drill and the TSX is my favorite. Also, Bosch sells some great small drills.

For heavy duty work, I go to my T18. For light duty work, I go to my TSX.

If I had to have only one drill (shudder), I’d keep the T18.

 

[Alanbach]

Although I don’t own any Festool drills yet I read this forum almost everyday. Clearly the most popular drills on this site are the T18 and the CSX. Please note that the CXS and the TXS are the same drill with different handle styles and the T18 and the C18 are also the same drill with different handle styles. So many people on this site own the T18 and the CSX and they all say pretty much the same thing. That they pick up the CSX first unless they are doing something really heavy duty like drive a bunch of long screws into something hard. I would say that the CSX is one of the most raved about tools on this site. It’s small size, light weight, and power relative to its size makes it rare in the drill world. Also note that one of the things that sets Festool apart are their accessories so if you can, be sure to get your dad the outfit with the maximum amount of accessories that you can.

Two more things:

1. Make sure that your dad does not already have a Festool drill and then adjust accordingly if he does.
2. I don’t know the policy in the EU but here in the states Festool has a thirty day money back quarantee for any reason so if your dad prefers a different style of handle, etc. he can exchange it. Just check it out so you know what the policy is in your area.

 

[RKA]

CXS/TXS is great for cabinet work (installing drawer slides, hinges) and drilling smaller hoses (10mm and under).  Get the set version with the right angle chuck, and if you have money left over, some centrotec drill bits and driver bits.  This drill can't overpower the 12V offerings from the main line brands and it doesn't have a brushless motor, but after a day or two of use it wins you over with it's ergonomics.  Coupled with the centrotec accessories, it's very light and nimble.  If he generally uses screws in his furniture making in a limited way and generally sticks with smaller screws, I would gamble this drill might be all he ever wants. 

If he already has the CXS/TSX, and you decide on the C/T18 drill, add one 3.1ah battery to the kit.  It's spendy, but it does take a fair amount of weight off the drill and makes it a pleasure to use when you need a little more power than the smaller drills have (for pocket screws I would prefer this one over the CXS). 

Whatever you get, I'm sure he will appreciate it and use it regularly.  And he may end up getting the other drill after he has a chance to play with the gift.  So don't drive yourself crazy thinking about it.  [smile]

 

[Birdhunter]

Here’s a thought. Buy both the T18 and the TSX. He can use the T18 for predrilling the screw holes and the TSX for driving in the screws. With both, he won’t have to swap drill bit with driver bit. That’s what I do if I have a lot of screws to do.

 

[Cheese]

The CSX Set, far & away my go-to drill.  [smile]

The C 15 if I’m working with torque sensitive items or need to install large screws with the right angle attachment.

Milwaukee M18 for everything else.

 

[mrboult]

I've owned every festool drill. T18 with compact batteries is by far my fave drill ever! I have two now.

I loved my cxs but sold it for funds after 4yrs ownership...  Because for battery compatibility and power i always need the t18 (with charger and batteries), sometimes the BHC, so bringing  the cxs too airways semed a waste of energy.
I really did love it, but I've only missed it once or twice in almost a year without it.. To reach their own.

I've said it before, but now the 2.6ah batteries for the cxs are wider, they could basically accomidate  the key/fit for the regular festool charges. I'd buy another in a second if that came true.

 

[Rozay12]

Hi Everyone!

Thank you so much for all your insights. I made my choice and I'm sure my dad will be thrilled with it.
Have a nice week

 

[DashZero]

Which drill did you decide on for your father? Also how did he like it?