Big Boy Drill

Birdhunter · Jun 29, 2015

I visited my local woodworking store to buy some small rasps of various shapes and too the opportunity to look at the new PDC drill. I was hoping it would call to me to take it home.

The drill was smaller than what I had assumed from the videos and pictures I've seen. It was also a lot lighter than I anticipated.

Alas, I just couldn't see how I would ever use a drill this powerful. I'm home now deeply regreting not "adopting" this gorgeous drill.

Wuffles · Jun 29, 2015

My Bosch impact wasn't able to screw some 250mm timberlock screws into green oak sleepers, all noise and no action at around half way in.

Nearly resorted to using a socket set to do it until I gave the PDC the opportunity. I had to use the side arm attached to it or it would probably have broken my wrist it was so keen to ram those screws all the way home.

Cheese · Jun 29, 2015

Birdhunter said:
I'm home now deeply regreting not "adopting" this gorgeous drill.

Tomorrow's another day... [big grin]

jools · Jun 29, 2015

I've been driving 240mm timberlocks all day today. The makita impact just couldn't and the noise [scared]. PDC what torque and quiet. [member=20162]Wuffles[/member] is right though. You definatly need the side handle and two hands [big grin]

rizzoa13 · Jun 29, 2015

Thats what id use my Milwaukee hole hawg for and I think it could flip me head over heels if it wanted to.

Does the PDC really have the power of a 1/2 corded drill?

bkharman · Jun 29, 2015

I have had mine for nearly a month now. My really big smile was using the right angle attachment and handle to drive a 1.5" spade but through a 4x6 like it was nothing.

Like I said, big, big smile.

Cheers. Bryan.

DzordanoBruno · Jun 29, 2015

I would like to buy PDC, but I have really good corded drill from Czech manufacture Narex(narex make Festool parts). I changed cord to plug it with 7.5 m cable and this setup is brilliant. But the PDC = new tool, new smile, new oportunity to use and one tool is never enough.

))

Birdhunter · Jun 30, 2015

Alas, I don't do construction, I don't drill concrete, I don't assemble landscaping timbers; the PDC just isn't for the hobby woodworker.

I do have my eye on the TSX, but will have to wait for what seems forever.

Wuffles · Jun 30, 2015

Birdhunter said:
Alas, I don't do construction, I don't drill concrete, I don't assemble landscaping timbers; the PDC just isn't for the hobby woodworker.

I do have my eye on the TSX, but will have to wait for what seems forever.

I wouldn't use it to drill concrete. But you're right, it's not for everyone.

Kev · Jun 30, 2015

Birdhunter said:
Alas, I don't do construction, I don't drill concrete, I don't assemble landscaping timbers; the PDC just isn't for the hobby woodworker.

I do have my eye on the TSX, but will have to wait for what seems forever.

Many hobbyists are much better equipped than professionals. A tool is for whoever chooses to buy it. There's plenty of opinions on who really needs what ... but I try not to judge [wink] [big grin]

sancho57 · Jun 30, 2015

I was with a buddy at a tools how when the PDC first came out here. I got to play with it, I really like that drill. It will replace my corded Milwaukee.i don't need it here. But when I get back to the states, I'll be having one of those puppies.

demographic · Jun 30, 2015

I'm slightly baffled at them. You lot are saying how powerful they are but going by manufacturers figures they only have 60 newton metres of torque.
That's not a big amount really if (again going by manufacturers figures) my Hitachi has 92 newton metres and there's a Metabo that has 90 as well as having the angled attachment that the Festool has.

I get some of Festools tools but can't really work out their drills as reading the figures they don't seem to be a comparable amount better than the opposition. Maybe I should have a play with one.

Wuffles · Jun 30, 2015

demographic said:
I'm slightly baffled at them. You lot are saying how powerful they are but going by manufacturers figures they only have 60 newton metres of torque.
That's not a big amount really if (again going by manufacturers figures) my Hitachi has 92 newton metres and there's a Metabo that has 90 as well as having the angled attachment that the Festool has.

I get some of Festools tools but can't really work out their drills as reading the figures they don't seem to be a comparable amount better than the opposition. Maybe I should have a play with one.

They're (meaning the PDC) probably rubbish (in comparison), but I don't have a Hitachi with 92Nm or a Metabo with 90Nm to try (and compare).

I realised after reading this again that it wasn't necessarily clear what I was saying, so I've edited it.

richy3333 · Jun 30, 2015

I've used my PDC to drill concrete and granite. Coped great, just as well as my 36V Dewalt ever did.

bkharman · Jun 30, 2015

I don't know how man Newtons my old Milwaukee v28 put out but my PDC will run laps around it.

It was costly, but well worth it when I need it.

Cheers. Bryan.

Tyler Ernsberger · Jun 30, 2015

I purchased the Pdc when it was released in the States and its awesome. It has a lot of power and is a very rugged drill. I use the drill professionally, so it gets used every day. It has very very long battery life. I look at it this way, if you purchased another brand like Milwaukee, Bosch or Makita, you would have $300 in a hammer drill brushless, add a $80 systainer (all my tools are in systainers) add a cordless right angle drill $150 and your at $530. Thats only a $70 difference from Festool

Cheese · Jun 30, 2015

[member=21412]bkharman[/member]

bkharman said:
I don't know how man Newtons my old Milwaukee v28 put out but my PDC will run laps around it.

Cheers. Bryan.

The Milwaukee V28 was rated at 600 inch/pounds or 50 ft/pounds. That's the equivalent of 68 Newton/Meters, what's the spec for the PDC?

bkharman · Jun 30, 2015

Cheese said:
[member=21412]bkharman[/member]

bkharman said:

I don't know how man Newtons my old Milwaukee v28 put out but my PDC will run laps around it.

Cheers. Bryan.

Click to expand...

The Milwaukee V28 was rated at 600 inch/pounds or 50 ft/pounds. That's the equivalent of 68 Newton/Meters, what's the spec for the PDC?

"Up to 60 Nm" is what is listed on the Festool UK site. All I know is that I have never made it "beep" while drilling through all sorts of stuff. I even went through the a piece of tigerwood with a 1.25" Forstner bit and it didn't hesitate.

If you are buying this drill to replace a big plumbers right angle drill, you will be sad, but it has passed with flying colors across the board with me. Battery is awsome, the light is good, the flexibility is perfect and all at the flick of a switch.

I give it three thumbs up.

Cheers. Bryan.

greg mann · Jun 30, 2015

I have always loved the ergonomics of my C12, but always wanted more spindle speed. I decided to give the PDC a try and I could not be happier. When i drill at the high speed setting inwood I just smile. I love this drill and I haven't even usedany of the other speed settings yet. If I was told I could never take it out of the high speed setting I would still keep it. I have a right angle Hole Hawg and digging it out to use feels like rigging up to go into battle. It is a monster but I still love it for what it does, but I can count on one hand when I have really needed it. To think I can get everything from the perfect tool for 2mm holes in wood to a very credible small hole concrete driller in the same tool is just sweet. Anyone that says they don't get Festool drills hasn't picked up a PDC.

WarnerConstCo. · Jun 30, 2015

greg mann said:
I have always loved the ergonomics of my C12, but always wanted more spindle speed. I decided to give the PDC a try and I could not be happier. When i drill at the high speed setting inwood I just smile. I love this drill and I haven't even usedany of the other speed settings yet. If I was told I could never take it out of the high speed setting I would still keep it. I have a right angle Hole Hawg and digging it out to use feels like rigging up to go into battle. It is a monster but I still love it for what it does, but I can count on one hand when I have really needed it. To think I can get everything from the perfect tool for 2mm holes in wood to a very credible small hole concrete driller in the same tool is just sweet. Anyone that says they don't get Festool drills hasn't picked up a PDC.

I have had the quadrive version (no hammer mode) for almost 2 years. It is a beast of a drill.

It's hardest task so far, gas been 1 1/8" holes 4 feet deep intonthe end grain of a PT 6x6 post while 16 feet in the air.

Big Boy Drill

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