C-12 Li-on Coming?

B

BobKovacs

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Joined
Nov 26, 2007
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So, I was at my local dealer yesterday buying the parallel guides and extensions, and started looking at the C12 drill.  To say that I exercised great restraint by not buying one would be an understatement- that's one sweet drill!  What was bothering me was, I thought I recalled that a new Lithium-Ion version was due out, but the sales guy at the store told me it was only the T-drills that had come out in Li-on.  I couldn't bring myself to make the purchase without being 100% certain on the Li-on C drill, as I would be incredibly pissed if I dropped the $$ for the NiCad version with the Li-on version just around the corner.

So am I nuts, or is a Lithium Ion C12 drill supposed to be coming soon?
 
I can't say if you're nuts, or not.  But the new C12 with the Li-on batteries will be coming out here in the near future.  The current model of C12 that is available here is now on the FestoolUSA Closeout page.
 
Unless the light and clip are total dealbreakers, you might give consideration to the C12 NiCd/NiMH at the discount price.

You won't believe how long the NiCd batteries last and hold their charge.  Also, replacement / spare NiCd / NiMh batteries are currently ~50% off.
 
Wood_Junkie said:
Unless the light and clip are total dealbreakers, you might give consideration to the C12 NiCd/NiMH at the discount price.

You won't believe how long the NiCd batteries last and hold their charge.  Also, replacement / spare NiCd / NiMh batteries are currently ~50% off.
Click to expand...

Bob,

I agree with WJ.  If you don't have one already you may find that you need a second drill anyway.  I have the C-12 and am very happy with it for most uses.

I wanted a hammer drill and after some research I purchased the Makita BHP454, top rated by Popular Mechanics, for about $280.  It is lithium ion, 18 volt, has a light, depth stop, additional handle, and it easily switches from hammer, to drill to screw mode.  Of course, mucho torque settings.

Neill
 
The C 12's that are left as of October 1 will be 25% off the last selling price, which is in the 2009 catalog. They are currently 10% off.

Tom
 
Wood_Junkie said:
Unless the light and clip are total dealbreakers, you might give consideration to the C12 NiCd/NiMH at the discount price.
Click to expand...

Knowing the old C12, the T15 and the new C12 Li, I'd say it's worthwhile to wait for the new C12 Li.

I have the T15 and am used to it, but recently I owned an old model C12 for a while and boy was I disappointed with it. It doesn't run nowhere near as smooth as the T15. I really felt a lack of control I am used to with the T15. I have used the new C12 Li in the store and it runs just as smooth as the T15. The motor and electronics on the newer models are just a lot better than on the old types.

But ....... tastes are different. I sold the C12 I had again to another guy. He had recently bought a new C15 Li and he wasn't at all pleased with it. He had owned a C12 for 4 years and the new C15 was so different to what he was used to that he returned the new C15 and bought the used C12 from me. He was particularly displeased with the way the new electronic torque setting worked as compared to the old ratcheting mechanism on the C12.

Now I must confess I don't have this electronic torque thing fully under control yet with my T15 either because I get very inconsistent results when driving at different speeds. Fortunately it is not so important for the work I do and when I do need it I am used to do this by eye, which is very easy with the great control the T15 gives me. But I agree this could have been done better. Anyway, I would never trade the T15 in for the older model of the C12. And the newer C12/C15 models are very similar inside to the T12/T15's.
 
 
The clips don't do much for me, but the light would be nice.  I'll have to see how my willpower holds up after October 1st....lol
 
As much as I look forward to the future coming of the Li-ion C-12, I have the current C-12 and the Li-ion T-12. If you live in colder climates, you are well aware that Li-ion does not like the cold weather. This is where my C-12 really shines. I purchased the 3.0 ah Ni-Mh over three years ago and I still love that drill to this day.

I purchased two of the FastFix LED light kits...one for each drill.  They work great but only work with the FastFix chuck. I pasted the link for the LEDs below.    

http://www.festoolusa.com/products/cordless-drills/interchangable-chucks/fastfix-led-headlamp-496927.html

If weight of the drill is a concern, the Ni-Mh battery is heavy in comparison to the Li-ion.

The price after October 1 can't be beat (if there are any to be found). But make sure you get the kit with all of the chucks whatever you end up purchasing!

Just a few thoughts for you!

On a side note....I want that CSX drill ASAP!!!

Bob
 
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