C18 arrived today!

[pingvinlakrits]

A week earlier than expected I got this little stack at the local pushers nest:

CTL SYS and the C18 Li.

As Neeleman has already covered the CTL SYS very nicely I will focus on the C18.

Look and feel is identical to the C15 as far as I can tell. It is a good thing.

The 2,6Ah battery makes for a lightweight companion. Nowadays with the 5,2Ah batteries it might seem like a poor idea to buy a smaller battery with less capacity. But, it feels good in hand and bringing two batteries I prefer having one 5,2Ah and one 2,6Ah.

From the back it can almost pass for a CXS at distance. (Yes, I should get reading glasses soon...)

More thoughts on the machine to come, now off to work with both the CTL SYS and the C18 Li(ghtweight).

 

[neeleman]

Congrats Henrik!

I also see you've got the Longlife Bag for the CTL SYS?
And do you have the vertical handgrip on the C 18 systainer?
I want to use one for the vacuum part of the CTL SYS. I hope it's not to heavy.

I also intend to buy the C 18 with the 2.6 Ah battery. But it's not yet available in Holland. Now you "win".
Or maybe the TXS because since I own the CXS 2.6 I also like the concept of lighter and smaller.

 

[Stephen B]

[size=12pt]

Have they released a 2.6 amp in Europe  for the C15 as well?

Could be very handy, as I recently discovered with 4.2 amp battery, in those tight cupboard spaces!  [eek]

 

[pingvinlakrits]

Thank you, but maybe we should congratulate Festool.

Yes, I got the Long-Life bag for the CTL SYS. I was thinking it will fill up more often than the other vac's  and it is easy to forget or run out of small bags. Emptying a small bag in a regular household sized plastic bag is manageable and not creating a dust storm as when I empty the old CT22... 

The C18 feels just like the C15 and I can't say much about it other than it really is like the C15. A little stronger on paper. I mounted a shelving system just now and had to drive larger screws while standing precariously on a ladder with one foot - and it does it with finesse. I am happy to have boiled the machines down to 10.8V and 18V and nothing else. No battery mishaps with bringing a 14,4V machine and 18V batteries...

I am also very happy with the 2,6Ah battery. It kind of makes the C18 feel like the C12 (Li version) which is nice for several reasons: light yet powerful.

Only nitpick is that the C12 has a slightly smaller grip (by 2mm I think, in "depth of grip") which makes it a little more comfortable for me. Other than that I don't miss the C12 anymore. I did get a bare bones DRC18/4 for more "demanding" tasks and I have to say the DRC has impressed me very much! The pairing of the C18 and the DRC is superb for me. The C18 will handle "most tasks" and the DRC the more hardcore drilling/screwdriving.

After handling the TXS again today at the dealers I am sure it is not for me; the CXS is as small as I want it and the TXS something of a "Tall boy" and I can honestly not think of a situation where I would rather not bring the C18/2,6Ah instead of the TXS - except for the grip of course.  I'd put my money elsewhere if you already have the CXS. But, that's just me.

 

[pingvinlakrits]

[size=12pt]

Have they released a 2.6 amp in Europe  for the C15 as well?

Could be very handy, as I recently discovered, in those tight cupboard spaces!  [eek]

No, not yet. Not listed in Europe and not in the accessory catalogue as far as I can see.

The 2,6Ah for the 18V is a lot smaller in footprint and the weight difference is 0,4kg vs 0,58kg or 180g compared to the 5,2Ah battery. I too appreciate the smaller form factor - those 180g will make a difference with the drill chuck on. Having both batteries is great but I will use the 2,6Ah most of the time for sure.

 

[pingvinlakrits]

Congrats Henrik!
And do you have the vertical handgrip on the C 18 systainer?
I want to use one for the vacuum part of the CTL SYS. I hope it's not to heavy.

I don't think there will be a problem with the vertical hand grip accessory. I have used it on far heavier systainers. I will test it out today and report back but it should work just fine. It would make sense to use it when the top SYS is detached. With both on I think the top handle is very comfortable and the shoulder sling works fine.

 

[PreferrablyWood]

Nice bits of kit in Sweden! I just bought the CXS 2.6 ah a month ago, so it's interesting to see the new C18 with a 2.6 battery.. I also have the PDC 18, and will get the TI 15, so between those three I should be able to handle any job except the heaviest duty, which would require a big corded drill.

The vacuum is a smart idea, I've got the CTL Midi and it will do me just fine.. They should make a cordless version of that vac, and a cordless R0 90 then I'd be interested!

New Festools and it's spring in Sweden, paradise !!

 

[pingvinlakrits]

You need to know that the Ti15 will not accept your 18V batteries. I would wait and see if there will be a new impact out soon. If you decide on the Ti15 you will have to get separate batteries for it which I think makes it awkward to have to remember to bring "the right battery" and if you run out in the middle of a job you can't reach over and grab an 18V battery.

You can use the Ti15 batteries on the 18V machines but not the other way around.

The CXS makes a great pairing with the DRC/PDC or a C18. The 2,6Ah battery makes the C18 a very slick machine. On anything but small tasks I find I can leave the CXS at the shop.

 

[semenza]

I am not sure of what the physical size the C18 2.6 battery will be. But a 12v battery could be kept on hand for those tight spaces, and will still work on the higher voltage tools.

Seth

 

[pingvinlakrits]

If you have a look at the pictures above you will see the physical appearance of the 2,6Ah battery on the C18.

It is very light and I was wall-mounting some awkward shelves today with the above kit - worked great! For most of my kitchen fitting use I can leave the CXS at the shop. And that is great praise as I love the CXS, it's just that sometimes the extra power comes in handy.

The CXS does not sulk as it gets a lot of work at the shop.

 

[Taylorkitchens]

I do love the look of the c18...  Is it like the t18 with the capability to switch from standard filling to impact driving?

 

[AlexThePalex]

I do love the look of the c18...  Is it like the t18 with the capability to switch from standard filling to impact driving?

Just drilling and driving, no impact driver.

The T18 and C18 are indentical in functionality except for the shape.

 

[Taylorkitchens]

I thought the t18+3 was an impact driver...

 

[carlb40]

I thought the t18+3 was an impact driver...

No. The Ti15 was the impact driver. No longer available in the UK/ EU/ USA.

There are still some of the older versions with 3 amp batteries on ebay.

 

[pingvinlakrits]

You can still find the Ti15 over here. Not too many left though. I was not too fond of it to be honest. Too heavy and to weak as well as too much of a compromise drill/ipact hybrid. It did some things really well though.

Festool needs to release an 18V dedicated impact with small footprint. A clone of the near perfect Bosch GDX 18V-EC would be the ticket; near perfect grip, light weight, powerful and still delicate enough for drilling tasks and driving smaller screws. If Bosch can do it - so can Festool. 

 

[Stehpan]

Henrik!

Where did you get a C18 with 2,6Ah batteries? I have checked everywhere but they only seem to be sold with the 5,2Ah battery.

I am thinking of buying a C18 or C15 but felt that the battery made it a bit clumsy.

Another question regarding the C-model.
I have a CXS today and absolutely love it, when I use it I have the second finger (the longest finger) to control the trigger, but when I test the C-model it seems I must use my third finger (ring finger) to control the trigger.  Is this the way I am supposed to use it, or have I missed something, it does not feel as natural compared to the CXS.
At the same time I really like the ergonomics of the CSX so I want to have the same style for a bigger machine.

 

[mrboult]

Henrik!

Where did you get a C18 with 2,6Ah batteries? I have checked everywhere but they only seem to be sold with the 5,2Ah battery.

I am thinking of buying a C18 or C15 but felt that the battery made it a bit clumsy.

Another question regarding the C-model.
I have a CXS today and absolutely love it, when I use it I have the second finger (the longest finger) to control the trigger, but when I test the C-model it seems I must use my third finger (ring finger) to control the trigger.  Is this the way I am supposed to use it, or have I missed something, it does not feel as natural compared to the CXS.
At the same time I really like the ergonomics of the CSX so I want to have the same style for a bigger machine.

Hello Stephan,

The C18 is not available with the 2.6ah batteries.  It seems that presently the newly released 2.6ah batteries are only available to order separately.

I imagine that the OP bought the C18 drill Only, and then purchased the 2.6ah batteries separately. 

Regarding the C shape drills . . . I personally love the CXS but dislike the C15/C18.  With the larger weight of those drills I find there is too much weight in front of the hand grip for prolonged comfort. With the T style drills the weight is distributed in front and behind the hand, making it far more balanced.  Also the larger diameter of the motor housing (top of the drill) makes the 'pistol' style grip less comfortable than the CXS.

Just my opinion though, there are lots of people who love the larger C Drills.

My preference would be to buy a T18 bare and then but the 2.6ah batteries. In the UK you can do this for similar/same/less cost as the T18 Plus Kit not sure what prices are like in Sweden.

 

[pingvinlakrits]

mrB is correct. I bought the 2,6Ah battery separately.

I agree that the C-style drills are more awkward with the drill chuck attached - I think the DRC is more balanced on that regard.
With Centrotec drills attached I really like the C-style grip but with the drill chuck attached I prefer the regular style grip.

 

[Stehpan]

Thank you for the answers! I have now ordered a T18, can always add a C18-body later on if I change my mind.

 

[pingvinlakrits]

I am not sure of what the physical size the C18 2.6 battery will be. But a 12v battery could be kept on hand for those tight spaces, and will still work on the higher voltage tools.

Seth

Seth, I can now confirm that the C18 2,6Ah battery is identical in size as the older C12 1,5Ah battery - that is quite small.

If one would have a 12V battery around then it could be put to good use but for size the new 18V 2,6Ah battery comes with no size penalty. What follows is that there is nothing going for the C12 anymore: same size, weight (give or take a few g:s) and more power in the same form factor in the C18 with down range battery compatibility.  Though I lament the loss of the T12+3 in the line up since it is a bit smaller and lighter than the other brushless drills up the line there is no missing the C12 - it is still around in the shape of the C18.

Comparing the two: C12/1,5Ah and C12/2,6Ah they are identical in size and feels the same in weight though I forgot to weigh them in.