C18 drill

[AndrewG]

I’m looking at buying a C18 drill and have done plenty of research and there’s lots of users that comment on how comfortable it is etc.

I was set on buying one so I went out and had a play with one, admittedly only pressing the trigger, not actually drilling or driving screws etc. I found it to be uncomfortable and not well balance. Obviously this is my personal experience, but I’m wondering if this is because I’ve never used a larger C series drill (I own the CXS).

I suppose the easy thing for me is to just buy the T18, which felt very comfortable. But I don’t want to totally dismiss the C18 in case it’s just a case of  a new style drill for me and I need to get used to it.

Has anyone had a similar experience to mine where their first impression were that it felt unbalanced, then after using it for a bit fell in love with it?

The other thing is Festool here in Australia are running a promotion where they include a free 5.2 battery via redemption if you purchase a C or T series before the 27th December. So I need to make a decision fast. The plan is to then eventually but the PDC skin and have the CXS, T/C 18 and PDC.

Thanks,
Andrew

 

[Birdhunter]

I really like my CSX but not as much my C12. My T18 is an amazingly good tool in my judgement.

 

[PeterJJames13]

In my opinion - feel and balance are subjective. That is why Festool probably offers both the T and C style drills. Yes, the T style drills have better balance (they can stand up on their own without tipping over), but personally, I like how the C style puts my hand in line with the drill/drive bit making USING it (not just resting it) easier. Same concept as the CXS, but because of the extra weight, the balance issues are magnified. Again, at the end of the day, it all comes down to personal preference.

 

[RJNeal]

I’m a “C” fan.
I find it easier to drill/ drive out of position, easier to carry. I like the bit storage better because the bits stay there. More bits.
Try it for thirty days.
Rick.

 

[semenza]

Personal preference.

I like the 'C'  better than the 'T' . Before the Festool 'C' I liked  the old pistol grip style better than 'T' as well. The pistol grips were front heavy but in use I always found it much easier to keep drilling and driving going straight. For me the 'C' was a big improvement over the pistol grips. Same effect for keeping things straight , better actually, and no longer front heavy.

The way the 'C' feels and handles is very different with different chucks. What chuck was on the one you handled? With the Jacobs it will feel front heavy. With Centrotec it won't. Also hold and use it with your middle finger on the trigger. It handles better that way and places the bit more in line with your hand and arm. Makes it easier to push when driving screws.

I think the 'T' drills in general have helped lead to the impact driver being popular. Because it is harder to drive screws with the 'T' drills. Not something that is always readily noticed but it takes more effort and control effort using a 'T' over a pistol grip or 'C'.  Might be subtle but it adds up.  EX- due to shape and grip, how many times do you see people placing their other hand on the back end of the 'T' drill when driving screws?  Nothing wrong with impacts. I like them and use them (almost never in a predrilled hole though). They still take the strain off the wrist and make it easy to drive big screws. But I bet if 'T' drills had never shown up that there would be fewer impacts in use across the broad spectrum.

Admittedly, when standing around "feeling the balance" and comfort of the two, a 'T' feels better. But in use I find it the opposite.

Personal preference though. No reason not to go with the 'T' if that is what is right for you. If you get the 'C' and don't like it in use, you've got the 30 day window to return it. 

Seth

 

[grobkuschelig]

If you have the chance again, go back to the dealer, bring a block of wood and a drill bit and get some real world practice.
Was never an issue here in Germany to make a real world test in any dealership...

My personal favorite:
C18, with small 3.2Ah battery and Centrotec drills/bit holder.
Thumb and index finger forming a C/U-shaped grip around the ‘back of the head’ with the rest of the fingers handling the trigger.
This makes it the perfect shop drill for me. Light, powerful and brilliant ergonomics.

If you like to have a ‘firm grip’ around a round shape, the T-style might be more your thing.
I find you need to have a grip a little similar to imitating a gun with your hand (pew pew) with the C-styles to really get their benefit...

YMMV, obviously.

 

[ScotF]

I like them both - the C18 is a great drill and if you get a PDC, then you have the best of both worlds. Try one - not sure if Australia has a 30 day or if it is different, but I would try the C18 and see how it performs.

 

[tallgrass]

I love the "c" line of drills. When using the correct grip I feel it is the most ergonomic drill out there. It is subjective though.

 

[Gregor]

My personal favorite:
C18, with small 3.2Ah battery and Centrotec drills/bit holder.

This.

I also have a T18 but use it only when precision dosn't really matter (like making holes into walls for screw anchors).

But in the end it's a question what the individual user likes best, to bring some scrap and a drill bit (or get a centrotec set there if you don't have one yet, as you will likely want these anyway when your only remaining question is 'C or T style') to try the difference for yourself is the way to go - no festool dealer should have a problem with that.

 

[tony_sheehan]

Personally, I don't really see what the C/T18 brings to the table. If you have a cxs and a pdc you have all bases covered.

 

[Jaybolishes]

I’d also try the c15. I’ve never found it to be short on cojones for anything I’ve ever tried to drive with it. You may like it’s smaller size.  Having the T18 and the cxs as well, I find I have no extreme  preference between the the c15 and t18. I just grab which ever one is near me, but I slightly like the feel of the c drill in my hand better. I like how little it sticks out in front and behind the hand making it a narrower profile.  But if you’re going to buy one, I guess it’s the c18.  Again you should try the c15 because it’s got pretty good power and hasn’t let me down. 
  Major props to the cxs though.  That’s my goto a lot of the time.

 

[semenza]

The 15 s are discontinued. Probably still some available though. The 18 with compact battery is a nice size. I use the C12 with the small battery which is the same size and shape as the C18 with compact battery.

Seth

 

[AndrewG]

Thanks for the replies. The CXS is excellent, I was very surprised how much power it had for such a little drill. I mostly do joinery type work and I feel the C/T 18 for drilling and CXS for driving screws will be a good combination.

The PDC is on the radar down the track for when I need to drill some large holes and drill into masonry, so the T/C 18 and PDC combo will be nice there.

I think I’ll just take a leap of faith and buy the C18. I’ll take it home, play around with it and see how I like it. This way I’ll get a better feel for it then just using it at the dealer. If for whatever reason I don’t like it, I’ll just swap it for the T18.

Cheers

 

[HowardH]

I got the C18 a few months ago and haven't picked up my T15 since.  It's a great drill with loads of power.  I'm always looking for a project to use it.

 

[pingvinlakrits]

AndrewG: something to bear in mind is how much drilling with the jacobs chuck you will do, or hole saws etc. As soon as the drill chuck comes on the C18 loses balance.

Personally I mostly use centrotec drills, countersinks and stuff so I like the C18 almost as much as my CXS. I've given the T18 a try and it is more comfortable but I prefer having the bit garage up front and ended up with a DRC as a "power" drill instead of the T18, I prefer the light on the DRC and the faster drilling speeds for smaller sized drills.

What would surprise me as well as blow my mind was to have a C18 impact with a T18 grip. It would be too good to be true so Festool will never make it. I will have to enjoy the T-grip impact when it comes, which it seems it will. Eventually.

I did have the Ti15 back in the days but it was very clumsy for medium sized scress and quite weak for framing. I think they might get it right with the new one. 

 

[AndrewG]

I just got a centrotec installers kit which has quite a lot of bits that I’ll use. But like others, I need to stock up on a few more bits. So yes, I’ll be using it mostly with the centrotec system. I figure it’s one of the reasons I’m buying the drill, so why not take advantage of it? But there are bits that I need or have that Festool doesn’t offer.

One question I have is, I have some non centrotec hex drill bits. How do they go in the centrotec hex locking adapter. It looks like it may be a bit awkward. I wish Festool had a compete range of brad point bits.

Merry Christmas!

 

[ScotF]

One question I have is, I have some non centrotec hex drill bits. How do they go in the centrotec hex locking adapter. It looks like it may be a bit awkward. I wish Festool had a compete range of brad point bits.

Merry Christmas!

Unfortunately they do not - you have to round the corners to get them to fit. There are a few threads on FOG if you search for it. I do not think it is that hard.

Congrats on the drill - it is one of my favorites. I think it is balanced OK with all the heads - and have not had any issues. It is a great drill/driver.

 

[Bernmc]

Had exactly the same experience as you - read up a lot, decided I'd probably like the C18; tried both in the shop and decided I like the T18 more.

Very happy with the T18 - and remember there's a free battery by redemption here in Aus if you get in on the current campaign (finishes at the end of the year).

As an aside, the festool rep will come to you and demo anything you want - just hit the green 'demo' button on the right of the page on the Aus website, and they'll give you a call pretty promptly.

 

[tony_sheehan]

I'm still not really understanding this: what does the C/T18 give you that the pdc doesn't. The price difference isn't huge, the weight of the pdc is not massively greater, the pdc has a lot more power and you can drill masonry with it.
If you just have to have the C form factor then fair enough, I suppose  (or the offset chuck) but I still think that the combination of the cxs and the pdc covers pretty much all bases.
By the way, I speak here as someone who owns a C15 with a 5.2ah battery- okay, it doesn't quite have the power of a C18 but, that said, I can't think of any situation where I'd reach for it in preference over the smaller, lighter cxs or the more powerful but not much heavier pdc

 

[ScotF]

I'm still not really understanding this: what does the C/T18 give you that the pdc doesn't. The price difference isn't huge, the weight of the pdc is not massively greater, the pdc has a lot more power and you can drill masonry with it.
If you just have to have the C form factor then fair enough, I suppose  (or the offset chuck) but I still think that the combination of the cxs and the pdc covers pretty much all bases.
By the way, I speak here as someone who owns a C15 with a 5.2ah battery- okay, it doesn't quite have the power of a C18 but, that said, I can't think of any situation where I'd reach for it in preference over the smaller, lighter cxs or the more powerful but not much heavier pdc

I tend to agree - but the offset chuck is nice and does get you closer to the edge than the "C or TXS" but most things can be accomplished with those two. However, the C is nice and having extra power is nice when the XS series drills cannot cut it in the C form factor. Being able to strap the C style in is nice too if you are up on a ladder or scaffold. I like and use them all - sometimes I have three things going at once and it is nice to have a drill with different bits for production jobs without having to switch. I do like the PDC and opted for it over a T-style (which I used to have and sold it). I liked the TXS over the CXS and opted for it, but I really do like the C style in the bigger drill. It is good to have choices.