c18 or Drc 18

[Taylorkitchens]

hey guys,

i ordered a C18 today, but now i am not sure..

i used a friends PDC today and its phenomenal, the speed and power are something else. With that in mind i noticed my friends t18+3 only has a 2 speed gearbox and he barely uses it until he forced himself to use it today.

so what I'm asking is, is it worth changing the c18 for the DRC as its 100 grams heavier than the c18 but with a lot more power and speed?

it would be used to do holesaws unto 114mm and 100mm screws. But i am doing a couple of log cabins which i will be using 6 inch x 5 screws like they advertise....

I'm sorry if this has been duplicated but I'm really struggling to make up my mind so your thoughts would be greatly appreciated..

ps i have the bhc18 hence why I'm not asking about the PDC...

cheers

 

[Rip Van Winkle]

The Festool C series drills are some of the best "balanced" drills I've come across.

That said, the four speed gear casing would probably be preferred for using larger drills and hole saws. The extra torque would be handy for large long screws. The lower speed would help prevent burning up the teeth on large hole saws, and when using auger bits in old dry lumber.

 

[carlb40]

I have the C15, but will be also getting the DRC.  Mainly because i will use it for drilling out for locks etc. I have used both my C15 and CXS with 6 inch screws, neither struggled.

While you may have ordered the C18, not everyone gets on with the C type. Ideally you could do with using both side by side to see which one you prefer.  [smile]

 

[AlexThePalex]

The C18 is a fine drill. I don't see how you could be disappointed with it. The C shape needs some getting used to if it's your first.

The DRC is a whole lot more drill. More powerful and the speed it as you've said "something else". If I could have only one drill I'd go for the DRC over the C18. 

 

[Taylorkitchens]

yes, the c18 would be the first C shape unless it feels the same as my cxs..

ideally just the one drill, i dont think i would need 3 including my cxs. i was at a trade show today.. i should have held a drc and c18....

would the c18 handle these

http://www.questhardware.co.uk/fixings-fasteners/screws/timberlock/timberlok-screws.html into soft wood/ pressurized timber

The C18 is a fine drill. I don't see how you could be disappointed with it. The C shape needs some getting used to if it's your first.

The DRC is a whole lot more drill. More powerful and the speed it as you've said "something else". If I could have only one drill I'd go for the DRC over the C18.

 

[Doug S]

I have a PDC and CXS, most of the time the PDC does the drilling and the CXS the screwing. When the screws get a bit bigger the PDC also does the screwing. I find the PDC is great for drilling because of the high speed. I have a T15 which feels a bit more refined but stays in workshop as the PDC feels more suited to throwing round on site if you know what I mean.

Doug

 

[CO_JCD]

The DRC / PDC drills are incredibly powerful and have the high speed output when needed, however, they are not as controllable nor smooth running as the T15 / T18 (and therefore I assume the C18) for more controlled tasks such as driving screws to precise depth.

Sure there is overlap between the different ranges - just don't think of the DRC as being 'better' than the T18/C18 - they are different and each has its own unique qualities.

Despite having the DRC/PDC, I still reach for my T15 for most tasks as a first choice.  If I need power / high speed for drilling, then the DRC then becomes the first choice for that task.

John

 

[Doug S]

I do feel the PDC, and so I guess also the DRC is more of a drill then a driver.

Doug

 

[pingvinlakrits]

I have both the C18 and the DRC and between the two of them I have found I actually reach for the DRC more often than I do the C18.

I find the DRC agile and precise enough for driving small and delicate screws and when it comes to holesawing the DRC is simply in another league. The C18 is only marginally stronger than the C15 (which I had previous to the C18) whereas the DRC is a real grunty workhorse with plenty of power to spare.

I do have the CXS for really nimble work and between the CXS and the DRC I find I am at home with virtually all drilling and driving tasks - and to my own surprise I have not used the C18 much at all after getting the DRC. Thanks to the ergonomics I don't find the DRC tiring in use and I prefer the grip over the C18 - take this from a guy who has always been a proponent of the C12 and C-style drills. 

On it's own the C18 is a very competent drill and driver but the CXS/DRC pairing is more complete and in my case I find that the DRC more or less is a viable replacement for the C18 - but not the other way around.

I opted out the PDC as I find that the BHC18 is a great hammer drill and I prefer a separate hammer drill over a built in compromise drill. I think most people who have the PDC really enjoy it and aware of its limitations. It is not for me though.

 

[Doug S]

I would not disregard the PDC even though you have the BHC. I find my Makita sds coming out less then it used to since I got the PDC. The PDC does not replace an sds drill but because of its high speed it drills masonary much better then other combis, but it is LOUD.

Doug

 

[carlb40]

yes, the c18 would be the first C shape unless it feels the same as my cxs..

ideally just the one drill, i dont think i would need 3 including my cxs. i was at a trade show today.. i should have held a drc and c18....

would the c18 handle these

http://www.questhardware.co.uk/fixings-fasteners/screws/timberlock/timberlok-screws.html into soft wood/ pressurized timber

The C18 is a fine drill. I don't see how you could be disappointed with it. The C shape needs some getting used to if it's your first.

The DRC is a whole lot more drill. More powerful and the speed it as you've said "something else". If I could have only one drill I'd go for the DRC over the C18.

My c15 had no problem with torx head versions of those fixings, in 4 inch no12 versions.

That was fixing 6 x3 pressure treated timbers onto 2x2 battens.

The c15/18 are nothing like the cxs. While still comfortable,  the grip could do with being slimmed down. That would make it very comfortable.  [smile]

 

[Tyler Ernsberger]

yes, the c18 would be the first C shape unless it feels the same as my cxs..

ideally just the one drill, i dont think i would need 3 including my cxs. i was at a trade show today.. i should have held a drc and c18....

would the c18 handle these

http://www.questhardware.co.uk/fixings-fasteners/screws/timberlock/timberlok-screws.html into soft wood/ pressurized timber

The C18 is a fine drill. I don't see how you could be disappointed with it. The C shape needs some getting used to if it's your first.

The DRC is a whole lot more drill. More powerful and the speed it as you've said "something else". If I could have only one drill I'd go for the DRC over the C18.

I have a t15 and use 6in timberloks a lot.  The c18 will handle more than the t15 and the t15 has a lot of power.  I have used the t15 for 12in timberlok with no issues, I had to use the lower gear though.  I did how ever preorder a pdc.  Cant wait to try it out!!!

 

[pingvinlakrits]

Doug; I am not knocking the PDC (too hard) but I prefer to separate LOUD machines into single use machines.

I think the C18 is a little underpowered for some holesaw diameters, that was my conclusion last I used it (fresh out of the box with newly charged battery) and the DRC does provide more grunt as well as having that additional handle for when the drilling gets tough.

I don't think you would go _wrong_ with either drill, I just find the DRC more versatile and especially when paired with a CXS.

 

[sae]

The PDC does not replace an sds drill but because of its high speed it drills masonary much better then other combis, but it is LOUD.

Doug

Hmm, I never actually thought about the extra RPM boost.

Even so, a cordless SDS is so much less work for my wrists, I don't think I could go back.