Choosing my next Festool drill(s) drives me mad! Help, please!

[yetihunter]

Used to have the CXS, gave it to my sister.
Bought another CXS, returned it.
I like my T18...  a lot.
I like my PDC...  a lot.

The PDC can do anything the T18 can do, and then so much more.
I really like the padded back.
I don't like the right angle chuck for it.  Clunky/cumbersome.
Gear switches are hard (but, to be expected) to change.
LED light is manual. 
Gears can be grating, "clangy" sounding.
Electronic clutch seems to be more accurate than the T18.
Small bits into metal, the PDC is a must over the T18 (speed).

The T18 wins the edge in fitting like a glove.  Overall, easier and quicker to use (just two gears, on/off switch for clutch).
Light is automated.  Battery meter is separate and not integrated into LED lighting. 
Can handle most drilling/screwing with wood.  The right angle chuck takes milliseconds to attach and remove (same for offset).
Has an offset chuck (ball detent..requires power-bits).    Gears are more pleasant sounding. 

PDC is like a race car, T18 is like a luxury sedan. 

PDC goes "beep", T18 goes "bee doop".   

EDIT - In addition, I tend to use the T18 for common indoors tasks, woodworking and etcetera.
          The PDC gets yanked out for outdoors stuff.  Especially when I'm helping friends with fixing things on a time limit.
          GRK or Spax screws + PDC in 3 or 4 + Electronic Clutch = quicker than an Impact Driver.  YMMV

JUST BUY BOTH  [big grin]

 

[rdr]

I've just purchase both the PDC and T18 to take advantage of the free battery offer in the UK and replace my old Dewalt Nicad's. Really like them both and they are different, The T18 seems to have better control for driving. The PDC is a definite allrounder, a jack of all trades. It feels heavy in the hand with the 5.2Ah battery but in a good balanced way and has good controllable power. I had over 100 kreg pocket holes to drill and screw yesterday which was a good introductory test, I ended up using the PDC to Drill and the T18 to screw and all I can say is that it was a pleasure compared to the dewalts - absolute night and day.

If you have the means the T/C18 and PDC make a great tag team. I have just ordered a BHC and Carvex too whilst the battery offer is still running so will have all 3 drills and 4 free batteries for them [big grin]

 

[grobkuschelig]

Used to have the CXS, gave it to my sister.
Bought another CXS, returned it.
I like my T18...  a lot.
I like my PDC...  a lot.
...
JUST BUY BOTH  [big grin]

Yes, that's the problem. I seem to be drawn to acquire the complete range..

Thank you all for your feedback so far it is tremendously appreciated!

For now, I am contemplating getting the C18 for a start.
I will visit my dealer on Monday with a big piece of wood and some screws and forstners.
I have "dry handled" all of the drills numerous times now, but never really "worked" them.

The mentioned switch between drilling and screwing in the T/C with the torque to be fixed on a different switch is a huge plus.
If the drill would only go up to 3800 rpm...

Keep your input coming. I'll update my findings after the try out and give a review after purchase.

 

[grobkuschelig]

One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is that the C18/C12 fit the hand much differently than the CXS.  The small size of the CXS fits the hand perfectly while I find the full size C drills don't feel good in my hands.  I'd suggest if you think you want go the rout of the C18 that try one on your hands first.

Good point, as mentioned I dry-handled the C18 numerous times and keep coming back to it, because it feels so well balanced and controllable in my hand.
I know, at first it is a little less so, because the T-handle gives the feeling of a firmer grip, but I always find myself aligning my index finger with the drill axis, even on a T, as far as possible. And this just makes the C18 feel like an robot-extension to my hand.  [cool]

 

[grobkuschelig]

I've just purchase both the PDC and T18 to take advantage of the free battery offer in the UK and replace my old Dewalt Nicad's. Really like them both and they are different, The T18 seems to have better control for driving. The PDC is a definite allrounder, a jack of all trades. It feels heavy in the hand with the 5.2Ah battery but in a good balanced way and has good controllable power. I had over 100 kreg pocket holes to drill and screw yesterday which was a good introductory test, I ended up using the PDC to Drill and the T18 to screw and all I can say is that it was a pleasure compared to the dewalts - absolute night and day.

If you have the means the T/C18 and PDC make a great tag team. I have just ordered a BHC and Carvex too whilst the battery offer is still running so will have all 3 drills and 4 free batteries for them [big grin]

Hi [member=61770]rdr[/member] , you seem to be stumbling in the trap I'm still trying to evade..

The Carvex is on the purchase list as well, but thanks to the recommendations here, I'll push the BHC, at least until I really have a need for it.
I'm contemplating if I should get just one of the contenders (PDC, C18) or both. And also in what package/set version.
It is truly baffling how those sets are put together..  [scratch chin]

I'd like to have the SCA 8 charger but that only comes in the big sets.

The Fast-Fix attachments are available on quite good deals separately, if I shop around the web.

Are you using the attachments much? And for which purpose?
- Right Angle?
- Depth Stop?

For small screws and such, I have a right-angle on the CXS.
If I get a C18, I will definitely get the off-center-chuck, because it is purely awesome.

 

[rdr]

It is a trap and I have total fallen for it hook line and sinker  [big grin] Up until 2 months ago I didn't own any Festool gear and now I seem to have a bank of sys ports housing 9 tools!

For the drills I went with the Basic sets so no angle or off-centre gadgets, I did think about getting one of the Sets just to get them as they would work with both drills but found some cracking deals on the basic sets so went with them.  I bought the SCA 8 charger seperate using a £50 Festool voucher I had which made my "man math" strategy even better! I ordered the Carvex on FFX Festool promo day and the full accessory set for it too, still waiting for it to be delivered.

My first battery only turned up this week (took 3 weeks) so until now couldn't try the drills, I have bought some centrotec bits  which I'm getting used to and using the Bit adapter for my Kreg Bits which I need to look into as it ends up too long and wobbles too much for my liking, there has to be a neat solution for Kreg and these drills.

 

[grobkuschelig]

Dear all, thank you again for your very valuable input!  [thanks]

Based on your feedback I finally went on with my decision:
Purchased:
- C 18 basic
- PSC 420 basic
- SCA 8 charger
- 2x BP 3.1 A batteries
- DD-ES off-center chuck (eBay classifieds with a great deal!)

I found real good deals on all this, so after numerous comparisons of all the different set-prices, it turned out to be cheaper to get everything separately and this allowed me to get the quick charger (SCA 8) which would not have been included with one of the "compact"-sets with the 3.1 amp batteries (TCL 6 is included in anything but the highest configs, or SCA-labeled sets).

If there are sufficient funds around, I will add the PDC 18/4 basic by the end of the month to take advantage of the battery-for-free deal festool currently offers here.  [cool]

Thanks again! I'll quickly make a post, once the stuff arrived and give feedback, it I still stand by my decision.  [popcorn] [scratch chin]

 

[waho6o9]

Great thread, I too appreciate all comments and experiences.

 

[ScotF]

Excellent choices! Looking forward to hearing how it all works for you.

 

[rdr]

[member=63474]grobkuschelig[/member]

Great decisions and wise move ordering the smaller batteries too, the one thing i have found is the T18 in particular is a tad heavy with the 5A batteries you will receive from the Festool promotion or at least it is when your using it for hours on end. I will be looking at purchasing smaller batteries for it I think.

 

[grobkuschelig]

@rdr yes, thank you.
After handling any of the drills briefly, switching between the 5.2 and 3.1 I knew that I would want to have a couple of the small ones. I would have bought a "compact" set, but that does not include the SCA 8, which I want for fast charging...

I can even see myself using the small batteries on the Carvex, especially for those small cuts where you need to be as mobile as possible.

The first stuff should arrive today, but the Carvex and the batteries have not shipped, so no way to test anything. [emoji24][emoji51]

 

[rdr]

I have been onto FFX today as my Carvex has not shipped yet either (ordered on the 5th) its on back order at festool apparently  [sad] I questioned what would happen with the battery offer if i received it after the end of june. FFX checked and advise we are OK to claim upto the 15th July after which we would need to take it up with Festool direct.

 

[grobkuschelig]

Sorry to hear that.
I apparently lucked out! All my new tools and accessories arrived yesterday!

Nice tools, I have to say! I was not really able to play with them, yet. But everything works and hopefully a small weekend project will allow for ample exposure to the newness. [emoji41]