Do I REALLY need a TI 15?

[fritter63]

So, I've been sitting here waiting patiently for June 2012 when the TI 15 will be AINA.

Meanwhile. I'm making do with the Bosch Hammer combo drill and the impact driver that I bought for building the house.

I didn't even have an impact driver until that first day of barn construction (which went up before the house) when I managed to drop the bosch hammer drill from 20 feet up on scaffolding. It fell onto the concrete and snapped the shaft. So I sent my wife to the tool store to quickly buy a replacement while I tried to keep my crew of volunteers busy. She came back with a kit, which was all they had, which included the bosch impact driver. It quickly became my favorite tool, due to its' smaller size and ease of driving screws into the 2x lumber for framing.

Then I saw a comment the other day when somebody said you don't need an impact driver if you have a T 15.

So I'd like to hear everyones opinion on this. Do I really need an impact driver? Or is a T 15 a good driver?

My profile: Homeowner, amateur woodworker. I try not to use screws at all, in favor of "real" joinery (lately that's a domino!). If I do use screws, it's pocket hole screws. Or for hardware on furniture.

For big screws, it's mostly into 2x lumber for landscaping projects.

So convince me, do I need to wait for the TI 15? Or does the T 15 drive magically better than a regular cordless drill?

Thanks.

 

[HowardH]

I don't have a hammer drill but I do have the T15.  Best drill I have ever owned, period.  Loads of reserve power, the centrotec system is amazing.  I can go from a drill to a driver in a couple of seconds.  It was crazy expensive with the set but once that pain went away, I have never looked back or questioned my purchase.  It's that good.  Now with the T18 out there, you should take a hard look at that model.  As Tim the Toolman Taylor would say, "power is good.  More power is better!" 

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

As I say very often, we have a 30-day money back guarantee. Exercise it. If you think the T15 might do the job for you, pick one up and give it a try. If it doesn't exceed your expectations, just take it back for a refund. It's that easy.

 

[ScotF]

I love my T15 and I do not long for an impact driver -- unless you are driving lots of lag bolts or drilling into steel, I think that the T15 or one of the new C drills will work well.  Just my $.02.

Scot

 

[Vindingo]

IMO the TI15 doesn't seem that great, especially at $850!

The T15+3 has a lot of nice features and I have been playing with mine non-stop for the last month, BUT it is no impact driver.

To quantify "better" than other drills or impact guns, you have to have a specific task in mind.  I wouldn't lay down decking with a T15; an impact gun would blow it out of the water.  For precisely setting screws, the T15 is probably better than an impact gun. 

Unless there is an ultra specific reason you can only have one gun and you need it to drive large screws and drill holes sans impact function...maybe the TI15 is it. 

If you already have an impact gun, bite the bullet and pick up a T15... for fun!

 

[jmbfestool]

I would go with the T18.  I would not wait for the Ti15. 

You do not need the Ti15 it's only a luxury having a Ti15 if you owned a T15 or T18.  Who said on fog you need impact driver if you have a T15?

The T15 will easily do large screws and things like screwing down decking. You don't need a Ti15 for them applications at all.

I have not tried a Ti15 in action but I have lifted and felt one and it's more bulky and heavier than  the T15.

I'm waiting for a Ti18 see what that is like first any way.

For what you said you will be using the drill for pocket hole screws etc..  The T15 wins hands down over the Ti15.  I would maybe suggest the CXS drill as a consideration if it's only for small applications like furniture but if you want a drill which can be used for the rare occasions you might be doing more heavy work then the T15 or T18.  They have so much power 4 der size so yes they are magically better than ordinary drills.

Jmb

 

[Kev]

Let us look at this sentence very carefully ...

"Do I REALLY need a TI 15?"

Now we'll start with "Do I" ...

Notice the question isn't "Why would" or "For what reason" or "How would I make use of"

... no! It's a blatant plea for support. He wants to hear "Yes you do" ... simple eh?

Lets look at the next word - "REALLY"

Yes -> REALLY ... so now we're done with that.

Further down the line we find the true meaning of the plea ...

"need a TI 15"

Well, as a trained student in the science of Festoolus Addictus Excessivus, I can say that everyone needs a TI 15 ... so we're done with that bit.

Now the "?"

This may seem like a common question mark, but I can tell from the pressure of the keystroke that it's a person crying out for positive support. Why else would he have made four zillion postings on a Festool tools forum - tell me that ??

So the only kind thing we can do here is reply with the response that's obviously sought ...

"Yes my friend - of course you need a TI 15. Life would not be complete without one. Plus, think how you'd feel if Harry down the road had one and you didn't."

PHEW!!! Just saved another Festool Junkie from a near life threatening crisis!

 

[GhostFist]

Personally I've never been a huge fan of impact drivers beyond driving lag bolts I see no advantage to them. People have told me that they're easier on the wrist as far as torque goes, but that has never been an issue for me. The headache however, from using one indoors, is too much for me. Impact drivers had the advantage of being compact with lots of power, but the T series drills have all that plus they're quiet. I don't think you'd regret purchasing one of the T series drills if you can afford them. chuck attachments make them almost infinitely versatile

 

[wubears71]

I use my T15 for just about everything.  It's hands down the best drill/driver I've ever owned.  In fact, I use it in place of my Dewalt 18V Impact Driver.  However, if I had a bunch of Lag bolts to drive, I would go to my DeWalt, but for the occasional lag bolt, it works just fine.  Plus it's durable.  I dropped it this weekend off my roof - about a 18' fall.  The battery popped out but other than that, it held up fantastically. 

 

[tjbier]

I would get a T18, I like my T15 a bunch. I have the Bosch hammer drill (1/2" chuck_) and after using my T15 I have no real use for it, so much heavier, clumsier ect.
The trigger on the T15 is awesome, very sensitive for low rpm's.  It will put in lags just fine but if have to put 30-/+  3 1/2" lags I will most likely use the impactor.

And if the TI 15 cost that much, they will be shelf queens....... at the dealers. [scared]

 

[Kev]

I've already seen the TI15 set advertised here in Oz fro $100 off at one dealer - and it's not released here for a few more weeks.