drills... how many are enough?

[HowardH]

At this point, I have a CSX, T15 and the C18.  Now they come out with the TID 18 which I will assume will use the same batteries that I already have.  Assuming I get it, that will mean I will own four Festool drills.  [laughing]. How many are too many?  Or is this like asking if you can have too much bacon? 

 

[cpw]

I don't think you can really have too many; if they have a purpose.  Not having to switch bits is a purpose.  I can justify 7 of the 9 drills I have.

For day-to-day stuff I have a Dewalt 20V drill/driver, Dewalt 20V impact driver, Bosch Flexiclick.  The flexiclick is a nice weight and good for close quarters work.

I have a CXS that I bought from the recon sale, but like the Flexiclick better after I got that.  It's a fine drill, but the centrotec chuck and form factor just never "clicked" for me.

Then more specialized things that only come out on special occasions, Bosch Rotary Hammer, Dewalt corded hammer drill, Dewalt 20V RA drill, Dewalt flexvolt stud drill.

I also have a Ryobi ONE+ drill that I haven't used in quite a while (these used to be my goto, but the newer versions are measurably worse than the one I have from 2007.  I bought my BIL one of these, and used it this weekend on a ladder and the weight is noticeable.  It still runs so as long as I have a couple of other ONE+ tools, I'll keep it.

 

[semenza]

No, no, no ................  the TiD18 doesn't count because it is in impact driver.  No reason to add that in to your total. It is a completely separate and different tool. So no justification required.  [wink]

And three is the bare minimum for drills so you are good to go on getting at least one more  8)

Seth

 

[HowardH]

Seth, I knew I could count on you to come up with a reasonable answer.  [big grin]

 

[Roseland]

I think that like so many tools the ideal number is N + 1, where N is the number you have now.

Andrew

 

[HowardH]

I presume my existing 18v batteries will be able to work.

 

[FestitaMakool]

I think what others here say, 3 is really basic. The TID is an impact, and you can even have more of those at well. So even for me as a non professional, but keen renovator and diy’r it accumulates: 6 drills (One HD, three medium duty and two small light duty). 3 impacts (Two large HD and one smaller light duty). But almost all with differences, for different use. Only 2 Festool’s because of a Centrotec installers kit (well that’s why I bought a CXS at an extremely good price, to accompany a C18) One is an old Makita, a beast similar to the PDC, and gets air when the heavy drilling is due. Another is an old Makita impact which still works well and is more worth in what it can do of dirty work than what it’s worth on the second hand market.

 

[six-point socket II]

I refuse to count them. And what is the meaning behind "how many & enough"? Never heard those words before.  [bite tongue]  [big grin]  [wink]

Kind regards,
Oliver

 

[Hawkeye0001]

I decided six was way too much and boiled it down to... five. Gave one of my CXS' to my son for his sixth birthday [big grin]

Most of the time I find myself using three on any given project, usually DRC, C18/T18, CXS.

 

[AlexThePalex]

I mostly have two with me for a project, the T15 is my main drill complimented in the past with a C12 but now the Ti15 has taken its place.

But many times I do like to take the C12 with me also. It is nice to be able to have one drill as a screwdriver, another loaded with a centrotec wood drill, and a third with a countersink or whatever drill or bit I might need for the job. Greatly diminishes switching time.

 

[rmhinden]

[member=396]HowardH[/member]

The answer to your question is simple.  One should have the same number of drills as one has routers!

I have two routers and three drills, so time to buy another router

Bob

 

[Scott in San Diego]

In order to have tool-to-bit equilibrium, you must have a drill for every bit in your possession.  If you do not maintain this 1:1 ratio, the world will spin wildly off axis with catastrophic results.  Please take all precautions to save mankind and procure more drills. 

Also, if you can count, in your head, how many drills you have...you don't have enough.

 

[ChuckM]

For me, 2 cordless, and 2 corded are enough as far as furniture making is concerned. I do have a Bosch combo, but they're not my go-to cordless because of their hex receptors.

It is not the no. of drills that matters, but the no. of spare batteries!

 

[tjbnwi]

No such thing as enough drills.

Tom

 

[RJNeal]

What Tom said except when your trying to put them all away.  [big grin]

 

[sancho57]

I have 2 festools C12 and C18, Old style Milwaukie Hammer Drill, looking at geting the PDC/ TID18 pkg. The TID18 at the very least.

 

[RJNeal]

Thanks Jobsworth, you just reminded me of the PDC I forgot.
C-15 ,T-18, PDC,
Hole hawg, Hilti 7c, and a Hilti sds
And a Boice Crane drill press.

 

[CeeJay]

Well it’s 7 drills plus an impact driver for me.

3 18V cordless (2 Makita 1 AEG). These are the cabinet set. 1 driver, 1 countersink, 1 drill.

1 CXS which is general use and assembly.

1 corded Makita for larger/longer holes. Not used much really.

1 corded Kress SDS+ hammer drill.

Plus my pedestal drill of course.

Actually there’s an old 18V Dewalt somewhere as well so it’s 8.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[mrboult]

Like any professional with enough years behind them there are probably over 10 drills in my possession, from old/worn cordless drills to corded drills handed down from previous generations, to a cheap SDS chisel I've never used since the project I bought it for...

The drills I use these days are:

BHC - Delighted every time I use it as to how great it is (power vs size). Makes me glad I spent the $ every time!
TID - Just got it, don't use impacts much but glad to have one for those times they're the ideal tool.
T18 Compact - My fave drill ever! Once upon a time I had a T18+PDC+CXS, but after some consideration (and buying the BHC) I sold the PDC & CXS for a second T18 compact set.

In my professional setting, drills are used so often I have no issue spending a bit of extra cash to spoil myself with a tool(s) that is a real pleasure to use.

Centrotec is key too! I love having a quick change system but hugely appreciate the tighter tolerance runout of centrotec vs the std ball detent hex bits widely used.

 

[Claimdude]

Maybe a silly question but what is the T18 Compact Drill? Smaller version of a regular T18?

Thanks
Jack

Like any professional with enough years behind them there are probably over 10 drills in my possession, from old/worn cordless drills to corded drills handed down from previous generations, to a cheap SDS chisel I've never used since the project I bought it for...

The drills I use these days are:

BHC - Delighted every time I use it as to how great it is (power vs size). Makes me glad I spent the $ every time!
TID - Just got it, don't use impacts much but glad to have one for those times they're the ideal tool.
T18 Compact - My fave drill ever! Once upon a time I had a T18+PDC+CXS, but after some consideration (and buying the BHC) I sold the PDC & CXS for a second T18 compact set.

In my professional setting, drills are used so often I have no issue spending a bit of extra cash to spoil myself with a tool(s) that is a real pleasure to use.

Centrotec is key too! I love having a quick change system but hugely appreciate the tighter tolerance runout of centrotec vs the std ball detent hex bits widely used.