Drills

[pettyconstruction]

Ok , I'm looking to get a new drill.
Pdc or t-18? Is the question ?

I have the csx and love it, but need a bigger drill before the one I use quits.
I also can see in the future , getting the sds cordless from festool

I don't see myself getting the cordless ts saw or the jigsaw, but who knows whatever
Festool comes up with down the road.

What's everyone's thoughts? Pdc? Or T-18 ?
Thanks in advance,
Charlie

 

[bobfog]

Considering the PDC is a "full sized" cordless drill I think its specs are pretty poor. Too little torque and too much emphasis on the high RPM, which isn't that useful due to the lack of torque.

So if it were me and I was choosing from the Festool range, I'd get the T-18 and use it for all the non-masonry stuff the CXS can't deal with and get the Festool SDS for masonry, rather than the "jack of all trades, master of none PDC".

 

[McNally Family]

Within 28 of my 30 day return option on my new CXS, I took it back and purchased the C-18.  My thinking was that with the 18v batteries in hand, I could jump to the BHC/SDS basic version later for not so much money.  T-18 or C-18, no real difference other than how the drill fits in your hand.  Long term, I would like to have all three (CXS, C-18 and BHC, all with the same form factor).  I suspect I would repurchase the CXS immediately should Festool re-issue a brushless electronic version, as I do like the size of that drill. 

 

[Staniam]

Having owned the T18 and currently own the PDC, I would definitely say the PDC. Why get a drill that does less? I haven't run into an application where the torque lacked on the PDC. I just used it for a week mixing thin set for a tile job.

The PDC - CXS combo is really great.

 

[AlexThePalex]

I like both drills. I have the T15 myself and that one is nothing but a T18 with 10% less power. My T15 is the nicest drill I've ever used, the trigger control is very precise and the drill runs very smooth. The added benefit of the special chucks also comes in very handy from time to time.

My nephew owns the PDC and I've worked a lot with that drill over the years, and I think it is also a very nice one. The high speed is marvelous when drilling or driving, you're done so fast. If you have to do this all day the high speed of the PDC will save you a significant amount of time. I have also used the drill for large screws or bolts and it never failed to do any of them. Only the gear selector is a bit difficult, you often have to put in some effort to go from one gear to another.

Considering the PDC is a "full sized" cordless drill I think its specs are pretty poor. Too little torque and too much emphasis on the high RPM, which isn't that useful due to the lack of torque.

So if it were me and I was choosing from the Festool range, I'd get the T-18 and use it for all the non-masonry stuff the CXS can't deal with and get the Festool SDS for masonry, rather than the "jack of all trades, master of none PDC".

Just wondering, have you actually used the drill, because everything you say here is contrary to my experience. Sure, there are stronger drills now, but is that the only criterium to judge a drill?

 

[bobfog]

I have used it. Before I went self-employed a few years ago my employer had one.

My impression was that the high speed gears were only useful for relatively small drill bits and as such you'd have to drill a lot of sub 10mm holes per day to notice saving a few seconds per hole vs a normal drill with 2000rpm. As for larger bits it just doesn't have enough torque, so for me the high speed is a bit of a gimmick.

As for how we judge drills, you are correct. There are other ways to jude a drill. I did like the 90 degree chuck on the odd occasion i used it and the grip was quite comfortable. However I never really saw any more "control" or "precision" in the trigger than on my Milwaukee 18v. Added to that I seem to remember it being a PITA with the gear selector getting stiff when changing gears.

So all in all, I just found it a bit too expensive for what it actually brought to the table. I have a 10.8v drill for delicate/everyday light duty stuff and a Milwaukee with more than double the PDC torque for heavy duty stuff. I found that the PDC filled a gap that wasn't vacant. Too big to replace a 10.8v and not powerful enough to compete with the 18v offering from other manufacturers.

 

[pettyconstruction]

Thanks guys,
Just as I expected,5 replies and split down the middle  [cool].

I bought one of the fein drills last summer and it lasted about 6-8 screws I a deck  [eek] not kidding. I returned it for a happy result.

But now, I think the T-18 is prob. Better for me ,cuz I plan on getting the sds drill down the road. My roto hammer quit about 6 mos ago.

I will let everyone know what I choose and how I like it.
Thanks ,Charlie

 

[tjbnwi]

T-15, 5-1/2" hole saw, 1/2" drywall, 1/2" plywood, 10-holes for recessed lights. One battery of unknown state of charge.

About 30 seconds a hole.

Tom

 

[pettyconstruction]

That's impressive Tom,
Great use for a old basketball btw. I may have to steel that one.
Thanks ,Charlie

 

[tjbnwi]

That's impressive Tom,
Great use for a old basketball btw. I may have to steel that one.
Thanks ,Charlie

If your are drilling through drywall, run the drill backwards. It works better.

The basketball works great, no mess at all.

Tom

 

[yetihunter]

I'm not a big fan of Dewalt, but their DCD790 smokes my PDC in torque and ergonomics. 

Only go Festool for the precision, interchangeable chucks, build/finish quality, electronic clutch and service/warranty (10 year parts availability). 
Emphasis on the build/finish quality part. 

Between the PDC and T18, I can tell you that only the T18 can take the offset chuck and the PDC has the better right angle chuck. 

 

[Holmz]

Another video from the great white north.
=False

 

[bobfog]

Another video from the great white north.
=False

I think he's great. Quite funny and informative.  I know he's not a true expert and sometimes gets things a bit back ar$eward, but I still enjoy his "vijeos".

I especially liked his TS55 tear down. I know he made a few mistakes in assessing it, but he also made some valid points that it wasn't as well engineered in places as Festool would like everyone to think.

 

[Holmz]

Yeah [member=60286]bobfog[/member] I am even thinking about getting a Ridgid now...

 

[McNally Family]

I just can't help it, but every time I see the Ridgid name, I think plumbing tools.  Just as I think drills or Sawzall's (or electric motors), when I see the Milwaukee name.

I realize that now they are all owned by the same people, who simply add a name to a generic tool and market it as an individual entity, much like what GM did with Pontiac, Oldsmobile, Buick, and Chevrolet.  It has gotten to the point where you can hardly tell any of them apart, except for the logo.

The PDC might also fall into this category, as it was formerly ProTool, but now Festool (but still made in the Czech Republic, where labor runs about a third of what it does in Germany).

 

[bobfog]

Yeah [member=60286]bobfog[/member] I am even thinking about getting a Ridgid now...

That's probably something you shouldn't say to another man!  [eek] [big grin]

 

[Holmz]

Only on a wood forum.

 

[bryan1982]

Ive been runnibg a protool pdc since 2007 and i still have the same batteries for it.
It pumps out a 70mm a 90mm few 44mm and a couple of 57mm hole saws at least 2 to 3 kitchens a week on speed 4.
I use the pdc with txs every day.
If im drilling into brick the bhc is the go to

I do have a ti15 in the kit if i need the offset chuck but would never want to be drilling hole saws with a c18 of t18 it just spins too slow.

I have a c18 aswell.

Cheers

Bryan

 

[mike_aa]

I just can't help it, but every time I see the Ridgid name, I think plumbing tools...

When I see the Ridgid name, I think calendars.  [eek]  [tongue]  [tongue]

 

[McNally Family]

I just can't help it, but every time I see the Ridgid name, I think plumbing tools...

When I see the Ridgid name, I think calendars.  [eek]  [tongue]  [tongue]

Ahhh yes, I had forgotten about those !