Festool BHC 18 vs Bosch GBH 18vLi cp

[narrowboatboy]

is it just me or does the new SDS drill from Festool look a lot like the Bosch,

 

[Timtool]

They look-alike but i think it is inevitable with this concept, the Festool one is made on the same base as the drywall screw gun they have.
It's the first time i see this BHC 18 honestly, it is not featured on the Belgian Festool site, though i can find it on sale in other countries?

 

[SittingElf]

Just looked at multiple sources in Germany and England. Doesn't look like it's available until around April 2014. (Festool Germany New Product Catalog states "Spring")

The model will be called the BHC 18. Part numbers will be from 564504 - 564507 (I think 564506 in UK)

Price will be €320 - €498 plus VAT depending on whether bought as Basic or as a Set. [eek] (Got these prices out of the German 2014 Festool Pricelist.)

Might purchase in Germany before permanently returning to the USA in June. Comes with 2 batteries and charger...and my dealer can get Festool to send a 110V charger instead of the 220V.

Frank [big grin]

 

[greg mann]

They look-alike but i think it is inevitable with this concept, the Festool one is made on the same base as the drywall screw gun they have.
It's the first time i see this BHC 18 honestly, it is not featured on the Belgian Festool site, though i can find it on sale in other countries?

They're not letting you see it Tim, 'cause you can get it fro free!  ;D

 

[Davej]

It was delayed till spring as there was an issue with one of the switches , don't know which one as the festool rep that told me wouldn't go into detail only to say that it was a ' potential ' issue so the launch date was moved back 6 months .
Dave

 

[Kev]

They're broadly similar in layout, but very different in detail.

 

[SMJoinery]

Thinks to self...PDC now or wait for BHC?,
Obvious PDC had advantage on screwing but BHC would have hammer / SDS advantage...

 

[jonny round boy]

Thinks to self...PDC now or wait for BHC?,
Obvious PDC had advantage on screwing but BHC would have hammer / SDS advantage...

Easy. Both!

PDC (or DRC) now, then the BHC when it comes out! Already got the PDC myself, but want the SDS...

Then I'll have both drills, and the 18v Carvex, all using the same batts (and I'll have 5 of those too!).

 

[Timtool]

They're not letting you see it Tim, 'cause you can get it fro free!  ;D

[tongue] actually it is featured on the list of things i can get!

I was initially tempted by a PDC, but after reading reviews i think i will pass as it is unlikely it can replace my old corded Bosch hammer sds.
The BHC looks tempting but i will wait for reviews, the 18v makes me act cautiously as you usually see 36V's for cordless SDS. But then i rarely drill more than a dozen holes for the odd occasion so it may be a good compromise if it performs accordingly.

 

[wrightwoodwork]

If I was to get a new hammer cordless drill I would get the hilti I have one of the original 36v still works but is on the heavy side as the battery is on the heavy side and it only come with one battery and a replacement battery was £200. The new lithium batteries make the much lighter and they now come in 22v as well as 36v

 

[Rick Christopherson]

is it just me or does the new SDS drill from Festool look a lot like the Bosch,

Even though they look pretty similar, the Festool has a vibration damped handle. The main handle is isolated from the motor and hammer action. It doesn't show well in the picture you posted, but you can see this feature in some of the photographs floating about the internet. It is a feature you'd really come to appreciate after drilling just a few large-bore holes.

Thinks to self...PDC now or wait for BHC?,
Obvious PDC had advantage on screwing but BHC would have hammer / SDS advantage...

The thing about the PDC is that it is an excellent full-featured drill/driver with great options, which just so happens to have the added bonus feature of also being a hammer drill. The BHC is a full-blow heavy duty hammer drill that has the added feature of being usable as a drill too.

So the one you choose to get should depend on how much masonry work you plan on doing. Do you need a great drill/driver that has hammer capabilities, or do you need a near-dedicated hammer drill? (Or as Jonny Round Boy suggested, just get them both.  [big grin])

 

[johnrichardson]

As Johny roundboy said get them both!  Just bought this today outstanding kit!

 

[narrowboatboy]

what you not going to show us how quick it can punch a hole?

 

[pingvinlakrits]

I have both the BHC18 and the "equivalent" Bosch GBH18V-EC.

The Bosch GBH18V-LI model looks more like the Festool BHC18 but the Bosch LI has less impact and is not really equivalent to the Festool BHC. The Bosch GBH EC model is more comparable and there are to me two differences: the Festool has vibration control and the Bosch has a light chiseling function. For mixing small batches of grout the Bosch feels better as the vibration control makes the Festool a bit wobbly feely when stirring paint and mixing grout. For removing tile and mixing grout the Bosch "wins". For a kitchen fitter that would tip the scale I guess.

Both handle very well for drilling in concrete and the Festool is more "comfortable" but they are both solid machines for light to medium drilling. I can't really say that one is better than the other. I have them both as part of different kit bags.

 

[sae]

Man, Henrik is the go-to guy for drill comparisons.

Also, I just noticed they put up the specs for the Flexiclick adapter.

http://www.bosch-professional.com/gb/en/gha-fc2-35982-ocs-p/

1 joule/impact puts it on par w/ the GBH. That's pretty good I think, for being part of a modular kit. Not comparable to the BHC though.

Still better than a hammer drill though. I tried to skate by using my old M18 Fuel hammer drill to do about 4 dozen 1/2" holes to mount workshop cabinets, wood shelving, etc., wouldn't wish that upon anybody. I splurged for a Metabo KHA 18 LTX, and to to honest, now that I have it, I've been using the chipping function more than the drilling function. It's really useful for removing tile, scraping linoleum glue, small demo work, etc.

 

[pingvinlakrits]

For an everyday "do-most-if-not-all" drill/driver the Flexiclick system will be very competitive. I am tempted to get the Hammer drill attachment now that I have two different kits anyway. For a slim kit bag the Flexiclick will be awesome.

Should they release a slimmer grip at the end of the year for the Flexiclick I would probably dump my Festool 18V gear  [scared] [eek] in favour of Bosch. 

The things Bosch do "better" for me in the 18V system:
Locking hex bit holder on machine for standard bits and bit drills. 
Hammer drill attachment for the Flexiclick.
Lighter and more agile Jigsaw.
Much more comfortable in action. No extra base system for something that isn't a "precision" instrument anyway.
Chiseling function on the GBH EC 18 plus less wobbly for some tasks, like holesawing. Great drill!
Impact drill - Festool has none. Bosch makes the most comfortable one.

I am not pining for a 18V plunge/circ saw as I prefer corded ones - and hooked up to a shop vac but I think Festool has the upper hand there.

Festool needs to catch up some in the 18V arena, the list of things they do better are much shorter than it was a few years ago.  It is a difference between having more expensive products that perform well and not having a product.