Festool Drill choice

[marktapungot]

I don't know anything about festool drills even though i own most of the other tools, both dominoes, carvex, TS55 and 75, MFT/3 CT48boom arm work center OF2200, 1400, Kapex Rotex 150/125/90, I just never seemed interested in the drills now i am very curious and would like to know what would be the optimal drill/driver to get if you could only pick one.

 

[bobfog]

For around the house and assembly jobs the CXS/TXS

For a good woodworking all rounder the C18/T18

For a good all rounder including masonry the PDC

The CXS and C18 I can recommend. The PDC however is prone to having that fancy 4 speed gearbox stick and is woefully underpowered compared to its peers from other brand that come in at 50-60% the price. You could forgive the price in lieu of centrotec, the right angle driver, etc., if it had an update to give the motor more torque. There are videos on YouTube if you take a look where it finishes virtually bottom of the pile in auger drilling tests, etc.

Festool seem to have a reluctance to react to the market and compete with its competitors in terms of evolving its motors every few years to keep pace.

 

[charley1968]

I'd go with the one that fits your hand best, regardless of manufacturer. While i do like the PDC, i chose it primarily for fit, then versatility ( centrotec), weight and least for 'strenght'. But i do have other options in that regard,i.e. a corded Bosch hammer drill. I had a powerful Makita before, but i almost knocked myself silly once and i never needed its raw power (90 Nm)

 

[Runhard]

I have a CXS, TXS, and T18 (all set versions) along with two centrotec installers sets and I am very happy with them. The fit and feel are much better than my DeWalt and Milwaukee drills.  I do hope that they come out with a new 18volt impact drill soon.

 

[Birdhunter]

I own the CXS, TSX, C12. T18, and the TI15.

The CSX and TSX are wonderful light duty drills. The form factors are very different so personal preference plays a big part in which one works best for you.

The C12 isn't sold anymore.

If I was to keep only one drill, it would be the T18. It's powerful, relatively light, and fits my hand well.

Whichever one you pick, buy the kit with all the accessories. The accessories are great additions.

 

[marktapungot]

thanks for the replies

 

[MrToolJunkie]

The thing I like about Festool drills is the interchangeable chucks, the weight and smooth triggers. Batteries last a long, long time too. Other brands are starting to offer the interchangeable chucks as well, but limited supply in the North America - not sure why more companies do not offer it here as the concept is really good and the various chucks have saved me many times.

I have the TXS, which is one of the best balanced drills I have ever used - just feels really good in hand. I also have a C12, not made anymore, that I like and I recently added a PDC. For me I want to consolidate battery platforms and I really like my TSC 55, so getting an 18V drill made since to share batteries. I used to have a T15, but sold it to make room for the PDC. I might buy a bare T18 at some point as it is a nice light-weight drill for general woodworking. So far my TXS has handled everything so I am not going to rush out and I still have the C12 if I need more oomph.

I would try them out at a dealer or take advantage of the 30 days trial and see if they make sense for you.

 

[ben_r_]

I just wish they used standard bits and not the Centrotec ones. Only thing thats stopped me from buying into their drills.

 

[Chance Beasley]

I have the TXS, T18 and PDC.

All are good drills. Where they shine is optional accessories, the centrotec system and smoothness. Out of all of them, I'd keep the TXS first. It is the most comfortable drill I have ever held. It is quiet, smooth, very light and has little runout. For installing cabinets, door hardware, hinges, anything around the house, it is my go to drill.

For heavier duty stuff (hammer drill, impact) that you only use every now and again, I'd save my money and buy a Dewalt, Milwaukee, Makita, etc. They don't  need to be that comfortable and enjoyable when you are only doing a few tasks every once in a while that require them. But, around new construction finish work, I have the TXS in my hand a lot. So it makes total sense in that regard.

 

[six-point socket II]

Hi!

This question has been asked so many times, yet it is one of the most difficult to answer - especially without knowing what you need the cordless drill/driver for.

Back in late 2015 I bought my CXS and it has seen plenty of use since then. I even bought the Centrotec Installer Set (German, European version) to go with it - not knowing if I would ever buy a larger Festool cordless drill/driver. The CXS is one of those tools that is worth it's weight in gold. It is lightweight, compact and offers plenty of power/torque for a 10.8/12V cordless tool. Holding it between thumb and index finger, and pressing the power button with "THE finger" - will reveal how comfortable, like an extension of your hand/arm, this tool can be handled during operation. Serial drilling with the 5mm self centering drill bit or the 5mm tungsten carbide drill bit with depth stop? Amazing! No fatigue, very fast and excellent results. 6mm hole in tile with a high quality multi-construction/multi-material drill bit? Done. 8mm and 10mm drilling through 70x70 mm wooden posts - absolutely no problem.

Add the small drill bits for wood and combine them with the angle attachment - there will be very few occasions, if any at all, were you won't be able to drill. The footprint of this drill/driver (even with added angle attachment) is so small, you can get almost everywhere with it.

There's one thing though that I consider the only drawback this tool has: the battery. Currently it's like the only standalone player in the Festool tool range. The CXS/TXS batteries can only be used in the drill/driver - that's it. We might get surprised one day with another 10.8/12V tool - but until then - it is like it is.

Having then purchased a DWC, BR 10 and the TSC the 18V world of Festool opened up to me and 2 days ago I got a PDC.

So far I made a couple of 6mm holes in masonry utilizing a high-quality multi-construction/multi-material drill bit and percussion mode - this thing eats bricks! It's great - since I've been using rotary hammers all the time I know what progress is - and it's incomparable to old percussion drills and my experiences with them. So what I originally thought was just nice to have, will now be utilized more regularly. Then I needed to pre drill 3mm in a wooden board and 5 mm into a plastic housing - the PDC can handle delicate tasks, no problem. Fastening 4.5x80 screws in old, dry *whatever*-kind-of-wood - the PDC didn't even take notice of it as expected.

Now the discussion about lack of power - I can't fathom it. I think Peter Parfitt demonstrated whats possible very nicely in his review of the PDC 18/4 ->=9m25s

If one needs more power than that - it might rather be a job for an impact driver - as they tend to put a lot less stress on the bolts. But I don't know about code/regulations for wood constructions in the US/UK.

What I'm not 100% happy with right now is changing gears on the PDC. When it arrived it was smooth as silk - simply perfect. Now, after two days of light, maybe moderate use and absolutely no dirt that got into the switch - it's kinda sticky and needs a little more convincing to work. It even shut down and beeped, two times after switching in the 4th gear and pressing the trigger - zero load on the drill. BUT, having 3 years of warranty eases my mind - I will keep an eye on it for some time and use it - if this happens more often or the gear switch gets really stuck, it's going to be sent to Festool.

If you go for a drill/driver like the  PDC or DRC buy one of the compact batteries, too. These get really heavy when used with an outstretched arm and having a 5.2 Ah battery installed.

I think the DRC/PDC are the perfect all-around medium to heavy duty drills/drivers and make an excellent set with an additional BHC.

Kind regards,
Oliver

 

[aloysius]

I personally think you can buy much better than Festo for the price.  The alternatives offer more technology, better batteries, more "system" accessories, and an all round more "professional" package.

Many may disagree, but the two cordless Festools I tried (albeit some years ago) were most unsatisfactory.  I've found the company to be some 2-5 years behind the rest of the "professional" class tools in adopting the latest technology.  Considering how rapidly cordless tech is progressing, I personally find this unacceptable.

 

[Holmz]

I don't know anything about festool drills...

Well where in the world are you?
(That have a bearing on what makes sense)

If you want centrotec bits then the options are 2 or 3 brands.
If you want 1/4" bits then there are more options.

Do you need a short drill, offset chuck, or 90 degree chuck?

 

[southrider]

Speaking of rapid technology advances in drills - my "go to" shop drills have been the Dewalt 12v combo (drill & impact). They are extremely light, compact , and an excellent fit in the hand. Plus only $150 on sale.

I have had a complete set of 18v Makita tools for heavier use, as they have been the unquestioned leader in power and torque until recent advances by competition.

As the batteries in my Dewalt set age I have been lusting after a CXS as the replacement for my lightweight shop drill. The chucks have been calling me!

But now Makita has the new 18v sub-compact combo with 2 amp hour lightweight batteries. Same system as the rest of my Makitas, same chargers, and the combo set is only $220. When you pick them up they just "feel" right in your hand. They are also brushless.

So - now I too am confused. I have heard nothing short of complete admiration for the CXS, yet it is double the price, and an investment in ANOTHER charger and batteries.

No dealer in my area stocks Festool drills, so I can't look at and touch them to compare size and feel.

It appears that the new Makitas may even be smaller than the CXS. I keep hoping Festool will surprise us this spring with a new 18v brushless CXS that will be compatible withe their other drills.

While full size Makita impacts are well balanced their drills are heavy, top heavy, and almost too powerful for most jobs. An 18v full Festool lineup might make the difference.

Would love to hear from someone who has hands on experience with both the CXS and the new sub compact Makita for their size, weight, and feel.

 

[antss]

I think it was posted here recently that FT has no plans for brushless  (x)XS  class drills or a new 18v model in the foreseeable future.

I've played around a bit with the new black Makita's and they are nice but I found them bottom heavy.  [unsure].  For just a slight weight and size penalty - the new Milwaukee 18v packs a lot more punch. Which, is why I'd even consider a big drill over the smaller 12v lineups from Bosch/Milwaukee.

Ditto for CXS/TXS, the size is what makes those appealing.  If and when you need the oomph of a big drill you might as well get the most you can. 

Why not just order one from Amazon ?  You can return it within 30 days if it doesn't  suit you and all you're out is time.

 

[bobfog]

I think it was posted here recently that FT has no plans for brushless  (x)XS  class drills or a new 18v model in the foreseeable future.

I think it was termed that nobody was aware of any plans, but still an utterly non binding statement, from people who are in the big scheme pretty near the bottom of the Festool food chain.

 

[leakyroof]

Now the discussion about lack of power - I can't fathom it. I think Peter Parfitt demonstrated whats possible very nicely in his review of the PDC 18/4 ->=9m25s
Have to agree with this.... Haven't run into a job where I thought my PDC was too low on power... [blink]
Also, I've found that while it's heavier or bulkier than my other drills while trying to do something delicate, it's still capable of slowly, ever so slowly; turning when you need to start a screw at the end of a 6" long bit. In other words, you can finesse with it instead of just reaching for a smaller Festool or other drill.
The one common knock is that Gearbox switch. One day it's not hard to move, the next day you're struggling at times.... [mad]
  Now that I'm used to working with it, I can often leave my 15+3 drill home and just bring the PDC and a Install kit unless I want to bring a regular Impact drill as well.
Never tried out the now gone TI-15, and have no plans to buy one used either.
My other drills are CXS, 15+3, BHC, and as a side note, I now have the DWC-18 screw gun.

 

[antss]

You think the big scheme bottom dwellers didn't run the question up the flagpole ?  Of course nothing's binding on a chat forum and a company can release whatever tool they want.... or not.

SouthRider still shouldn't hold his breath waiting on a brushless C or TXS drill or a new 18v model in the foreseeable future.  Like aloysius says - FT is waaaay behind the curve on the drill lineup. 

I remember talking with the FT brass at an international trade show 12-14 years ago and asked them about plans to introduce a small drill lineup like TTi just released with Milwaukee and Bosch.    They had blank looks on their faces and said no.  They basically said "we make tools for pros" and those are toys.  They couldn't fathom that professionals would want a toy drill or driver , let alone and impact, right angle drill, saw, crimper, light, ect......  I see at least one on every jobsite I visit across the country.

And then, they finally caught on with CXS/TXS - but can seem to go brushless or add runtime to the battery packs.

The PDC is a pretty nice all rounder, but it suffers from it's own design.  It's too big and heavy to really utilize the wonderful speed range which is almost twice as fast as everyone else's and spins slower too.  But when you really want some grunt for things like lag bolts or a large dia. hole saw, it's light in the pants, having just half the torque of the top players.  It will do the job just like the rest of them though.    So , a good choice if you relegate yourself to only one drill, and are invested in the FT cordless saws too.  But otherwise....

SthRider - why not order a CXS from Amazon.  Send it back in thirty days if it doesn't suit you and you're only out your time.  A convoluted  way, but still works like a test drive at a dealer.

 

[bkharman]

People who generally complain about the PDC power either don't own one or don't know how to "use" it. If you are trying to bore a 2" hole through 1 foot of concrete, you will have issues. I built an entire playground where everything was screwed together or lagged on 4x4 or 4x6 beams and it didn't miss a beat. I also built the entire thing from scratch (meaning lots of paddle bits and drilling/driving) and did it in 3 batteries! 

I love my CXS and PDC 1,2 punch. Great tools.

Cheers. Bryan.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ben_r_]

Speaking of rapid technology advances in drills - my "go to" shop drills have been the Dewalt 12v combo (drill & impact). They are extremely light, compact , and an excellent fit in the hand. Plus only $150 on sale.

I use the DeWalt 12V screwdriver and drill myself. Usually the drill has a countersink bit in it, the screwdriver drives the screws and my 18V DeWalt has the pre-drill bit I need in it and I just switch between the three. Might buy another 12V drill to hold the pre-drill bit though just since they are smaller and easier to handle. One cool thing about the DeWalt route, especially the 12V ones. They are so cheap for the price of one Festool drill you can have 3 12V DeWalts!

 

[amt]

Any real-world comparisons between the PDC and competing drills for things like torque and battery life?  I ask because it's nearly impossible to compare manufacturer's torque specs from one to another.