Festool - drill or impact driver?

Scorpion

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Jan 15, 2014
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My enjoyment of the Festools I have purchased have me now interested in looking at the drills but my history has me leaning toward an impact driver instead of a drill.

Back story - Long time ago I ordered a Dewalt 12v kit that came with a drill and a 1/4-inch impact driver.  The intent was to have lighter versions than the 18v versions I already had.  Over time over learned a few things that make me lean towards an impact driver:

1) the Dewalt impact seats pocket screws perfectly.  I run the screw in full speed and once the sound of the motor changes tone, I'm done.  All screws, all materials, perfect every time.  Even better than setting a clutch on a drill.

2) setting counter sunk screws in plywood (and most other woods I've tried, is perfectly performed without risk to breaking fasteners and never slips on the heads.  Run the screw till the impact struggles, let it impact three hits, and stop, I'm done.  Correctly set depth on a tapered countersink may be the magic here.

3) all drilling is now done with the impact as well.  I do have to be conscious of how quickly I can drill to depth but the effortless nature of the impacts capability feels like a time saver (keep in mind I'm a machinist so I'm aware that drill bits are better lived by constant RPM and feed rate to which an impact violates).

So with all that being said, if I were to get a Festool, I lean towards the impact because of habit however I've noticed that most (shown in project write ups) frequently I see drills.  Is my discovery of the 1/4-inch impact's sweet spot a little known secret, a lucky observation of an inferior tool that just happens to strain right where a smart man needs to stop, or is there something awesome about the festool drills that makes the impact feature not necessary? 

 
To my understanding the Festool impact is no longer available in the US.

Call me old school, but I use a drill for drilling !! [big grin]

My belief is the the control you'll find with the C18 will change your mind - but the 30 day trial option you guys have is a good test.
 
Right, Festool doesn't have an impact driver available.  You might find one on the used market?

The drills have a very  good, consistent clutch.  I use mine for pocket screws and have been getting consistent and reliable results. Also for driving screws to mount drawer slides.

Ultimately you will need to get used to the feel with a new drill or new impact driver.

Seth
 
im all for the electric clutch now...pending on your work material the noise the impact creates is obnoxious.
 
[member=27782]Scorpion[/member]

Sounds like you have a good tool in the deWalt, nd people rave about panasonic as well.

Since it works a champ, why would you want to risk changing to a different driver?
 
Good Day,
I would be no help as I do not have an impact driver, but if you choose a Festool impact, there were 4 new ones available in a central Illinois store I was in 2 weeks ago.  If you need the info let me know and I will get their contact info for you.  Jeff
 
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