Festool drills and "amp hours"

[Toolpig]

I'm an occasional woodworker and house fixer-upper.   Festool offers 3 different 12-volt drills.  The only difference I see if the amp-hour rating on the batteries.  Here's link...
http://bobmarinosbesttools.com/drilling.html?sid=93507c935e9dd2ecde086165de53607d&cat=2

Which one might be best for me?

TP

 

[pteubel]

More amp hours equals more run-time...and more charge time. The 1.3Ah battery charges in 25 minutes. I don't think I've ever drained a battery in less time it takes to recharge.

 

[greg mann]

The 1.3 AH works for me as well. In the environment you described that should be all you need.

 

[jrs]

actually, the 3.0 Ah one is NiMh while the 1.3 and 2.4 are both NiCd.

 

[bdog01]

The 1.3Ahr is a little lighter than the others if you are going to be lifting it above your head or other awkward positions all day.

 

[Amateur]

I have the C12 w/ 1.3 battery, and it is great. Did I mention how much I like my C12?

 

[Dan Clark]

I have the C12 with the 2.4Ah battery.   The trigger is getting a little sticky after massive use.   But I can't give it up long enough to send it to David (Festool Service).   

For a 12V drill, it's got great torque.   And the electronics are excellent!   The overheating protection in the drill and the battery charger is first rate.  It's saved the drill, the batteries and the charger at least 10 times. 

If you get a C12, make SURE that you get the chuck kit!   It is awesome.   And the Depth Stop Chuck is quite good (here's my review:http://festoolownersgroup.com/index.php?topic=331.0).   When I bought the Chuck Kit, I thought, "Hmmm... This kit is really cool.   But I'm probably wasting money.   I'll rarely use the right-angle chuck and probably never use the eccentric chuck."  Wrong!   Within the first week, each of them bailed me out at least 1/2 dozen times.   

Finally, here's my C12 holster:http://www.festoolownersgroup.com/CoppermineMain/displayimage.php?album=29&pos=5.   Think my C12 has enough scars?   (The best holster for a C12 is a wide, deep fastener pouch.)

About the only thing I wish it had was a Li Ion battery.  Hopefully, Festool will come out with an LI kit that is retrofitable.

Regards,

Dan.

 

[Mr Jones]

I use the C12 to make and install cabinets, a range of drilling and screwing, it can handle sawing 78mm holes in 2 or 3 sheets of mdf, or slowly screwing in tiny brass screws for hinges etc, I got the 3ah battery but it generally lasts 1 or 2 months of this kind of use, kind of overkill don't you think, but it makes me feel quite confident that even on a bad day the spare 3ah could probably see me through a week of drilling and screwing.

From your description I'd say go with the small battery the weight saving will make fine control much easier.