Festool drills / drivers, Why?

[Bugsysiegals]

I’ve never understood the desire for the Festool cordless drill/drivers ... is it brand loyalty, same batteries as the cordless circular saw, actually better quality/ergonomics??

 

[DeformedTree]

I’ve never understood the desire for the Festool cordless drill/drivers ... is it brand loyalty, same batteries as the cordless circular saw, actually better quality/ergonomics??

I can see it if you are 100% festool and have a lot of battery tools, like a user of any other system, but given the price, yeah, it's a hard sell.  As you see the battery tools look to always be the stuff left over on the recon, it shows that a lot of folks aren't looking to jump into that system. No one wants to buy a battery tool from any system for just one tool, buying into a very expensive system for a couple tools, that's a hard sell.  Some of the tools may be very nice, but I don't think folks want that one random battery sitting around.  Lets face it, if Festool cordless used a Festool labeled Milwaukee M18 battery, sales would go crazy.  If Festool had a unique battery tool that I was going to use every day, then yeah, probably not an issue. 

 

[AlexThePalex]

I’ve never understood the desire for the Festool cordless drill/drivers ... is it brand loyalty, same batteries as the cordless circular saw, actually better quality/ergonomics??

Actually better quality. There is no comparable drill on the market that you can control so precise as the Festool T and C series.

 

[DeformedTree]

I’ve never understood the desire for the Festool cordless drill/drivers ... is it brand loyalty, same batteries as the cordless circular saw, actually better quality/ergonomics??

Actually better quality. There is no comparable drill on the market that you can control so precise as the Festool T and C series.

I would hope so.  But the question is does it justify the price?  Look at folks all looking for the impact driver, when basically all tool companies make them, so you have them in what ever battery you like, and they are cheap, and will bash a screw in all the same.

How precise do you need a drill?

 

[rj_mccall]

I’ve never understood the desire for the Festool cordless drill/drivers ... is it brand loyalty, same batteries as the cordless circular saw, actually better quality/ergonomics??

Actually better quality. There is no comparable drill on the market that you can control so precise as the Festool T and C series.

I would hope so.  But the question is does it justify the price?  Look at folks all looking for the impact driver, when basically all tool companies make them, so you have them in what ever battery you like, and they are cheap, and will bash a screw in all the same.

How precise do you need a drill?

[member=60777]Bugsysiegals[/member] there are plenty of other threads to discuss the various drill offerings. [member=5277]Alex[/member] said it best, their quality is very good.

Back to the Recon tools.

 

[slavi.yordanov]

The Vecturo OSC18 was my first cordless Festool, and it's amazing.

Then I found out about the C18. Let me first say, that the retail price on the set is ridiculous. The Centrotec stuff is completely useless for me. You need to buy into their system of bits (very overpriced) if you don't already have some. It's also not as stable as they claim it to be, maybe a little less runout than a regular 1/4 hex drill/impact.

I mainly bought this drill for drilling in very tight spots (I have a repiping company), and it's perfect for that. I'm able to drill holes, where no other drill before would fit. As far as I'm aware there are no competitors on the US market for this specific use (Bosch has 18V Flexiclick, but I'm not sure the right angle chuck is 1/2"). If you don't need a 1/2" chuck like me, then you have more options in the 12V platforms.

As others have said, the trigger is very precise and the electronic clutch is pretty good. But I don't think it really matters. This thing is pretty heavy with the battery, so I don't know who would use it to screw stuff. I just use my M12 Surge for that. Everything considered, I'm pretty happy with my C18. I wish it had a little more power though.

The CXS for me is pretty outdated, and the battery doesn't work on anything else. I know a lot of people praise it too.

The TID 18 is nice, but nothing special really.

So in conclusion, Festool drills are pretty good, but the only ones worth it to add another battery platform are the C/T18 or the PDC in my opinion. All others have pretty good competitors from all major brands, and if you already have a Makita/Dewalt/Milwaukee batteries it doesn't make sense to buy a Festool.

The new batteries have bluetooth too, which is nice for using them with a TSC55/HKC55/OSC18 or even drills when making pocket holes. I barely use my M18 tools anymore.

 

[ChuckM]

I've used several different models of Festool cordless drills. They were powerful and long-running. But I have zero plans to own any of them. My Bosch and Black & Decker drills (5 in total plus extra affordable aftermarket batteries) serve all my drilling needs. I couldn't feel any difference in ergonomics between mine and the Festool ones that I've had experience with.

I do have two corded drills that are more powerful and long-lasting than any Festool or non-Festool drills.

 

[mrboult]

Put simply, I use drills every day. So why not have the best? The quality and precision is second to none and I hate most other drills by comparison (mostly talking T18 here)

Lots of People complain about the price and then list the 3 drills they have. . I’d rather just one festool. But I actually have 5 of them  [tongue]

I never recommend them in general cos, sure, any drill will do the job. But I love my T18 every time I grab it.
Also I’m in the festool battery platform.

Each to their own. I don’t mind spending extra for things I use so so often.

 

[pixelated]

I bought a TXS because of the small size and weight primarily, and secondly because of the interchangeable chucks.  At the time, no other makers offered that sort of package.
Its my most-used drill now.

 

[six-point socket II]

If you don't get it, there's nothing wrong with that, then they're simply not for you. Move on and buy whatever else floats your boat.

I'm very happy with my Festool drill/drivers (tools), there's not one I would exchange for another make or model. Festool IS the best!

So tired of  [dead horse]

Kind regards,
Oliver

 

[mino]

I’ve never understood the desire for the Festool cordless drill/drivers ... is it brand loyalty, same batteries as the cordless circular saw, actually better quality/ergonomics??

Actually better quality. There is no comparable drill on the market that you can control so precise as the Festool T and C series.

Then the DRC/PDC were pretty unique (alone even?) with its 4-speed gearbox and still are special in that front.

The CSX, a specialist "cabinet installers" tool which no one else really makes - as the market is so small.

The BHC is a really nice tool, not much better than competition, but still really *nice* to use and priced reasonably /yeah a Festool priced reasonably .... /.

Etc. Etc.

 

[xedos]

I’m also tired of  [dead horse] from fanboys proclaiming festool drills the best simply because they , themselves, like them or it’s simply a festool. Bugsy asked a legitimate question at the place most likely to have the insight.  To tell him to move on because he doesn’t “get it” at first glance is kinda rude.

Festool’s drill driver offerings more often than not come out at at the bottom of pack when tested independently for run time, capacity, raw power, and compatibility.  They do get favorable marks for ergonomics though.  They have also lagged behind in the not too distant past on brushless offerings and battery tech.  Years ago they almost missed the boat completely on 12v subcompact drills. They were also late to the party on LiIon batteries.  Nice product offerings , some were/are even unique.  But festool is not a slam dunk as a the best drill brand.  Far from it.

Milwaukee has come out with cxs clone that is better in some respects : brushless, more and larger capacity battery options, more interchangeable heads, and the battery works in a hundred + other tools.  But, it falls short of cxs in others : ergonomics, bit storage, and the assinine reverse switch location. 

 

[six-point socket II]

All of this has been discussed to exhaustion. Plain and simple.

I'm not rude, I'm tired. Especially of this brand loyalty B/S. I have (power) tools from so many brands, so many different battery platforms - because I buy what fits me, my needs, my wants best. End of story. Drills like the DRC/PDC or drivers like the DWC were or still are best in class for a long time, the DWC still is, because there simply is no comparable product on the market. (Or is there a cordless driver that delivers 4500 RPM and an auto function, where the bit sits idle until pressure is applied and the trigger does not need to be pulled, yet in reverse pulling the trigger will activate it without any pressure needed?)

Are there drills with longer runtime per Ah, higher capacity batteries, "more power", and relying solely on 1/4" accessories. YES. If you want that, there's only one option though: move on.

In regards to that Milwaukee M12 FDDX, yes it has more chucks, yes it stands on a way bigger battery platform, yes it's brushless. I'd still take my CXS over it any day - because it does what I need it to do, it has way better ergonomics, and overall quality is a world apart. But sure, the Milwaukee has more power, brushless motor and comes with more chucks.

And just for the records, I own M12 tools and I'm on the battery platform.

And yes, it's a pity there's not more 12V coming from Festool. (Hence the Milwaukee ownership ...)

Calling me a fanboy is plain and simple silly, because it's not true. I address my complaints & thoughts to where they are being heard and people can actually do something about it.

Has my tone changed and my responses to questions of "brand loyalty". Yes.

Still, I always send my kind regards,
Oliver

 

[mrboult]

And I’m sick of people referring to reviews where people rate festool drills at the bottom because of a load of meaningless tests.

The centrotec, ergonomics and precise control are why I love my festool drills. Couldn’t give two poops about most of the test criteria in these stupid test videos.

The fact that the Festools always score so low is honestly total testament to what a waste of time most online tests are. Call me a fan boy, I couldn’t care less, I have the best dr I’ve ever used by a noticeable margin.

But you have to ask yourself if your current drill could be improved, for you. If you only/mostly drive all screws with impact drivers then you’re probably not the kind of carpenter who will ever appreciate a festool drill. That’s OK, just don’t tell me the f’ing Milwaukee is better, cos it ain’t.

 

[Doug S]

The control I can get with the trigger on my T18 is definitely better than any other drill I have owned, it is a pleasure to use.

But yeah going on drill reviews the most important thing is how many hundred screws it can put in on one charge or how quickly it can put on of those 18" long screws that we all use all the time  [wink]

 

[CeeJay]

I’ve got 5 cordless drills, 1 of which is a Festool CXS. Other 4 are other brands.

Pretty much every time I’m doing any fitting or cabinetry work I pick up the CXS.

It just works, feels, performs great.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[FestitaMakool]

[member=60777]Bugsysiegals[/member]  - Try one, and decide for yourself  [smile] I did, and added two C handle Festool drills to my “arsenal” of drills. I’ve been through (Trough work and ownership) ; ELU, DeWalt, Panasonic, Milwaukee, Hitachi (Now Hikoki) and Makita also the odd “Private label” brands.
Panasonic and Makita is the ones that have had the best driver control of all I’ve handled, except Festool.

This comes down to marketing. Especially one brand is very “GOOD” at marketing,
they “SHOUT” TM. I have learned from my background in marketing to be sceptical to brands that shout too much. They need to “PROVE” TM something, keeping your eyes away from what they “DONT” TM want you to see. It’s not that they don’t make good products, they even have gems, but certainly not the whole range.
YouTube “REVIEWS” TM are mostly just a joke as others have mentioned. There are a very few that do fairly thorough tests that cover “ALL ASPECTS” TM...
ANY tester who uses “trigger pumping” techniques should be discarded as a tester who goes through all the aspects that a tester should, as an example. Many just focus on one or two things, and one or two tasks, and most test the drills to what they were NOT designed for.
Anyone with marketing competence would give these “testers” their tools, because they designed the tool to shine in that exact department.. jeeez

Therefore, listen to good craftsmen, PROFFESIONAL sellers who will point out exactly every plus and minus on a tool. Then you’ll learn to separate “reviewers” quite fast [wink]

And most of all, listen to “the silent marketing”
Marketing cost, a lot! And they who do big time are pulling the money to do so from somewhere. Smaller brands rely on the “silent” marketing, and maybe uses the income to actual product improvement instead, cause they build a brand by feedback from professionals and enthusiasts. They don’t care about being present at any big box store at all.

Therefore, test a Festool for yourself, and see what it can do for YOU [wink]

Edit: Inspired by Cheese, here’s a family photo that made its chance by accident while tidying my “new” work space. In addition I’ve got a CXS and a C18. The CXS and smallest of the teals are the most used: (sorry for the clutter, but as I tidy I didn’t want to tip the drills and placed them all the way back)
[attachimg=1]

 

[Cheese]

Well for conversation's sake, here's my line-up of cordless drills & drivers...

[attachimg=1]

So the question is, which drill do I use or try to use 90% of the time?

It'd be that small, short blue/black drill in the middle.  [smile]

For the other 10% of the time, I gravitate to the taller blue/black drill or the red drill next to the CXS. Unfortunately, I was using the red drill several weeks ago and the chuck fell out along with the C-clip that retains the chuck which became immediately lost. So, now i have to send it in to Milwaukee for service.  [sad] So, build quality is usually more important than some people think.

The only real improvement needed on the CXS is a brushless motor.

The C 15/18 has the BEST electronic clutch on the market.

 

[ChuckM]

Well for conversation's sake, here's my line-up of cordless drills & drivers...

Wow, that's an impressive line-up, Cheese. Why do you need (want?) so many drills (assuming every one of them is kept in your shop)?

I have only 5, 4 in the shop (image -- you can tell the Bosch drills with the batteries mounted are what I often use in the winter. Other batteries including the spare ones are kept in the house until the spring season returns).

For me, the most important drilling tool is the drill press for precision work. I seldom use screws in my furniture work, and drilling with a cordless drill is mostly for hinges, knobs, cabinetmaker's buttons, etc. I've used Festool drills including the CXS for some assembly work, but frankly, I couldn't justify any of them based on my low usage (not based on budget).

Hey, for some work, my go-to drilling tools are hand-operated. [big grin]...Does Festool offer any hand-crank drills? [tongue] [tongue]

I agree that trying out a tool in person is a good call in addition to reading tool reviews. Before my investment in the Kapex, DF500, and sanders (as well as TS75 and CT26 that were subsequently sold), I had used them for a brief period of time. I've also used the DF700 and decided it isn't the right tool for my work (no, despite what others may say, its weight does matter when I have hundreds of mortises to mill).

P.S. The best-value drill for me is the B&D drill close to the Bosches. Its aftermarket batteries are very affordable; I think I have 3 spare batteries to share between the two B&Ds, totaling 5 batteries for them. They're used from spring to fall, and winter if the Bosches run out of juice.

 

[Ron B]

..Does Festool offer any hand-crank drills?

Festool does not but Bridge City Tools makes a nifty bit and brace type tool to set screws.  It looks like a cute little tool until you look at the price.