Festool Vs. Hilti Drills

[WelshWood]

Hey there,

After buying my CXS i'm after another, meatier drill to accompany it, I've never used other Festool drills as of yet, but have used the Hilti 22v drills plenty of times.
Looking for some advice from you guys regarding which you would recommend, after the advice I had for the CXS, I'd be delighted you here your thoughts again!

Thanks in advance,

~WW

 

[Birdhunter]

My choices. CSX for small to medium work. My C12 sits unused since I bought the T18. The TI15 gets used to drive lag bolts. The T18 is a great drill. Powerful yet handy.

 

[Davej]

Try out the pdc or drc . I was lucky to get a pdc when festool stuck a load on eBay , excellent drill and quite light and compact, elbow adapter has been a godsend on a few occasions.

 

[neth27]

I had the Hilti SFH 22v combi drill, i sold it and got the Festool DRC 18v. It has about the same power as the Hilti but is a lot smaller and lighter..

john..

 

[WelshWood]

The PDC is the one that i've been looking at for a while now and in the UK it seems there are a few decent deals around..

Whats the difference between PDC and the DRC? Percussion? ???

~WW

 

[orm8426]

For what it's worth I was talking to a guy who works for Hilti a few months ago, he's an area sales manager. I asked him what make Hilti so good and expensive.

He said obviously he has a slightly bias opinion, but his analogy was that Hilti are true industrial rated tools as opposed just high end trade tools. i.e. Festool is the Toyota Land Cruiser or Range Rover i.e. they are the very best of the mainstream 4x4 vehicles, where as Hilti is the military spec Humvee.

 

[Davej]

For what it's worth I was talking to a guy who works for Hilti a few months ago, he's an area sales manager. I asked him what make Hilti so good and expensive.

He said obviously he has a slightly bias opinion, but his analogy was that Hilti are true industrial rated tools as opposed just high end trade tools. i.e. Festool is the Toyota Land Cruiser or Range Rover i.e. they are the very best of the mainstream 4x4 vehicles, where as Hilti is the military spec Humvee.

I'm glad my festool drills don't have the reliability issues of range rovers . Humvee = brute force / No finesse . Hilti make good kit but their drills and festool drills are totally different beasts .
Dave

 

[pingvinlakrits]

There is no Hilti model that I would put before the DRC18/4. The DRC is a sturdy and very powerful drill/screwdriver but still able to perform very gentle operations. The attachments make it more versatile than any Hilti model. I didn't think I would like it as much as I do. I got the bare bones plus angle adapter to compliment the BHC18 drill and I have to say I am impressed.   

 

[neth27]

As i said i have the DRC which i prefer to the Hilti sfh 22v. SDS though i wish i had kept the 22v Hilti. I now have the BHC18 which rattles a lot and always makes a stupid bleeping sound and does not spin a lot of the time.

john..

 

[WastedP]

I spent two years in a shop where the manager had a cozy relationship with the local Hilti rep.  I don't remember which exact model they had, but it was an 18V with a hammer drill mode.  The Hilti drills were slightly heavier and less ergonomic than barbells.  The batteries generally lasted several years under fairly careless usage.

Even the steady flow of swag couldn't prevent the eventual switch to Makita cordless tools, mostly for the range of other tools in the system.  The Hilti was far superior to the Makita in hammer drill mode.

 

[promhandicam]

I've always rated Hilti drills and have had several. The batteries last well and they are very rugged. I've now got a BHC and a PDC and I'm happy with them, mainly because I also have the TSC 55 and the PSCB 420 and so the batteries and chargers are all interchangeable. I'm just left with my Hilti SID 144 impact driver, which will be traded up to a Festool 18v impact if / when they get round to making one. I've also got a couple of CXS's and they are great - not sure if Hilti do an equivalent.

 

[Len R]

I am a major Festool fan but I have the Hilti TE-2 corded hammer drill, which comes with a set of carbide tipped masonry bits.  Drilling into concrete is like drilling into soft pine.  It is amazing.

Len

 

[WelshWood]

There is no Hilti model that I would put before the DRC18/4. The DRC is a sturdy and very powerful drill/screwdriver but still able to perform very gentle operations. The attachments make it more versatile than any Hilti model. I didn't think I would like it as much as I do. I got the bare bones plus angle adapter to compliment the BHC18 drill and I have to say I am impressed. 

At the moment, this is what is swinging it for me, the ability to have a 90' angle to go between joists is a godsend for my line of work!

As i said i have the DRC which i prefer to the Hilti sfh 22v. SDS though i wish i had kept the 22v Hilti. I now have the BHC18 which rattles a lot and always makes a stupid bleeping sound and does not spin a lot of the time.

john..

Hmm this is another deciding factor.. I've got a good bosch corded SDS at the moment, but the way that battery technology has advanced, I can't see why I would bother to keep it anymore over a cordless model, so Neth27, any other bad points you wish to share?

I spent two years in a shop where the manager had a cozy relationship with the local Hilti rep.  I don't remember which exact model they had, but it was an 18V with a hammer drill mode.  The Hilti drills were slightly heavier and less ergonomic than barbells.  The batteries generally lasted several years under fairly careless usage.

Even the steady flow of swag couldn't prevent the eventual switch to Makita cordless tools, mostly for the range of other tools in the system.  The Hilti was far superior to the Makita in hammer drill mode.

Hilti seem to be a 'no frills' brand, not particular deciding factors, just pure power, something that I also need to take into consideration, I love the festool system with the systainers and centrotec, but sometimes they can be to 'pretty' to get dirty

I've always rated Hilti drills and have had several. The batteries last well and they are very rugged. I've now got a BHC and a PDC and I'm happy with them, mainly because I also have the TSC 55 and the PSCB 420 and so the batteries and chargers are all interchangeable. I'm just left with my Hilti SID 144 impact driver, which will be traded up to a Festool 18v impact if / when they get round to making one. I've also got a couple of CXS's and they are great - not sure if Hilti do an equivalent.

Promhandicam, how would the PDC compete with the likes of an impact driver? The longest length of screws I commonly use are 120mm, so as long as they can handle those without a problem then that would see me being a happy guy!

I am a major Festool fan but I have the Hilti TE-2 corded hammer drill, which comes with a set of carbide tipped masonry bits.  Drilling into concrete is like drilling into soft pine.  It is amazing.

Len

Like mentioned before, had experience using the Hilti 22v Cordless and with the TCT bits, they are a dream to use!

Thanks for all the replies so far guys, still looking for some persuading though!!

~WW

 

[Slartibartfass]

Watch Peter Parfitts PDC 18/4 review. You will get a very good idea about the capabilities.... long screws no problem....

 

[WelshWood]

Watch Peter Parfitts PDC 18/4 review. You will get a very good idea about the capabilities.... long screws no problem....

Slartibartfass, watched that a few times now, Peter makes great, informative videos that I would recommend to everyone!

~WW

 

[sae]

It really comes down to what type of work you plan to do with the tool.

The 18v drills Hilti (the 22v is sold as an 18v in the US)/Metabo/Makita drills are great for construction type work, and will out drive and out drill any Festool drill available today by a noticeable margin. Where they fall short is the ability to do fine assembly and finish work. The Festool PDC/DRC can be jack of all trades somewhat, while not so much for the others. If you have the CXS to do such tasks, then maybe that's not an issue.

Hmm this is another deciding factor.. I've got a good bosch corded SDS at the moment, but the way that battery technology has advanced, I can't see why I would bother to keep it anymore over a cordless model, so Neth27, any other bad points you wish to share?

How big of an SDS are you using? The cordless SDSs available today only just touch the capabilities of a low end corded one, if you're doing anything over 1", you really should stick with corded.

Promhandicam, how would the PDC compete with the likes of an impact driver? The longest length of screws I commonly use are 120mm, so as long as they can handle those without a problem then that would see me being a happy guy!

PDC is not a replacement for an impact driver. It is a percussion/hammer drill with axial hammering, not a impact driver (which is torsional hammering). I know the UK uses the word "impact" interchangeably for both those applications, which is truly confusing.

And I'd still use an impact driver for most driving applications, 120mm or 30mm. You are much less likely to strip out fastener heads and destroy bits using an impact driver.

 

[orm8426]

There is no Hilti model that I would put before the DRC18/4. The DRC is a sturdy and very powerful drill/screwdriver but still able to perform very gentle operations. The attachments make it more versatile than any Hilti model. I didn't think I would like it as much as I do. I got the bare bones plus angle adapter to compliment the BHC18 drill and I have to say I am impressed. 

At the moment, this is what is swinging it for me, the ability to have a 90' angle to go between joists is a godsend for my line of work!

As i said i have the DRC which i prefer to the Hilti sfh 22v. SDS though i wish i had kept the 22v Hilti. I now have the BHC18 which rattles a lot and always makes a stupid bleeping sound and does not spin a lot of the time.

john..

Hmm this is another deciding factor.. I've got a good bosch corded SDS at the moment, but the way that battery technology has advanced, I can't see why I would bother to keep it anymore over a cordless model, so Neth27, any other bad points you wish to share?

I spent two years in a shop where the manager had a cozy relationship with the local Hilti rep.  I don't remember which exact model they had, but it was an 18V with a hammer drill mode.  The Hilti drills were slightly heavier and less ergonomic than barbells.  The batteries generally lasted several years under fairly careless usage.

Even the steady flow of swag couldn't prevent the eventual switch to Makita cordless tools, mostly for the range of other tools in the system.  The Hilti was far superior to the Makita in hammer drill mode.

Hilti seem to be a 'no frills' brand, not particular deciding factors, just pure power, something that I also need to take into consideration, I love the festool system with the systainers and centrotec, but sometimes they can be to 'pretty' to get dirty

I've always rated Hilti drills and have had several. The batteries last well and they are very rugged. I've now got a BHC and a PDC and I'm happy with them, mainly because I also have the TSC 55 and the PSCB 420 and so the batteries and chargers are all interchangeable. I'm just left with my Hilti SID 144 impact driver, which will be traded up to a Festool 18v impact if / when they get round to making one. I've also got a couple of CXS's and they are great - not sure if Hilti do an equivalent.

Promhandicam, how would the PDC compete with the likes of an impact driver? The longest length of screws I commonly use are 120mm, so as long as they can handle those without a problem then that would see me being a happy guy!

I am a major Festool fan but I have the Hilti TE-2 corded hammer drill, which comes with a set of carbide tipped masonry bits.  Drilling into concrete is like drilling into soft pine.  It is amazing.

Len

Like mentioned before, had experience using the Hilti 22v Cordless and with the TCT bits, they are a dream to use!

Thanks for all the replies so far guys, still looking for some persuading though!!

~WW

What work do you do primarily? Residential work or site/industrial?

May sound like an odd question, but my logic behind it is that if you are doing a lot of residential work then maybe go for the Festool, if you're doing a lot of more rough and ready, get it done yesterday type of site work then maybe the Hilti would be the better bet.

 

[WelshWood]

It really comes down to what type of work you plan to do with the tool.

The 18v drills Hilti (the 22v is sold as an 18v in the US)/Metabo/Makita drills are great for construction type work, and will out drive and out drill any Festool drill available today by a noticeable margin. Where they fall short is the ability to do fine assembly and finish work. The Festool PDC/DRC can be jack of all trades somewhat, while not so much for the others. If you have the CXS to do such tasks, then maybe that's not an issue.

Hmm this is another deciding factor.. I've got a good bosch corded SDS at the moment, but the way that battery technology has advanced, I can't see why I would bother to keep it anymore over a cordless model, so Neth27, any other bad points you wish to share?

How big of an SDS are you using? The cordless SDSs available today only just touch the capabilities of a low end corded one, if you're doing anything over 1", you really should stick with corded.

Promhandicam, how would the PDC compete with the likes of an impact driver? The longest length of screws I commonly use are 120mm, so as long as they can handle those without a problem then that would see me being a happy guy!

PDC is not a replacement for an impact driver. It is a percussion/hammer drill with axial hammering, not a impact driver (which is torsional hammering). I know the UK uses the word "impact" interchangeably for both those applications, which is truly confusing.

And I'd still use an impact driver for most driving applications, 120mm or 30mm. You are much less likely to strip out fastener heads and destroy bits using an impact driver.

This is the hard part, I'm into Conservation and Renovation mainly, but that also groups first fix, second fix and trim, so in short, I do all aspects of site carpentry with a pinch of workshop when I want to get artistic

If power is readily available then there is no question that corded should be the preference, however, alot of the time I find myself only having to drill

 

[orm8426]

It really comes down to what type of work you plan to do with the tool.

The 18v drills Hilti (the 22v is sold as an 18v in the US)/Metabo/Makita drills are great for construction type work, and will out drive and out drill any Festool drill available today by a noticeable margin. Where they fall short is the ability to do fine assembly and finish work. The Festool PDC/DRC can be jack of all trades somewhat, while not so much for the others. If you have the CXS to do such tasks, then maybe that's not an issue.

Hmm this is another deciding factor.. I've got a good bosch corded SDS at the moment, but the way that battery technology has advanced, I can't see why I would bother to keep it anymore over a cordless model, so Neth27, any other bad points you wish to share?

How big of an SDS are you using? The cordless SDSs available today only just touch the capabilities of a low end corded one, if you're doing anything over 1", you really should stick with corded.

Promhandicam, how would the PDC compete with the likes of an impact driver? The longest length of screws I commonly use are 120mm, so as long as they can handle those without a problem then that would see me being a happy guy!

PDC is not a replacement for an impact driver. It is a percussion/hammer drill with axial hammering, not a impact driver (which is torsional hammering). I know the UK uses the word "impact" interchangeably for both those applications, which is truly confusing.

And I'd still use an impact driver for most driving applications, 120mm or 30mm. You are much less likely to strip out fastener heads and destroy bits using an impact driver.

This is the hard part, I'm into Conservation and Renovation mainly, but that also groups first fix, second fix and trim, so in short, I do all aspects of site carpentry with a pinch of workshop when I want to get artistic

If power is readily available then there is no question that corded should be the preference, however, alot of the time I find myself only having to drill

 

[sae]

This is the hard part, I'm into Conservation and Renovation mainly, but that also groups first fix, second fix and trim, so in short, I do all aspects of site carpentry with a pinch of workshop when I want to get artistic

If power is readily available then there is no question that corded should be the preference, however, alot of the time I find myself only having to drill