Help me choose 2 drills

Louis84

Louis84

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Joined
Oct 8, 2013
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I need help from YOU GUYS on deciding what drills I require because frankly, I can't work out what's what!

I'm a joiner and I like 2 drills. We make shop made joinery and also do site fitting and installations

Drill 1 : used for piloting timber, cutting out mortice locks, night latches, small amount of masonry drilling, wrench attachments, plug cutting

Drill 2: purely set up for driving in screws / fixings of all varieties.

Materials working with:

Nearly always hardwood : oak, maple, sapele, walnut. Power is key, control is essential.

Help!
 
For real power, the PDC 18/4. Strongest drill Festool has. Also runs really fast at 3800 rpm.

For finesse, and still a lot of power, the T15/C15, or their 18 volt equivalents T18/C18.
 
A corded drill for the bench and something like a Panasonic impact also makes sense.
In that case a 3rd cordless would be handy when away from the bench.
 
C18 and PDC 18/4 are both brilliant.

I'd push further to add a third and include a CXS is the mix.

Get the C18 as a complete set as you'll benefit from the range of offset and right angle attatchments.

Grab the DC drilling accessory too for the vac, it'll save on cleanup.
 
PDC and CXS has been a great combo for me. I recently added the Bosch PS31 too and I've never been so satisfied or covered with drilling. Maybe the CXS or PS31 aren't for you, in which case I'd suggest the T18 or C18 which are fantastic drill. I've owned both and they are only surpassed by the PDC.

Another option is to grab an impact driver. For shop use you don't need a brute of an impact driver so maybe check out the Bosch IDH which has the best ergonomics of any driver I've held.
 
If you're drilling some masonry, you're going to want the hammer more that the PDC has.  I'd get a C18 or T18 for the other one, depending on your handle style preference.
 
I have a dedicated SDS for proper masonry drilling (window frames etc). I mean on the odd occasion I need to fit just one small item in a wall then I like to just use the hand drill if possible.

What is the difference between the C18 & T18? Is it just the handle?

Looks like the PDC is winning the race for drill 1. I should have also mentioned I would prefer 1 battery to fit both drills if possible
 
If you're wanting one battery then it's definitely the PDC and either the T18 or C18. The difference between the T and C  is shape of the handle and I may be wrong but I could swear the specs are almost identical but I feel like the T18 had a tiny bit more power. Could just be I read the info wrong but I could sweat the T18 had more power.

Both the T18 and C18 have the ability to use the right angle and of set chucks.
 
Ok,

Im getting closer to making some form of purchase here...

Ultimately what I want is a T-18 and a PDC

Between these two drills I need 3 batteries and a charger and 1 x centrotec adapter set

QUESTION - would it be possible to purchase the PDC SET and just the T-18 body? Otherwise I end up with 2 of everything. Are all the parts interchangeable? can the batteries be shared between?

If that is the case then hallelujah! Mega moneys saved!
 
Yes the PDC 18/4 and T 18 have the same batteries. These days they have 5,2 Ah batteries.
I would recommend to buy an extra 18V-2,6 Ah battery (500059).
It makes both drills much smaller and lighter.
 
neeleman said:
Yes the PDC 18/4 and T 18 have the same batteries. These days they have 5,2 Ah batteries.
I would recommend to buy an extra 18V-2,6 Ah battery (500059).
It makes both drills much smaller and lighter.
Click to expand...

So do the 'set' attachments fit both drills also?
 
No they are different.
The angled chuck for the PDC and T 18 are different. See pictures below.
And the eccentric chuck only fits the T 18 and there's no eccentric chuck for the PDC available.

zoom_bs_au43ffp_769097_z_01a.jpg
zoom_bs_ddas_490293_z_01a.jpg
zoom_bs_ddes_490294_z_01b.jpg
 
What I'm trying to work out is

"If I owned the PDC and T-18, but could only have one as a 'set', which set would cover most bases??"

At a guess it would be the PDC set as it is able to drill masonry, wood & drive screws?

What is this eccentric chuck all about? Is it just some weird offset drilling thing?
 
The eccentric chuck can be used to reach difficult corners and flats.
But some people simply use a long bit and screw under an angle.
But drilling under an angle is more difficult, but with the eccentric chuck you have to use ¼" hex shank drill bits because these are the only ones that fit. There are also some after market bit holders that do the angle trick like this Athlet.
large_13797550367501.jpg
 
Try a Metabo as well. They are very sweet to use. I was using the A10M this morning.
 
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