Hi,
I'd like to take the chance and offer my opinion on Festool's cordless drills as I feel it's a subject I can actually speak from quite a bit of experience on. And also on some of the other issues.
Let me start by saying that:
I understand that certain Centrotec bits and drill bits are not readily available in the US, which is a problem if those are the ones you need most.
I understand that certain type bits and drill bits can't be placed directly into the Centrotec chuck.
I understand that both the short and long Centrotec magnetic bit holders are often not the preferred solution because they are non-locking.
I understand that placing bits and drill bits directly into the FastFix connector can be as cumbersome/problematic as using the non-locking magnetic bit holders.
I understand that for professionals with an enormous field of expertise the cordless range in both 10.8/12 and 18 V might not meet their demands when considering to live on a single or two types of batteries.
I understand that US customers, and some who have obviously stopped contributing here, weren't to happy about the "imperial announcement".
I understand when someone says I've had enough - for whatever reason - and moves on.
This is in no way directed at anyone, here or elsewhere, in particular. It's my humble opinion on a couple of topics.
What I don't understand:
- Claims that Festool drills lack torque. To sink a quality 4.5x60 screw into typical construction type wood you need approx. 5 Nm of torque. A DWC 18-4500 although not meant to do this can still do this all day long. A PDC/DRC is rated at 40 Nm of torque and can sink a 10x400 into the same type/grade wood. It has no issues drilling 30 mm holes with auger type drill bits in 3rd gear, or 50 mm holes with forstner type drill bits in 2nd gear (high quality drill bits, obviously). In 4th gear and in conjunction with either the Festool CE stone drill bits or other high quality drill bits it eats stone like a hot knife slices through butter. Additionally, and this has nothing to do with torque but it's still noteworthy, it has one of the highest RPM available in a cordless drill/driver.
What exactly is it, that it lacks when speaking about torque and in which professional environment? (That wouldn't probably require a completely different tool anyway in first place?)
This is a drill/driver and not an impact driver or impact wrench.
- Claims that it will not work with standard bits and drill bits. Yeah, I know, the Centrotec chuck - I'll give you that, as stated before. But still, even the basic variant comes with a keyless chuck that will accommodate most bit holders, bits, drill bits available. Of course you're missing out on the quick change chuck, it might be not as compact - but you could always insert a quick change bit holder as intermediate solution, while you're switching to Centrotec.
- Claims that Centrotec is too expensive and proprietary to some extent. Now i'll admit, as I stated before there seems to be an issue on the availability of certain, pretty much US specific, bits and imperial drill bits. If this is an issue for you, I get that and there's nothing I could say to make that go away. It's not that we in Germany don't know this problem as some drill bits from past installer's kits can't be bought separately here as well.
But then, one needs to compare apples with apples. Sure, Centrotec bits and drill bits aren't the cheapest on the market, and again, I get that in the US those are even a little more expensive. Which makes it even harder to "sell".
But I'd like to invite you to take a closer look at what you'll get if you buy Centrotec bits and drill bits. (Not counting the 25mm standard 1/4" hex bits) You get exceptional quality bits and drill bits. From the excellent self centering drill bit, to the 3,5 and 5 mm carbide drill bits with depth stop, the drill bits with counter sink, the counter sinks with cross hole and last but not least the really excellent and long living HSS and brad point drill bits - not to mention the stubby brad point drill bits. The HSS drill bits being exchangeable and most replacement drill bits can be bought in packages of three. For most of the afore mentioned "special" drill bits spares can be had too.
Now if you look for exactly the same type of functionality, is Centrotec still as prohibitory expensive as some claim?
I know I'm going to be met with rotten tomatoes at the town stocks of FOG-land but I'm going to say it anyway: Out of everything Festool offers, Centrotec really is a system. And a great one at that when you decide to go all in. If you don't, you will always find something to criticize and there's nothing anyone can do about it.
- The Kapex issue. Is it frustrating for those affected (some multiple times), I bet so! But what I don't understand about it is that: If I can't resolve the issues I'm having with 1st and 2nd level support - is it so hard to escalate your case by writing an old fashioned letter directly to Festools CEO, either in the US or directly to German HQ? Mark it personal (Individual name BEFORE Company), make sure it's going out "certified/registered mail" and wait what happens.
This will resolve any issue much quicker and more efficiently than any forum post. Additionally, the people dealing with your issue then, are the ones that can actually make decisions beyond what any 1st or 2nd level support employee can. And you actually have a real chance to get what you want. Stuff like this is not handled publicly, but in my experience many high-end brands and manufacturers will go a long way to satisfy their customers when certain trouble and problems are brought up in a non hostile way but firmly enough and directly.
- Claims that Festool isn't innovative enough or is way behind on current market offerings. Honestly, no matter who you ask and if that person is loyal/focussed on a single brand will tell you the same about his/her brand: they're behind on current market offerings. Maybe except for the Milwaukee guys. Ask a Bosch guy and he will tell you about TTI (Milwaukee and them using their synergies with Ryobi and AEG) Ask a Fein guy and he will tell you about Metabo. Ask a DeWalt guy and he will tell you about Hilti or whatever...
It doesn't matter. When you're in and know the manufacturers you will always find one that has a tool you'd wish you could get within your cordless platform or accessory line. It's life.
(I personally circumvent this by buying tools instead of a battery platform. In todays high Ah world and batteries costing significantly less then just a couple of years ago, most often you don't need (a) charger(s) for every tool anyway - so you'd still be able to maintain a small footprint when/if necessary.)
- The Pro 5 issue. Festool had an truly exceptional promotion, I have never seen one like it before and obviously underestimated the total demand for this limited time, promotional offer. This can happen. It shouldn't, and yes everyone at Festool probably knew how exceptional the offering was and they should have anticipated a bigger demand - and maybe they did. Maybe they increased the run of Pro 5 sanders by 100, 200 or even 300% we're never going to know - but we know it wasn't enough. We also know that offers like this almost always get exploited in one way or the other - it's what happens - it's not Festool's fault. I would have loved to read the complaints if buying the Pro 5 would have entailed to submit your ID, Passport or SSN to the dealer who would then have to forward these to Festool... For whatever reason this promo got out of hand, it was handled and I doubt we're going to see something like this all too soon again.
- Last but not least and highly important to me: Admins, Moderators, Festool-Staff and Festool-Fan's are NOT your enemy - no matter how you currently feel about the brand. And this one really strikes close the the heart. The hostility I have read more than just a couple of times especially towards this group of people has left me speechless time and time again. If you don't mean something, if you don't want to imply something - don't say it. I'm not going to name any names of either side here here but accusing people who contribute so much, with literally all their heart, mind, body and soul, to this place and the community of woodworkers, makers, diy'ers in general of being on Festool's payroll in some way was by far the worst that I have ever read on here. And I swear I have heard some hearts crack at the very moment it was brought up. There will always be people that carry the fire. Some lose it over time because of one or more incidents, some behold it, some spread it. The only way to spread it is to be enthusiastic about it. And just because enthusiasm is more often than not swatted away in todays world, it doesn't mean it isn't real but paid for or simply fake.
The hours it takes to create content, from the smallest review to 4k videos and live footage from events are enormous. While you can write a review, take and process some pictures rather quick you will still easily invest an hour or two, not to mentioning the time you loose while working on the actual project to take said pictures and how it slows you down overall. It sums up. And when we're talking videos, take that x5 or maybe x8. Enthusiasm is what keeps most of these people going. This can't be bought with a free tool, a free meal or some merchandise, that would be likewise an enormous insult.
Sure, there are commercial content creators throughout all parts of the internet that make a living from reviews, vlogs and project content and of course it most often involves sponsorship, platform/advertising revenue and more recently patronage. Why not? If there weren't enough consumers and patrons it would have been over before it even had really started.
But implying that every contributor is just looking to make a quick buck and get a free tool, tt really, deeply hurt me to read that even though it was in no way directed at me (how could it, I'm just a guy doing his thing). But I thought of so many fine people and how they must have felt reading that, or being told about it.
The same goes for the fine people mainly responsible for running this place. They should be thanked and not accused or insulted. Without them, there would be no FOG. The hours they spent, the stuff and all the different issues they have to put up with on a daily basis are remarkable. And they are likewise as enormous that (Festool employee or not) they can't be compensated with a free tool or whatever you might think they eventually get (extra). I sure hope they do get something, but on the other hand, speaking from experience (NOT with Festool) I wouldn't be surprised if it's a clap on the shoulder.
Let's also not forget the Dealers who hang out here. Stepping up whenever they can to provide information and knowledge. Being easily identifiable and risking to be called out publicly for something that basically isn't their fault. The continuous negativity, some of it being highly trivial matters, makes their life harder too.
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I would love to see and read less negativity all throughout the forum. I would love to see more projects being posted. I would love to see more positive and encouraging interaction throughout all threads but especially regarding projects. I would love to read more specific, straight to the point criticism free of sarcasm and cynicism whenever needed. I would love to see more comparing throughout any advice given instead of a single line: X is better.
Kind regards,
Oliver
