Impact Chuck

[rljatl]

I liked the idea of the Ti15 but was pursuaded to not buy it by comments here on FOG.  Instead I got a T18+3, CXS and a Centrotec set.  These cover almost all of my needs.  For the occasion I need an impact, I kept a Dewalt 18V.

I did similar only I bought the PDC and TXS and use them with the Bosch 18v impact I already had.  It's an older model,  non-brushless.  I'm very happy with the combo.

 

[sae]

I guess I am in a minority, but I really like my TI15. My other Festool drills take care of making round holes. The TI15 does a great job of pounding home lag screws. It's staying in the lineup.

It's all a matter of perspective, have you owned another impact?

 

[Birdhunter]

I owned a DeWalt impact. Gave it and 3 other DeWalt drills to a beginning woodworker on a tight budget.

 

[SoonerFan]

I liked the idea of the Ti15 but was pursuaded to not buy it by comments here on FOG.  Instead I got a T18+3, CXS and a Centrotec set.  These cover almost all of my needs.  For the occasion I need an impact, I kept a Dewalt 18V.

I did similar only I bought the PDC and TXS and use them with the Bosch impact I already had.  It's an older model,  non-brushless.  I'm very happy with the combo.

You could have a better Festool drill line up than me......neither was available in the US when I bought mine.  That said, like you, I am happy with my combo.

 

[Walk On Wood]

I thoroughly like my Ti15 as well. I've never really understood why so many dislike it.

 

[Nigel]

Only reason I don't have Festool cordless is because they don't have an impact. Seems they are shooting themselves in the foot - I suspect most people try to stay with one manufacturer for cordless.Getting close to needing new now so probably stick with Makita. Tempted by Milwaukee fuel though as well...

 

[pedarski]

Only reason I don't have Festool cordless is because they don't have an impact. Seems they are shooting themselves in the foot - I suspect most people try to stay with one manufacturer for cordless.Getting close to needing new now so probably stick with Makita. Tempted by Milwaukee fuel though as well...

[Investing in systems]

My DeWalt 18v impact driver completely changed my life for the better. When the batteries stopped holding a charge I started thinking about replacing it, my DeWalt drill/hammer combo, etc with Festool. I bought a Quadrive after the local Festool dealer told me that they drive screws better than an impact driver. I took a chance and am mildly disappointed in that, while it's capable of driving screws, it doesn't do it as effortlessly as an impact driver.

It's a great drill and I'm still getting used to it but it doesn't solve my impact deficit. I like the uniformity of my tools and now that I'm invested in Festool cordless, I don't want to go to Milwaukee or DeWalt because it seems wasteful... and I'm apparently OCD with organization.

I considered getting a discontinued Ti-15 but I apparently can't use my 18v Festool batteries in it.

I'm left somewhat baffled and slightly annoyed at the lack of a Festool 18v impact driver.

 

[Staniam]

Only reason I don't have Festool cordless is because they don't have an impact. Seems they are shooting themselves in the foot - I suspect most people try to stay with one manufacturer for cordless.Getting close to needing new now so probably stick with Makita. Tempted by Milwaukee fuel though as well...

[Investing in systems]

My DeWalt 18v impact driver completely changed my life for the better. When the batteries stopped holding a charge I started thinking about replacing it, my DeWalt drill/hammer combo, etc with Festool. I bought a Quadrive after the local Festool dealer told me that they drive screws better than an impact driver. I took a chance and am mildly disappointed in that, while it's capable of driving screws, it doesn't do it as effortlessly as an impact driver.

It's a great drill and I'm still getting used to it but it doesn't solve my impact deficit. I like the uniformity of my tools and now that I'm invested in Festool cordless, I don't want to go to Milwaukee or DeWalt because it seems wasteful... and I'm apparently OCD with organization.

I considered getting a discontinued Ti-15 but I apparently can't use my 18v Festool batteries in it.

I'm left somewhat baffled and slightly annoyed at the lack of a Festool 18v impact driver.

You have to realize that Festool is a German company, manufactured in Germany, which is in Europe. Europe doesn't use impact drivers so understandably Festool doesnt have a need to put one out there as we here in the US are not their primary market. Would it benefit Festool to make an impact driver for NA? Yeah I'm sure it would, but the rest of the world doesn't use impact drivers like we do. Or at least to the extent of us in the US.

 

[jbasen]

Only reason I don't have Festool cordless is because they don't have an impact. Seems they are shooting themselves in the foot - I suspect most people try to stay with one manufacturer for cordless.Getting close to needing new now so probably stick with Makita. Tempted by Milwaukee fuel though as well...

[Investing in systems]

My DeWalt 18v impact driver completely changed my life for the better. When the batteries stopped holding a charge I started thinking about replacing it, my DeWalt drill/hammer combo, etc with Festool. I bought a Quadrive after the local Festool dealer told me that they drive screws better than an impact driver. I took a chance and am mildly disappointed in that, while it's capable of driving screws, it doesn't do it as effortlessly as an impact driver.

It's a great drill and I'm still getting used to it but it doesn't solve my impact deficit. I like the uniformity of my tools and now that I'm invested in Festool cordless, I don't want to go to Milwaukee or DeWalt because it seems wasteful... and I'm apparently OCD with organization.

I considered getting a discontinued Ti-15 but I apparently can't use my 18v Festool batteries in it.

I'm left somewhat baffled and slightly annoyed at the lack of a Festool 18v impact driver.

You have to realize that Festool is a German company, manufactured in Germany, which is in Europe. Europe doesn't use impact drivers so understandably Festool doesnt have a need to put one out there as we here in the US are not their primary market. Would it benefit Festool to make an impact driver for NA? Yeah I'm sure it would, but the rest of the world doesn't use impact drivers like we do. Or at least to the extent of us in the US.

Sorry, but I really don't buy that argument.  Metabo and Bosch, two other prominent German tool companies, both offer impact drivers.  Festool is the only manufacturer of drills and other portable power tools, that I can think of, that doesn't.

Like [member=56031]pedarski[/member] I have standardized on 18v Festool batteries so a TI15 simply isn't an option for me either and I don't want to add another battery lineup to the mix.  It is just a frustrating situation.

 

[Staniam]

Well if you don't buy it then I'm sure you'll be pleased once they do release their 18v impact. My guess is this year. Until then, Festool has made their batteries incredibly cheap (price wise) so tracking down the Ti15 even as a bare tool shouldn't eat into the wallet too much.

And as far as other German manufacturers, the ones you listed are sold at big box stores and many other carriers, whereas Festool is not. My guess is Bosch and Metabo probably have the extra funds to put into their line of tools, namely an impact driver. Festool is still much about word of mouth in NA.

 

[AlexThePalex]

Europe doesn't use impact drivers

Please update your info, Europe has impact drivers everywhere.

 

[pedarski]

Well if you don't buy it then I'm sure you'll be pleased once they do release their 18v impact. My guess is this year. Until then, Festool has made their batteries incredibly cheap (price wise) so tracking down the Ti15 even as a bare tool shouldn't eat into the wallet too much.

And as far as other German manufacturers, the ones you listed are sold at big box stores and many other carriers, whereas Festool is not. My guess is Bosch and Metabo probably have the extra funds to put into their line of tools, namely an impact driver. Festool is still much about word of mouth in NA.

Hilti and Mafell also sell impact drivers, to name a couple others that aren't sold in box stores, or even America, in the case of Mafell.

jbasen may have a point IF impact drivers aren't as popular in Europe. I can't exactly blame Festool if Europeans don't know what they're missing out on but I don't know how much to believe it.  I'm gonna guess that it may have more to do with Festool's identity, which may be morphing somewhat from finesse tools to finesse+. Impact drivers don't scream precision as does much of the rest of the Festool line-up. This may be changing a little with the introduction of the QuaDrive, Vecturo and more "rough" cordless products.

If I were to bet on Festool making available a North American 18v impact driver in the 2016 calendar year I'd give it about an 14% chance. How about you?

 

[Mort]

They're probably trying to figure out how to attach it to a guide rail. Once they do, they'll make one.

 

[demographic]

You have to realize that Festool is a German company, manufactured in Germany, which is in Europe. Europe doesn't use impact drivers

Eh?  Impact screwdrivers on every site I visit nowadays.

And as far as other German manufacturers, the ones you listed are sold at big box stores

Again, Metabo in the big box stores?, not that I've ever seen.

I personally would be interested in a Festool drill IF and only if, they also did an impact screwdriver that runs on the same 18 volt platform. I'm past the days of having masses of different chargers and manufacturers better wake upto the fact that most other people are the same.

Not interested in having one machine that supposedly does everything either, I like having something to drill with and an impact screwdriver both setup with the correct bits so I'm not farting about changing bits all the time.

 

[AlexThePalex]

Again, Metabo in the big box stores?, not that I've ever seen.

A big box store called Praxis sold Metabo for years here. And DeWalt also. But they stopped with both brands a couple of years ago.

 

[Nigel]

You have to realize that Festool is a German company, manufactured in Germany, which is in Europe. Europe doesn't use impact drivers

Eh?  Impact screwdrivers on every site I visit nowadays.

And as far as other German manufacturers, the ones you listed are sold at big box stores

Again, Metabo in the big box stores?, not that I've ever seen.

I personally would be interested in a Festool drill IF and only if, they also did an impact screwdriver that runs on the same 18 volt platform. I'm past the days of having masses of different chargers and manufacturers better wake upto the fact that most other people are the same.

Not interested in having one machine that supposedly does everything either, I like having something to drill with and an impact screwdriver both setup with the correct bits so I'm not farting about changing bits all the time.

My thoughts exactly.

A Festool rep told me they don't make one because they don't like the idea of forcing screws into wood!

 

[pedarski]

You have to realize that Festool is a German company, manufactured in Germany, which is in Europe. Europe doesn't use impact drivers

Eh?  Impact screwdrivers on every site I visit nowadays.

And as far as other German manufacturers, the ones you listed are sold at big box stores

Again, Metabo in the big box stores?, not that I've ever seen.

I personally would be interested in a Festool drill IF and only if, they also did an impact screwdriver that runs on the same 18 volt platform. I'm past the days of having masses of different chargers and manufacturers better wake upto the fact that most other people are the same.

Not interested in having one machine that supposedly does everything either, I like having something to drill with and an impact screwdriver both setup with the correct bits so I'm not farting about changing bits all the time.

My thoughts exactly.

A Festool rep told me they don't make one because they don't like the idea of forcing screws into wood!

Hear, hear!

...and and eye-roll for the "screw forcing" excuse.

 

[DB10]

  Tool reps make it up all the time, that excuse is as implausible as Staniam's original quote, know one going to believe it.
If a rep doesn't know the answer they should say I don't know, but I will find out and get back to you, they would get more credibility instead of making things up and treating the customer like a fool. the worst I witnessed was in my local tool store by Milwaukee rep, he must have been in the job two days.

 

[PreferrablyWood]

I feel I've solved the issue of impact for Festool kit by owning the TI Impact after it was discontinued, I already had a 14.4 V 3 Ah battery which does the job for now, and will soon buy a 14.4 5.2 Ah battery for it. I'll use this for as long the Drill lasts, and upgrade to an 18v if Festool has released one by then. My two 14.4V batteries will work in all my 18v tools so I don't really see a big issue with the battery situation. I'm not interested in an Impact Chuck for obvious reasons..

 

[oldie]

If the, now obsolete, Festool impact does the job ok for anyone - think what you're
saying makes a lot of sense. 
Many times used my 12v batteries (or whatever they were) in my 18v drills -
just didn't always need the extra umphh. 

Richard (UK)