Need some help getting over the hump on buying a Festool drill

[luke1984]

the drills are great i got a t18+3 in January the power is awesome, i also know somebody who has had a c12 for about 7 or 8 years{that's what he told me} so they do last. hope this helps

 

[FulThrotl]

i'm lookin at them, but it's not flying for me.... the problem is, i'm getting
really annoyed at Milwaukee batteries for their short life span. i've got
a 3 bank quick charger, and six batteries, and they won't take a charge
any more, and have the run time of a flashbulb, and they are less than
two years old.

most of what i use a drill for is holesaws (electrician) and i've got
a bunch of Milwaukee tools.... sawzalls, drills, rattle gun, etc...
so, i'm stuck with this platform....

in any event, most of what i drill holes in, is metal, and the centro bits
aren't gonna do me much good there, are they? can you get fractional
sizes in centro bits, that will work on stainless?

 

[allen r austin]

My wife is the reason for my c 12
she "helped"me clean out the barn
one day, and ask what i wanted to keep these old drills for.
I sad hon i have over $1000 bucks in them  i can't get rid of them , then as all the nerve she but said "so you have  $1000 bucks in drills that don't work
what does one cost that works"
c12 came home that week
Allen 

 

[leakyroof]

i'm lookin at them, but it's not flying for me.... the problem is, i'm getting
really annoyed at Milwaukee batteries for their short life span. i've got
a 3 bank quick charger, and six batteries, and they won't take a charge
any more, and have the run time of a flashbulb, and they are less than
two years

I gave up on my Milwaukee 18 volt for the horrible battery life. The drill was one year old and I started having short lived charges within 3 months of owning the tool. You don't have to use Centrotec drill bits for the Festool drills, with your needs it sounds like Cobalt drill bits are what you want for drilling in stainless steel anyway. 135 degree split point, with some oil. The battery life on my 15+3 drill is fantastic. Better than my Makitas, and I have no complaints about either of the two Makita impact drivers that I have. Don't punish yourself with those batteries anymore. I've been there. I looked over the drills for 3 years before buying one last year.

 

[tdfiver]

I have the T15 +3 and the 08 Centrotec kit with a few Festool additions.

I can honestly say its the best bit of kit I have after the TS55 and rails. This drill has everything you need in one place with everything at hand that just fits whatever you need to drill or screw. The Centrotec drill bits are super sharp and last for ages, I haven't worn one out yet.

The only drawback is I have to have a hammer drill for the hard stuff, but that's probably 15% of what I use a drill for. I am going to move the Centrotec set to a No 2 systainer and buy some inserts so I can add some extras to the set, like some auger bits, and countersinks.

The best drill out there by far.

 

[builderbob]

I would have to say that my Festool drills are my most used tool period. I install a lot of kitchens and build some custom entertainment centers & window seats. I have one C12 in the shop and a C12 and T12+3 for the road. The C12's have the 3.0 NiMh batteries and go and go and go.  I've killed Dewalts and Makitas in short spans of time or the batteries just go. I can't say enough about the centrotech system that hasn't been said, but once you get past the cost you'll wonder why you waited so long!

Bob

 

[mishle]

I do the same sort of work bob does and my experiences are the same all tho I only have the T-15 set right now I will be getting the t-18.

Builderbob how do you like the C series.  I have never tried one and just assumed the handle would get in the way.

 

[builderbob]

Mishle, I love the C 12 and prefer the style over the T 12. I am very looking forward to the CXS because of the weight and style like the C series!

Bob