New Festools 2016

[neeleman]

Here are the new models for Autumn 2016:
- DTS 400 REQ sander
- ETS 125 REQ sander
- RTS 400 REQ sander
- new edge protectors and longlife dust bags for the sanders
- TCL 6 fast charger
- SCA 8 Airstream fast charger
- BP 18 AS 5.2 battery

 

[yetihunter]

I love them all.    I guess I have about 2 years to save up?

 

[pingvinlakrits]

And the T18 / C18 _finally_ come with a fixed belt clip. What took them so long??!

I might have to get another T18 basic now, it is my most used drill with the 2,6Ah battery and I have cursed the lack of a _proper_ belt clip. The battery clip is not reliable, the new one seems pretty well thought out.

 

[neeleman]

Henrik you're right I forgot to mention this.
The belt clip should be available as a separate part and fixed to older C/T 18 drills.
I'm watching the EKAT about the belt clips, but so far they're not mentioned.

And why not for the C/T 15 drills, they're still in the catalogue?
Might has to do something wit the new 18V Airstream batteries, because they have no belt clip possibility on the underside.
The older belt clips where really bad and why use belt clips on batteries when using them in jig saws or circular saws?

 

[Cheese]

Well looking at the new ETS 125, it looks like they've changed the on/off switch. Let's hope the new switch doesn't get stuck in the on position when you try to turn it off like the old one did. Sometimes it took two thumbs to turn of the sander.  [eek] [eek]  Mine still does from time to time.

 

[Samo]

I love them all.    I guess I have about 2 years to save up?

I know right!

Hopefully not so long for the new Battery?
http://festoolownersgroup.com/ask-festool/airstream-batteries/msg473118/#msg473118

 

[pingvinlakrits]

Neeleman: thanks! If you happen to find an EKAT number I would be grateful. It would be great if the belt clip was something that could be fitted to the existing C18/T18. I honestly need the belt clip but it would tick me off to purchase a new T18 for it to happen and since I have two of them that ain't gonna happen...

Interestingly the new clip looks slightly like a hack I made to my old C12 on which I fitted a slightly modified Hitachi belt clip.

I have been caught out a few times with the T18 having no place to put it while freeing a hand, for two reasons: the battery clip broke off on one battery and the simple fact that the battery clip is very unreliable going up and down a ladder or wearing thicker garments so in my opinion the battery clip is next to unusable. But I once managed to use it with the jigsaw while shifting a table top.

 

[overanalyze]

Are the new sanders a NAINA item or are they coming out in the US too?

 

[#Tee]

does the new battery come in 2.6ah?

 

[mrboult]

The new battery does not yet seen to come in 2.6ah version.

Honestly those new belt clips look a little flimsy at the connection point. But maybe that's not the case in reality...

Doesn't make much odds to me as I'm not about to swap my two T18s just for a belt clip. I also only use the 2.6ah batteries in my drills.

 

[Shane Holland]

Are the new sanders a NAINA item or are they coming out in the US too?

Suspect we will get them but no ETA currently.

 

[pingvinlakrits]

MrB: I am not keen on switching out my pair of T18's either. I run both primarily on 2,6Ah batteries and think it is a brilliant drill for size balance, weight and run time with the 2,6Ah batt's. The new clip does add something that has been missing all along though.

Judging by the looks of the new clip it looks reasonably strong considering the backside will be supported with a battery in place so it does not look too fragile to me. I will be happy to try it out.

I had plans of making a belt clip hack but haven't gotten around to it so I will be happy to try and retrofit one of the bonafide belt clips. I have a DRC 18/4 as well but hardly use it after getting a T18. The DRC works fine with the 2,6Ah battery of course but it is a heavier machine to boot.

 

[tom46]

Does anyone know of any plans to make a new impact driver to rival Makita, Dewalt etc?

The impact driver is my only everyday tool which isn't festool and this needs to change! [unsure]

 

[pingvinlakrits]

tom46: yup, it is on the wish list for a few of us. The Ti15 impact did probably not sell all that well but I think it is due to it being "overworked" and not an 18V machine. A simple 18V impact, small and agile is on offer from almost every other maker so it would be a pity to not make one.

No word on it though and Festool peeps are usually very tight lipped about new releases.

 

[tom46]

Mmm yes this is what I think it should be case of when not if as it's such a everyday item which all other manufactures produce.

 

[Cheese]

Does anyone know of any plans to make a new impact driver to rival Makita, Dewalt etc?

Well I was sent a Festool survey about 7-8 months ago and they were asking all sorts of questions on what features you'd want to see on an impact. Including automatic speed control  through torque level sensing. Wish I'd made a copy of that survey now.    [tongue]

So given that, it'll still be awhile.

 

[mrboult]

I don't own an impact as i don't really like them, they're loud and slow. But every now and again it would be nice to have one... Like putting in big fixings at full stretch on top of a ladder. 

If festool released a No bells & whistles impact as small and good as the modern makitas i would def pick one up to have around.
Id be happy with a makita, but for such occasional use im not willing to add another battery platform.

 

[tom46]

Yes sadly will be a while however looks good as certain there will be one in the future which can only be a good thing.

 

[pingvinlakrits]

Impact survey? That sounds like they are at least working on one - good to hear. Hope it will see the light of day.

On a side note I ordered the new belt clips for my two "old" T18 drills, it is possible to fit the older T18 with the new clip. It was actually cheap too, two parts needed. They should arrive next week. I really look forward to it as I am constantly being reminded of the lack of a quality belt clip while running up ladders or climbing about.

 

[neeleman]

Do you have the part numbers for the new C/T 18 belt clips?