Noise of Festool impact vs. hydraulic impacts

[JonathanJung]

I have long used the Milwaukee Surge impact mostly because it is quiet. The hydraulic action is so much easier on the ears than a standard impact. However, I’m having to send my M18 Surge in again for warranty, for the second time, and am thinking of switching to the Festool impact. Before I switch though, can anyone provide insight about how noisy the Festool TID is compared to a hydraulic impact like the Surge? Are there decibel ratings for both somewhere?

 

[Jim_in_PA]

(Copied from SMC)

Ran out to the shop to compare the two impact drivers I have. The Festool (brushless) is noticeably quieter than the Bauer (brushed) ... and yes, it's not a Milwaukee, but still a good reference point...until you reach the point that the "impact" action kicks in. In my shop, to my ears, they are equivalent at that point. That "universal impact driver sound" is there. The TID 18 is also nicely compact, although many of the current crop of impact drivers are.

 

[Chainring]

I had a old DeWALT 887 (I think) impact and it was loud. I got the TID 18 and noticed it's a bit quieter, but also less of an annoying sound. For the heck of it, I got the DeWALT DCF870 hydraulic impact and while some of the peak loudness can be upwards of a standard impact, it's way less annoying. If I had to compare the 870 to the TID, I'd say the TID goes a fair way to being a not so darned annoying impact, though not on the level of a hydraulic.

 

[Frnk]

Are there decibel ratings for both somewhere?

If you can't find them on local websites, check Euro versions of a manufacturer's website. It's mandatory to publish noise and vibration ratings there. The Surge impacts are available in Europe as well, should be easy to find decibel ratings.

 

[johnmpf]

I have both impact drivers. The Festool is louder than the Surge, but it is much quieter than the non-hydraulic Milwaukee driver I bought in 2015.
My old Milwaukee driver was incredibly loud. It was embarrassing to use outside for fear of upsetting my neighbors.
If the Surge is a one and the old Milwaukee was a ten on a loudness scale. The Festool would be 5 at the most.

 

[WillettBarrel]

My first TID was loud as all get out. I usually run a Makita oil hydraulic. You can easily have a normal conversation over it, it's so quiet. I actually wound up selling the TID pretty quickly because of the nose level.

Later on, I got a TID of recon (for less than I sold the other TID, so I thankfully don't feel uber foolish about buying it). It's much quieter than the first TID; maybe there's a break in period on the motor and I didn't give it a fair chance? But, to be honest, it's still well north of the db put out by the Makita, to the point that I'm pretty surprised to see so many people say the TID leans towards the quieter end of the spectrum.

 

[JonathanJung]

Thank you everyone, very helpful. I’ll keep using (and sending in for warranty haha) the Milwaukee Surge impact drivers.

 

[leakyroof]

My Makita Oil unit is quiet. I have the original Festool impact drive, and yes, it's noisier than the Makita. I have a newer Snap-On impact driver that was the replacement model for the smaller Snap-on unit that I used to have. It's louder than the Makita by far, but being in a noisy shop environment, doesn't count for much, and I can always wear my Ear Protection, which I do, for sessions with any impact that's going to be noisy for the job.

The Makita has been a great purchase. 18volt battery system, so it's right with all my other Makita 18 volt tools.
I think about selling the Festool TI, but not sure if anyone would even buy it anymore since there's so many new models from all the tool makers that would be competing with it on a used tool marker....

 

[onocoffee]

I think about selling the Festool TI, but not sure if anyone would even buy it anymore since there's so many new models from all the tool makers that would be competing with it on a used tool marker....

I think you'll be surprised. I see all kinds of old Festool drills being sold on Marketplace all the time. Some for prices that I think only a fool would pay. If you were to offer it at a reasonable price, I think you would find a buyer.

 

[72anthony]

The generation 2 Surge has just be released (currently in a package with a drill). Not sure if it has less noise than the 1st generation.

 

[friedchicken]

Dewalt recently released a hydraulic impact that's better in every way than the Milwaukee hydraulic impact.

 

[leakyroof]

Dewalt recently released a hydraulic impact that's better in every way than the Milwaukee hydraulic impact.

Can you elaborate on that?

 

[Packard]

I have long used the Milwaukee Surge impact mostly because it is quiet. The hydraulic action is so much easier on the ears than a standard impact. However, I’m having to send my M18 Surge in again for warranty, for the second time, and am thinking of switching to the Festool impact. Before I switch though, can anyone provide insight about how noisy the Festool TID is compared to a hydraulic impact like the Surge? Are there decibel ratings for both somewhere?

Numbers anyone? Decibels are easily measured.

I had a neighbor when I lived in a Condo (with an HOA) who complained about noise all the time. I bought a decibel meter and presented actual numbers to the board. The problem went away.

In any case, loudness can be very subjective. A meter takes the subjectivity out of the equation. The manufacturers might also publish their Db levels. But note, that the loudness is impacted by what material they are being worked against.

I worked for a company that produced band saws with a 6’ throat for producing aluminum awnings. The machines were virtually silent—until you started to cut the aluminum sheets. OSHA had a problem with the saw. We argued that we had no control over what they cut. But OSHA won. Production ceased.

 

[friedchicken]

Can you elaborate on that?

There are like 3 on the market. Just look for "dewalt hydraulic impact".

 

[leakyroof]

There are like 3 on the market. Just look for "dewalt hydraulic impact".

I saw the latest models, but was wondering why you thought they beat the Milwaukee models. Or what review you're basing your statement on, or personal use/experience to tell us about.

 

[thudchkr]

Another item about the Milwaukee Surge driver not mentioned prior, is that it spins, (and drives screws), faster than their Impact. I recently demonstrated that to a friend, using an M12 impact driver, an M12 Fuel Impact driver and an M12 Fuel Surge driver. He agreed that the M12 Surge was the best choice, (he already has an M18 impact driver for the heavy tasks.)

Unless you need the additional power of the Impact, the Surge wins on both speed and noise level. The M12 Surge is one of my most used tools, right behind the Festool CXS drivers, and way ahead of the Festool Impact.

I rarely use the Festool Impact, unless it is the only impact driver I have available, due to the Milwaukee Surge drivers, (I have both the M12 and the M18), being both quieter and faster. And if I need the extra power, the M12 and M18 Impact drivers, again, outperform the Festool.

 

[Michael Kellough]

M12 Surge is my goto impact as well, unless higher torque is required, which is very rare.

 

[leakyroof]

Another item about the Milwaukee Surge driver not mentioned prior, is that it spins, (and drives screws), faster than their Impact. I recently demonstrated that to a friend, using an M12 impact driver, an M12 Fuel Impact driver and an M12 Fuel Surge driver. He agreed that the M12 Surge was the best choice, (he already has an M18 impact driver for the heavy tasks.)

Unless you need the additional power of the Impact, the Surge wins on both speed and noise level. The M12 Surge is one of my most used tools, right behind the Festool CXS drivers, and way ahead of the Festool Impact.

I rarely use the Festool Impact, unless it is the only impact driver I have available, due to the Milwaukee Surge drivers, (I have both the M12 and the M18), being both quieter and faster. And if I need the extra power, the M12 and M18 Impact drivers, again, outperform the Festool.

This pretty much sums up how I feel about my Makita Hydraulic Driver versus my Festool TI...

 

[Packard]

When I needed a decibel sound level meter in the 1980s, almost all of them were between $200.00 and $500.00 each. Radio Shack had one for about $75.00 and that was what I got. ($75.00 in 1982 equals $248.00 in 2026).

But Amazon lists many under $30.00. Some for as little as $17.00.

In any case, noise levels are so subjective that anything other than a meter reading is going to be suspect.

 

[onocoffee]

When I needed a decibel sound level meter in the 1980s, almost all of them were between $200.00 and $500.00 each. Radio Shack had one for about $75.00 and that was what I got. ($75.00 in 1982 equals $248.00 in 2026).

But Amazon lists many under $30.00. Some for as little as $17.00.

In any case, noise levels are so subjective that anything other than a meter reading is going to be suspect.

I downloaded one for free from the Apple App Store and use it on my phone. It's called Decibel Meter (go figure) and I think it works great - or at least great enough - or since I don't know what makes a great db meter, it works fine. I use it just to measure the relative noise from the tools so I have a comparative number. I don't know how truly accurate its readings.