PDC 18/4 Percussion Drill Driver Video

[Stone Message]

Hi Everyone

I have now finished the PDC 18/4 video - a great tool with loads of guts. In the UK we call this a Combi Drill as it is able to drill wood and steel, has a percussion action for masonry and is perfectly at home as a torque controlled driver for screws etc.

Not only did this tool grow on me as I went through the review but I also came head to head with the Festool Fastfix concept for drill drivers and the Centrotec standard for the first time.

The Fastfix is excellent and, as you will see, is simple enough even with my arthritic hands. I had read a lot about Centrotec and always had a little doubt in my mind - until now. Centrotec is brilliant and I will now do my best to give it a video of its own later this year.

But back to the PDC 18 - this is a machine for the professional who has a job to do without being let down. It is nicely balanced with bags of power and plenty of accessory options for every type of job.

Sadly, this machine goes back in its box tomorrow, together with the BHC 18, ready for return to Festool [sad].

Here is the video:



Peter

 

[leakyroof]

Hey Peter, which tool are you MOST sad to see go.... [wink]
I will check out your video later tonight.  [smile]

 

[Wooden Skye]

Peter

Another great video review.  The only bad thing is that I really want this drill and am holding out on the C15 in hopes that this comes to the states, unless I go to Europe before that happens. I tried it at Connext and JLC live and was impressive.

 

[Nippychippy]

Cheers for the review your reviews are to blame for my items coming this week [scared]

 

[Stone Message]

Cheers for the review your reviews are to blame for my items coming this week [scared]

Oops - sorry  [smile] . Peter

 

[Stone Message]

Hey Peter, which tool are you MOST sad to see go.... [wink]
I will check out your video later tonight.  [smile]

Both the BHC 18 and PDC 18 are really well engineered and do a cracking job - especially if you are working on site. In my workshop I do very little drilling into concrete and brick and so am looking at the CSX and C15 as a starter set with a T15, perhaps later.

The BHC 18 is one of the most beautifully engineered cordless drills that I have seen. The PDC 18 does more of the things that I need every day.

Peter

 

[TelcoRandy]

First and foremost  — NAINA.
Second, why do you have to return these items to Festool after you review them? I hope they're paying you, you have to get something for your time. I watched your video on the BHC 18 and I was wondering why you would have to return the tool after the review.

 

[Stone Message]

First and foremost  — NAINA.
Second, why do you have to return these items to Festool after you review them? I hope they're paying you, you have to get something for your time. I watched your video on the BHC 18 and I was wondering why you would have to return the tool after the review.

I have set up The New Brit Workshop under which I publish all of my YouTube videos which are mostly not about Festool tools. I have been lucky enough to have been employed all of my working life and now it is time to give something back.

I make my videos to help people. I might show then the very best kit that they should buy now or aspire to buy when funds allow. I might show them how do to certain tasks or even advise them about protecting their identity in the cyber world. I do all of this for nothing and am trying my best to cram as much in before I am unable to do any more. I sometimes get some help with this project and some kit has been donated (after a review) and I have even be able to buy some kit at a discount.

If I were doing this expecting to earn a living then I would be broke by now. When I was doing consultancy work (after retiring from my full career) I was able to get big bucks. The work was hard and it took me away from home for weeks on end. I decided to stop and do things that I want to do and fulfil my ambition to help others where I can.

I have one golden rule that has not been and will never be broken...

If I cannot recommend a bit of kit to my very best friend then no video is made. When I look at the camera I am talking to my very best friend, I am talking to you.

Festool kit is excellent and I have spent a lot of money on it over the last 3 years. I wanted to do some cordless tool reviews and when I asked Festool they agreed to let me borrow some kit from time to time. I am happy with this as it allows me to make more videos and show you more of their kit. If you look at my video channel you will see me raving about kit from Jet, Hitachi, 3M, Trend, Osmo, Axminster, Lee Valley (where I have a declared interest) and many more.

Peter

PS - added after initial posting:

I have turned down 3 offers to go commercial. The reason is simple - I would be paid to make videos and I would be expected to say that certain items were good when they might not be. Now that would break my golden rule.

 

[jools]

Peter. Thanks for the videos and your attitude in making them is a breath of fresh air. How often in woodworking magazines do we see a "review" of tools with the declared winner featured on the front cover and 2 full pages of advertising inside. You always point out the pros and cons of all the product you revew and that's as it should be. I have just taken delivery of the PDC 18 and the BHC 18 arrives next week. It's a big investment for me but one that will pay for itself over time. I watched both of your reviews and had a hands on demo. Building regs are calling for better, larger and longer fixings. You can not toe nail things with a paslode any more. The Festool drills and systems offer the ability to carry out tasks in a quick and professional manner saving time and money.
The old adage " you get what you pay for " is never more true than for tools, hand or powered. I have a shed of neglected boxes filled with the wrong choice, purchased at the time on price alone. Buy it once and look after it!
Kind regards
Jools

 

[Kev]

PHEW, I've already got this one (albeit in orange) ... I somehow feel like I've just save money [blink] [huh]

Peter, I should send you a list of the Festools I have - you could stay within reviewing some of those for the next couple of months while I recover a little [big grin]

Kev

 

[Stone Message]

Peter. Thanks for the videos and your attitude in making them is a breath of fresh air. How often in woodworking magazines do we see a "review" of tools with the declared winner featured on the front cover and 2 full pages of advertising inside. You always point out the pros and cons of all the product you revew and that's as it should be. I have just taken delivery of the PDC 18 and the BHC 18 arrives next week. It's a big investment for me but one that will pay for itself over time. I watched both of your reviews and had a hands on demo. Building regs are calling for better, larger and longer fixings. You can not toe nail things with a paslode any more. The Festool drills and systems offer the ability to carry out tasks in a quick and professional manner saving time and money.
The old adage " you get what you pay for " is never more true than for tools, hand or powered. I have a shed of neglected boxes filled with the wrong choice, purchased at the time on price alone. Buy it once and look after it!
Kind regards
Jools

Hi Jools

You have prompted me to add a bit about magazine reviews...

I used to do them and felt that my standards were not always matched by other reviewers in the same edition. Some reviewers are on the staff of the magazines and those magazines have an advertising income to achieve - these two factors do not work in favour of the innocent reader. I have now stopped writing for woodworking magazines - they pay about £60 per page and reviews were about 2 pages long. So, my "tool spending" money has dropped a bit but I am making up for it with some woodworking commissions and feel better for it.

Many thanks for your supportive comments.

Peter

 

[Stone Message]

PHEW, I've already got this one (albeit in orange) ... I somehow feel like I've just save money [blink] [huh]

Peter, I should send you a list of the Festools I have - you could stay within reviewing some of those for the next couple of months while I recover a little [big grin]

Kev

It's probably too late Kev, my work for the next 6 months is now in the diary.

You may be pleased to know that part of my plan is a video about cycling in The Netherlands and I hope to do something on a handheld GPS device which has had some bad press but I am hoping is now good enough for me to review.

Now if you find yourself forced to go from Australia to The Netherlands on a cycling holiday then that really will blow your budget!

Peter

 

[Kev]

PHEW, I've already got this one (albeit in orange) ... I somehow feel like I've just save money [blink] [huh]

Peter, I should send you a list of the Festools I have - you could stay within reviewing some of those for the next couple of months while I recover a little [big grin]

Kev

It's probably too late Kev, my work for the next 6 months is now in the diary.

You may be pleased to know that part of my plan is a video about cycling in The Netherlands and I hope to do something on a handheld GPS device which has had some bad press but I am hoping is now good enough for me to review.

Now if you find yourself forced to go from Australia to The Netherlands on a cycling holiday then that really will blow your budget!

Peter

Hi Peter,

It's ironic that you mention cycling - today a poor fellow was slaughtered by a bus at an intersection in Neutral Bay (north or Sydney) while he was cycling. I would normally have been passing through the same spot at the same time, but a sore neck has taken me off the road for a few days [eek]

Most of our bus drivers are careful and courteous towards cyclists, but a few are aggressive, tending towards out and out hostile!

Maybe a pedal through Europe should be in my future plans!

Kev

PS I think the only further damage you could do to me would be BS105, Conturo and Vecturo ... otherwise you and Paul Marcel have either already done the damage or I've done it to myself [embarassed]

 

[Kev]

Urghhh - just thought about it ... the cordless TS55 will probably be Peter's next test [eek] I'm screwed [crying]

 

[jimbo51]

Peter,

Did you have a chance to try either of the drills on solid poured concrete?

 

[Stone Message]

Peter,

Did you have a chance to try either of the drills on solid poured concrete?

I did with the BHC 18. I drilled a 20mm hole about 75 mm deep and it went in well. The film was not good and the sound was also poor so I deleted it. I did not try the PDC 18 on solid concrete but would expect it to be okay at sensible diameters for a combi drill.

I still have both machines (we have a holiday weekend coming up) but we have rain here today but I could do a special test if required.

Peter

 

[jools]

At the demo I attended this week the BHC 18 was happy drilling 12mm holes into concrete kerb stones and the warehouse slab floor. I even tried a 25mm bit I use and it turned that just as well [eek]

 

[Stone Message]

At the demo I attended this week the BHC 18 was happy drilling 12mm holes into concrete kerb stones and the warehouse slab floor. I even tried a 25mm bit I use and it turned that just as well [eek]

Good point. When I tried the tool at a product launch I too drilled into a reinforced concrete post AND I went through the steel as I had silver swarf everywhere afterwards.

Peter

 

[TelcoRandy]

I have turned down 3 offers to go commercial. The reason is simple - I would be paid to make videos and I would be expected to say that certain items were good when they might not be. Now that would break my golden rule.

I would like to say that I appreciate your passion to help others Mr. Parfitt.
But I still think it would be cool if you got to keep the tool, it's evident that you're a trustworthy person and I doubt any donations would compromise your integrity. Maybe I'm a little over empathetic but if I was reviewing the tool I would want to keep it (especially this PDC).

On an unrelated note, I just bought 4 lottery tickets today. If I win, one of the first things I'll do is fly to Europe and buy a PDC. I've been wanting this drill ever since the Protool-Festool merging announcement.

 

[Stone Message]

I have turned down 3 offers to go commercial. The reason is simple - I would be paid to make videos and I would be expected to say that certain items were good when they might not be. Now that would break my golden rule.

I would like to say that I appreciate your passion to help others Mr. Parfitt.
But I still think it would be cool if you got to keep the tool, it's evident that you're a trustworthy person and I doubt any donations would compromise your integrity. Maybe I'm a little over empathetic but if I was reviewing the tool I would want to keep it (especially this PDC).

On an unrelated note, I just bought 4 lottery tickets today. If I win, one of the first things I'll do is fly to Europe and buy a PDC. I've been wanting this drill ever since the Protool-Festool merging announcement.

You are really kind and yes, I would love to keep both of the drills but would not do them justice and even Festool can't be expected to give kit away to every Tom, Dick or Harry that makes a video.

It would be wonderful if you win the lottery and come over to buy your drill. Good luck but to be on the safe side you need a plan B...

We have an excellent woodworking show every year at Kempton Park race course, just 30 minutes by train from central London. It runs 10th - 12th October. Festool and many other top quality manufacturers and suppliers are well represented and there are some fantastic demos every year. Just Google "D&M Show October 2014". Quite a few FOGgers go there every year. It would be worth planning a trip and start saving now.

Peter