PDC or T18

[mitigator33]

I need a good all around drill and am trying to decide which model would give the best options. I am new to Festool and currently do not own any.

I do stuff around the house, wood work and will be building my house soon so I want something that is versatile with plenty of power. I am in the restoration and construction industry but don't use my tools daily in the field like my employees do. I have owned and burned up many other brands through the years and am in need at this time. Just can't figure out which model would be the best fit. I am needing a heavy duty work horse and not really interested in the smaller and lighter CXS models. Whichever model I get I will get the 3 attachment version that is sold. Also looking at getting a T55 for my shop.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Tyler Ernsberger]

Welcome to FOG!!!!

I have owned the PDC since its release in the US.  Its an awesome drill.  I sold my much loved t15 to get the PDC.  I use the drill professionally everyday and its still going strong.  I used it today to drill 24 holes in brick to hang some shutters and its pretty impressive and loud!!!  For me the hammer option is needed,  my bigger sds drill can not be used to drill holes in tile being that the stroke is big and will crack the tile or stone.  Plus its nice not having to pull out a drop cord and my sds drill to drill a couple holes.  So in my opinion if you want a drill that is versatile the PDC is the right choice. 

The ts55 or ts75 is an awesome choice to add to any shop.  I personally have the ts75 for the added depth and its a great saw.  I have used a ts55req and its a great saw as well.  Its amazing how fast it is to set up and make straight cuts.  The dust collection on both saws is great.  Hope this helps!!!!

 

[Woodwork Wizard]

The PDC 18/4 is a brilliant combi drill, plenty of power and does everything , however I have no idea what the T18 is like as I've never tried one...

 

[Kev]

[welcome]

The T18 (and C18) offer more finesse and control than the PDC. I'd personally consider the PDC ideal for a builder and the T & C series more for a craftsman.

All very capable drill/drivers though.

 

[Woodwork Wizard]

The PDC 18/4 is a brilliant combi drill, plenty of power and does everything, however I have no idea what the T18 is like as I've never tried one...

 

[NHSP759]

Can't comment on the PDC either but I got to mess around with one a few weeks ago at Woodcraft. Surprisingly light for such a beast! If got the T18 and absolutely love it. Compact, powerful and the attachments make the gun.

 

[Birdhunter]

I was thinking about buying the PDC but the more I learned, the less I was interested.

I don't drill bricks which is one of the PDC's strong points if you can stand the noise.

I have an SDS drill which is made to drill concrete. I've read the PDC is not at its best drilling concrete. Could be wrong but too many threads have led me in that impression.

The PDC outclasses my T18 in power and max RPM. So far, I've never been able to bog the T18 down. I've never needed the higher speed but some do.

I do have a TI15 for true hammer drilling.

I think the T18 plus the TI15 is, for me, an ideal combo.

To bad there isn't a TI18.

 

[Tyler Ernsberger]

I was thinking about buying the PDC but the more I learned, the less I was interested.

I don't drill bricks which is one of the PDC's strong points if you can stand the noise.

I have an SDS drill which is made to drill concrete. I've read the PDC is not at its best drilling concrete. Could be wrong but too many threads have led me in that impression.

The PDC outclasses my T18 in power and max RPM. So far, I've never been able to bog the T18 down. I've never needed the higher speed but some do.

I do have a TI15 for true hammer drilling.

I think the T18 plus the TI15 is, for me, an ideal combo.

To bad there isn't a TI18.

The TI15 is an impact, not a hammer drill.  You can't use a impact to drill holes in concrete or brick.  They are two different kind of drills.

An impact drill uses microbursts of torque that allows control when using the drill.  It can be used to put in screws, drill holes, tighten down nuts and bolts.  Not designed for drilling of concrete. An impact uses a spring loaded cam and gear mechanism kicks in.  This allows the user to not have to apply as much downward pressure on the screw to keep the bit in place. 

 

[Birdhunter]

Thanks for the clarification. I was watching Halfinchshy's video on the TI15 and I think he called it an impact drill. Anyway, his visual on the way the TI15 applies rotational impacts while turning the drill bit was excellent. He also had a good visual on how a percussion drill applies impacts along the axis of the drill bit.

As I said, my SDS drill is great for concrete, the TI15 for lag screws, and the T18 for heavy duty drilling. No need for a percussion drill for my work.

Gut feel that a TI18 might be a future offering.

 

[jbasen]

When the PDC came out I was thinking of upgrading from my T18 to the PDC.  The one thing that held me back was the lack of an eccentric chuck for the PDC.  The ability to drill/drive into tight corners with the eccentric chuck has been a lifesaver on some homeowner/diy projects around the house.  I don't understand why Festool didn't include this as a feature on the PDC.

 

[mitigator33]

Thanks for all the comments. Please keep them coming. So far to this point the only real difference I am seeing is that the PDC does not have the eccentric chuck but is faster and more powerful.

 

[Wuffles]

Thanks for all the comments. Please keep them coming. So far to this point the only real difference I am seeing is that the PDC does not have the eccentric chuck but is faster and more powerful.

And has a hammer drill function, don't forget that. It's also heavier. And has a secondary handle (no idea what you'd call that) to prevent wrist breakages. Something I wish the T18 came with because a large diameter hole saw with low torque can do some serious damage to your wrist in one handed mode when it catches the wood.

 

[Birdhunter]

When I first got the TI15, I wasn't all that impressed. But, as I use it more often, I have come to rely on the TI15 for driving lag bolts and other duties that require its strengths. I do think that Festool would have a winner with an 18v version. I disagree that it should not have a drill function iff adding that function doesn't degrade its main duty.

 

[Darren1972]

If your not gonna drill into masonary buy the c18 or t18 depends what grip you prefer i like the c shape personaly if you are gonna drill into light  masonary buy the pdc i personaly use my bhc sds for any tile  brick or concrete and the c18 for driving and drilling anything else like wood plastic and metal be warned the pdc is rubish at concrete ok at masonary though .. Whatever you buy get the full set with all the chucks  happy festooling and welcome to the adiction ha ha

 

[mitigator33]

So since I do a lot of driving of screws into wood would the better combo be an impact and a t18? I don't do much in the way of concrete or brick drilling.  Like once every blue moon. I have had the impact drivers and really enjoyed them for how fast you can drive screws into wood. I guess I am confused with the options. Does Festool make an impact any longer? I have read people say they enjoy their ti15 but I don't see it offered any longer but I may be missing it.

 

[semenza]

So since I do a lot of driving of screws into wood would the better combo be an impact and a t18? I don't do much in the way of concrete or brick drilling.  Like once every blue moon. I have had the impact drivers and really enjoyed them for how fast you can drive screws into wood. I guess I am confused with the options. Does Festool make an impact any longer? I have read people say they enjoy their ti15 but I don't see it offered any longer but I may be missing it.

Welcome to the forum!  [smile]

  I think your are correct that an impact and drill will be a better combo for your needs than the PDC. You might find a Ti15 used possibly even in the Classifieds  here on FOG. One thing to remember with Festool batteries when you are choosing cordless tools ........ the smaller voltage batteries  can be used in the higher voltage tools but no the other way around.

Seth

 

 

[jbasen]

Since you are new to the FOG, let me go into a little more detail.

To expand upon what Seth said, Festool made a 15v impact driver but recently discontinued it.  Right now Festool doesn't make an impact driver and, IMHO, it is a major hole in their product line.  People here have been waiting, with great anticipation, for a product announcement that fills this hole

Personally, I'm hoping Festool adds an impact driver chuck that will work with the T18 just as Bosch has one for their new Flexiclick driver.  Typically, new Festool tools show up in Europe first and then it takes at least 6 months before they make it to the US.  I've heard that this has to do with getting UL approvals.  I'm hoping that a new chuck for an existing drill could shortcut this process.

So, if you want an 18v drill/driver/impact driver combo that uses the same batteries, unfortunately, Festool can't meet your needs right now. 

 

[Brice Burrell]

.....So, if you want an 18v drill/driver/impact driver combo that uses the same batteries, unfortunately, Festool can't meet your needs right now.

If you do decide a drill/driver and impact driver combo is right for you could get a Makita or the like and put the savings towards a Festool plunge saw.

 

[mitigator33]

.....So, if you want an 18v drill/driver/impact driver combo that uses the same batteries, unfortunately, Festool can't meet your needs right now.

If you do decide a drill/driver and impact driver combo is right for you could get a Makita or the like and put the savings towards a Festool plunge saw.

That is actually exactly what I have decided. I have a Milwaukee Fuel 18v Drill / impact combo for one of my crews at work and they love it. They beat the hell out of stuff and have used it for 3 years now with no issue using it every day. I could pick up those two drills for $319 total. I was considering future purchases of the ts55 req, OF 1400 Router, CT36 Dust Collection, and RO90 or RTS 400.

I currently have access to the following in my brothers shop. Planer, jointer, band saw, 3hp powermatic table saw, multiple routers including a router table and a scroll saw. He got most of it from my dad who was a master woodworker. I am in the process of building a 20 x 20 shop and want to build furniture and cabinets as well as other small hobby type projects.

 

[jbasen]

While I don't have a Milwaukee drill/driver there are quite a few people on the FOG that do and seem very happy with them.

Your Festool tool list is a reasonable start.  The sweet spot of Festool sanders that gives you the most flexibility is the combination of the RO 150, ETS 150/3, and RO 90.  You will find a lot of threads on the FOG that go into detail and recommend this trio of sanders.

You should also consider the Festool Domino.  It is a tremendous tool that will change the way you work. 

Good luck.