PDC test

[Kev]

I'll make certain not to watch any more of that dribble .. can't believe I watched all of it [blink]

 

[peterboy]

I don't know about dribble, seemed like a pretty well thought out test to me, maybe the test criteria should have been who makes the best shade of green. It was/is videos just like these that first convinced me I needed some Festool in my life. 

 

[Kev]

I don't know about dribble, seemed like a pretty well thought out test to me, maybe the test criteria should have been who makes the best shade of green. It was/is videos just like these that first convinced me I needed some Festool in my life.

You test the effectiveness of something through an appropriate use case (or use cases) that is (/are) typical of the intended use of that thing. A series of "torture" or "endurance" tests are not representative of how a tool will operate for the intended market in the real world.

A wild comparison .. but let's consider we decide that Einstein was useless as a human being because he couldn't run a mile in 4 minutes!!

Honestly - the tester crapped on for minutes afterwards about wanting to be the biggest Youtube presence towards the end of the video.

If your thing is drilling a million random holes with a spade bit or finding the shortest drill body and ignoring innovative right angle chucks ... buy all means worship this clown!

Sorry - it's a red sheet to me when people create sensational web content to promote themselves and generate $'s. It's cheap and shallow behaviour.

On "well thought out test" ...  I cannot agree with that, seems like a test thought up after the sixth pint round in a pub to me.

To be clear here, I'm not defending the PDC. I have one and there's things about it that I like and things I don't. I also have the Metabo used in the test and it's just "ok", but pair it with the LiHD 6.2Ah and it's a real weapon.

...........

Anyone else ask themselves why that guy had a rusty builder's square hanging in the background of the video, along with many other "K-Mart grade" tools?

 

[peterboy]

Yep I see your point

If I wanted someone to pop down the shop and get me a coffee if I want it still hot when it arrives don't ask Einstein as Einstein's a useless coffee getter.

It was a drill test for drills what else do you want? To say the length,weight and price don't matter is just daft, Now don't get me wrong I'm not against Festool drills in any way I have a CXS and love it, in fact it's probably loved a bit too much if I told the truth and would still consider a PDC if the deal was right. 

 

[glass1]

Usual festool apologists. When someone points out the festool shortcomings attack the person or the test. Looks like festool has some work to do. Why not admit that the festool is behind the pack which will help force them to catch up. Maybe they could improve the pdc's power and run time and with all its versatility it could go to the top. Same applies to some of their other tools.

 

[Kev]

Usual festool apologists. When someone points out the festool shortcomings attack the person or the test. Looks like festool has some work to do. Why not admit that the festool is behind the pack which will help force them to catch up. Maybe they could improve the pdc's power and run time and with all its versatility it could go to the top. Same applies to some of their other tools.

Yeh - there you go, don't read the detail .. go straight to the assumption.

I think we need a hand drill with two thousand newtons of torque ... JUST BECAUSE!!

 

[Brice Burrell]

Kinda off topic but who uses spade bits any more? If I have to do quick and dirty holes I use speed bores.

I do, because they are inexpensive.  I also like I can keep a set in a nice small flat pack that doesn't take up a lot of space.

 

[joiner1970]

Lol the guy deleted my comment.
I just mentioned that that dust attachment he advertised is really handy and that festool also have a version.

He obviously didn't like that and must have deleted it as I can't see it now. Didn't know you could delete comments. So much for free speech lol

 

[glass1]

Why not 2000 or whatever. Why not make the drill so you can run the hell out of it. Why not make it as kick but as a corded drill. I am just saying take from the test what you will. The tester tested what he tested how he tested. In this test maybe the pdc was dead last and is a large expensive drill that competes with all the other manufacturers compact inexpensive drills. You know a drill good for making a couple of precise 1/4" holes in soft wood. Come on laugh a little at yourself. Plenty of soap box Festool lovers here. Sometimes a little humility goes a long way.

 

[greg mann]

Why not 2000 or whatever. Why not make the drill so you can run the heck out of it. Why not make it as kick but as a corded drill. I am just saying take from the test what you will. The tester tested what he tested how he tested. In this test maybe the pdc was dead last and is a large expensive drill that competes with all the other manufacturers compact inexpensive drills. You know a drill good for making a couple of precise 1/4" holes in soft wood. Come on laugh a little at yourself. Plenty of soap box Festool lovers here. Sometimes a little humility goes a long way.

It seems to me he did little justice to any of the brands. In the end it was all just subjective evaluations under the pretense of having set up an objective test.

 

[Cheese]

I do, because they are inexpensive.  I also like I can keep a set in a nice small flat pack that doesn't take up a lot of space.

I also use spade bits only because I can carry half a dozen of them and not add too much bulk or weight to the tool box. The ones I use have their own threaded point on their end so they self-feed.

When in the shop I prefer to use ship auger bits.

 

[demographic]

Although kind of long winded I still thought the testing wasn't done badly.

Can't say I'll be buying a Milwaukee drill even though they came out well cos several people I know have had bad experiences with them* but I am tempted by the Metabo, De-Walt and Festool.

I already own the Hitachi in the test but I also have a Hitachi rattle gun so the fact its quite long and heavy doesn't really concern me.
I keep harping on about it but for me the Festool just isn't a viable prospect to me until they produce an impact screwdriver. For years I've used a cordless combi drill for drilling, screwing screws in and masonry drilling.
Then I bought my first rattle gun and it was an absolute revelation, I was amazed at how many days I just didn't even get the combi drill out of the box so I don't care how great a manufacturers drill is if there's no rattle gun that uses the same batteries.
The other manufacturers make 18 volt rattle guns, even cordless Multitools which I'm finding more and more uses for each day.
Manufacturers are having to realise that making one good tool just isn't enough nowadays. They need to work out who they are selling to and produce a range that complements those buyers.
I really want a Festool HKC now, will likely get one but it bothers me that I will need to cart yet another charger and type of batteries about in my van, just when I'm trying to lessen all that.

For the people complaining about the criteria used in the test... So exactly what criteria would you use for tests?

*An older, brushed model admittedly.

 

[mrboult]

So the Festool or Bosch didn't get any credit in the "length measure test" for having removable chucks that make them even shorter. Or their right angle chuck that essential make them just a few cm long.

Seems unfair to ignore that when one is placing so much value on a short length drill. 

Unless I missed that part, I confess I didn't watch the whole thing. . .

 

[Stephen B]

It did not surprise me that the Metabo rated so highly.

It is a pity that finish quality was not taken in to account. I recently looked at Milwaukee drills at my dealers (right beside the Festool area  [smile]) and was disappointed with the finish quality for the price.

Back to the test, I would think that if you need heaps of torque, then you really need an impact.

My trusty Makita is starting to age, for me the replacement choices are either the PDC or Metabo. I have other Metabo products and respect their quality of build and longevity, even the Chinese made lines.

 

[GregBradley]

If you have Makita LXT batteries and charger, the new Brushless Hammer Drill and Drill/Driver are wonderful. That being said, I have a bunch of different LXT tools but the drills I tend to use are my CXS and T15. I use an old Bosch 36v Hammer Drill on the rare situations that my Bosch 36v SDS is not the correct choice for masonry. I'm sure the PDC would fit lots of people with certain budgets and use patterns no matter what the test.

I think the only completely valid test is give all of them to various crews and see which ones they choose to use after a couple of months and beating up many thousands of dollars worth of tools.

What I want is a common battery platform for Festool, Makita, Milwaukee, and Metabo.

 

[Jozsef Kozma]

Yes to everything you sad

 

[leakyroof]

Kinda off topic but who uses spade bits any more? If I have to do quick and dirty holes I use speed bores.

I do, because they are inexpensive.  I also like I can keep a set in a nice small flat pack that doesn't take up a lot of space.

Well said Brice. They're also really easy to sharpen. [wink]

 

[leakyroof]

I had to check the Festool site my self and sure enough 60NM is its max torque.

I would bet the numbers were taken straight from the manufacturers' websites rather than being independently measured/tested. Festool typically understates their numbers, I'm not sure about other brands.

We need a cordless drill "tug-of-war" test. Put a piece of hex bar in the chucks of two drills, lock 'em down and hit the trigger. See which survives.

. I think Mac Tool used to demo their high power 1/2" impact against a similar Snap-On tool years ago that way.  Not what I'd call safe or sane, but they did have shields around the tools in case one shattered.... [jawdrop] [jawdrop] [jawdrop]

 

[Woodwork Wizard]

I've been using a PDC 18/4 for about two and a half years. I think it's a brilliant drill, it really has had loads of use and it has done everything with aplomb. I love it.

What surprises me is that every other manufacturer now makes a better drill according to this video.
What surprises me even more is how the presenter of the video in the screen shot looks like a right scary nutter.

Go back to the top of the 1st page here and you'll see what I mean.

 

[Tyler Ernsberger]

I have had the PDC since it's release in the US.  It is an awesome drill.  I do wish it had more torque.  When putting 3in screws into hard lumber or lvl's it beeps on speed 3.  When I switch to speed 2 it sinks the screws with no issues.  The issue with speed 2 is the rpms are lower resulting in slower production.  My bosses Milwaukee Fuel M18 will sink them with no issues at 1800rpm.  That's the only time I wish I have more torque. 

My only other complaint is the belt hooks/clips.  They don't really work that good.  There's not a good place to clip when wearing a tool belt.  When I find a spot it gets knocked off easily.  I will not use them in fear of dropping the drill. 

Overall it's very good drill.  I use the it everyday,  and in very hard conditions.  I have used it since June and only have taken off 5 days off since June to now and it gets used a lot.  One thing that I do often is to take off the chucks and place the bit  in the drill.  It makes the drill very compact and helps out a lot.  I would buy it again,  $600 is a lot for a drill but its worth it.  It definitely has a good feel and its very comfortable to work with all day.