Plans for 4.2 amp batteries on C15 or will it remain with 3 AH?
- Thread starter ScotF
- Start date
wrightwoodwork
Member
- Joined
- Jul 1, 2013
- Messages
- 410
Possibly the c15 uk is 4.2 so might get but not sure
Resurrecting this thread since I'm interested in purchasing a C15/4.2 set. It now seems it's listed on Atlas' website for purchase in Canada. Is there a US release yet?
http://www.atlas-machinery.com/products/Festool-C15SET-C15-14.4V-Li-ion-Drill-Set-2-X-4.2AH
http://www.atlas-machinery.com/products/Festool-C15SET-C15-14.4V-Li-ion-Drill-Set-2-X-4.2AH
- Joined
- Jan 22, 2007
- Messages
- 8,426
RKA said:
I wanted to confirm before I posted. We have not changed the scope of delivery for the C15 to include 4.2Ah batteries at this time. So, this is either an error on the part of Atlas or they are swapping the batteries. I will bring it to Shawn's attention.
Shane
Tom the Remodeler
Member
- Joined
- Dec 30, 2007
- Messages
- 1,106
Just remember that you are buying the drill because of the engineering that goes into the DRILL part.
If you want to chase batteries you should be looking at the Metabo cordless line, with 5.2Ah 18v batteries now available. Metabo's "Quick" line of drills features removable chucks, including a 3-jaw chuck, a right angle, and a quick connect gearbox that provides triple gear reduction.
http://www.metabo.us/NEW-Battery-pack-with-5-2-Ah.47683.0.html
Remember, the higher the Ah rating, that typically also means a longer charge time, and potentially greater weight. Since the Festool cordless line is primarily intended for shop use and potentially by remodelers, you'll always be near a power source so really long run time batteries generally aren't as much of a concern as they would be for framing contractors or guys mostly doing exteriors.
I am currently invested in the Makita LXT platform, and my favorite batteries are the 1.5Ah batteries because they are tiny, light, and work for hours. When they do need a charge, they will achieve a full charge in roughly 15 minutes. If I can help it, I only use my "Full Sized" batteries on my cordless tools that absolutely require them.
Back when I owned a C12, I'm pretty sure I deliberately ordered it with the smallest (1.3Ah?) batteries available to save on weight and keep charging times short.
If you want to chase batteries you should be looking at the Metabo cordless line, with 5.2Ah 18v batteries now available. Metabo's "Quick" line of drills features removable chucks, including a 3-jaw chuck, a right angle, and a quick connect gearbox that provides triple gear reduction.
http://www.metabo.us/NEW-Battery-pack-with-5-2-Ah.47683.0.html
Remember, the higher the Ah rating, that typically also means a longer charge time, and potentially greater weight. Since the Festool cordless line is primarily intended for shop use and potentially by remodelers, you'll always be near a power source so really long run time batteries generally aren't as much of a concern as they would be for framing contractors or guys mostly doing exteriors.
I am currently invested in the Makita LXT platform, and my favorite batteries are the 1.5Ah batteries because they are tiny, light, and work for hours. When they do need a charge, they will achieve a full charge in roughly 15 minutes. If I can help it, I only use my "Full Sized" batteries on my cordless tools that absolutely require them.
Back when I owned a C12, I'm pretty sure I deliberately ordered it with the smallest (1.3Ah?) batteries available to save on weight and keep charging times short.
Actually Tom, what I'm chasing is newer batteries, not a big torque-y drill (got enough of those). The C15 is exactly what I want because of the motor and trigger control. I ordered a C15 last month which had a 2011 build date on the drill but no markings on the battery. I checked with Festool and they told me there are no markings on the batteries and the best that I could do is assume the batteries were built around the same date the drill was built. I checked with my vendor who had some fresh stock shipped in from Festool and that drill was even older than what I had in hand. Knowing that the C15's in the UK started shipping with the 4.2ah batteries in Dec., I had hoped when we get them, I could be confident that the batteries included would be fresh. Why the fuss? Because I will not wear these batteries out from charge cycles, in my hands they will deteriorate with age. The newer the batteries, the longer they will go (for me).
The secondary consideration is interchangability of batteries if I purchase a cordless Carvex (that's a big IF). I haven't found the 3.0ah batteries on my LXT saws to be particularly good, so I'm assuming 4.2 would be better on the Carvex.
You are right about the weight of these batteries, and if the choice was 1.3 vs. 4.2 on the C15, I'd take the 1.3 hands down. But between the 3.0 and 4.2, the weight difference becomes a smaller consideration in the grander scheme. It appears the 3.0ah kits remain my only option, so it is what it is. I'll have to check with other venders.
Funny, I have the LXT platform as well, but the way I've used the tools, even the 3.0ah batteries were insufficient at times. [big grin] On one occasion I ran down 3 3.0ah batteries in about 15 mins (recip saw is great for trimming trees because it's so light, but there comes a point where you really should be using a chainsaw, and this was one of those times!). I recharged them after they cooled and finished the job the next day. These batteries are going on 8 years old, so I'm probably on the tail end of their useful life. When they are done I'll look into replacing them with 4.0 or 5.2 batteries if they are compatible with my tools. Despite people's complaints about their battery system, I've been pleasantly surprised.
The secondary consideration is interchangability of batteries if I purchase a cordless Carvex (that's a big IF). I haven't found the 3.0ah batteries on my LXT saws to be particularly good, so I'm assuming 4.2 would be better on the Carvex.
You are right about the weight of these batteries, and if the choice was 1.3 vs. 4.2 on the C15, I'd take the 1.3 hands down. But between the 3.0 and 4.2, the weight difference becomes a smaller consideration in the grander scheme. It appears the 3.0ah kits remain my only option, so it is what it is. I'll have to check with other venders.
Funny, I have the LXT platform as well, but the way I've used the tools, even the 3.0ah batteries were insufficient at times. [big grin] On one occasion I ran down 3 3.0ah batteries in about 15 mins (recip saw is great for trimming trees because it's so light, but there comes a point where you really should be using a chainsaw, and this was one of those times!). I recharged them after they cooled and finished the job the next day. These batteries are going on 8 years old, so I'm probably on the tail end of their useful life. When they are done I'll look into replacing them with 4.0 or 5.2 batteries if they are compatible with my tools. Despite people's complaints about their battery system, I've been pleasantly surprised.
Tom the Remodeler
Member
- Joined
- Dec 30, 2007
- Messages
- 1,106
RKA said:
You bring up some great points!! I agree, if you can get past the limitations of the Centrotec chuck, the C-series drills from Festool are fantastic! Again, aside from the lack of support for 1/4" Hex bits, I really liked my C12, it had a great balance and was definitely well suited to all-day use.
It's funny, having owned many cordless tools over the years, I'm now trying to go corded as much as possible, reserving cordless tools for applications where power or runtime are non-factors. Right now I'm still liking the Makita digital 3-speed impact driver, right angle impact driver, dust buster and leaf blower. Everything else, I wish had a cord on it. For a lot of tools (circ saw, recip saw, rotary hammer, etc....), you generally have to compromise on power (unless you're running a 36V platform), and for the smaller tools, well, I could generally get by just fine with a cord.
Also, here in Minnesota, the batteries really suffer from the cold, I rarely get more than 2 or 3 years out of my batteries. The life span as a whole suffers, and the actual power drops significantly when the temperatures drop below freezing.
Regarding the Carvex, I have the corded Barrel Grip version and it handles REALLY well, if you plan on using it with a dust extractor I don't see a reason to go cordless.
The reasons you mention for going corded are precisely why I think a cordless carvex is a big IF for me. The convenience of cordless is nice to have, especially if I'm using it upside down to trace a line, but one could argue the lighter corded version is also beneficial in this case and I also have a tool that will last as long as they make T shank blades.
- Joined
- Nov 3, 2007
- Messages
- 5,133
It was just announced to dealers today that it is now available. I have them available for ordering but am placing an order for them tonight, which means the shipping will be slightly delayed...
Tom
Tom
Similar threads
