Please enlighten me re Festool drills

[woodwreck]

I have three Porter Cable grip to fit (GTF) work horse drills, 5 - 10 years old, Nicad, 5 lb 10 oz. weight. I have three of this well worn but fine product because I keep different bits in each - drill, screwdriver, etc, rather than changing bits on a large, many piece project. I am aware of the Festool incompatibility with my drawer full of 1/4" hex bits and have printed articles form the knowledge base here. I have read same comment from other users. Aside from the catalog, what source of literature is available with descriptive simply-put marketing specifications/descriptions of the different models of Festool drills that I can consider.

Size and WEIGHT are my concern as the same 5 - 10 years have aged me more than these tools. I really like the idea of the offset chuck for close lateral drilling, and shorter distance from the object front to back close quarters.

Consumer buying info would be appreciated.

TIA

Woodwreck.

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

I will just say that my C-12 is my favorite cordless drill I have ever owned.

I bought the complete set with all the chucks.

 

[PaulMarcel]

This past weekend, I installed a cabinet in my house and corner shelving.  The eccentric chuck (offset chuck) made trivial pleasant work of something that would have been wrought with a spinning chuck digging dry wall or scarring the surface of the cabinet.

The 90? chuck is nice, too, since it locks into position so you can use it one-handed.  Most of those solutions I've used in the past basically chucked into the drill and you had to hold them.  PITA, in a nutshell.

A friend of mine came over to hold the cabinet in place while I got a few 4" screws into the wall.  It didn't flinch.  As my friend put it, "Jeezus, that thing's got torque!"

The bit extension that comes with it will hold normal 1/4" bits.  I use them regularly.  Handy, too, is that I can attach them to that nice magnetic pad on the front of the C12.  The Centrotec bits are a bit nicer in that you can get even closer.  I don't have any, but I did modify 2 Robertson drive bits from McFeely's and the long Kreg bit for pocket screws.  Just makes things handy.

I don't recall the weight of the C12, but its ergonomics and balance make it feel much lighter than it is.  Since you do this for a living, perhaps waiting for the lithium ion version reportedly being released this year would be nicer.

If you think the C12's shape is funny, go try it out at a dealer.  Personally, I loved the feel, but some people only dig the T drills.

 

[AlexThePalex]

I am aware of the Festool incompatibility with my drawer full of 1/4" hex bits and have printed articles form the knowledge base here.

You are clearly aware of the wrong thing. There is no incompatibility with standard 1/4'' hex bits. The Centrotec system is an extra offered over what all other drills have, and it's not a replacement where you either have the choice for Centrotec or 1/4'' hex bits, but you get both. The Festool drills will take any drill or screw bit available on the market just like any other drill of any other brand will because you always get a standard Jacobs style chuck with it.

 

[Jonhilgen]

I recently got lucky and purchased a demo C12 2.4 kit for half the cost.  Now that I own one, I would easily fork over the full price for another.  It seems that I am spending less time changing batteries now than ever. 

The eccentric chuck has become a go to for me when I install cabinets.  It especially comes in handy when you have to attach drawer heads to the drawer boxes.

The 90 chuck is great too, it has essentially replaced my ridgid right angle drill.  As a matter of fact, since I purchased my C12 I have put both my 18v ridgid lithion as well as my right angle drill on craigslist.  I will never go back to another brand of drill.

Buy it, you won't regret it.

Jon

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

I would like to reiterate what others have said regarding standard hex bits... There are no compatibility issues.  All of our drills include a Jacobs chuck which can be used with driver and drill bits just like your current drill(s).

Here are the weights of our various drill models.

C12 1.2Ah - 3 lbs 6.8 oz 
C12 2.4Ah - 3 lbs 13.4 oz 
C12 3.0Ah - 3 lbs 13.4 oz 
TDK 15.6 - 5 lbs
T12+3 - 3 lbs. 1.4 oz.
T15+3 - 3 lbs. 4.9 oz.

As you can see, all of these are lighter than your current drill(s).  As was mentioned, several of these models are on closeout currently which can offer additional savings.  We stock replacement parts for seven years at a minimum once a product is discontinued. The 3-year warranty is still applicable on closeouts.  For prices and availability on closeouts visit: http://www.festoolusa.com/products/closeout.html

If you have additional questions, please let us know.

Thanks,
Shane

 

[Dan Clark]

In history of the world there are three great myths: "The world is flat.", "I'll respect you in the morning.", and "Festool drills can't use standard 1/4" hex bits."  [eek]   Read my lips... There is NO incompatibility with standard 1/4" hex bits!

This is a my bit box with all sorts of wire-detent and ball-detent (power drive) bits:

This pic shows my Festool chucks and most (not all) of my bit holders with a selection of bits.  With the exception of my new Spax bit, I've used every one of them hundreds to thousands of times.   NO problems.  Left to right and top to bottom - all are standard 1/4" hex bits:

- Jacobs chuck with Torx wire-detent bit in FastCap bit holder (very nice bit holder).
- Right angle chuck with square drive, wire-detent bit set directly in the chuck.
- Eccentric chuck with ball-detent 1/4" socket bit.
- Depth stop chuck with wire-detent Spax #2 bit.   (Special bit for Spax screws.)
- Centrotec chuck with wire-detent Pozidrive bit in Centrotec Bit Holder BH 60mm.
- Centrotec Bit Holder BHS 65mm with ball-detent 2" Torx bit.
- Standard ball-detent bit holder with #2 Phillips bit.  
- Magna sliding sleeve ball detent bit holder with small slotted head bit.

What you see is only a small fraction of the ways I've combined my C12 with chucks, bit holders and bits.   I find no incompatibility.

IMO, the C12 is one of best drills on the market.   Perfect?  No.   It doesn't have a light, doesn't have LiIon batteries, and doesn't have a belt hook.   OTOH, it is one tough, flexible little drill and much more powerful than its size and voltage would lead to expect.  

There may never be a perfect drill, but the new C12 or C15 may come very close.  Festool tweaked the C12, added more power, and fixed the minor limitations of the current C12.  

If you want a great deal now, go for the C12.  If you want the latest and greatest, get the new C12 or C15.  In my (ever so) humble opinion and with the possible exception of the ProTool drills (NAINA), the C-series Festool drills are the best, most flexible drills anywhere.   And yes, that includes the current T12/15's.

Regards,

Dan.

p.s., Edited to be "Read my lips..."

 

[Wood_Junkie]

In history of the world there are three great myths: "The world is flat.", "I'll respect you in the morning.", and "Festool drills can't use standard 1/4" hex bits."    Watch my lips...

HHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAA!    [doh]
Off topic, but your list of three great myths is just too funny.

 

[bobbobbob]

Don't forget that you can get a light for the C12.  This has been discussed elsewhere on the site.  Here's a link:

http://www.festoolusa.com/products/cordless-drills/interchangable-chucks/fastfix-led-headlamp-496927.html

The light can be rotated and not only used in the position in the photo of the link above.  Nice that you can turn it on when you need it and not that it runs all the time.  I know its an 'add on' but it works well.

I have two C12s and definitely love both of them.  One is set up for drilling, the other for driving.  Very handy indeed!

Not bad timing to get one at a discount:
http://www.festoolusa.com/products/closeout.html

 

[Deansocial]

is that spax bit a pozi-square bit?

 

[Dan Clark]

is that spax bit a pozi-square bit?

Either that or pozi-phillips.  I'm not sure.  I bought it because HD carries a lot of Spax and they are good screws.  I prefer Torx, but they are harder to come by.

Dan.

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

[not worthy]

Superb post, Dan.  Thanks for taking the time to put that together.

 

[Deansocial]

i use the ultimte screws http://www.ironmongerydirect.co.uk/Products/Screws_and_Fixings/Woodscrews/913/The_Ulti_Mate_Woodscrew/743097 and they use pozisquare or i think unimate bits.  

anyway back to topic, i use all normal bits in my t15

 

[Nigel]

      Could someone explain what the difference is excatly between a centrotec bit and a standard 1/4" bit please ??? Thanks.

 

[tbellemare]

Centrotec bits seat in the output shaft of the drill's transmission. That is what drives them, NOT the chuck.

They are essentially an elongated 1/4" bit with the corners taken down.

Tom

[attachimg=#1]

 

[peter halle]

The spax screws I bought from Home Depot and used for the first time yesterday would take either a t-20 torx or a #1 square drive.  Nice screws.

Peter

 

[Brice Burrell]

Centrotec bits seat in the output shaft of the drill's transmission. That is what drives them, NOT the chuck.

They are essentially an elongated 1/4" bit with the corners taken down.

Tom

Here's some photoshop editing to shop one in a drill.

[attachthumb=#]

 

[tbellemare]

I guess I should have pointed out that the only thing 1/4" hex bits won't go through without taking the corners down is the Centrotec chuck.

As already stated, they will work with the other bit holders, in the output shaft of the drill, and of course, in the Jacobs style chuck.

Tom

 

[Nigel]

     
      Tom and Brice, thanks for the explanation/photos.

 

[vkumar]

Tom can you explain "the only thing 1/4" hex bits won't go through without taking the corners down is the Centrotec chuck". Not quite sure what you mean?
Vijay