Replacing dewalt tools with festool.

[Tanker3000]

Hi there im new to FOG and festool in general, two weeks ago i bought my self a txs set for kitchen fitting, and love it.

As a result im definatly buying the 18v jigsaw and plunge saw, but i cant decide what drills to go for, i currently have the two piece dewalt xrp combi drill and brushless impact drill, and dewalt 18v sds.

Now sds is a straight swap, but i cant seem to find any info on festool impact drivers other than a 15v version, but i want everything bar my little drill on the same platform so i can use the batteries across the range, so does any one know if theres an 18v impact in the pipeline?

Also as i would use my sds for masonary work, is there any point in buying the pdc or drc over the t18 drill?

And while im asking questions, how do folks find the cordless plunge saw vs the corded version, all my tools will be the new 5.2ah batterys which should give reasonable run time.

Thanks, chris

 

[WildCard]

I too am slowly swapping out dewalt. Next tool will be the carvex. I don't think I'll be buying a Kapex though. The bosch chop saw is good enough for me.

 

[Tyler Ernsberger]

I own a t15 and its amazing how much power it has.  But if I were you I would look at the pdc.  We cant get it in the states yet, but i cant wait to get my hands on one.  The other choice is bosch that is a festool style drill that has a sds adapter thats available in Europe. 

For masonry you need to look what kind of holes and how many your planning on drill.  Cordless drills dont have a big hammer stroke mean they drill slower.  But excel at drilling in delicate materials like marble a tile.

 

[Grasshopper]

Chris,

First of all welcome to the FOG!

Regarding the TS55 plunge saw, I prefer the corded version personally.  I think the only cordless Festool's I'd be interested in are the Carvex (I have the corded) and the drills of course.  With the plunge saw, dust collection is a HUGE plus, so It's tethered to the CT hose anyway, so having cordless wouldn't serve me.  I could see wanting to run the carvex outside without dust collection, so that would be handy.

 

[Mbconstructionjoinery]

Hi there can't answer your question on the 18v impact driver but can give you some insight on the tsc 55 18v plunge saw, the saw is a great piece of kit very accurate and great for kitchen fitting trimming panels, cutting work tops and also for breaking up sheet goods etc the only downside is it eats the batteries 4.2 or 5.2ah and I have now 4 batteries just for this machine which gives you the option of 2 on charge and 2 working at any time.
I would say if you if this is the main stay of your work then go for it but if you intend to use it for cutting solid timber doors or cutting hardwoods I would go for the corded version. I have just ordered the ts75 so now will have the best of both worlds but if you will only be buying one saw then think hard about which one you go for.

 

[DB10]

Hi the TSC 55 which is the battery version of the plunge saw is excellent for on site work and really doesn't need a dust extractor attached to it, the dust bag that comes with it does a really good job of collecting the dust. that is the whole point of being cordless, anyone who says it needs dust extraction has obviously not used the cordless version, get a demo of the saw then you'll know what I'm talking about.

 

[Tanker3000]

Thanks for the quick replies.

Im going to go and pick up my jigsaw tomorrow from my local axminster, and believe they have a demo area so will see if i can try out a few drills. One of the main reasons for asking is to try and save a little weight ( tenis elbow troubles) i find my combi drill weighs a ton and if the t18 is lighter and the sds takes care of masonary work do i need the pdc, i just dont want to make the wrong choice and regret it.

On the plunge saw, im hoping to have arround 6-8 batterys total if i go all cordless, now for workshop related tasks i have a kitty table saw, but wanted to use the plunge saw to replace my radial arm saw with the mft (eventually) as it takes up alot of space and i dont really use it to its potential. But most of my work is on site, and as anyone in the uk knows lugging arround a transformer is a pain in the backside, but again i dont want to regret buying the cordless version if im going to have to keep stopping to change the batteries.

Chris

 

[DB10]

Hi, I have 6, 18v batteries that I use but to be honest I only use four of them with the TSC and thats fine, as I'm usually using a Carvex and drill along side.
  I also have two charges with me that fit in the systainer and that covers me. The TSC also runs on 14.4 batteries so if like me you have a few of them kicking around they will work with the saw just fine.
I have a fair bit of Festool, and without a doubt, the TSC is by far the best thing I have ever bought from Festool, I get clean cuts, great dust extraction with the included dust bag, there is absolutly no need to tie the saw up with a hose it's cordless after all, and you soon get used to managing the batteries. If I could only have one Festool this would be it.

 

[semenza]

Hi Chris,

    Welcome to the forum!  [smile]

      One thing to note if you end up needing to go with more than one voltage. The higher voltage tools can use the lower voltage batteries. All of them, not just the TSC55. And the batteries are designed such that you can't put a higher voltage battery on a lower voltage tool. It won't fit. But the other way around will fit. So no chance of making a mistake.

Seth

 

[Tanker3000]

Well i visited my local store, decided i will be going with the corded ts 55, when i think about it, my planer will be corded and sander so as all three would likely be used at the same times id have to set up any way and corded version would be better in the workshop, also the pounds saved can go to one of the centrotec drill sets

Drill wise im going to buy the pdc, its only slightly heavier but has the extra option of precussion just incase for only a few extra pounds in price i may as well.

Still would like to know if theres likely going to be an 18v impact as i do use my current one a hell of a lot.

Cant believe i bought one little festool drill and im hooked.

Chris.

 

[DB10]

You will love that TS 55 and if you are mainly going to be using it in the shop probably a good decision.
  I use a Ti 15 impact, a lot of people don't like them as you can convert them to use as a drill as well, and it's not supposed to be that good.
I don't use mine as a drill, just as an impact and it's fine, does the job.

 

[narrowboatboy]

i'm convinced they coat festools with a substance and once you touch one you are compelled to buy more,  [eek]