Review of the Festool T15+3 cordless drill.

[woodguy7]

Phew  [thanks]

woodguy

 

[peter halle]

Jigsaws do have a learning curve.  They aren't a tool that many people use all day everyday.  Take some time and play with it.  Try out the anti-splinter inserts and dust collection - if you can.  Search here for the tips on how to properly tension the blade and then go.  It seems that for what is essentially a simple tool little things excite or irritate different people.

I have a Bosch.  That was a major step up from what I had before - which was a major step up from its predecessor.  When I used the Festool model the cut quality left my saw in the dust.  Festool is on my list to be acquired - not tops of the list because of my limited usage of a jigsaw.

Relax.  Play.  Enjoy.

Peter

 

[Frank Pellow]

I don't even want to try one of these things, just in case I get obsessed with buying one.  

Normally I don't blink at buying a new tool, even a festool because I earn my living with them, but now I'm doing just sales so these purchases are harder to justify.  

I use an 18 volt ridgid for my heavy duty drilling.  But believe it or not the tool I turn to most of the time is an 18 volt NiCad Ryobi impact driver.  That damn cheap piece of crap just won't quit, and a pair of batteries costs about $40.00.  I started writing the date of purchase on the batteries with a magic marker just to see if they really are a value.  Also helps to calculate the real cost of the tool.  Now if Festool came out with an impact driver, I'll be doing the zombie walk to the tool store with my bank card in hand!

I believe it, because that's what I now use the most as well.  I continue to be amazed that such a useful tool cost me so little (under $100 for the driver, the charger and 2 batteries).  [smile]  [big grin]

 

[Holzhacker]

Ryobi - I couldn't agree more. Really great cheap tools that won't quit. I have had my 18V Ryobi hammer drill for a number of years and it keeps on going. Cheap cost but good batteries. It just doesn't seem to care about getting hot, wet or dusty. Even though I have the older nice PC trim router with the various sub bases in the steel case, my Ryobi trim router is the go to tool for quick or small jobs. It has also been around for many years. There were a number of grunts and smirks in Lebanon when I mentioned how good my old Ryobi tools are.
Has anyone tried the new Ryobi stuff? The green/gray handy tools. drill, camera, tester, flashlight etc. I'm tempted by the camera as a second inspection camera. Do you guys have the Ryobi display set-up at your local HD?
On topic, my T15 has been doing great after a month+, still very happy with it. Haven't beat on it too hard yet though, hopefully soon.
Markus

 

[Brice Burrell]

Ryobi - I couldn't agree more. Really great cheap tools that won't quit. I have had my 18V Ryobi hammer drill for a number of years and it keeps on going. Cheap cost but good batteries. It just doesn't seem to care about getting hot, wet or dusty. Even though I have the older nice PC trim router with the various sub bases in the steel case, my Ryobi trim router is the go to tool for quick or small jobs. It has also been around for many years. There were a number of grunts and smirks in Lebanon when I mentioned how good my old Ryobi tools are.
Has anyone tried the new Ryobi stuff? The green/gray handy tools. drill, camera, tester, flashlight etc. I'm tempted by the camera as a second inspection camera. Do you guys have the Ryobi display set-up at your local HD?......

Markus, I had an old Ryobi benchtop jointer, it was nicest portable I've ever used. A few years ago  decided it was getting harder to tune up so I replaced with a Delta. The Delta is nice but I wish I would have kept the Ryobi.

.....On topic, my T15 has been doing great after a month+, still very happy with it. Haven't beat on it too hard yet though, hopefully soon.
Markus

My drills are working out very well for me, I couldn't be happier. Should have an opportunity to find out how they work in the cold soon. 

 

[RONWEN]

Very nice review Brice!  [thumbs up]

 

[Brice Burrell]

Very nice review Brice!   [thumbs up]

Actually Ron, I just now finishing what I started on this review. It's a 26 page PDF file, 6,500+ words and over 40 pictures. Expect to see it soon.

But I'm glad you what I'll got here. [thumbs up]

 

[AlexThePalex]

Actually Ron, I just now finishing what I started on this review. It's a 26 page PDF file, 6,500+ words and over 40 pictures. Expect to see it soon.

Gosh!  That's gonna be something. Looking forward to read it. But beware, I've got this strange feeling I'm suddenly very opinionated about the T15 for no apparent reason.  ;D

 

[RONWEN]

Sounds great, I'll look forward to it.

Very nice review Brice!   [thumbs up]

Actually Ron, I just now finishing what I started on this review. It's a 26 page PDF file, 6,500+ words and over 40 pictures. Expect to see it soon.

But I'm glad you what I'll got here. [thumbs up]

 

[Dave Ronyak]

Brice,

Will your complete T15+3 review include a comparison of its performance and features, if there are any differences with the T12+3 drill set?  I recently purchased the T12+3 set and am thinking it might not be powerful enough to drive lag screws and landscape tie screws, and thus am thinking of returning it and buying a T15+3 instead.  My only other battery powered drill is an old Makita 12V M-Force unit with 2.6Ah NiMH batteries which are still going after ~7 years, although they have lost much of their original capacity. 

Dave R.

 

[Brice Burrell]

Brice,

Will your complete T15+3 review include a comparison of its performance and features, if there are any differences with the T12+3 drill set?  I recently purchased the T12+3 set and am thinking it might not be powerful enough to drive lag screws and landscape tie screws, and thus am thinking of returning it and buying a T15+3 instead.  My only other battery powered drill is an old Makita 12V M-Force unit with 2.6Ah NiMH batteries which are still going after ~7 years, although they have lost much of their original capacity. 

Dave R.

Dave, no, I only have the T15.

 

[peter halle]

Dave,

If you are under the grace window and can tolerate the cost difference - just do it.  You are pushing envelopes when you start dealing with big stuff.  If you have a baketaball team you don't look for an 80 inch player if you can get an 84 inch player.

Just my .01 worth.

Peter

 

[AlexThePalex]

I recently purchased the T12+3 set and am thinking it might not be powerful enough to drive lag screws and landscape tie screws, and thus am thinking of returning it and buying a T15+3 instead.

Dave, I saw the price difference between the T12 and the T15 is only 50 dollars in the US. A mere 50 dollars shouldn't get in the way when you get to choose between a 10,8v and a 14,4v drill .........

 

[Dave Ronyak]

I agree, and thank you for your comments.  I will try to return my T12+3 set for a T15+3 set.

Dave R.

 

[RONWEN]

You should love the T15+3 -- it has lots of power to spare and with the interchangeable chucks I haven't found a task that it's not up to.

 

[speed]

can i just ask a quick t15 question.

when the trigger lock is on and you put pressure on the trigger does it still spin the motor? mine slowly rotates not fully locking off,

thanks jamie

 

[AlexThePalex]

when the trigger lock is on and you put pressure on the trigger does it still spin the motor? mine slowly rotates not fully locking off,

Wow, I just checked and mine does that too. Slowly. That's some serious design flaw. The trigger lock locks the top side of the trigger but due to the flexibility of the material the trigger is still able to reach the circuit when you push it on the bottom side.

Tsk, tsk Festool!

Note: not that I ever use the trigger lock.

 

[jvsteenb]

The trigger lock  ???

Do you mean leaving the left/right switch halfway ? Doesn't even have a positive stop in that position, I never considered it a trigger lock....

Regards,

Job

 

[Wim]

After using a Makita and a Bosch for about 20 years, I switched to a T15+3. It is a big difference, it is about the same weight, but the grip and balance is much better. It feels like it is a part of your hand. You can point it very precise. The trigger is also very precise and has a very gradual speeding-up when you pull. I have to get used to the switching of chucks, it needs sometimes three hands to switch. I think the newness makes it a little stiff. But it is nice to have various bits and drills at the ready to make holes, countersink them and start the screws. The green switches and dial are at the right places, easy to reach and to see. I have it in use for a few days but I'm very content with the drill, as I expected to be.

 

[kave]

I agree, and thank you for your comments.  I will try to return my T12+3 set for a T15+3 set.

Dave R.

I have been using my T12+3 for a couple of months now. I have been installing doors and windows with it as well as drilling 45mm wood without problems. The only problems is when I forget I have it in drill mode and drive big screws, the bit's will be worn out quickly or the hand will get alot of stress. Usually I hold it with two hands

The difference according to Festool is 40Nm instead of 34NM and 100g of weight.
If you wan't light weight it's the smaller one, maximum Nm, the bigger is the way to go.