Second Festool Drill

[Jmacpherson]

I'm looking for a drill that falls between the cxs and pdc within the festool stable.

I know there are other options in other brands, I own Makita 18v tools. I am even on the fence about this myself but that is a separate discussion I feel.

Which leaves the C18 or T18. When I originally bought my PDC I demo'd all 3x and wasn't interested in the C and found the weight difference between the T and PDC negligible and went the PDC route.
Cxs is fun to use but I do find that I still tend to use my index finger on the trigger instead of my middle finger like it is designed to be used.

So something beefier than the cxs but doesn't require the grunt of the PDC or can be used in conjunction with the PDC etc.

That being said, in terms of the C handle if you are not using it as intended in terms of your middle finger on the trigger are you getting the full benefits from the design?
How easy is it retrain your brain as it were to adjust to the C handle?
If I can't adjust then would the T make more sense?
Then again since I preferred the PDC over both C & T originally would a DRC make more sense then as drill #2?

 

[rljatl]

Makita subcompact set or just the drill with the Centrotec adapter.

Makita 18v drill

Centrotec keyless chuck adapter

 

[mrboult]

T-18 compact with the small batteries feels in a different weight class to the PDC with the large 4.2 or 5.2ah batteries . . . The T-18 with the compact 3.0ah batteries is 200g lighter in body and 100g lighter in battery than the PDC as well as being a slimmer and smaller machine.

The C-Drills really need to be held in "pistol grip" with the middle finger (CXS) or ring finger (C18) as the trigger finger. Or you just have an awkward feeling drill . . . And loving the CXS does not mean you will love the much bigger and weightier ergonomics of the C18!

 

[grobkuschelig]

Do you have some of the smaller 3.0 ah batteries?
Maybe visit your festool dealer and check the combination of PDC+3.0ah. Might already make a difference.

I am a C-Type and love my C18 in conjunction with the CXS and PDC. But I also know that I do not need 3 drills. But I have them now. So no reason to go back.

Remind yourself to use your index finger to point at the screw/place to drill. This makes a big difference for me, since my hand is calmer and I have more control than with a T handle.

I would have gotten a CDC, if they had one. Eying the BHC18, but that is a different story...

 

[Jmacpherson]

I bought 1x 3ah AS battery when I bought the BHC basic kit recently.
It does make the PDC a little lighter but you can still feel its gearbox up there

I assume with enough practice I can train my brain/hand to adjust to a C-handle but as [member=22067]mrB[/member] states its not a given I'm going to like it which worries me. As you say the 3ah should be very noticeable on the smaller drills.

After some additional research I'm leaning towards the T.

[member=63474]grobkuschelig[/member] - Off-topic, I got the bhc18 because 1) the new makita which is similar isn't coming to my country and 2) I have a rsi in my wrist  and from research others with similar issues have recommended it. It is a joy to use. Can feel the weight difference on the machine between 3ah and 5.2ah.

 

[mrboult]

As I've said before here, I love the CXS but find with the C18 that there is too much weight sitting in front of your grip and it makes the drill feel heavy, and the drill bit end wants to drop down all the time. . On a T style drill the weight is evenly balanced directly over the hand grip. .
It's not a matter of strength but comfort in prolonged use. .

 

[Birdhunter]

I switch often between C and T drills, but prefer T.

I’ve got way too many Festool drills. Favorites are TSX and T18. The T18 is a great drill.

 

[epicxt]

One consideration is the bit storage is much more secure on the C series.

 

[Mismarked]

How does everyone except me know which finger to use on the C drill and the CXS?

 

[Birdhunter]

Gee. Never thought about it.

 

[mrboult]

How does everyone except me know which finger to use on the C drill and the CXS?

Ha!  [big grin]

Obviously I think anyone can use as suits them, but if you try using the 'correct' finger for 5mins+,  you'll probably start to feel it was obviously designed to be used like that. . .

Index Finger - CXS
Ring Finger - C18

 

[sancho57]

I have a C12 and C 18 love them both.

 

[Jmacpherson]

It seems the scores are tied  [big grin]
I spoke to my dealer earlier, they don't have stock of the T or C but their supplier does.
Will do some more research over the weekend and make a final call on Monday.

Thanks for all the input and advice.

 

[semenza]

How does everyone except me know which finger to use on the C drill and the CXS?

I use which ever finger works best for the drilling position. Sometimes even with hand position  sideways/reversed and pressing the trigger with my thumb.

Overall I like the C. I like having my hand more in line with the bit when driving screws. I like that I can hang the drill on a finger or my wrist or on any protruding object (like a clamp bar) because the handle is a loop. I do get that it can be a bit front heavy with the jacobs chuck but I use the Centrotec most of the time and I don't have any front heavy issues with that.

There is a lot of personal preference on this.

Seth

 

[grobkuschelig]

One thing I always forget until I need it, is the advantage of the C-Series when climbing a ladder. You can just slip it on your hand and still have some sort of „grip“ on the ladder with both hands.

A huge safety plus for me. YMMV...

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

 

[MrToolJunkie]

Just get one of each and have the best of all worlds... [tongue]

 

[Birdhunter]

ScotF had the best input. Buy them all!

I tumbled for CSX, TSX, C12, TI5, and T18. The two SX drills get the most use, then the T18. The C12 rarely gets used. The CSX was my first Festool purchase.

 

[Jmacpherson]

ScotF had the best input. Buy them all!

[laughing] was about to ask if anyone owns or uses both and then I read ScotF's post.
The thought crossed my mind about both of them.

 

[yetihunter]

I love the T18.  And I have a PDC (that I love) and gave away my CXS (that I love).
Power wise, it's been eclipsed by other brands... but... I don't like other brands's drills.  I really dislike the C18. 

 

[yetihunter]

I almost forgot:  get the right angle and offset chuck....and get ball detent bits for the offset chuck.