Second Festool Drill

[Jmacpherson]

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

Probably going the basic route for now instead of set version since I already have the angle adapter for the PDC and CXS.
The offset chuck is the one though that is "missing" from the arsenal.

Festool rep dropped off demo units of the T18 and C18 at my local dealer I always use so I can re-demo both units again before I make my final decision.
Hopefully that can help me make a decision between the two or maybe it can't  [big grin]

 

[yetihunter]

Fair enough: in the most cases that I've used the eccentric chuck, I'd rather have still had the CXS to use, instead.

In that ultra rare occassion that you're swapping out chucks at a rapid pace, however, the fitting for the T18/C18 (and 15 and 12..and earlier models) allows for ridiculously quick attachment/removal/adjustment. 

 

[pingvinlakrits]

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

Probably going the basic route for now instead of set version since I already have the angle adapter for the PDC and CXS.
The offset chuck is the one though that is "missing" from the arsenal.

Festool rep dropped off demo units of the T18 and C18 at my local dealer I always use so I can re-demo both units again before I make my final decision.
Hopefully that can help me make a decision between the two or maybe it can't  [big grin]

I couldn't really decide between the C or T18. But, I think I still prefer the C version. I have both and use the T18 more - when they are next to each other and you pick both up there is no question that for my hands the T has a nicer grip. Also when the drill chuck is on it is better balanced.

However, the C18 with the Centrotec chuck (which is 90% of my use, with drill bits and bits) is great in handling and has that bit/scew garage up front that has helped out many times. In actual use I prefer the C18. If they had made the C18 with the same shape grip as the T18 that would be even more awesome but as soon as I start using the C18 I "forget" about the grip and it works tremendously well. For those pesky moments where I need the drill chuck I just suck it up and get it done - it is not that often.

I did have the DRC which was "ok" but in reality not that strong on the more useful speed gears - and getting it in third gear was an exercise in futility... It has been replaced by a Mafell A18m which takes the Centrotec chuck and does all my outdoor work with ease. Grip is a little to thick for my taste so I still use Festool drills for indoor projects.

If I could just have ONE drill the Mafell A18m would be the very best and sensible choice for me. But, I think that if I was in that situation I would still go with the C18 - despite the quirks. If Festool makes good on that Impact next year I think the pairing of a C18 and an Impact will be the bees knees for me. (With the CXS of course...)

Next indoor build (starting tomorrod) is a little more demanding with larger dimensions for studs etc so the Mafell will be the go-to drill for the whole project with the CXS as a sidekick for the gentle stuff. I would normally use the T18/C18 and I am most tempted to actually bring the C18 as there will be a lot of finicky screwdriving involving the right angle chuck and I have one for the Mafell but the odd chucks are Festools forte.

 

[Jmacpherson]

Finally made the time to get to my dealer and play with the C18 and T18 again.
Tried with the 5.2ah and 3.ah AS battery.

My experience and opinion...

With or without a Jacobs chuck the C18 is not a CXS as many have said. Now I get it.
Without the Jacobs, the C18 is a lot nicer to handle and I can see how it has been designed around centrotec/kitchen fitting/cabinet making?

If you hold the C18 in the wrong manner it just feels off and weird. I tried the correct way and it was more comfortable to a certain extent but my brain said NO.
Secondly I found that holding it correctly the weight of the drill is absorbed by the bottom/outside of my wrist which is where my RSI is and I could feel the pressure/irritation so C18 would not work for me.

The 3.0ah batter made the biggest difference on the C18, I could feel the weight change the most.

The T18 felt better in my hand in terms of balance and the weight being more evenly distributed over my hand and wrist etc.
I think if I recall correctly it is why I went for the PDC originally over the T.

The 3.0 battery  makes a difference on the T18 but I didn't notice it as much as I did on the C18.

I ordered the T18 Basic along with the #493648 centrotec brad point set. I have the short stubby set. Figured I'm committed now so might as well commit to centrotec too while I am it.
I will get the Off Centre chuck at a later date.

Thanks for all the input

 

[pingvinlakrits]

Always good with an informed decision followed by some "hands-on".
I think you will be pleased with your choice - now you know you won't be thinking "should I have gotten the C18 instead?".

Neither drill is perfect for me so I kind of like both. I agree with your assesment of the drill with and without chucks and since I seldom use jacobs/drill chucks I have a preference for the C18 - which is gone the instant the drill chuck comes on. I have a spare 10mm CXS chuck I use for the C18 as well, it helps out a little but can't handle hole saws so both chucks are in the SYS.

 

[Jmacpherson]

Always good with an informed decision followed by some "hands-on".
I think you will be pleased with your choice - now you know you won't be thinking "should I have gotten the C18 instead?".

Neither drill is perfect for me so I kind of like both. I agree with your assesment of the drill with and without chucks and since I seldom use jacobs/drill chucks I have a preference for the C18 - which is gone the instant the drill chuck comes on. I have a spare 10mm CXS chuck I use for the C18 as well, it helps out a little but can't handle hole saws so both chucks are in the SYS.

Collected the T18 yesterday and used it today for the first time. Feels even better in actual use than in the demo.
Very nimble with the 3ah AS battery, really enjoyed it and I was just drilling 4.8mm pilot holes for 6x100 spax screws in an outdoor planter I just started. PDC for the 12mm counter sink hole/driving the screws, T18 for the pilot. Tomorrow I'll reverse the rolls and see how the T18 feels with the spax screws.

Enjoyed using it so much I am almost tempted to get another one [big grin]. However will wait to see if that Impact driver makes an appearance in 2018 as per the info you posted Henrik.

 

[pingvinlakrits]

Re: Das Impakt - you and me both.

 

[yetihunter]

Stop it [member=2085]Henrik R / Pingvinlakrits[/member] don't you know that I figured
out that I can order the A18 as a bare tool?
There's a compact battery and charger set that says Metabo on it
at the store down the street.  Stop tempting me, you demon!


Oh yeah, and those Metabo drills really are annoying with their electronic
whirring/whizzing.  It's like importing a Mafell drill is the sane version of an irrational
purchase.

Does it have soft start?  Tell me it has soft start so that I will not want to buy one.

 

[pingvinlakrits]

[big grin] A18m has no soft start - unless you activate the Impuls Mode.

I am using the A18m as my "main" drill together with the CXS - a slightly odd pairing but very effective. I do miss the C18 at times but everytime I use the A18m for driving larger screws in high speed I remember how I could not do that with the Festool offerings. 

For refinement the Festool C18/T18 is still on top. With the A18m in second gear it is easy to overshoot the medium sized screws - they just sink down so fast... Good thing is that some Centrotec gear fits really well in the A18m so I use the depth stop chuck from Festool so I can keep zipping through medium sized screws in second gear with the A18m.

Very gentle screwing can be achieved with the A18m too, in first gear or in second with Impuls mode but there is no denying that Festool is a little bit nicer. If I had to shrink down my whole outfit to just ONE drill I would have to "settle" for the A18m. There is sometimes no substitute for power and Impuls mode is not a gimmick.

 

 

[yetihunter]

[big grin] A18m has no soft start - unless you activate the Impuls Mode.

I am using the A18m as my "main" drill together with the CXS - a slightly odd pairing but very effective. I do miss the C18 at times but everytime I use the A18m for driving larger screws in high speed I remember how I could not do that with the Festool offerings. 

For refinement the Festool C18/T18 is still on top. With the A18m in second gear it is easy to overshoot the medium sized screws - they just sink down so fast... Good thing is that some Centrotec gear fits really well in the A18m so I use the depth stop chuck from Festool so I can keep zipping through medium sized screws in second gear with the A18m.

Very gentle screwing can be achieved with the A18m too, in first gear or in second with Impuls mode but there is no denying that Festool is a little bit nicer. If I had to shrink down my whole outfit to just ONE drill I would have to "settle" for the A18m. There is sometimes no substitute for power and Impuls mode is not a gimmick.

Darnit! :0
Plus, you know that the day I order one, the 3 speed will come out.

 

[pingvinlakrits]

Haha - probably. They are monitoring your every move at Mafell HQ. Sitting on a pile of three-speeds, waiting for you to order that A18m.  [big grin]