Small note on difference between the T18+3 and other non-Festool drills

[ear3]

I just recently got my T18+3, and wanted to post a brief notice on what I see as the superiority of this drill over others.

I was making a plywood base on which to secure my Dewalt planer, and needed to drill some holes through which to pass the 1/4-20 screws I would use to secure the planer to the base.  In the past, when I needed to drill a hole like this -- one that was the exact dimensions of the anchor (and I wasn't using a drill press) -- I would always use a drill bit 1/64th narrower.  This was to compensate for the wobble/run-out that I just took as a given feature of any drill, be it a Dewalt, a Milwaukee or whatever.  So I used the same procedure with the T18, employing a 15/64 drill bit to make the holes.  When I tried to insert the screws, the holes were too tight, and so I had to redrill the hole with a 1/4 bit.

The chuck on the T18 is so accurate, that I no longer have to factor the imperfections of the machine into the equation when selecting bits.  1/4" = 1/4".  That is basically all I've ever asked for from my tools, and now I have it. 

 

[Claimdude]

+1 what Edward said!

Jack

 

[yansomeski]

I have recently purchased a T18 amongst many other festool tools, which has almost left me broke!!!
I have been a Carpenter for 32yrs and have owned all the top brands, but owning the T18 is the peak of quality it like an electric drill just pure performance, just the fill and handling, says it all. enjoy

 

[KGB pilot125]

Wait till you try out a Centrotec bit set.  They are amazing

 

[ear3]

Wait till you try out a Centrotec bit set.  They are amazing

Too late.  I got the Installer's Set from the Tool Nut deal in the mail a couple of days ago.

 

[linnlp12]

I will add my two cents here.  Currently, I own a CXS and a Panasonic 12 volt drill.  Lately, I am building workshop cabinets and have been using pocket screws.  Most of the time, I use my CXS as a screw driver for assembly of some of my audio equipment.  The Panasonic is OK.  My nieces husband needs a drill so I was going to give him my Panasonic.

I tried out the T18 +3 at my dealer and was impressed.  I had gone to home depot and tried out the Milwaukee Fuel 18 and the Dewalt 20.  The Milwaukee to me was not very balanced and I found the Dewalt capable  but very noisy.  The T18 was very smooth and torquey.   

My dealer is holding the drill,  he set it aside for me and I will pick it up after Christmas. 

I too picked up the Centrotec installer set from Tool Nut based on seeing the information on this website.  Note I am a hobbyist and am building up my hobby set  while I have earning power in my field. I can't sit still even on vacation.  I used to have a workshop in my home, but dumped my equipment due to the space and all the dust in my house, even with dust collectors.  Festool with its focus on dust collection, has allowed me to get back into the hobby.

Like the poster above, I also jumped into Festool deeply.