So sell me on the idea of a Festool drill

[harry_]

IMO, when you break down the price of a T15+3 kit the price really is not that crazy.

Complete kit: $460 (i could swear I paid $100+ more than that)
- sys2: $68 (couldn't find the price for the attic sys on festool's site)
- right angle chuck:$110 (I know I have spent at least this much in total on others that did not last)
- eccentric chuck: $110 (never even heard of such a thing before)
-spare battery: $95 (most single tool cordless kits only come with one, that i have seen anyway)

that's basically, $77 for a drill, centrotec starter set, charger, and 1 battery? Not too shabby if you ask me.

I realize that you are into it for $460 all said & done, but you are getting a complete kit for that price and you will LOVE them accessories!

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Like Kreg said (sounding like me)...

Get it, try it for up to 30 days, if you don't like it or you don't think it's worth the coin, take it back for a refund. No risk. Plus, you get the use an amazing drill for a month.  [wink]

 

[BMH]

I was waiting for Shane to bring up the 30 days return policy [laughing].  They know that once you have it in you hand ,you just can't return it. Then the slippery green slope starts. I started with the TS 55 and now have 15 of their tools and four more budgeted for this year. I don't regret any one of them.

Bruce

 

[jacko9]

Hmm, had a look at the CXS. Watched your video on it. It looks like a nice drill, but the keyless chuck capacity is just too low for me. While I think I would almost never need to put a drill bit in the chuck larger than 1/4, that "almost" worries me. If I needed to drill a couple of 1/2" holes somewhere I couldn't get electricity to, I'd be pretty mad if I didn't have the chuck capacity in a drill I'd paid that much for.

Which leaves the T-number and C-number drills. Honestly, given their prices, I'm not really sure what a drill could do that's enough better than another drill to justify that price. There's no dust collection, which I've recently learned I appreciate and I'll pay money for. They don't integrate with the rest of the Festool system I have. Not sure I see the rationale.

Several years ago I bought a set of brad tip drill bits from Germany at a Wood Show that from 1/8" to 1/2" with 1/4" shanks.  That would alleviate your need for a larger chuck capacity for an occasional drilling need.  I also have drills with 3/8" and 1/2" drill chuck capacity but, for using that small drill with an rare occasion the small shank bits work just fine. 

 

[williaty]

I went to Woodwerks and played with a C-series drill today. Kinda cool, neat features, seemed to work well, but felt horrid in my hand. I have HUGE hands but the bottom of the grip where my pinky and ring fingers are supposed to wrap around was just way too thick. Made it feel like i was constantly about to drop the thing.

 

[dltflt]

I have the C12 and there is no shortage of power plus it is light weight and comfortable to hold. Plus you have 30 days but once you use it, it will not be sent back.

 

[GhostFist]

Once you start using it you'll agree it's worth it I'm sure. Though Dean's not a fan it seems [poke]
I love my Festool drills to death though

 

[Vindingo]

IMO, when you break down the price of a T15+3 kit the price really is not that crazy.

Complete kit: $460 (i could swear I paid $100+ more than that)
- sys2: $68 (couldn't find the price for the attic sys on festool's site)
- right angle chuck:$110 (I know I have spent at least this much in total on others that did not last)
- eccentric chuck: $110 (never even heard of such a thing before)
-spare battery: $95 (most single tool cordless kits only come with one, that i have seen anyway)

that's basically, $77 for a drill, centrotec starter set, charger, and 1 battery? Not too shabby if you ask me.

I realize that you are into it for $460 all said & done, but you are getting a complete kit for that price and you will LOVE them accessories!

Don't get me wrong, I love my T15+3, but it doesn't end there...

IMO to get the most out of the Fes drill, you've got to use the Centrotec system.  Tack on another few hundred dollars for centrotec drill bits, bit holders, countersinks... etc.  

Yes, you don't NEED the Centrotec bits and pieces, but they really add to the pleasure of using the drill.  

I am this close --->

 

[GhostFist]

CXS is worth it for one. On a side note regarding centrotec, if they offered Robertsons  [dead horse] I'd invest in them, but as they don't i haven't bothered and i still love my drills

 

[fldange]

Williaty, I used to use a Dewalt 18V cordless as my main drill/driver till the batteries finally went at the end of last year.  Rather than purchase new batteries I decided to compare and find the best cordless drill/driver sold in the US.  I compared all the latest and felt that the Panasonics were the best.  I did also like the white Makitas as they were light and very comfortable and seemed to be built well enough to stand up over time even though the blue Makitas (heavier) are more robust.  But the Panasonics were stil more powerful and had a nice feel when using them.  I then discovered festool for the first time.  I directly compared the Festool T18 with the Panasonic 18V.  Now, the Panasonic is more powerful (noticeably so) and can also stand up to crazy dust and water tests.  However, the Festool feels better in my hand and is also more accurate.  The Festool's clutch is electronic and more accurate.  The drill starts and stops more precisely.  The light on the Festool is better located and lights up your work in a dark place just perfect.  Much better than the Panasonic.  The Festool can also turn slower when needed for finish work.  The Festool T18 is simply a better more accurate drill.  The Panasonic is more powerful, but the Festool is strong.  Even the ratcheting chuck on the Festool is better than what is on the Panasonic, Makita, Bosch, Dewalt, etc.  This coupled with the interchangeable chucks and the centrotec system made the Festool T18+3 the best drill/driver sold in the US in my opinion.  It is a quality tool and if you were to own only one Festool cordless drill, this is the one I recommend.

I also wanted a lighter drill/driver for lighter work that did not require all the power of the T18.  I again compared just about every manufacturer and here the CXS came out on top.  Again it was more comfortable, more accurate, had a more accurate clutch and again had the interchangeable chucks and the centrotec system.  I highly recommend it.  But if you could only own one, buy the T18 since you can do more with it and it has a 1/2 inch chuck as well.  The chuck on the CXS is much smaller.  Although you could use a 1/2 inch chuck on the CXS, it just does not feel right.  Too top heavy.  The CXS does note even look right with it attacked    What I really wish Festool would make is a CXS with the brushless motor and electronic clutch.  Increase the torque to about 300 inch lbs. and it would be just about perfect.

As Shane said earlier, bring one home, and you have 30 days to make sure you made the right decision.  You will not be disappointed.  Thank you.                       

 

[James Watriss]

If you're looking to be sold on football, talking to the cheerleaders is one good way to go about it.

People will spend whole-tool prices on 90 degree drills and screw guns. In this, Fes is cheaper.

Look up the torture test on YouTube. Some redneck nitwit dunking his in drywall dust and water and so on.

Or, go buy yourself another just a drill, and save some cash.

 

[fdengel]

If you're looking to be sold on football, talking to the cheerleaders is one good way to go about it.

People will spend whole-tool prices on 90 degree drills and screw guns. In this, Fes is cheaper.

Look up the torture test on YouTube. Some redneck nitwit dunking his in drywall dust and water and so on.

Or, go buy yourself another just a drill, and save some cash.

The tortue test Festool did (and put on their site somewhere) was much harder on the drill, I'm sure...

 

[tiralie]

Look up the torture test on YouTube. Some redneck nitwit dunking his in drywall dust and water and so on.

That (Youtube video) torture test is a great demonstration of the value of Festool drills.
The guy did an excellent job on that video. I have a lot of respect for him. It may have not been very scientific but it was extremely effective and he seemed to be honest and genuine about what he was doing.
Best ad ever for Festool drills.
Tim

 

[andy5405]

I would consider a Festool drill if they had a hammer action. There is no way I'm spending 500 notes on something that isn't that versatile. That's why I'm considering the Protool PDC 18-4, many have said on here that it is probably the best cordless 18v drill on the market. Could anyone expand on that as I'm close to taking the plunge?

 

[Kev]

I would consider a Festool drill if they had a hammer action. There is no way I'm spending 500 notes on something that isn't that versatile. That's why I'm considering the Protool PDC 18-4, many have said on here that it is probably the best cordless 18v drill on the market. Could anyone expand on that as I'm close to taking the plunge?

The big Protool is a beast - it's got a gearbox on it that many small Asian cars couldn't match!

I grabbed a T18 here in Oz before the 3.0Ah with light in a T-Loc versions were released. I was given the option to swap it for a great deal on a C15 + Ti15 ... so I did - thinking that I'd grab the latest T18 later ... I had initially dismissed the heavy Protool cordless drills (because they're monsters) but I'm leaning towards a Protool instead of the T18 now.

The T18 is a really well balanced tool (I could imagine a mobile worker only having a CXS or C12, plus a T18 to cover most work), whereas the various 18V Protools are trucks ... but having the CXS, C15 and Ti15 lets me add a truck without compromising my options. Keep in mind the PDC 18-4 is a bit of a bicep builder - but a beautiful unit!

 

[andy5405]

Keep in mind the PDC 18-4 is a bit of a bicep builder - but a beautiful unit!

I thought it was only 1.9kg with a battery which doesn't rate as heavy for me as my 18v Dewalt is 3kgs. I never use it now as I do everything with my 10.8v Bosch drills and drivers and a Milwaukee corded SDS. I would still like a good 18v cordless to fill the gap.

 

[Kev]

Keep in mind the PDC 18-4 is a bit of a bicep builder - but a beautiful unit!

I thought it was only 1.9kg with a battery which doesn't rate as heavy for me as my 18v Dewalt is 3kgs. I never use it now as I do everything with my 10.8v Bosch drills and drivers and a Milwaukee corded SDS. I would still like a good 18v cordless to fill the gap.

OK Arnie, you can have a Protool  [wink] [big grin]

 

[kev carpenter]

you need to use a t15 or 18 to be sold on one and it is night and day better than any other drill on the market

 

[Dominion]

I've had two Festool drills, a 12v D grip (CDD?) and a TDK 15.6 and there is no way I'd swap them for my current 14.4v Hilti.

The CDD was versatile but underpowered so when that got stolen I went for the more conventional TDK. My cordlesses get used daily and have to put up with some fairly severe abuse but the Festool was dead in just over 3 years. It had new brushes twice and a new trigger whilst I had it, in the end neither battery would hold charge and finally the motor packed up. It was a nice unit but I don't think it could cope with what I asked of it.
In comparison the Hilti is now 4 years old and has never missed a beat, I've never known a cordless like it.

I do like the look of the newer Festools and li-ion batteries are in a different league to the ni-cad/ni-mh but it would have to be very special to tempt me away from the new Hilti's when mine does eventually give up.

One thing I won't deny is the versatility of the Festools though, I lost count of the number of times people would borrow mine to get into a tight space one the offset and right angle chucks can be handy but from a site contractor point of view durability and power is everything and my Hilti copes with anything I throw at it.

 

[Ken Nagrod]

Williaty,

Buy a Festool drill or I'll find you!

Are you sold yet?

P.S.  Buy me another one!

Sales through intimidation has been found to be effective 92.8% of the time.  The other 7.2% have yet to be heard from.