So sell me on the idea of a Festool drill
- Thread starter williaty
- Start date
I have a the newer Hilti SFH-18 and I haven't used it since getting the Festool T18. The new lithium Hilti is a considerable improvement over their NiMH but the range of control and the interchangable chucks of the Festool still put it ahead of the pack. Strictly my opinion of course.
It is a little unfair to compare older battery technology against li-ion but it wasn't just the batteries that let me down on the TDK. My brother also had the TDK and encountered similar problems despite only really driving small self tappers.
I used to regularly drive large numbers of coarse thread self drilling tec screws into steel sheeting rails, the Festool really didn't like this and I'd end up hiring a proper corded tec gun. It never proved to be a problem for the Hilti, despite the slightly lower voltage.
I've had my fair share of cordless drills and I've also had experience of many others through workmates but I've yet to see anything as rugged and long lasting as the Hilti. I haven't used any of the Protool drills which seem more site oriented but tbh I'll be replacing this with the next generation of Hilti's when needed.
One thing to add though is its certainly horses for courses. If all I did was fit kitchens for example or light assembly work the Hilti would probably be a bit overkill and the versatility and compact size of the Festool would be a big plus.
I used to regularly drive large numbers of coarse thread self drilling tec screws into steel sheeting rails, the Festool really didn't like this and I'd end up hiring a proper corded tec gun. It never proved to be a problem for the Hilti, despite the slightly lower voltage.
I've had my fair share of cordless drills and I've also had experience of many others through workmates but I've yet to see anything as rugged and long lasting as the Hilti. I haven't used any of the Protool drills which seem more site oriented but tbh I'll be replacing this with the next generation of Hilti's when needed.
One thing to add though is its certainly horses for courses. If all I did was fit kitchens for example or light assembly work the Hilti would probably be a bit overkill and the versatility and compact size of the Festool would be a big plus.
mastercabman
Member
- Joined
- Apr 15, 2007
- Messages
- 1,854
Before i got the C12 I was using Hilti (SF120-A) 12V drill.It was a "workhorse"!!Dominion said:
Just could not kill it.And i still have it!But the batteries are not holding any more juice.I can maybe get 25 minutes if that.It is 12 years old.
But as a cabinet installer/kitchen fitter i do like the Festool better.Feels better in my hand,lighter,more accesories like the RAD.
Both drills have the 3.0 ah NiMh batteries.
FWIW the new Hilti drills (SID-18 & SFC 18-A ) I picked up at the Depot the other day were both made in China. I don't know if they carry a different line than an individual Hilti dealer.
My SID-144 was made in Switzerland. It is about 3-1/2 years old and the batteries still last forever. It also gets used much harder than my Festool drill. I am going to be mixing some thin set and grout with my T15+3 for the next couple days. We will see how that goes. The last corded Dewalt drill I used to do that went up in smoke...
My SID-144 was made in Switzerland. It is about 3-1/2 years old and the batteries still last forever. It also gets used much harder than my Festool drill. I am going to be mixing some thin set and grout with my T15+3 for the next couple days. We will see how that goes. The last corded Dewalt drill I used to do that went up in smoke...
Kev
Member
- Joined
- Nov 7, 2011
- Messages
- 7,698
Vindingo said:
Don't know if the same practice exist in the US, but I'd imagine it would ... to compete with junk brands (locally names like Ozito) the brand name manufacturers (like Makita) make models that only seem to sell in the big chain hardware stores. It's ironic that the chains promote the brands with a "find it anywhere else cheaper and we'll blah, blah, blah for you" when nobody else can carry them.
A lot of tools come from China, parts as well as complete tools - some good, some real rubbish. "Made in China" always rings alarm bells for me - I've seen many industries dabble with Chinese production for a bargain range, only to move all production to China in the pursuit of high profit. I hope this isn't what's to become of Hilti.
Back at the big end of town - I'd personally stay with Festool or Protool because of my Centrotec investment (if nothing else), but if needs were a rugged sledge hammer cordless - the Hilti's would be considered (Hilti would probably be first choice if I was doing formwork and wire ties).
For well over thirty years, I was always a Milwaukee man. Being a mason contractor working mostly outside, I found early on that to buy anything less than a Milwaukee spelled disaster. When I started buying tools for my WW hobby, i stuck with my old standby, Milwaukee. One day, i accidentally discovered Festoys, a happening I have duly recorded elsewhere on The FOG and other sites. Those toys not only worked much better in the shop where i worked off of benches instead of horses and other temporary props out in the wide open spaces, but they seemed to fit my hands, as well for my needs, so much better than those old monster Milwaukee's of my past. Oh, i have no doubt the Festoys would not stand up to the punishments the Milwaukee's had been subjected to, but on the other hand, I find i can work faster in the more controlled surroundings of my WW shop. It might be the same of comparing Festool drills against the Hilties.
I have a couple of my old Milwaukee corded drills to go along with a Makita and a Hitachi, both cordless, drills. When i got my first look at the old (new at the time) CDD 12, I was looking for something to get into a very tight set of corners. I was looking for a small Milwaukee with an angle chuck. I alraedy had their 1/2" Hole Hawg monster that there is no way, as long as I can find a use for drillng, I will ever part with. the only person I will loan that to is my son. He has found that I will hound him unmercifully until it is returned. He thus hates to borrow it. I discovered the CDD 12 and found it had three chucks for the various purposes that have been identified with this discussion. When I found the price and figured the cost to keep three good drills on hand would be about the same, (to say nothing of the extra space needed for storage) I reached for, and held the toy in my hand. That was bad news. I could not leave the store without it.
Later, much later, I happened to walk into the same toystore and noticed the CDX sitting on the display counter. It was sporting a great big smile. I could not resist, and against my better judgement, I picked it up. My fingers immediately cramped into an unbreakable hold around that devilish tool and I was absolutely forced to buy it. And, to make a long story just a tad shorter than it might get, my poor CDD has been relegated to the dust collection shelf. Oh, it is still my go to drill >>> whenever I need a second drill. Whenever I find two are better than one. It puts my Milwaukee’s just a little further down on the food chain.
If I were to go back to my old trade, (which of course would NEVER HAPPEN) I would probably still look to the much heavier Milwaukee’s. But these Festoys are so much more fun to work with. When I was looking for a larger Router than my OF 1000 (My GO TO ROUTER), I looked at the OF 1400 and the Milwaukee comparable. I opted for the 1400 as it seemed so much more comfortable in my grasp than the Milwaukees I looked at. I don’t think the 1400 would stand up to the punishment I could subject the M’s to. They are built like tanks. But, I do not need that much “beef” any more.
I am sure the guys who swear by their Hilti’s are in situations where they actually need a heavier tool. Others are opting for a bit more comfort and ease of use.
Qualification: I have never bought a Hilti or even tried one. My only comparison with heavy tools has been with Milwaukee. The Hilti’s were around, but I had already been introduced to the value of the tools I was using, and continue with my one sided outlook. The difference now is the Festoys are now on my front burners.
Tinker
I have a couple of my old Milwaukee corded drills to go along with a Makita and a Hitachi, both cordless, drills. When i got my first look at the old (new at the time) CDD 12, I was looking for something to get into a very tight set of corners. I was looking for a small Milwaukee with an angle chuck. I alraedy had their 1/2" Hole Hawg monster that there is no way, as long as I can find a use for drillng, I will ever part with. the only person I will loan that to is my son. He has found that I will hound him unmercifully until it is returned. He thus hates to borrow it. I discovered the CDD 12 and found it had three chucks for the various purposes that have been identified with this discussion. When I found the price and figured the cost to keep three good drills on hand would be about the same, (to say nothing of the extra space needed for storage) I reached for, and held the toy in my hand. That was bad news. I could not leave the store without it.
Later, much later, I happened to walk into the same toystore and noticed the CDX sitting on the display counter. It was sporting a great big smile. I could not resist, and against my better judgement, I picked it up. My fingers immediately cramped into an unbreakable hold around that devilish tool and I was absolutely forced to buy it. And, to make a long story just a tad shorter than it might get, my poor CDD has been relegated to the dust collection shelf. Oh, it is still my go to drill >>> whenever I need a second drill. Whenever I find two are better than one. It puts my Milwaukee’s just a little further down on the food chain.
If I were to go back to my old trade, (which of course would NEVER HAPPEN) I would probably still look to the much heavier Milwaukee’s. But these Festoys are so much more fun to work with. When I was looking for a larger Router than my OF 1000 (My GO TO ROUTER), I looked at the OF 1400 and the Milwaukee comparable. I opted for the 1400 as it seemed so much more comfortable in my grasp than the Milwaukees I looked at. I don’t think the 1400 would stand up to the punishment I could subject the M’s to. They are built like tanks. But, I do not need that much “beef” any more.
I am sure the guys who swear by their Hilti’s are in situations where they actually need a heavier tool. Others are opting for a bit more comfort and ease of use.
Qualification: I have never bought a Hilti or even tried one. My only comparison with heavy tools has been with Milwaukee. The Hilti’s were around, but I had already been introduced to the value of the tools I was using, and continue with my one sided outlook. The difference now is the Festoys are now on my front burners.
Tinker
- Joined
- Jul 8, 2007
- Messages
- 13,129
Kev,
It gets even worse than what you wrote, here is a true story. I am being vague and people can make inferences and assumptions, but I will not offer clarification.
A while back I happened to be somewhere for some reason and happened to be in a room when a tool was unboxed. That tool was relatively new to the market and standing next to me was someone who at one time had been involved in the development of that tool. As that person looked over the final product brought to market, it was fascinating to me to listen as that person saw that product and described all the exterior changes that had been made to lessen the cost and quality of that product in an effect to have a major retailer pick it up to sell to the public at the price of X. I was not there to see if the product was taken apart to see what internal changes had been made, but what I got out of that few minutes was that the designers designed something that they thought was great, and then the retailer said in essence " if you want us to sell this you need to make changes so that we can buy it from you at A so that we can sell it for B.". And that manufacturer did.
I learned a long time ago that a benefit of owning Festools isthe way that Festool designs, manufactures, and sells tools - no outside influence by sellers on quality.
It gets even worse than what you wrote, here is a true story. I am being vague and people can make inferences and assumptions, but I will not offer clarification.
A while back I happened to be somewhere for some reason and happened to be in a room when a tool was unboxed. That tool was relatively new to the market and standing next to me was someone who at one time had been involved in the development of that tool. As that person looked over the final product brought to market, it was fascinating to me to listen as that person saw that product and described all the exterior changes that had been made to lessen the cost and quality of that product in an effect to have a major retailer pick it up to sell to the public at the price of X. I was not there to see if the product was taken apart to see what internal changes had been made, but what I got out of that few minutes was that the designers designed something that they thought was great, and then the retailer said in essence " if you want us to sell this you need to make changes so that we can buy it from you at A so that we can sell it for B.". And that manufacturer did.
I learned a long time ago that a benefit of owning Festools isthe way that Festool designs, manufactures, and sells tools - no outside influence by sellers on quality.
Similar threads
