T-18+3 or PDC?

[Chance Beasley]

I recently purchased the TXS and have been really happy with how smooth it is and enjoyed the centrotec set as well. I am looking to add a larger drill to replace my Dewalts. I will still be keeping the Dewalt Impact and Hammer Drill. I've searched and searched and basically have found only separate reviews of the T-18 and the PDC but never a direct comparison from actual users.

I'm hoping some of you that have actually used both or have owned both will chime in. I understand most people love whichever drill they own so I'm sure both are great. I will only being purchasing one to compliment my TXS. If you could only own one... Which one do you prefer and why?

In advance, thanks for all of your help!

 

[mrboult]

This has come up before, so I'm lazily copy/pasting old responses of mine. . . .  [embarassed]

"Due to the high value resale of newish festools in perfect condition, I've accidentally owned all of the festool drills. I have settled on T18, BHC & CXS.

The T18 is a little more refined in all ways than the PDC. The PDC is a bit more powerful and about 200g heavier.

Personally i didn't like the speed settings of the PDC. The greater variation can be useful but i missed the more 'standard' 1500rpm (ish) that most drills offer in 2nd gear. The PDC jumps from 800 to 1750. Neither of witch i like as much for general use. Also with 4 gears i found myself messing with the speed too much. 2 gears is simpler."

"The PDC is a beast of a drill.
I was once doing a theatre set build where we needed to use a 10inch hole cutter to make 40 cuts through 18mm MDF. A few other carpenters tried to cut these holes with their Dewalt & Makita 18v combi drills, but only managed one or two holes before the drill overheated or smoked.

I put the handle on my PDC put it in speed 1 and slapped a fresh battery on it, and it cut 15 holes before the battery overheated and the drill safety kicked in. So I put a fresh battery on and kept going."

To Add a couple of extra points:
-I never liked the hammer function on the PDC it's just not that great and it's noisy as F$*k. I preferred the DRC if you are interested in the 4 speed gear box.
-I much prefer the 18v drills with the 2.6ah batteries. The drills are smaller and lighter with these batteries and the T-18 feels almost like a 10.8v drill.

Happy shopping! [smile]

 

[rjh]

I completely agree with the above points. A T-18 with a 2.6ah battery is a lightweight powerhouse, offering the best drilling/driving experience on the market. PDC has hammer capability. But that does not compare in the slightest with a real SDS rotary hammer, like the BHS. The CXS or TXS is the go-to shop drill/driver.
Again, I really highly recommend getting a 2.6ah battery for the T-18. Only $40.
If only Festool would make an 18v impact driver and a lightweight, portable drill press attachment, then one would have 90% of all drilling tasks covered.

 

[Chance Beasley]

Thanks for the responses. It's exactly what I was hoping to get from you guys on the FOG.

I don't want a loud driver (I have the 20V Dewalt Hammerdrill for that). Just want something smooth and more powerful than the TXS when the TXS isn't enough. I appreciate the point about getting a smaller battery. I still want lightweight as well and that would help. The closest Festool dealership is 4 hours away so I don't get to test anything out. (I feel bad about trying a tool for 30 days and possibly returning it so I just trust what everyone says here.)

 

[Jason Kehl]

I have the CXS, T-18, C-18 and the PDC. My favourite of the 18 volt drills is the C-18, I like the balance better than the T-18, not that there is anything wrong with the T-18. As already shared, the PDC is great when you really need the power or the hammer function. It is a heavy duty drill for sure.

j

 

[weekendwarrior]

Thanks for the responses. It's exactly what I was hoping to get from you guys on the FOG.

I don't want a loud driver (I have the 20V Dewalt Hammerdrill for that). Just want something smooth and more powerful than the TXS when the TXS isn't enough. I appreciate the point about getting a smaller battery. I still want lightweight as well and that would help. The closest Festool dealership is 4 hours away so I don't get to test anything out. (I feel bad about trying a tool for 30 days and possibly returning it so I just trust what everyone says here.)

Don't feel bad about returning tools.  I am more than making up for any Festools you may return since I only decide I want to return them about 45-60 days after purchase and by then it's too late!

I think I get better purchase satisfaction from Lowe's, Home Depot, and Harbor Freight just knowing I have 90 days to return... and I typically never return tools, just leftover project items.

 

[Xoncention]

I don't want a loud driver (I have the 20V Dewalt Hammerdrill for that). Just want something smooth and more powerful than the TXS when the TXS isn't enough. I appreciate the point about getting a smaller battery. I still want lightweight as well and that would help. The closest Festool dealership is 4 hours away so I don't get to test anything out. (I feel bad about trying a tool for 30 days and possibly returning it so I just trust what everyone says here.)

Don't feel bad about returning tools.  I am more than making up for any Festools you may return since I only decide I want to return them about 45-60 days after purchase and by then it's too late!

Purchasing tools should never be an impulse action.  Usually as a result of some pretty thorough research and evaluation.  The Festool 30 day returns policy is a nice option to have available, but in my case never used.  For one thing, I never like to admit that I made a mistake (who does really).  In Australia, our consumer laws make it an exception rather than the rule to be able to return something just because you have changed your mind.  You have to demonstrate that the item was not fit for purpose.  It is also worth noting that for most of the Festool range there are pretty good demonstrations and reviews available to assist in tool evaluations.

 

[rljatl]

I think you will find this old FOG thread illuminating.  I found it interesting how the perception of the Protool PDC, now Festool PDC, has changed over the years.

T18+3 vs. Protool PDC/DRC 18-4

So, in addition to what others have already said, here are four features that the PDC drills have and the C/T18 drills do not.
1. Hammer drill function.
2. Fast drill speed.
3. 43mm collar. (some after market accessories use this.)
4. auxiliary handle with depth stop rod

 

[yetihunter]

I had owned a CXS (which I miss and will replace), and I own a PDC and a T18.
If I had a txs and could only have either the T18 or the PDC, I'd chose the PDC.
The T-18 fits like a glove, has the best battery gauge and the better (imho) right angle chuck; but the PDC has more power, more speed, and (imho) the better electronic clutch.    The electronic clutch settings also alter the speed; so the PDC in speed 3 or 4 is where it's at for running construction screws.   

 

[JakobProgsch]

...
So, in addition to what others have already said, here are four features that the PDC drills have and the C/T18 drills do not.
1. Hammer drill function.
2. Fast drill speed.
3. 43mm collar. (some after market accessories use this.)
4. auxiliary handle with depth stop rod

In the other direction a relevant difference might be that there is no offset chuck available for the the PDC (or DRC) but there is one for the C/T versions.
And a maybe minor point is that the PDC comes in an attic systainer while the C/T18 do not. Interestingly though their insert does fit into the attic systainer as long as you don't have the rubber protector on the battery.

I currently have both the PDC and the C18. If I had to give one of them away it would probably be the PDC. Also In hindsight and given the availability of a "proper hammer drill" I would have gotten the DRC over the PDC for my woodworking purposes since it is slightly shorter. But I'm still perfectly happy with both and usually just use the PDC for drilling and the C18 for screws.

Edit:

If only Festool would make an 18v impact driver and a lightweight, portable drill press attachment, then one would have 90% of all drilling tasks covered.

I keep wondering why this isn't a thing? some kind of small "plunge base" for drills I mean? All the ones that exist are huge. It would also provide an obvious way to add dust extraction to drills.