T12+3 and T15+3 Review

[ForumMFG]

Brice,

I have the T12, do you think If I purchased the T15 I would be able to drill the same hole with no problem?  I do enjoy the warning system these drills have but I was really not expecting the T12 to do this?  I know the T15 only has a little bit more torque but maybe it's enough to do the job?

On another note, I bought my Makita set 2 months ago.  I really enjoy the impact driver that came with it.  I will allways use the impact driver to fasten screws, it's such a great tool. Unless I need a fastener torqued at the right level which a impact driver can't do.  I justified buying the T12 for it's changeable chucks.  Thats pretty much the only reason why I bought it besides the fact I wanted another drill for constantly having a pocket hole bit in it to use with my kreg jig and use my other drill for various drilling tasks."

Has Festool ever entertained the idea of making a Impact driver?  I wonder why they don't now.

-Dave

 

[Brice Burrell]

Festool's sister company ProTool makes an impact that is supposed to be very nice, too bad ProTool tools aren't sold in the US.

 

[ForumMFG]

Brice,

What do you think about switching the T12 for a T15?

 

[Brice Burrell]

Well, I don't know your needs as well as you do. I chose the T15 because I wanted more torque for the times I need to extra power. I coming down the home stretch of a three month job that I'm testing my two T15 drills for my review. It's a residential remodel, we done work to most of the interior of the house. My drill have seen a wide range of jobs from rough carpentry to drywall and now we're on to some of the finish work like installing shower doors, adjusting bath and kitchen cabinet doors and installing pulls/handles. The T15 has replaced my old 18V XRP DeWalts, while the XRPs do have a bit more torque I've not missed using them on this job at all. They has handled jobs that require finesse perfectly. Control of the low end torque is very good so I haven't had the need for a lower volt drill to the finessing. I guess what I'm saying is if there is reasonable chance you'll want more torque the T15 might be a better choice since it can handle both big and small jobs with grace.

Now that I've given some of plot away to my review I hope you guys still take the time to read it.  ;D

 

[Neill]

Brice,

What do you think about switching the T12 for a T15?

Dave,

I know we all love the Festool brand, but there nothing that says it has to be the only brand of tool we have.  I understand that there are many outstanding impact drivers from other manufacturers.  Why not give them a try?

Woodcraft is running a special on Makita.  It seems like Bosch would be pretty good too.

Neill

 

[ForumMFG]

Neil, I own the makita 18v impact driver which in my opinion is the best on the market.  Like I said before, I bought the T12 for the changeable chucks.

 

[Neill]

Neil, I own the makita 18v impact driver which in my opinion is the best on the market.  Like I said before, I bought the T12 for the changeable chucks.

Dave,

Yes I did see that in your previous posts.  I thought you were now asking about using the Festool in lieu of your Makita impact driver.  Sorry for the misunderstanding.

Neill

 

[greg mann]

A couple things to ponder:

A spade bit will almost always take more torque than an auger bit. Whenever possible, use a cutting tool that does its work with less cutting force involved. This saves the drill, the work, and you. You can pick the order of those that is most important to you. 

Also, consider using a higher torque driver setting instead of the drilling mode when drilling in a situation where the drill could hurt you if it grabs. I would think this would be exceptionally easy with the new Festools or the C12 as the clutches are electronic on the former and electronically monitored on the latter.

 

[joraft]

What do you think about switching the T12 for a T15?

Dave, I have both the T12 and the T15, and I notice quite a difference in torque between the two.

I bought the second drill because I'm too lazy to swap drill bits and driver bits. I chose the T12 for the second one because it is SLIGHTLY smaller, and I thought there might be times when that could be useful. The difference in price is really not enough to figure in the decision.

If I only owned one, I would definitely want it to be the T15.

John

 

[ForumMFG]

Well, I just returned from my Festool Dealer.  I exchanged my T12+3 for the T15+3.  Waiting for the batteries to charge and then I'll play with it. 

Does anyone know what festool does with the tools that are returned?  My Dealer said that he has no clue and he's never seen a re-conditioned festool in his life.

 

[Les]

At one time they were resold at a 10%, 20% or 30% discount depending on condition. That was discontinued ~2 years ago. According to posts made when the announcement to discontinue was made, tools were no available for resale.