T12+3 and T15+3 Review

While I appreciate the full and honest feedback and experience from others using Festools, I would prefer to hear about each success or failure just once.

 
I haven't purchased a Festool drill/driver yet, I've been waiting for the T15+3 I think.  Not that it's around the corner I've started doing some planning.  I can swallow the price (I think), but it looks like I'll get killed in bits.  For example, the hex bit extension is $26.50?  I think the last one I bought from McFeelies was $3.99.

Is it true that one really needs an all festool bit kit to take full advantage of the centrotec and other features?

I currently have the following;
Panasonic 15.6V NiMH drill/driver
Panasonic 12V NiMH impact driver with electronic clutch
All the Bosch 12V small NiMH drills and drivers.

 
Joe Jensen said:
I can swallow the price (I think), but it looks like I'll get killed in bits.  For example, the hex bit extension is $26.50?  I think the last one I bought from McFeelies was $3.99. Insane? yes but the drill comes with one and if you need a longer one just switch to the standard chuck.

Is it true that one really needs an all festool bit kit to take full advantage of the centrotec and other features? Yes, but it doesnt necessarily have to be all that large of a collection. The drill comes with a bit holder.  Get a set of centrotec drill/bradpoints, and the countersinks and you should be good to go.

I currently have the following;
Panasonic 15.6V NiMH drill/driver
Panasonic 12V NiMH impact driver with electronic clutch
All the Bosch 12V small NiMH drills and drivers.

The Panasonics are hard to beat and the bosch are OK, but the really great thing about the Festool is the accessory chucks. You just dont know until you use them. Flippin amazing!
Click to expand...
 
Eiji Fuller said:
Joe Jensen said:
I can swallow the price (I think), but it looks like I'll get killed in bits.  For example, the hex bit extension is $26.50?  I think the last one I bought from McFeelies was $3.99. Insane? yes but the drill comes with one and if you need a longer one just switch to the standard chuck.

Is it true that one really needs an all festool bit kit to take full advantage of the centrotec and other features? Yes, but it doesnt necessarily have to be all that large of a collection. The drill comes with a bit holder.  Get a set of centrotec drill/bradpoints, and the countersinks and you should be good to go.

I currently have the following;
Panasonic 15.6V NiMH drill/driver
Panasonic 12V NiMH impact driver with electronic clutch
All the Bosch 12V small NiMH drills and drivers.

The Panasonics are hard to beat and the bosch are OK, but the really great thing about the Festool is the accessory chucks. You just dont know until you use them. Flippin amazing!
Click to expand...
Click to expand...

true! the panasonic is good with the impact having veriable speed is very good one of the guys i work with has a impact one  its got a belt clip its handy but no pits holder thats the only down side really.  The festool has no belt clip but has bits holder.  I got the festool T15  also the New  M18 Milwukee drills  Impact and Driver and they both have  belt clips and bits holder so really handy!  They are 3.0 ah batteries and the festool is 2.6 and I think the festool drill lasts longer!
 
I have been using the new T12+3 Drill on a kitchen installation. It performs as well as my older C12 3.0 amp , the big difference is at the end of the day. The t12  is so much lighter,you are not dreading running in another screw. The weight difference is really that noticeable. I think there will soon be another C12 on E-bay.
 
I am definitely getting one, I just can't decide between the T12 or T15.  Is there a noticeable size difference?  It sounds like the T12 is fine for most cabinet and shop work, but if there is not much of a size difference my inclination would be to get the 15 just in case. 
My local dealer has not gotten them in yet, so I have not been able to try them out and see for myself.
Any advice or input always appreciated.

Jim

 
I had the chance to check out both today and came home with a T15.  Hardly a difference in size or weight, so I went with the 15.  So far I have only mounted a few drawers, but what a difference in weight and feel to my old DeWalt.  I was switching back and forth since I had a drill bit in the DeWalt, but picking up the Festool just felt so much better!  Now if I can sell my first born I can get a few bits for it  ;D
 
I just gave my T12 a real first test today since I bought it.  I had to bore 1 1/8" dia. hole  1 1/2" deep.  Half way through each hole it stopped on me.  The first shut down was 2 beeps which means it got to warm and all the other times it beeped once which means it got overloaded.  I only Drilled 4 holes.  I drilled the same hole with my Makita.  My makita does not have the same smarts as the T12 and it sure did have a hard time drilling the hole.  I liked how the computer in the drill knows when it's working to hard.
 
ForumMFG said:
I liked how the computer in the drill knows when it's working to hard.
Click to expand...

I have a T12 and T15, and I like them both. But I think my Dewalts have a better overload warning system. They send out smoke signals.  :D
 
1 1/8" !!!

Pretty big pants, for a drill with such little britches. Back when I was still a nitwit newbie, I burned out a corded B+D drill on 1 1/2" holes. Certified me as a nitwit, since I ignored how hot the drill was getting, and simply wrapped it in a rag so I could keep holding it.

I've also used 14.4V drills that would have had a hard time on much lesser holes than that. And my 18V DW XRP certainly got hot (motor and battery) drilling a bunch of 3/4" holes.

Go Festool.
 
ForumMFG said:
I just gave my T12 a real first test today since I bought it.  I had to bore 1 1/8" dia. hole  1 1/2" deep.  Half way through each hole it stopped on me.  The first shut down was 2 beeps which means it got to warm and all the other times it beeped once which means it got overloaded.  I only Drilled 4 holes.   I drilled the same hole with my Makita.  My makita does not have the same smarts as the T12 and it sure did have a hard time drilling the hole.  I liked how the computer in the drill knows when it's working to hard.
Click to expand...

What type material? What type bit? What size is Makita? Did you drill any holes with the Makita from the start or did you finish them?
 
My experience is that if you are going to put a big, agressive bit in a C12 or the new T+ drills, you better hang on.

I seriously recommend that nobody try a big, self-driven bit in any of these drills without proper planning (for wrist problems).

Tom
 
Les,

I was going into maple with a spade bit.  I was removing material so I could get my router bit in to make mortises.  I did not finish with the makita.  I waiting for the drill to cool down and then I finished.  To compare, I broke out the makita and drilled another hole to test it.  My makita is a BHP452 which has 450 in.lbs. torque.

Tom's right, you better hand on.  I didn't have any problems but I could tell if I didn't hang on, I would go for a ride.

I did test the T15 with a 1" dia. auger bit 8" long on the right angle chuck at my suppliers store.  That took me for a ride =)  
 
Tom Bellemare said:
My experience is that if you are going to put a big, agressive bit in a C12 or the new T+ drills, you better hang on.

I seriously recommend that nobody try a big, self-driven bit in any of these drills without proper planning (for wrist problems).

Tom
Click to expand...

ForumMFG said:
I was going into maple with a spade bit.  I was removing material so I could get my router bit in to make mortises.

Tom's right, you better hand on.  I didn't have any problems but I could tell if I didn't hang on, I would go for a ride.

I did test the T15 with a 1" dia. auger bit 8" long on the right angle chuck at my suppliers store.  That took me for a ride =) 
Click to expand...

You guys must be wimps.  ;D The T15+3 can handle a 1" auger bit not problem.
[attachthumb=#]
 
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