T18+3 set vs Bosch 12v Flexiclick

[Dick Mahany]

Although I really enjoy using my Festool T18 drill, I am disappointed that the offset chuck does not fit on the Right Angle Adaptor.  I use the offset chuck for a lot of the work that I do.  Recently I got the little Bosch 10.8/12V Flexiclick, now that it is available in the US. I  was pleased to see that the offset chuck fits directly on the Right Angle Chuck just as it does on the drill body itself.  The Bosch chuck interface is very well engineered IMHO.

I didn't compare Bosch to the Festool small drill, because Festool do not have an offset chuck available for it.  I recently needed to do work in a 224mm wide cabinet interior and used both.  I love the power of the T18, but found the versatility of the small Flexiclick to be well worth the price.

[attachimg=1][attachimg=2]

 

[ear3]

That's a very clever intrerface.  Looks like Festool has some catching up to do the next time they update one of their 18V drills.

 

[six-point socket II]

Hi!

Thanks for showing! The 12V FC from Bosch is a nice package and there are a lot of people who really like it!

I would actually love to see a comparison between the 12V FC from Bosch and especially the angle and offset chuck vs. just the angle chuck that comes with the CXS.

I'm not planing on buying the 12V FC from Bosch anytime soon, otherwise I would do it myself.

What I think after seeing the 12V FC from Bosch being used and reviewed many times now is that compared to how compact the CXS's angle chuck is that it will work just fine on most jobs and that there is not much of a benefit by Bosch's solution as it seems to be a lot bulkier overall.

You last picture is a great example imho because I don't see why you wouldn't be able to reach that spot with a CXS and the angle attachment. And this is basically what I see all the time - so please correct me if I'm wrong. I think this is a very interesting topic!

Kind regards,
Oliver

 

[antss]

Looks like Festool has some catching up to do the next time they update one of their 18V drills.

I think festool drills have been playing catch up for at least a decade now.  At the turn of the century their batteries were on par with Panasonic and better than everyone else's.  They were one of the first to adopt NiMh chemistry, and that made the 12v/15v really perform.  Centrotec was novel but I doubt it sways very many to buy a festool drill.  The changeable heads were also ahead of their time.

But, FT rested on their laurels or had their head in the sand when it came to 18v and especially the small drills like that 12vFC.  TXS/CXS were unfashionably late to the party.  FT drills also rank in the bottom tier when it comes to power and run times now too.  Thank goodness the ergonomics still win people over.

 

[Dick Mahany]

You last picture is a great example imho because I don't see why you wouldn't be able to reach that spot with a CXS and the angle attachment. And this is basically what I see all the time - so please correct me if I'm wrong. I think this is a very interesting topic!

Kind regards,
Oliver

What I like about the Bosch offset/eccentric chuck is that it accepts full ball-detent drill and driver bits. The other feature that I value is that all 4 attachments use the same interface and offer a range of connectivity options.  I believe the CXS angle attachment accepts wire-detent and Centrotec bits, but I could be mistaken.  I have found that Centrotec bits have a far more limited selection of availability in my area whereas there is an abundance of standard 1/4" hex drills and drivers that I can easily obtain.

Funny, I never considered the little Bosch bulky, as my only point of comparison is my T18, which makes the Bosch feel tiny in my hand.  I know others love their CXS drills and speak most highly of them, no doubt good capable tools.  I too would value a side by side comparisons of the Bosch FC and Festool CXS solutions to see how they compare in close quarter work in corners.  Another significant factor in my decision was the large price/value difference and the fact that the Bosch 12V batteries fit so many different tools in their "system".