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

[Kevin Stricker]

I have not used that drill, but have had good experiences with Panasonic.  The 14.4 impact is pretty amazing, it easily out powers/ out drives many 18v drivers.  I have used a Panasonic 24v SDS rotary hammer that was also a great tool.  Not quite as powerful as my Hilti, but with excellent battery life.  I also have the 14.4v drill/driver that is OK.  No complaints as it was only an extra $25 for the kit. 

Here in the states the bare Panasonic tools are not carried by many retailers and are priced similar to Hilti.  As both are now made in China and Panasonic makes the batteries for both my next impact driver will probably be a Hilti because there is more availability of bare tools and they have a better service warranty.  The 18v Panasonic is more expensive as well.

 

[neth27]

The Hilti tools are made in China, the batteries are made in Poland not China.
John..

 

[Bob Gerritsen]

I'm not worried about the Panasonic quality at all, from the few users that I know/talk to I've only heard good stuff, same with reviews. Plus I've listened to the rave on their batteries for years and years now. Although not the most obvious brand out there it simply seems a very sensible choice, the pricing is great for what you get. And the Panas that I've held felt really good, nice balance and ergonomics.

So I'm quite sure I'll get the Panasonic impact driver, not getting the Hilti impact but the Panasonic impact saves me quite some money (it will cost me half) and in the field both will be great for what I do. Of course the Hilti will be faster as red ones are always faster but at the same time speed isn't everything. So then the only question is if I'll get it's drill brother or the Protool PDC to go with it. The Protool seems a bit more versatile and that will be a factor I'll appreciate over time I'm sure. I'm guessing the quality in the long run is A+ for both where the Protool is simply extra impressive with it's speed and the removable chuck and Centrotec stuff, I'm sure that will come in handy. The Panasonic drill is a bit more a simple, normal cordless drill.

Both drills will need getting used to for me simply because I'm so used to the Festool model C. Every T drill I've held seems rather big and all over the place, well not counting the 10.8 Bosch drills that is, those are very compact. But if I get an 18v cordless, it will have to be a T and will need getting used to regardless of the brand that's for sure.

Cheers, Bob.

 

[Bob Gerritsen]

Well, was at a store yesterday to get the Mafell KSS300 set (Wow! but more on that in future post) and they offered me a nice deal on the current Protool PDC so I jumped.

Before that I did have a conversation with the owner of a big online store, he confirmed the led with battery check is basically the biggest change for the new model. Plus he told me the new model was supposed to be out a while but got held back because of technical difficulties and the actual release (possibly in 5 weeks in Germany) is still not 100% sure. So, although the battery check would've been nice, the led leaves me sort of cold. Technical difficulties, I'm sure they'll sort it but there is always the chance of issues with new machines, the old/current model has proven itself so minimal risk there. Then there is my planning, I can really use it sooner than five weeks from now (if not later) and finally the nice discount sealed the deal.

I've drilled a couple 8mm holes in concrete and it is every bit as good as I had hoped so that's good, I'm sure it will be great with wood and screws. I'll be posting a short review soon hopefully, looking forward to working with this beast!

Thanks everyone for the great advice and input!!

Cheers, Bob.

 

[toolfest.co.uk]

Hi Bob

Our new versions of the PDC arrived this week, the 18v's anyway. The LED light is great and the gear selector is a little easier to use. Otherwise very similar to the original. Still the best cordless drill on the market?

I think we have a couple of the original versions in stock and will offer these out at a good price, PM me if you are interested. Either way, new or original, the PDC 18-4 is a special drill and you'd be really happy with either I'm sure.

Regards

Warren

P.S. The KSS300 is a bit special too.

 

[Bob Gerritsen]

Thanks Warren but I've just bought the old model yesterday. Strange though you already have the new one where my dealer was on the phone about it a couple days back.... He got told it could be another 5 or 6 weeks.... You do mean you have them in stock and are selling right? Why can't I get it over here then??

 

[optimistisch]

Hi Bob,
what are your feelings with switching the gears ? I had an PDC 18 and it went back to the dealer because the feeling while switching between the gears was bad compared with my C12 Li.

 

[Bob Gerritsen]

Hi Bob,
what are your feelings with switching the gears ? I had an PDC 18 and it went back to the dealer because the feeling while switching between the gears was bad compared with my C2 Li.

Good point, that is the only thing I don't like about it. It isn't easy getting it in a different gear with one finger in one go, there is plenty room in between gears for some reason. It's a bit trial and error really. I'm not sure yet what to make of that, only used it yesterday but if it turns out it is  a design thing I might consider returning it. I'm a bit bummed that I didn't know that was going to be an improvement in the new model. A led is one thing but improved gear change is another all together.

Any other PDC users that find it difficult to change gears?

 

[Bob Gerritsen]

Btw, other than the gears it is awesome!! I've drilled concrete, holes for Blum hinges and used it for those hole saws yesterday and it is everything I've hoped for. Obviously not as fast as a corded drill can do it but fast and comfortable enough. Thumps up!

 

[toolfest.co.uk]

Hi Bob

For me the gearbox isn't an big issue. It's nice the new one is easier but the old one is still strong and reliable. And to be honest I don't switch gears that much. If it was the trigger or the chuck or the forward/reverse button then maybe I'd be concerned but not the gear selector.

As for stock, yes we have the new version in stock, we did order them in February as soon as they became available to order so maybe we were just at the top of the list and got them first?

Best regards and enjoy your PDC.

Warren

 

[Frank-Jan]

Hi Bob,
what are your feelings with switching the gears ? I had an PDC 18 and it went back to the dealer because the feeling while switching between the gears was bad compared with my C12 Li.

I have both drills, and there's a big difference between changing a lever in 4 positions or sliding a switch back and forth. Nevertheless, even the C12 doesn't change easily sometimes, and the gear change on the protool doesn't annoy me.
I was a bit weary at first because of the position of the levers, they always get covered in dirt (drilling into masonry, or holesaws into drywall ceilings), but they still work fine after 4 years of hard use.

 

[AlexThePalex]

Now that you guys mention it, the first time I used the PDC 18-4 I also noticed that gear change wasn't entirely smooth, but I got used to it. I agree with Frank-Jan that it's more difficult to achieve on a 4 gear drill than with only 2 gears. And the lever on all other drills I have used with 2 gears also sometimes got stuck. Was never a big deal for me.

 

[Dogwood]

...umm I can't add anything-Protool isn't available in Canada. But keep talking about them...  [big grin]

I keep Telling myself that they're no better than a typical drill or at least a T18, but this isn't helping. Wanna ship me one?

 

[Bob Gerritsen]

Hi all, I've been using the Protool a couple days now and loving it. I'm not sure how much I'll like the new model better so I think I'm ok with having gotten this at a better price.

Indeed, one doesn't change gears that often and already it is changing better than before, so that's good. As I've said before, coming from a combination with the C12 and a Makita 14,4 combo, it is such luxury to be able to use a proper size hole saw and drill holes in concrete seconds later. I've also found I kept reaching for it to screw when the C12 was right next to it. This is the honeymoon period of course but it does tell me the balance and light weight of this machine are really good, certainly considering it's power. I'm glad I've gotten this and not the Panasonic, I'm sure it would have been good too but I would have missed the systainer and possibility to exchange chuck and centrotec with the C12. Also, this machine simply feels so well made!

Nowadays I arrive somewhere with my tool bag that includes a small Bosch 10,8 and if it is more than a simple hole to be drilled or screw to screw then the C12 and Protool come in, each in it's own systainer. It is a bit overkill maybe but the Protool surely holds it's own. It does stuff the others cannot do so it is needed. The C12 has all the chucks that one needs for cabinets and such, which is what I do. The Bosch is in my tool bag anyway and with it's small size doesn't add much volume or weight. All in all I'm really enjoying this setup and had I known, would have gotten the Protool sooner for sure.

Thanks again to all for advice and comment!

Cheers, Bob.

 

[cliffp]

I'd hope Panasonic make better drills than their other appliances. There was a time when their audio/video gear was reasonably good stuff - I'm not impressed these days. It's the little things too - remotes breaking and finding they're throw away and repurchase items ... I hate that !

Once a brand has let me down, I find it hard to touch anything with that brand again  [sad]

I agree wholeheartedly with Kev. I bought a Panasonic microwave a few years ago and it failed after just over a year. The company didn't want to know and were even rude (and I went to the top of Panasonic UK).

 

[Frank-Jan]

... I agree wholeheartedly with Kev. I bought a Panasonic microwave a few years ago and it failed after just over a year. The company didn't want to know and were even rude (and I went to the top of Panasonic UK).

Slightly off topic here, and not really related to the panasonic issue, BUT: It's European law that you get two years of warranty on products like your microwave. This warranty has to be provided to you by the retailer you bought your microwave from, not by the manufacturer. So if panasonic only gives a 1 year warranty, the store you bought it from has to get the product repaired/replaced at no cost to you.

(I had a similar problem with a HP laptop, which had a broken harddrive after 1.5 years, the manufacturer's warranty was only 1 year, but the store replaced the harddisk (or paid the hp service department to do so))

 

[cliffp]

Frank-Jan

Thanks for that - I'll remember that in future. Its a bit late for the microwave as it was two years ago and I've thrown it away.

Cliff