T18+3

[L.J]

Went to the Festool dealer looking to purchase a C-15 and left with the T18 instead. The salesman started out telling me the C15 was discontinued and boy was I disappointed. He then next hands me the T18 and I loved the weight and balance of the tool. Even though I still wanted the C15 and had my heart set on it I did my best to find fault with the T18 but I couldn't . The T18 rivaled my 18v Dewalt in power but in weight,noise and feel the T18 wins hands down and has a new home. We later on found out the the C15 wasn't discontinued and he had one in stock it was a mistake on the availability after all but I'm happy with my choice.

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Just to clarify, only the T12 and C12 were discontinued. Also, the TI15 impact has been discontinued effective December 1st.

 

[L.J]

Just to clarify, only the T12 and C12 were discontinued. Also, the TI15 impact has been discontinued effective December 1st.

Glad you posted that because I was gonna purchase the Ti15 shortly. I guess I'll wait for an updated model and I also want the new cordless hammerdrill they came out with also when and if it arrives in the U.S.

 

[PreferrablyWood]

Is it an known fact that the TI 15 is going to be reintroduced in 18v version?

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Is it an known fact that the TI 15 is going to be reintroduced in 18v version?

Currently no plans for a replacement.

 

[L.J]

Is it an known fact that the TI 15 is going to be reintroduced in 18v version?

Currently no plans for a replacement.

That's not a smart move on their part, an 18v model would sell and perform better.

 

[duburban]

I was lucky enough to get a t18+3 during this sale. It has been a lot of fun to use. I can't say that it will make me more productive or enable better work until something calls for one of the additional chucks. Until then its more like driving a sports car vs a grocery getter. The systainer is probably the biggest upgrade from my makita 18v lxt.

Trigger control is far above most other drills but again, this has never been a problem.

 

[Jaybolishes]

I just got my t18 the other day and it is a Ferrari of drills.  I was just looking for things to do with it which made the ball and chain very happy.  The new c15 wasn't ignored, but man these drills really are a cut above.  Now I need some 4.2 batteries, there's always something green I need, well....want. But now I can always have my festoys in the basement, and leave my beater 20v dewalts in my job trailer.  Lugging tools from the job to home is always a pain and hard to get the wife to understand buying more drills.

 

[duburban]

Next is 1-2 cxs's, the brushless version.

 

[L.J]

As of late I returned the T-18 for the full T-18 package with the additional chucks.

 

[EWTHeckman]

Currently no plans for a replacement.

That's not a smart move on their part, an 18v model would sell and perform better.

Amen!

 

[charpentier909]

hi all, I'm new here. I'm a happy owner of the carvex, large track saw, domino so and vacuum etc. About 6 weeks ago I bought a t18 drill based on the positive experiences that I have enjoyed while using festoons other projects.
I admit I was hesitant to spend $630 on a drill, especially after examining what felt like less than a heavy duty design but I went for it based on the quality of their other products.
Last week I dropped the drill on a brick patio from 8' in the air and it broke in half starting right above the trigger. I've sent it back for repairs and I'm not sure what I will be charged but it is disconcerting to know how fragile it is. I've had multiple Makita cordless drill and driver sets and I've dropped them every now and then as I work in foundation to finish construction and none have ever sustained more than a some scratches while this boutique Festool drill broke the first time it dropped.
If I could I would return it and save my Festool purchases for items that will not have to endure the use and sometimes abuse of a job site.
Save your money and buy a brushless Makita or Bosch or Milwaukee drill and driver.

 

[Brice Burrell]

.....Last week I dropped the drill on a brick patio from 8' in the air and it broke in half starting right above the trigger......

First, welcome to the FOG.  Sorry to hear about your drill, that's a real bummer. 

Not that this is any consolation, but my experience with my 6 year old T15 drills and 3 year old Ti15 impact has been great.  I do the same type of work as you and my drills have taken numerous falls with no more than cosmetic damage.  I've never dropped my drills onto a hard surface from that high up.  However, they have fallen 4-5 feet onto concrete without problem.  Also, they have fallen 8-10 feet onto wood floors, and one of my drills has fallen 20 feet off a roof onto dirt, and continued to tumble down a steep hillside for another 40 or so feet where it finally came to rest half way out into the street below.  I'll also add that I forgot one of them out in a pouring rain storm for an hour.  All still work great today.

An 8 foot drop onto brick is no trivial thing.  I guess what I'm saying is that expecting a drill to survive a drop like that is asking a lot.  Other brand drills may (or may not) have survived that kind of fall.  I can tell you I'd be concerned about damage from that kind of drop with any brand drill.  Still, I think we all can understand your frustration.  With the high price tag comes high expectations.  I hope you don't get too beat up on the repair.  Good luck and please let us know how things work out. 

 

[jacko9]

I love my T-18 and as an added bonus, I can now get the TSC saw without the set since I already have two 18v batteries and charger.  I use my CSX drill most of the time and only reach for my T-18 if I need two drills or if I need to drill larger holes.

 

[Gary in Texas]

Last week I dropped the drill on a brick patio from 8' in the air and it broke in half starting right above the trigger.

I've had multiple Makita cordless drill and driver sets and I've dropped them every now and then as I work in foundation to finish construction and none have ever sustained more than a some scratches while this boutique Festool drill broke the first time it dropped.

Save your money and buy a brushless Makita or Bosch or Milwaukee drill and driver.

Boutique Festool drill?  LOL.  Sorry to hear your drill broke, crap happens unfortunately.....

Sounds like you would be better off using the cheaper Makita alternatives, especially if they have collectively only suffered scratches from numerous falls.

From my take on your comments, you had a hard time rationalizing spending that much on a drill, only to have the drill break after a high fall.  Perhaps it broke due to the way it landed, who knows?  You can always sell the drill once it is repaired.

 

[Deansocial]

You dropped a drill it broke boohoo. What do you expect? My panasonic drill snapped doing the same thing. My t18 is pretty old now looks battered and still works great

 

[fshanno]

You dropped a drill it broke boohoo. What do you expect? My panasonic drill snapped doing the same thing. My t18 is pretty old now looks battered and still works great

But do you routinely take it up to 8' over bare concrete?  Would you have done that with it when it was new?  And what can a T18 do for you up on a ladder that a $200 cheaper Makita or Milwaukee can't?

 

[jmbfestool]

I have dropped my T15 many times I have had it for years!

I dropped mine 5ft onto concrete and broke e-tech dail on back of the drill.  Still worked fine.

Then my mum borrowed it and drop it hip height onto concrete and broke the e-tech dail even more.  Kinda annoying but it still works.

It was a Friday and I was working on a job and left my drill outside. I forgot about the drill and went home. I went back to the job on Monday seen my drill outside and was absolutely gutted!
I was gutted because it had been raining really hard all weekend! Typical when I left my drill outside. 

It was soaking and as I lifted it up water came out everywhere from the battery and motor.

I took the battery off and left it to dry for a day. This was a year ago and the drill is still working now.

 

[duburban]

i pulled out the t18 after my makita batteries died on a regular old job site. I don't feel comfortable having it around in the normal fray of a work zone. Working alone, working in the shop just fine.

 

[AlexThePalex]

I don't think the T18 is the toughest drill on the market, but a drop from 8 foot on bricks is not nothing, even tough stuff can break when that happens.