T18 drill

[DanielOB]

Looking at T18 drill

the basic (only drill T18) is $300
I will need also:

-one battery
-one Chuck-hex for screw driving
-one keyless chuck (the standard one) 1/2"

I have the charger.
Is T18 battery (18V) exactly the same one that comes with a Carvex?
What is the best option (or set), money sake in this case?

 

[Birdhunter]

The there are a lot of very good drills on the market and they all do a good job of making holes and driving screws.

To me, the only justification for paying the Festool premium is the "system" which, for the drill, is the set of accessories. The right angle chuck, the offset chuck, etc make the drill worth the high price.

As you mentioned, the T18 by itself is about 1/2 the cost of the full set. Buying the accessories individually ends up being more than buying them with the drill.

I have the T18 and the Carvex and the batteries interchange.

 

[yetihunter]

Not sure if something is different for Canada, but the basic drill sets usually come
with a keyless 1/2" chuck, a centrotec chuck, and a 1/4" hex insert bit holder that fits into the centrotec chuck. 

Extra batteries are available ala carte.  You can get a smaller 2.6 amp battery for less money than the standard size if you're interested.

 

[Kev]

If you have a battery and charger for any of the 18V Festool I feel the C18 and T18 are almost bargains!

Typically you'll get a "don't bother buying Festool drills" response within minutes of a Festool drill thread ... flies eh? [wink]

You should get the standard and Centrotec chucks along with the tool and Systainer in the Basic set. I'm in Oz, so I can't confirm, but it should be a quick thing to determine.

 

[Birdhunter]

A store in the US lists the following for the $300 USD Basic Kit

T15 & T18 Basic includes:

Drill
FastFix Keyless Chuck
Centrotec Chuck
Centrotec Bit Holder
#2 Phillips Insert Bit
TX25 Torx Insert Bit
Systainer 2 Storage Case

 

[DanielOB]

Thanks
As I see basic "set" is the one. There is nothing more, to me, to get over that two chucks that comes with T18 basic.
Looking at centrotec bits, I think it will not accept my screw bits with circular groove at end of the bits. In that case I have to use "FastFix Keyless Rachet Chuck" that comes with basic package and put into it my "Bosch hex fast-fix" for the screw bits. It will add a lot of use of that FastFix chuck.
In this case is it make a sense to order one extra FastFix Keyless Ratchet Chuck because later on I will not be able to re-order it any more.

 

[Birdhunter]

There are a number of dealers offering the chuck $72 USD. I'm not sure why would need two chucks as one appears to come with the set.

 

[yetihunter]

Thanks
As I see basic "set" is the one. There is nothing more, to me, to get over that two chucks that comes with T18 basic.
Looking at centrotec bits, I think it will not accept my screw bits with circular groove at end of the bits. In that case I have to use "FastFix Keyless Rachet Chuck" that comes with basic package and put into it my "Bosch hex fast-fix" for the screw bits. It will add a lot of use of that FastFix chuck.
In this case is it make a sense to order one extra FastFix Keyless Ratchet Chuck because later on I will not be able to re-order it any more.

Correct, Festool really has no appropriate provisions for standard ball-detent power bits (other than securing them directly into the jacobs chuck).
Only standard wire detent insert bits and their unique centrotech design.

Granted, the ball detent bits will fit in the gear shaft as well as the bit holder.
However, they're designed for wire detent insert bits, therefore, the outcome is a bit wobbly. 

Here's a good rundown or two of what's going on with that:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?t=4m20s&v=PV5mF-o2TVc


However, Snappy makes a power bit holder that will go into the centrotec
chuck.  It's probably exactly the same looking as the bosch one but with a centrotec shaft. 

[attachimg=1]


http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tools-accessories/snappy-now-has-a-centrotec-shank-bit-holder-for-standard-ball-detent-bits/

You will have to likely order it directly from them. 

Another option for quick change ball detent power bits comes from
Wiha called the Centrofix (formerly rapidfix).  You'd have to put that in the jacobs chuck, but I'm throwing it out there because it's got a slimmer profile. 

[attachimg=2]

As for Festool chuck availability, you will be able to purchase them for quite a while.  I believe their gurantee stipulates that any Festool part will be available for 7 years after discontinuation of a tool (10 years for UK/Europe?).  Röhm makes the chuck in question, and their production plant isn't going anywhere anytime soon. 

Anyway, speaking of chucks and if you can afford it, I'd reccomend thinking about the "eccentric" (offset) chuck, the right angle chuck and the 3/8" socket adaptor chuck. You can always purchase them later.

yet another video about that: