Thoughts and questions about festool drills

[rljatl]

Thanks Carl, that's clear.
It is not just about the quick release capability (because hex heads can do it too), but about the level of precision.

I did a very simple test after taking delivery of my new CXS.  I compared 1/4" quick release bits and drivers in both my Bosch drill/driver and Bosch impact driver versus my new Festool CXS using similar Centrotec bits and drivers.

All I did was compare the amount of wobble by pulling the trigger on both Bosch and Festool and noted how true the bit or driver spun at full speed.  There is a huge difference.  The little Festool CXS spun very true while both of the Bosch's wobbled like crazy.

 

[AlexThePalex]

Does Centrotec provide something much better than these usual hex heads?

Carl and Seth summed it up quite nicely already. Centrotec is indeed lightyears ahead.

Those other systems always make me feel the drill becomes very long, heavy and wobbly. You have to connect multiple pieces, namely the Jacobs chuck, the quick change holder, and then the bit. With Centrotec the bit goes straight into the motor shaft. Nice and compact. Pics added for clarification.

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[PreferrablyWood]

Nice info in this thread has been added, I'm softening up about the drill issue. Instead of that other brand drill and impact pair at 12 V, I think it could be viable to go with the 15V C15, and the TI impact instead, at slightly more that double the price of what I was looking at for the greater investment I gain:

The accuracy of the Centrotec system is undoubtably  superior.

The 12V offerings are perhaps a wee bit underpowered while the C15 can do fine both for lighter and heavier tasks, the TI at 15 v with a 4.2 ah battery would likely be unstoppable..I think I'll need to drop the CXS though because of cost considerations.. C15 keeps the D handle for which seems like something I'll get along well with..but gains about 600 grams over the CXS and most other 12 V drill drivers.

The colors and style of my kit will be consistant, which for me strangely enough is important... FAN BOY

I get compatiblity with my existing systainers with the gear that will help with organization..

All my cordless tools  The Carvex, C15, TI impact will be able to use the 15V batteries..

I maybe can find a deal on the older C15 or buy it used, the TI impact bare model seems fairly affordable at uk dealers, for eks FFX tools.. I found one lightly used C15 3 Ah set for a good price when looking just now..

I will still get a corded drill for heavier drilling and plaster mixing..

So ya I'm reconsidering my original plan about going with other brand drills..

 

[PreferrablyWood]

Finally after much searching a found a video with the Festool corded drill Quadrill DR 18/4 E FFP-Set, man that looks sweet and the power is adequate for just about anything you can throw at it.

My new idea then:

1 corded drill the DR 18/4 E plus, hardly need the angle attachment for most situations, it's really a short drill.

a CXS drill

Then I get all the power i need, pluss centrotec compatibility..and light go every CXS cordless kit..

I'll just buy an extra 18v 4.2 battery for the Carvex..

 

[shed9]

Finally after much searching a found a video with the Festool corded drill Quadrill DR 18/4 E FFP-Set, man that looks sweet and the power is adequate for just about anything you can throw at it.

My new idea then:

1 corded drill the DR 18/4 E plus, hardly need the angle attachment for most situations, it's really a short drill.

a CXS drill

Then I get all the power i need, pluss centrotec compatibility..and light go every CXS cordless kit..

I'll just buy an extra 18v 4.2 battery for the Carvex..

Not a bad combo, I have to admit that a corded Quadrill is on my want list with the intention of adding it to my CSX. I concluded the same reasons as yourself - I'm mostly shop based so corded is not a big issue.

That said I went through a recent decision process in acquiring a cordless driver and impact set. I couldn't justify the £800-£900 cost of a Festool combination and besides the Ti15 seems to have dropped off the radar of some dealers here in the UK. I actually went with a Fein set of combi and impact (only because they didn't do a simple driver and impact pack). This in itself raised a few issues which I won't go into here but on a whole I'm a happy camper.

I figure on getting a Quadrill to keep near a bench for larger and repetitive drilling requirements.

One thing to note; the Quadrill is fitted with a standard cord, it's not plug-it compatible - not a show stopper but thought I'd mention it.

 

[PreferrablyWood]

Finally after much searching a found a video with the Festool corded drill Quadrill DR 18/4 E FFP-Set, man that looks sweet and the power is adequate for just about anything you can throw at it.

My new idea then:

1 corded drill the DR 18/4 E plus, hardly need the angle attachment for most situations, it's really a short drill.

a CXS drill

Then I get all the power i need, pluss centrotec compatibility..and light go every CXS cordless kit..

I'll just buy an extra 18v 4.2 battery for the Carvex..

Not a bad combo, I have to admit that a corded Quadrill is on my want list with the intention of adding it to my CSX. I concluded the same reasons as yourself - I'm mostly shop based so corded is not a big issue.

That said I went through a recent decision process in acquiring a cordless driver and impact set. I couldn't justify the £800-£900 cost of a Festool combination and besides the Ti15 seems to have dropped off the radar of some dealers here in the UK. I actually went with a Fein set of combi and impact (only because they didn't do a simple driver and impact pack). This in itself raised a few issues which I won't go into here but on a whole I'm a happy camper.

I figure on getting a Quadrill to keep near a bench for larger and repetitive drilling requirements.

One thing to note; the Quadrill is fitted with a standard cord, it's not plug-it compatible - not a show stopper but thought I'd mention it.

I too notice the the DR Quadrill doesn't use "plug it" which is actually to be preferred in a drill anyway..

I've mostly used corded drills and find the power is almost always much greater and the balance much better than any of the 18v + plus offerings, for my small frequent use out of range drilling and screwing the festool CXS can do the job.

If for example I'm going to do alot of drywall a some point, it is much nicer with the balance of the Quadrill with the depth stop bit holder and the conisitant power of  mains power Than with the 18v cordless tools. If I did drywall for a living at large worksites I might choose another solution, but for  ocassional drywall duties the Quadrill DR corded is going to run circles around any 15v or 18V version. This also goes for doing decks a normal driver corded drill driver with a depth stop would be perfect for the job.. Though I like the slick domino + hardware solution for decking most of all. Here again a driver like the Quadrill would work great.

I think that for my usage getting corded tools makes sense, I don't wear my tools out and having expensive batteries getting old sitting on a shelf irks me. Corded tools don't have this problem.

Battery tools get obsolete faster so I just get lower volt models as being foresighted/smart economically.

I will be Getting the CXS to keep compatibility with the Centrotec system, otherwise I would get the tools that match my one 12v tool; a metabo sabre/recip saw..they hav a drill+impact set that could work out nicely though I feel the look and the style and centrotec makes a strong case for going with the CXS even though it means I'll end up having three different battery types to deal with.. If I want an impact driver I'd just get the small 12v metabo with 4.2 Ah battery to pair with my sabre saw.

My buying order plan then:

new 18v 4.2 battery fot the Carvex, the 15v 3 Ah just doesn't cut it in heavier denser stock. FFX tools in the uk has it for a very good price btw

Quadrill DR 18/4 E bought in Germany at ACH autocolor

metabo impact 12v

Domino 500 from Dorch and Danola denmark

CXS from a brick and morter dealer.

this buying plan will be realized by the spring 2015..battery next month, drill can be my Christmas present to myself!

in one year a Domino 700XL

a MFT3  basic, Two MFT 3 make sense for my seasonal portable usages.. I'll make my own mini mft sys carts caddies for  additional working surfaces and as a sheet goods cutting station being sure to keep all working surfaces at the same height or adjustable to the same height..

If I  need something for mixing plaster or cement I could just get a tool dedicated to just that..

Festool makes a mixer drill that seems useful..

 

[Ijustlovequality]

The drc is amazing especially because it dies 3800rpm, but also because it is light, quiet, and you get ultimate bragging rights!!!

 

[PreferrablyWood]

Well I'm glad you happy with your DRC ijustlovequality.. I'm not too interested in bragging rights though.... I  work in the city and hope most passerby think they are not worth stealing! I think the way Festools look is lowkey, and they are relatively quiet in use, so that suits me perfectly....

I'm still pretty new to my PDC so the vast range of the speeds  and torque settings is something I'm going to have to spend time with so I can get to use it best way for each job...

 

[jacko9]

I have the T-18 and the CXS drill along with several other brand drills and while I love my Festool drills and the Centrotec system, a drill is still a drill BUT, a DOMINO JOINER is a different tool altogether.  Unless you already own a nice Felder Slot Mortiser then the Domino is for you during your winter months.  I make furniture and I have both Domino Joiners and they add more to my productivity than any other power tool in my shop (not counting my machines like the Jointer and Planer of course).

If your going to spend additional "Festool" dollars the Domino is a great investment along with the Domino tenon assortment with cutters.

Jack

 

[PreferrablyWood]

I have the T-18 and the CXS drill along with several other brand drills and while I love my Festool drills and the Centrotec system, a drill is still a drill BUT, a DOMINO JOINER is a different tool altogether.  Unless you already own a nice Felder Slot Mortiser then the Domino is for you during your winter months.  I make furniture and I have both Domino Joiners and they add more to my productivity than any other power tool in my shop (not counting my machines like the Jointer and Planer of course).

If your going to spend additional "Festool" dollars the Domino is a great investment along with the Domino tenon assortment with cutters.

Jack

Yup the Domino is on my list, it comes in right after the router and router table. Probably won't have before next summer, but I take it easy, do what needs to be done to get things done with what I have, and keep my purchases for tools happening at a rate that I can afford. It takes longer this way, but what I save on interest makes it worth it, within reason of course.. The the PDC is so accurate, the bradpoint and Zobo bits cut so cleanly that I'm sure I can do some joinery with dowels, and hand made tenons in the meantime.. I have the OF 1010 and may get into dovetail joinery as well..

Talking about the winter, we are having  a wet fall here in Denmark so much so that the graves in north Jutland are sinking in because of all the water..It looks like will be experiencing a "green" winter..at least until Christmas..Lots of time for woodworking in the shop then..