TI 15 Impact Drill Driver or a combi drill/driver & impact set

[Chris™]

Hey

My old DeWalt drill driver has given up on me after 4 years of heavy use. I'm moving to Finland to work in a month and need to replace it, question is do I go for a combi kit with a seperate drill/driver and impact driver (e.g Panasonic kit) or the new TI 15 Impact Drill driver. My current work is variable from making windows in the workshop to framing/roofing/finishing on site.

I've been looking at the panasonic combi kit. I've heard great things about panasonic drivers and batteries. However I own a QF 1400 and TS 55 and have been blown away by them both which has sparked my interest for the TI 15.

I know there is a difference in voltage between then two batteries but putting that point aside I'm looking for opinions to sway me one way, or suggestions on something I've might have missed

 

[jmbfestool]

Well..... I love my T15 best drill (even with all faults it's had)    I am interested in the TI 15impact but i recon they will make a TI 18 so I'm waiting

If I was you I would buy the panasonic impact and then buy the festool T18.

Then you have the best impact and driver on the Market.

Jmb

 

[andy5405]

The next drill I buy will be the Protool PDC 18-4. Festool quality with loads of grunt, it has to be a win win situation. Search this forum for some very positive reviews.

 

[jmbfestool]

The next drill I buy will be the Protool PDC 18-4. Festool quality with loads of grunt, it has to be a win win situation. Search this forum for some very positive reviews.

Yeah you forget to add that it's bigger and heavier aswell but I agree it is a good drill

Added you on the GB crew dude!  It's growing quickly didn't know we had that many uk members.

 

[Edz]

Hey Chris.

I would have to agree with Jmb, get the Panasonic Impact driver and the T18 drill.

Plus that way you not only have the best of both worlds, you also have a festool drill, which should you end up later on getting other festool 18v cordless tools you'll have batteries that'll work within the range.

I was planning to get the TI 15 drill also but recently decided to wait till either a TI 18 has been announced or there has been some feedback on the TI 15 with regards to its reliability.

Edz.

 

[Chris™]

So what makes the TI 18 better than the 18v Panasonic? Is it the brushless motor and the right angled chuck that gives the £250 difference in price?  [eek]

I have a Bosch 10v impact that I use for getting into wee spaces (obviously it wont go as small as the festool one) The right angled chuck, I can't think of any scenarios in the past when I've required it. Also is it much better than other aftermarket adaptors or flexi shaft adaptors?  I'm not bashing the Festool I'm just trying to understand the price difference is all  ???

 

[MAK]

I had a go with the TI 15 today at demo day with rep, as with all festool drills very impressive. I don't have much use for an impact driver because I mainly do kitchens and i still have a makita impact which doesn't want to die.
If you can afford it and it always come down to money go for Festool drill. The right angle attachment is best on market and I've used quite a few other makes.

The Makita is good, very light and powerfull, but some say batteries are not as good as others.

 

[jmbfestool]

So what makes the TI 18 better than the 18v Panasonic? Is it the brushless motor and the right angled chuck that gives the £250 difference in price?  [eek]

I have a Bosch 10v impact that I use for getting into wee spaces (obviously it wont go as small as the festool one) The right angled chuck, I can't think of any scenarios in the past when I've required it. Also is it much better than other aftermarket adaptors or flexi shaft adaptors?  I'm not bashing the Festool I'm just trying to understand the price difference is all  ???

You just have to use the drill to appreciate it.  I hate using other peoples drill/drivers after using my T15 for a while.  My mate always leaves his makita drills in the van and uses my T15 I keep telling him stop stealing my drill but he says he just loves the feel of the drill and the power to size ratio.

What makes the T15/18

It's size very small.  
It's power it has sooo much power for it's size
It's adapters especially it's angle chuck really handy
It's batterie life the drill lasts AGES on one battery you can go all day with just one battery with normal use.
It's warranty it has 3years drill AND battery
It's brushless motor
The feel of the drill it's just nice to hold and to drive a screw in don't know why it just is.

Just incase you don't know me  I say it as it is and if it's crap it's crap and the T15 is CRAP  only because it's very unreliable but when it works it's the best drill in the world.  Soo I recommend the T18 as I have been told by my dealer he has had no problems yet but has had many T15's returned.    I own the T15 and when the warranty runs out and the drill fails again I'm throwing it out the window and buying T18

 

[Joiner]

   You need to remember that the TI15 removes the need to have two drivers. It is an impact  as well as a driver, so you have less to carry. In effect you get two machines for the price of one. Apart from that you may find that it is quicker to impact drive with the FESTOOL, then swap the chuck and drive in some screws, then fit an all purpose bit and drill a hole, can the panasonic do this?.
   Manufacturers info is not standardised so the only way to see any diffrence is in a practical test. R.P.M is dependent on the user, the type of fixing, the density of material used and wear and tear.
   The TI15 is the most versatile driver you are likely to see I.M.H.O

 

[neth27]

Get the Panasonics,  when do you ever need a right angled chuck? once or twice a year?
I have the Hilti 22v combo drill and a Hilti 14v impact driver, i would never swap them for any Festool drills..

When people say ohh the festool is 200g lighter, who cares, if you moan about the weight of  a cordless drill being to heavy you should get a job in a office instead...

John..

 

[jmbfestool]

   You need to remember that the TI15 removes the need to have two drivers. It is an impact  as well as a driver, so you have less to carry. In effect you get two machines for the price of one. Apart from that you may find that it is quicker to impact drive with the FESTOOL, then swap the chuck and drive in some screws, then fit an all purpose bit and drill a hole, can the panasonic do this?.
   Manufacturers info is not standardised so the only way to see any diffrence is in a practical test. R.P.M is dependent on the user, the type of fixing, the density of material used and wear and tear.
   The TI15 is the most versatile driver you are likely to see I.M.H.O

I agree!  But I sometimes use my festool T15 for drilling pilot holes and driving screws. So no difference to the TI15 just no impact and less adapters needed but I know that's not the point. What I'm trying to  Get at is do get annoyed with the swapping around chucks and bits and some times I like to have a second drill on hand so I don't need to keep swapping.

But if you wanna save money the Ti15 is one way to go about it OR the panasonic impact and driver set.

Jmb

 Oh also the TI15 has not been out long as is a risky buy and you could end up like me with my T15 sending it back I for repair loads of times.    

 

[neth27]

   You need to remember that the TI15 removes the need to have two drivers. It is an impact  as well as a driver, so you have less to carry. In effect you get two machines for the price of one. Apart from that you may find that it is quicker to impact drive with the FESTOOL, then swap the chuck and drive in some screws, then fit an all purpose bit and drill a hole, can the panasonic do this?.
   Manufacturers info is not standardised so the only way to see any diffrence is in a practical test. R.P.M is dependent on the user, the type of fixing, the density of material used and wear and tear.
   The TI15 is the most versatile driver you are likely to see I.M.H.O

Yes but the Festool impact driver has the same torque as a bosch 10.8v impact driver. I would rather carry 2 Panasonics around.Its easier to pick up your second drill than it is to swap chucks and at Least they both have plenty of power... and they are cheaper...

 

[jmbfestool]

Get the Panasonics,  when do you ever need a right angled chuck? once or twice a year?
I have the Hilti 22v combo drill and a Hilti 14v impact driver, i would never swap them for any Festool drills..

When people say ohh the festool is 200g lighter, who cares, if you moan about the weight of  a cordless drill being to heavy you should get a job in a office instead...

John..

Haaahaaa lol. Little rant love it!

I use my angle chuck often and has helped me out so much on certain jobs and I have also been able to make a better job because I was able to fix in places which was more discreet or even hidden to get the job done.

Jmb

 

[neth27]

In 25 years i have never needed a right angled chuck, if i did i would buy one, for what £25.. The once or twice a year i struggle i use a screwdriver instead..

John

 

[Sweet]

I have been a big fan of Panasonic in the past. Their "old" 15.6 driver was the best on the market. I bought the new 14.4v L-ion expecting great things. Initially things were good. Balanced, plenty of power etc. Then I dropped the impact driver, not from any great height 2 ft-ish and the body cracked. A couple of months later and I did the same with the drill, another crack. Both times I had to buy new bodies as this wasn't covered under warranty. I've given them to the boys in the workshop now. I have a 7yr old CDD with Ni-cd batteries, CXS and Makita kit. If I drop the Makita no probs, although I know some people have had issues with battery life, my dealer is happy to replace my faulty ones.

If you can stretch to it get Festool, as JMB has already said the Warranty and back up is there and if my CDD is anything to go by it should last a long time!!

 

[jmbfestool]

In 25 years i have never needed a right angled chuck, if i did i would buy one, for what £25.. The once or twice a year i struggle i use a screwdriver instead..

John

It's not the fact u have to have it you can live with out it but u can live without a chop saw you can live with out many power tools!  But the point of certain tools is the make ur job easier quicker and better and if you owned a festool drill with angle chuck I'm sure you will use it as with many tools until you have it you don't need it.

Example    TS55 my mate didn't want to buy it he said he didn't see the real need he can do everything he wants with out the TS55   I let him use mine for a day hanging doors while I was on the job with him.  He said he liked it then but still thought is it worth the money. I eventually convinced him to buy one now 8months on he said he wishes he had bought it sooner he says he uses it for loads of stuff and keeps thinking of other jobs he can use it on to make his life easier.  Same goes with the angle chuck once u have it u will find jobs to use it on and u will be glad u have it it's a fact.  Unless you do jobs which are simple/rough studding? Roofing?   It's normally the more intrecate work which requires angle chuck.

Jmb

 

[Brice Burrell]

In 25 years i have never needed a right angled chuck, if i did i would buy one, for what £25.. The once or twice a year i struggle i use a screwdriver instead..

John

Once you get used to the idea of having a good right angle chuck for your drill you wouldn't want to be without it.

 

[jmbfestool]

   You need to remember that the TI15 removes the need to have two drivers. It is an impact  as well as a driver, so you have less to carry. In effect you get two machines for the price of one. Apart from that you may find that it is quicker to impact drive with the FESTOOL, then swap the chuck and drive in some screws, then fit an all purpose bit and drill a hole, can the panasonic do this?.
   Manufacturers info is not standardised so the only way to see any diffrence is in a practical test. R.P.M is dependent on the user, the type of fixing, the density of material used and wear and tear.
   The TI15 is the most versatile driver you are likely to see I.M.H.O

Yes but the Festool impact driver has the same torque as a bosch 10.8v impact driver. I would rather carry 2 Panasonics around.Its easier to pick up your second drill than it is to swap chucks and at Least they both have plenty of power... and they are cheaper...

Same torgue as the Bosch impact 10.8. Mate I very very very very very much doubt that dude.  Don't go on torque specs dude they mean nothing absolutely nothing.  The only possible way to know which drill has more torque is to do tests side by side screwing extremely large bolts or screws into wood.    Theses specs these companies put on the drills are never accurate.

Jmb

 

[Joiner]

   You need to remember that the TI15 removes the need to have two drivers. It is an impact  as well as a driver, so you have less to carry. In effect you get two machines for the price of one. Apart from that you may find that it is quicker to impact drive with the FESTOOL, then swap the chuck and drive in some screws, then fit an all purpose bit and drill a hole, can the panasonic do this?.
   Manufacturers info is not standardised so the only way to see any diffrence is in a practical test. R.P.M is dependent on the user, the type of fixing, the density of material used and wear and tear.
   The TI15 is the most versatile driver you are likely to see I.M.H.O

Yes but the Festool impact driver has the same torque as a bosch 10.8v impact driver. I would rather carry 2 Panasonics around.Its easier to pick up your second drill than it is to swap chucks and at Least they both have plenty of power... and they are cheaper...

On paper they are the same but as FESTOOL have a diffrent approach as to how the motor performs under load this is the diffrence between FESTOOL and 'the others'. Add to this the smart engineering inside and it soon adds up to a solid work horse.
  As for angle chucks - when you need them they re indespensable when not needed they gather dust.

 

[neth27]

   You need to remember that the TI15 removes the need to have two drivers. It is an impact  as well as a driver, so you have less to carry. In effect you get two machines for the price of one. Apart from that you may find that it is quicker to impact drive with the FESTOOL, then swap the chuck and drive in some screws, then fit an all purpose bit and drill a hole, can the panasonic do this?.
   Manufacturers info is not standardised so the only way to see any diffrence is in a practical test. R.P.M is dependent on the user, the type of fixing, the density of material used and wear and tear.
   The TI15 is the most versatile driver you are likely to see I.M.H.O

Yes but the Festool impact driver has the same torque as a bosch 10.8v impact driver. I would rather carry 2 Panasonics around.Its easier to pick up your second drill than it is to swap chucks and at Least they both have plenty of power... and they are cheaper...

Same torgue as the Bosch impact 10.8. Mate I very very very very very much doubt that dude.   Don't go on torque specs dude they mean nothing absolutely nothing.   The only possible way to know which drill has more torque is to do tests side by side screwing extremely large bolts or screws into wood.    Theses specs these companies put on the drills are never accurate.

Jmb

So would you bet money that the Festool would compare to a Panasonic or Hilti impact driver?

John.