Transition to Festool 18V

[rmwarren]

I have been happily using DeWalt 18V XRP tools for as long as they have been out, seems like ~20 years now. 95% of the use has been one 1/2" drill and (2) impact drivers, even thought I have the small cordless circular saw, roto-zip type saw, jigsaw and light. Only problem is the youngest batteries are 2013 vintage so they are showing a little loss, oldest ones are pre-2010.

For light duty drill/drivers I use the Milwaukee 12V, having picked up (5) tools and batteries + 2 chargers for < $100/tool on sale. They are serviceable, but overall I am Switzerland on on their 12V system.

Recently purchased the TSX + installers kit on a whim and I really like the feel of the tool, I now grab it in lieu of the 12V Milwaukee for light stuff. Also starting to accumulate Centrotec bits, and Snappy drills/countersinks/ball detent adapter.

Now I am consider transitioning over to Festool cordless system for everything, reasons being:

• I have the corded Carvex, but if I need a quick cut I always grab the DeWalt jigsaw. I can sell the Carvex + Dewalt and replace them with the cordless Carvex. When I use a Jigsaw dust extraction is rarely a concern.
• DW batteries will need to be replaced in a couple years, so this is the time to consider a switch over
• If I do switch I can add the 18V HKC, which I think will get a lot of use
• Airstream is coming available, which is a nice-to-have upgrade
• I like the multiple chuck options for the drill/drivers - unavailable for DW tools

Going cold turkey I would probably buy the HKC full kit ($690), PDC or T-18 full kit ($630), Carvex Basic ($365), C18 basic ($300), total around $2K. This give me 4 batteries, all the fast-fix chucks, hammer drill/driver and 2 cordless saws. Also positions me for any future cordless tool releases.

Selling off the DW/Milwaukee stuff and corded Carvex will probably recoup $500-600. May just donate DW/Milwaukee stuff to the church or my nephews.

Interested in input/suggestions on making the transition, pro/con.

Thanks,

RMW

 

[Mort]

For me, even throwing price out the window, the 18v lineup is a bit limited for a jack-of-all-trades like myself. While the quality is magnificent, I need a broader lineup.

For example I have the M18 system with the drill, impact driver and all that. But I also have the 1/2" impact, OMT, sawzall, and want to get an angle grinder, 7 1/4" circ saw, grease gun, and even the miter saw. All things Festool doesn't offer in cordless.

If all you do is woodworking and carpentry, it's a good choice. For me it's a bit of a luxury at the moment.

 

[duburban]

I would have a festool 18v system in ADDITION to my work horse tools, not replace..! What happens when you need to work in the mud etc, theyre just too expensive to abuse.

Until there is a proper impact driver I can't consider it.

 

[leakyroof]

  I'm like you, with multiple systems and battery types cluttering up a total commitment to just one tool line.
The 'outlying' areas of a Cordless line for Festool drop off like a stone once you get past the drills and saws as noted by others. I have  10.8, 15 volt and 18 volt Festool drills, impact and drywall screw guns, but also 12 volt and 18volt Makita tools. This means I have Makita batteries for small and larger 1/4" Quick Chuck Impact, and a new Brushless 1/2" square drive impact, plus Trim/Cordless Saw and Recip saw. The small 1.5Ah battery isn't the same I think as the larger 3.0Ah batteries, so that's twice in the same line[Makita] that I'm not fully on board across the tool line since batteries won't fit in all tools... [embarassed]  But, if I hadn't bought those tools, I wouldn't have any of that with just a Festool Line, and I need it.... [sad]
I just picked up a Ti-15 Festool Impact in Basic Kit Form from Jamestown Distributing to add to my current Festool Drill Line Up. [ How they still had one, I don't know... [eek]] The Basic's came in a larger Sys 3 that also holds another T or C drill next to the Ti-Impact, so that will complement my existing T15 drill when I want both drill and impact in one case, OR, I just want to grab the chucks out of the T15's Systainer to use with the T-15 somewhere. Yes, I now have 3 IMPACTS in various Quick Chuck Set-ups, and it's Standard versus Centrotec right off the bat too... [smile]  But if I add all the impacts both battery and pneumatic that I own, the number grows fast....
But so far, I like the Ti-15.
I see you mentioned the PDC. If you have Masonry Drilling along with regular drilling, you will probably like it. Others HAVE used it to drive lags or bolts home into stuff, but I'd rather use an impact for that. It's not an impact, but percussion as you know.  If you don't need the Masonry drilling of the PDC, then maybe the T18 in full kit form is the way to go for you.
For myself with brick or masonry drilling dedicated drills, I have a very large Bosch Rotary Hammer, a smaller Bosch Hammer Drill, and now the battery Festool BHC in SDS Plus form. I'll probably sell off the 90's Bosch Hammer Drill and Bosch Drywall Gun since it IS getting cluttered in my shop... [embarassed]
It's a never ending battle Richard, good Luck... [cool]

 

[rmwarren]

Thanks for all the feedback. I am a JOAT/DIY and do everything from 2X materials (decks & framing) to cabinetry, drilling lots of AL/some steel, etc. Will do drywall only at gunpoint, should'a never taught her to shoot. Even so driving screws into 3/4 material or wall studs is probably 80% of my use of drill/drivers.

Systainers and portability don't really come into play, and only occasionally have I needed a hammer drill. I do love my DW impacts. My sawsall, grinders, & mutlitool are all corded and that is okay with me. They really see occasional use, other than the grinders, which I expect to use a lot more as I am adding a TIG welder to the fleet this spring.

Still, I may reconsider and hang on to the DW tools but move them into the house for occasional jobs. Clutter in the shop is always a problem.

Thanks, and keep it coming.

RMW

 

[ear3]

If I oinly had to choose one, I would take the T18 over the PDC because of its work as a finesse drill and the eccentric chuck, which I is much more useful than I could have imagined before purchasing it.  I like the PDC a lot, but it doesn't have quite the delicate touch as the T18.  You can run it sup[er fast on Speed 4, however, which is useful when doing a lot of piloting, or when pocket holing.

 

[greg mann]

If I oinly had to choose one, I would take the T18 over the PDC because of its work as a finesse drill and the eccentric chuck, which I is much more useful than I could have imagined before purchasing it.  I like the PDC a lot, but it doesn't have quite the delicate touch as the T18.  You can run it sup[er fast on Speed 4, however, which is useful when doing a lot of piloting, or when pocket holing.

Richard has the TSX so he already has the finesse drill. The PDC gives him the hammer function and, as you mentioned, some useful top end speed, neither of which he gets with a T or C18.

 

[ScotF]

If I oinly had to choose one, I would take the T18 over the PDC because of its work as a finesse drill and the eccentric chuck, which I is much more useful than I could have imagined before purchasing it.  I like the PDC a lot, but it doesn't have quite the delicate touch as the T18.  You can run it sup[er fast on Speed 4, however, which is useful when doing a lot of piloting, or when pocket holing.

Richard has the TSX so he already has the finesse drill. The PDC gives him the hammer function and, as you mentioned, some useful top end speed, neither of which he gets with a T or C18.

I agree with this.I have the TXS and PDC and they are great drill/drivers. I have a C12 and like the eccentric chuck, but I do not need it often. The PDC and TXS cover 98%-99% of my drilling needs.

 

[Jeff Zanin]

I have resisted the Festool cordless (other than the CXS which I really like) in preference to M18.  The Milwaukee products are not as nicely made but they have a much broader line at much lower cost.  Festool's withdrawal of the impact driver was what finalized my decision to go with M18 to replace my mix of older Makita and DeWalt cordless tools

Monogamy helps reduce clutter when it comes to cordless products and I like being able to use the same battery for circular saw, drivers, drills, sawzall, lights, impact wrench, radio, etc. etc. etc.

Seeing the Airstream evolution I am glad I didn't spring for the pre-Airstream.  But Airstream or not, for me at this point the Festool cordless juice is still not worth the squeeze.

 

[rst]

I use Milwaukee 12 and 18v extensively, probably have 15 different pieces.  I also have the Fein 18v supercut and new hammer/drill.  I really liked the look of the HKC and bit the bullet.  Bought all three rails and used each of them the first week.  It took me all of 20 minutes the cut risers for my daughters deck...loved it so much I decided to get the 18v Carvex to keep in my van.  I use my tools hard as I sell, service, and install steel and aluminum entrances.  I have a TSC 55 and 75 and am really struggling to keep myself from buying the 18v TSC...Why must Festools work sooo well???  [embarassed]

 

[rljatl]

I don't have a problem with two battery platforms.  For me, Festool and Milwaukee compliment each other very well.  I am looking forward to the Festool impact driver.  Hopefully, it will be oil damped or whatever it is called.  So far, I have the TXS, PDC, Syslite and the SysRock has been ordered.

I tend to buy and use Milwaukee tools more for construction and house maintenance purposes and use Festool for woodworking, although there is crossover sometimes. 

 

[NHSP759]

I've got three battery lines in my shop, Festool, Dewalt and Makita. I will use my tools professionally when I retire from my regular job in a year and a half and I can truly see it being a PITA having three lineups but not one covers everything I have had needed at the time. My Festool 18v tools are the T18, the HKC and my Syslite. Would love to see an impactor again but my Dewalt and Makita cover that just fine. I wouldn't mind getting the Carvex but I have the cordless brushless barrel grip Makita and love it. Though it pales in comparison (unfairly I might add) to my Carvex.