Whats so hot about Festool Drills? (Convince me to spend some $$$$ LOL)

[danmcph]

I have a 64X44 shop.  Its divided into 3 bays.  Bay 1 is welding and fab.  Bay 2 is Auto.  Bay 3 is woodworking.  I have a complete set of 18v dewalt and a complete set of Milwaukee 18V fuel and 12v tools as well.  I have them in charging stations in bay 1 and 2 so they are always close at hand.  My favorite tools are the Milwaukee 12v drill and drill driver.  I use them constantly. 

When I need them in the woodworking bay I haul whatever drill I need in there to use.  So you can see I have pretty good coverage for cordless tools. 

Here is the question.  What makes a Festool drill better than what I have currently?  I am thinking it is the centrotec chuck in a small package for getting into recesses. Then if I needed a larger drill I could grab my Milwaukee.  Is there something that makes them especially good for woodworking etc that is a real advantage over what I already have?  I am thinking of getting a drill for the woodworking bay.

So is there any reason at all to get a drill from Festool?

I hate festool, if they packaged a turd in a systainer I would immediately have a desire to find a reason why I need it. [tongue]

 

[jlcichocki]

Thanks you made me laugh.  It's funny how Festool can elicit that effect

I have found the Festool drills very helpful.  The interchangeable heads are quite flexible and I have used them much more than I ever imagined.  I have the C18 and the CXS.  Very happy with both.  I came from Milwaukee drills.

Jeff

 

[tiralie]

I have 3 festool drills and prefer using them to my Milwaukee 12V and Bosch drills because they are better balanced - lighter at the head and respond better (no latency) when the trigger is depressed. The various attachments are very usefull, I really like the centronic system and those cases are great for all the extra stuff that you use with a drill. I wish my Lee Valley centering bits were centronic. They are better than the Vix bits. I do like the inserts for the T15+ wish they would pack the CXS and TXS the same.
I used my Milwaukee 12v a lot till I got my TXS with my CXS, for installs etc. and a drill is a drill is a drill but I have a preference for using my Festool drill.
If you get a CXS get one with the Li 2.6 batteries. The 1.5 doesn't really hold a charge long enough for me. TXS only comes with a 2.6 I believe.
Tim

 

[chrisrosenb]

For me, the main advantage of Festool drills over others are the quick change eccentric & 90 degree chucks. 
Festool drills get very limited use in the shop because I a lot of need for the chucks. 
Onsite work is another matter. Festool drills get a lot of use for remodeling & installs because of the eccentric & 90 degree chucks.

 

[danmcph]

Can you help me understand the differences between the different drills?  I am having a hard time figuring out the advantages of each?

I really don't need a heavy duty drill (I can bring my milwaukee into the shop for that) but want versatility, easy to use in small spaces etc.

 

[tjbnwi]

Just for fun.
http://festoolownersgroup.com/festo...3-drill-set-its-the-worst-drill-i-ever-owned-!/

Tom

 

[TOOLTOWN]

For a compact drill the TXS or CXS are fantasitc.  They are the same drill with different body styles.

Will they drive 6 inch ledger locks? NO, but that's not what they are designed to do.  They work great for driving small screws and bits for general purpose work.

Ken

 

[SoonerFan]

For woodworking and since you don't need a heavy duty drill I would get a CXS/TXS.  I personally have a CXS.  It's light, well balanced and can fit in tight spaces with the Centrotec and right angle chucks.  I use it more than any other drill.  I kept a Dewalt impact driver that is nice to have around but is seldom used. 

 

[Birdhunter]

I think the answer lies in your definition of "better" as stated in your question about what makes Festool drills better than what you currently own.

Both Festool drills and your drills make round holes in stuff. You have to decide what constitutes "better".  For me, "better" was in Festool drills' feel and accessories. They don't make better holes than the DeWalt drills they replace, but I prefer using them.

 

[bobfog]

For me I don't especially rate the Festool drills as standalone tools.

The PDC18/4 doesn't have enough torque and so the high RPM in gear 3 and 4 is not very useful for anything other than relatively small bits and therefore you don't actually need crazy high rpm in the first place. It's sort of a catch 22, where what you gain in reality isn't actually that much.

The CXS and TXS are quite nice, but overpriced IMO for a brushed or "non-brushless" drill.

I prefer the Milwaukee 4in1 as below for a compact drill (please note amazon link just for example can actually be had for approx £150 - see plumb centre link)
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Milwaukee-Drill-Driver-Kit-BDDXKIT-202C/dp/B00NMLPW20http://www.plumbcenter.co.uk/produc...-kit-4-in-1/?gclid=CKHm8amW-MoCFbYV0wodpSQEtQ

Centrotec is nice, but there are 3rd party bits and adapters readily available, so you don't actually need a Festool drill to take advantage of it, though I do admit there's a certain symmetry from a slight OCD perspective of having your drill and accessories from the same brand in compatible cases.

If you go for the 18v option I don't hugely rate it, as stated above, as a standalone drill. The latest MKII Milwaukee Fuel 18v has it licked IMO with significantly more torque combined with a perfectly sufficient 2000rpm. However again, "native" Centrotec is nice.

However the one thing to consider is if you buy into the 18v Festool system, whilst the drills IMO aren't anyhing to write home about, you do open the door for some really good tools that are unique, like the 18v TS55 track saw and KH carpentry saws, which are available from no other manufacturer, as far as I'm aware.

So in short, purely for drill I don't think Festool is that desirable in either 10.8v or 18v, however as a system, starting with an 18v drill and paving the way for future bare tool purchases like the 18v track saw might be a worthwhile thing to do!

 

[tony_sheehan]

I have a Makita DHP458, a Ryobi One+ 18v, a Festool C15 and a PDC18. I use the Ryobi the most but I like the C15 the best because of the way it handles and the whole Centrotec thing.
I thought Centrotec was a gimmick and a way of getting us to spend more money until I watched Peter Parfitt's youtube video (then again , he could put a gun in my hand and talk me into shooting one of his enemies and it would probably seem like a rational thing to do ☺)

 

[Scorpion]

I was like you - skeptical that any drill could be worth that kind of money.  For Christmas my wife got me a C18 with all the gadgets.  Since then, here are my favorite observations -

The controtech design is so much better.  Bits run extremely true, don't deflect, and seem to get a more solid contact to the work piece.  Having spent much of my time using metal working machines and tooling, I believe this accuracy will help prolong drill bit life. 

You can tell it's a high-end drill with how mechanically tight it runs.  Cutting pocket holes with it really tells the story.  With less deflection throughout the assembly, the holes cut more cleanly and quickly.

The screw driver mode is really nice.  Combining the ability to really control the bit with a reduced speed and the digital clutch, I feel more in control. 

The eccentric chuck may possibly be my favorite attachment (most used this far).  The first job I did after getting it I had to attach drawer fronts that had to be screwed within 1/2-inch of the drawer sides.  With the eccentric chuck, it's a snap.  Any other drill I've owned woulda needed to drive the screws at an angle.

I was skeptical of the D-handle but I get it (and prefer it now).  I can drill and drive screws with it in just about any position with jaunt one hand.  Holding with two hands, the shape allows you to grip the front is the D with your second hand which gives you awesome control.

My major dislike : the light sucks in contrast to my 12v dewalt impacts.  The light shows from under/below the chuck on the C18 where the Dewalt has three around the chuck (no shadow).  Obviously they can't do much here because of the removable chucks...but one can dream.

 

[Brice Burrell]

I happen to love my Festool drills and impact, but I don't think it would be a great investment for you to buy into a third range of cordless tools.

 

[DB10]

For me I don't especially rate the Festool drills as standalone tools.

The PDC18/4 doesn't have enough torque and so the high RPM in gear 3 and 4 is not very useful for anything other than relatively small bits and therefore you don't actually need crazy high rpm in the first place. It's sort of a catch 22, where what you gain in reality isn't actually that much.

The CXS and TXS are quite nice, but overpriced IMO for a brushed or "non-brushless" drill.

I prefer the Milwaukee 4in1 as below for a compact drill (please note amazon link just for example can actually be had for approx £150 - see plumb centre link)
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Milwaukee-Drill-Driver-Kit-BDDXKIT-202C/dp/B00NMLPW20http://www.plumbcenter.co.uk/produc...-kit-4-in-1/?gclid=CKHm8amW-MoCFbYV0wodpSQEtQ

Centrotec is nice, but there are 3rd party bits and adapters readily available, so you don't actually need a Festool drill to take advantage of it, though I do admit there's a certain symmetry from a slight OCD perspective of having your drill and accessories from the same brand in compatible cases.

If you go for the 18v option I don't hugely rate it, as stated above, as a standalone drill. The latest MKII Milwaukee Fuel 18v has it licked IMO with significantly more torque combined with a perfectly sufficient 2000rpm. However again, "native" Centrotec is nice.

However the one thing to consider is if you buy into the 18v Festool system, whilst the drills IMO aren't anyhing to write home about, you do open the door for some really good tools that are unique, like the 18v TS55 track saw and KH carpentry saws, which are available from no other manufacturer, as far as I'm aware.

So in short, purely for drill I don't think Festool is that desirable in either 10.8v or 18v, however as a system, starting with an 18v drill and paving the way for future bare tool purchases like the 18v track saw might be a worthwhile thing to do!

I think [member=60286]bobfog[/member] sums things up well, nice summary. I also agree with others who say the CXS is a nice drill but very expensive for a non brushless motor.
I also think that all the festool drills should have a battery life indicator light on them similar to what is on the Ti 15, much easier to use than the fiddlie green flashing light on the PDC.

 

[Kev]

I look at the Festool drills as precision control drill/drivers. The fine control I have with the C15 and C18 is in a different class to others I've used.

The ergonomics also suit me very well.

If you put a basic C18 or T18 up against specification compatible peers it'll seem expensive and may not offer the brute power of other brands ... that's not the point of the Festool's.

The CXS/TXS are nice and the chuck options make them very handy, but they're not in the same class as their big brothers.

If you don't need the added finesse, if you don't like the convenience of Systainer storage, if you don't need the flexibility of the various chucks, if you don't have other compatible 18V or 15V Festools and if you don't want the convenience of Centrotec bit changeover ... don't buy Festool drills.

In many markets you get to try the Festools and have a window to change your mind. I've never understood the hesitation to see why some people really like them.

A point on the Festool "beep". It does that for a reason, you are pushing the unit too hard for its intended use - get something more appropriate!

 

[Mort]

I'd only get them if I were using them all day.

I've handled a CXS but not the bigger ones, it was light as could be and ergonomically pretty close to perfect. I ended up getting an M12 drill instead for light duty work because the batteries fit in a large range of tools and the CXS batteries only run that.

Centrotec I just don't get. I watched Mr. Parfitt's video and I get why it's better than the old 1/4" hex system, but really, is a proprietary screwdriver bit necessary? Does it matter that a Torx bit wobbles a little? Never has to me. And as for drill bits, I'd use a Jacobs chuck anyway. Plus, Centrotec bits are expensive and I can't get them locally.

I know you wanted us to try to sell you on them but I don't think you should buy it unless you just gotta have it. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing.

 

[Kev]

I'd only get them if I were using them all day.

I've handled a CXS but not the bigger ones, it was light as could be and ergonomically pretty close to perfect. I ended up getting an M12 drill instead for light duty work because the batteries fit in a large range of tools and the CXS batteries only run that.

Centrotec I just don't get. I watched Mr. Parfitt's video and I get why it's better than the old 1/4" hex system, but really, is a proprietary screwdriver bit necessary? Does it matter that a Torx bit wobbles a little? Never has to me. And as for drill bits, I'd use a Jacobs chuck anyway. Plus, Centrotec bits are expensive and I can't get them locally.

I know you wanted us to try to sell you on them but I don't think you should buy it unless you just gotta have it. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing.

[member=46908]Mort[/member] I'm curious why you say you can't get Centrotec bits - anyone with Internet access can buy them.

I fully agree on the CXS and battery compatibility - annoying that the chargers and batteries are "one tool" specific and I would also be tempted by someone that offered a wide range of small tools in 12V.

(BTW, I'm actually more than a little disturbed about oscillating blade compatibility with the new formats coming and my recent Vecturo purchase .. I'll be well miffed if the same mechanisms to connect blades in the Fein units are incompatible with the Vecturo - so I do understand your investment thinking on Centrotec)

I really think the decision is more than a factor of desire (though there's nothing wrong with that) .. Festool drill drivers offer a very specific value proposition and many people do not "need" it, but to some is gives them a quality and performance edge on their competition.

 

[Mort]

@Kev - My local places don't sell them. I live in a remote mountain valley about 200 miles from a Festool dealer. As a rule I don't like to order stuff online if I don't have to (I'm a bit old fashioned in that regard), and it's just so easy (and cheap) to pop on down to the lumber yard and buy a handful of screwdriver bits. (The exception to the online thing is sandpaper. I just got my first Festool sander and even though it's an older model it's so much better than my DeWalt that I'll deal with the fact that they just HAD to put their sandpaper holes in different spots)

As to the value proposition, the OP didn't say anything about using it professionally so you'd have to really like removable chucks to make that argument. For the same price you could buy a few extra Milwaukee chucks, and they'd even have drills attached to them.

I've said it a lot, it's near impossible to sell Festool on value for money to a hobbyist. Quality and features are what it's all about.

 

[Kev]

[member=46908]Mort[/member] I get the remoteness factor! [wink]

Kinda half agree with the hobbyist thinking ... maybe I'm in a unique subset .. I'm probably a relative dodderer, but I value my time and efficiency. That coupled with what's likely mild OCD means Festool offers value to me (not direct financial value - I'd achieve that by selling all my tools and employing tradespeople!)

Twisting the thinking though, if you want to bucket non financial values with desire we're probably apples!

 

[Throwback7r]

The only reason would be to get the C shape. So either a CXS, C15 or C18. Since you said you don't need anything that heavy duty get a CSX You should like it and if you don't return it.