What's the consensus on Festool Cordless Tools

[leakyroof]

I 'wanted' to keep things simple with Cordless Tools, but that didn't happen over the years. So, I have Festool, Milwaukee ,Makita, and Snap-On at home. In various voltages and battery sizes.
I gave up the single platform idea a few years ago easily, they win, I give.... [big grin] [big grin] [big grin]

 

[acer66]

I've pretty much given up on consolidating battery platforms [embarassed].  I have 3 different Festool batteries, the Milwaukee M12, and the DeWalt 20 and 60v.....  A total of SIX different batteries.....

I love the Milwaukee M12 line, the Surge, CSX, Pin Nailer and Rotary Tool get used almost every day.  My Festool PDC and CXS get used regularly as well;  if I would take them out of the Systainer I would use them more I'm sure.  It was the Rotary Tool that got me into the M12 line.  So far I have no reason to add another platform but......

I've taken the stance that I will buy additional platform's if it gives me a substantial increase in capability.  I certainly won't rule out a new platform at this point but I won't add a new one just because..... 

Pretty much how I see things but I might have hit my limit with a metabo deal which left me with another platform.

My favorite is the Bosch 12V and I am clinging onto the Bosch 18V but I am considering going Dewalt since I also have some 20v tools and yard tools.
I also have a fein 18v drill which is amazing and other yard tools powered by 40V ryobi which I also have some 18v tools.
Not sure if the old and dead (batteries) 12v Festool counts.

On the job site its mainly Bosch 12/18v.

One of these days I will build a cordless tool and charger station. 

 

[Coen]

If you want to consolidate your cordless tools into one, Festool is the LAST one you should look at. They offer so few cordless tools, only a handfull. Brands like Makita an Milwaukee offer dosens and dosens of tools.

And all of them have some holes or bad apples in their lineup.  [sad]

 

[johnleve]

"Ah OK this is good - so do you own any of the Festool drills? "

Yes I own 2- C12s, 1- C18 and a PDC 18/4.  The PDC is too complicated for what it does, it's just too finicky, at least mine is.

Instead of using the PDC I use a rotary hammer, Makita 18v, and a C Festool drill and it's  a better combo for my needs. 

A serious drill is the Hilti SF 10W A22. Get er done..........
View attachment 1

I have the prior version of that Hilti and it is an absolute beast, the support handle is more than a foot long and you need all the leverage it provides.  Combine that with the circular saw, impact driver, angle grinder, and reciprocating saw and you are set for rough work for at least 20 years.  I bought my Hilti set about 5 years ago and have been very pleased, had considered Milwaukee because they have more tool options but the Hilti quality and service swung me over.  Side benefit in the limited tools is that you can't just buy a tool for a specific job to save a bit of time thinking you will use it again and then never or rarely do.  I do wish Hilti had more light options.

Festool C15 is a unique and awesome drill and it is my favorite for more delicate work - though I do wish it had a standard clutch, the electronic one's lowest setting is way too high.

Hilti customer service is excellent in the US, Festool, not so much from my experiences.

 

[mino]

And all of them have some holes or bad apples in their lineup.  [sad]

THIS !!!

Consolidation really works only if you can accept (some) below average tools for the benefit of having a few platforms. Once you want/need the quality, you will invariably end up with multiple platforms.

Besides, if you are a pro you anyway need to have a bunch of pre-charged batteries and should consider a "charging station" with multiple chargers. So having 2-3 platforms is not a deal breaker.

And for (low-end) hobby use, stuff like Ryobi ONEPlus, Makita 18V etc. etc. can have you covered as long as you accept the "bad apple" aspect.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

I am down to just 2, Makita 18v and Festool CXS.
I still haven't bought into the Festool 18v system yet. I would like to get a Vecturo, but I'm just not sure that I would use it enough to justify it as the only (or at least initial) reason for entry, since my TS55 and PS420 are corded.

 

[Coen]

And all of them have some holes or bad apples in their lineup.  [sad]

THIS !!!

Consolidation really works only if you can accept (some) below average tools for the benefit of having a few platforms. Once you want/need the quality, you will invariably end up with multiple platforms.

Besides, if you are a pro you anyway need to have a bunch of pre-charged batteries and should consider a "charging station" with multiple chargers. So having 2-3 platforms is not a deal breaker.

And for (low-end) hobby use, stuff like Ryobi ONEPlus, Makita 18V etc. etc. can have you covered as long as you accept the "bad apple" aspect.

Having the pre-charged batteries applies to each platform, so that adds up. I wanted to buy a battery powered caulk gun and I already had Bosch 12V and 18V stuff. Milwaukee had a much lighter 12V caulk gun, but that would have meant I would have had to buy a Milwaukee battery and charger just for one tool. If that one battery dies... I'll have a problem. So I need two batteries... at that point I simply decided to buy the Bosch caulk gun and be done with it. It came with a "Free" 18V battery lamp... so ok.

But apparently the Cox 12V caulk gun uses the Bosch 12V battery, but they don't brag about it anymore. The Bosch 18V caulkgun is wholly made by Cox too btw.

Having things in one 'System' is the whole selling point of Festool anyway; the rail of the saw fits the jigsaw, the router, the hole drilling jig, the angle grinder... the clamps of the rail work on the MFT, the CS, the CMS, the Systainer's fit each other, the power cord can be shared between tools, etc.

For each tool alone there might be a "better" option available, but sometimes it's easier to just take the 2nd best on everything and enjoy the 'system benefits'.

That's why I for example have a bias against a new DeWalt tool, because it doesn't come in either Systainer or L-Boxx, so in the calculation I add the cost of an extra box.

On the 12V system; the CXS might be nice for some, but it's all there is. There is no sharing of the same battery with lasers, wallscanners, lights, etc. etc.