Hi , I'm looking for a drill for mostly cabinet installation I currently own a Dewalt 18v impact to drive in the screws and the drilling partner is the DEWALT DC720KA Cordless but I would like to replace it with a more compact Festool drill that I can also use the batteries with my SYS light and perhaps the future Carvex 420 Jigsaw, any recommendations? T18 ?T15? or CXS? I have another drill for more heavy duty drilling so this one will be for light duty drilling but powerful enough and compact enough to get inside small spaces, Thanks in advance for your help.
Which drill to buy, need your help.
- Thread starter NJHW
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K119Phil
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TI 15 Impact. Simple 
Uses 15V batteries, which the Carvex will use, and Syslite takes just as easily. Don't let 15V fool you, this is one darn powerful Impact! Use impact-defeat adapter to convert to standard drill. Lightweight + compact with all your adapters good to go.
Uses 15V batteries, which the Carvex will use, and Syslite takes just as easily. Don't let 15V fool you, this is one darn powerful Impact! Use impact-defeat adapter to convert to standard drill. Lightweight + compact with all your adapters good to go.
I use the CXS for most of my installs as well as cabinet assembly. It excels at installing hardware, attaching cabinet boxes together and other tasks involving fasteners in the 1 1/4" range. That being said it still has no trouble driving 3" self tapping cabinet screws to hang uppers when I need it to. Using well made screws can make driving those longer screws much easier.
For the majority of what I do (cabinet manufacturing and installing) it is absolutely perfect, there are times when I need to use a larger drill though. I am saving for a C-15 to compliment the CXS for drilling large holes in cabinet boxes for drain pipes, drilling kreg screw holes, driving tap cons, etc. I still am forced to use my Dewalt drills for that.
For the majority of what I do (cabinet manufacturing and installing) it is absolutely perfect, there are times when I need to use a larger drill though. I am saving for a C-15 to compliment the CXS for drilling large holes in cabinet boxes for drain pipes, drilling kreg screw holes, driving tap cons, etc. I still am forced to use my Dewalt drills for that.
K119Phil
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Brev said:
Yup! My personal favorite - The CXS! So awesome and such light weight!
Only reason for recommending the TI 15 Impact instead was the concern for battery compatibility between drill-to-purchase, Carvex, and Syslite. Well, that, and the tools meant to be replaced - a DeWalt 18V impact + drill combo, which basically would be the TI 15 Impact all in one.
Sparktrician
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The C12 used to be my go-to drill for everything until the CXS came along. The CXS is THE tool for cabinet work, and really shines for tight space drawer glide installations.
I have both the T12 and Ti15 impact, along with various Dewalt 18 and 20v drills and impacts.
That being said, I would not recomend the Ti15 to use as your "drill" to go with your dewalt impact. I really like my T12, the key is getting the extra chucks. They allow you to get into much tighter places then you would think. The impact does not come in a kit with the chucks and you have to add the "impact cancel" chuck that adds to the overall length and throws the ballance of the tool off. The impact itself is nice but my dewalts are still my go to for driving 3" or longer screws.
My recommendation would be to get a standard T15 with the extra chucks. Gives you the versatility of the extra chucks in a semi compact package and still give you the batteries to use in the syslight and carvex.
That being said, I would not recomend the Ti15 to use as your "drill" to go with your dewalt impact. I really like my T12, the key is getting the extra chucks. They allow you to get into much tighter places then you would think. The impact does not come in a kit with the chucks and you have to add the "impact cancel" chuck that adds to the overall length and throws the ballance of the tool off. The impact itself is nice but my dewalts are still my go to for driving 3" or longer screws.
My recommendation would be to get a standard T15 with the extra chucks. Gives you the versatility of the extra chucks in a semi compact package and still give you the batteries to use in the syslight and carvex.
If you are planning on still using the dewalt impact and are more concerned with an actual drill I would advocate moving more towards the t(or c)15. I have the ti15 and love it as an impact driver but it is very weak in drilling mode. My old nicad c12 has much more torque.
Edit: I started this reply earlier and after posting it see that my concerns have already been expressed. I agree the cxs is ideal for cabinet work but unfortunately the battery isn't compatible with the sys light.
Edit: I started this reply earlier and after posting it see that my concerns have already been expressed. I agree the cxs is ideal for cabinet work but unfortunately the battery isn't compatible with the sys light.
ccarrolladams
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In my shop I personally mostly use corded drills and drivers assembling cabinets. However I do own several CXS which are so versatile and easy to use. Those are marvelous setting small cabinet hardware screws without stripping them.
It has been over 20 years since I last personally installed cabinets. Good people working for me are more efficient. All of them carry one or two CXS on sites, but each has larger drill/drivers just in case they need extra large holes to fasten cleats to studs.
It has been over 20 years since I last personally installed cabinets. Good people working for me are more efficient. All of them carry one or two CXS on sites, but each has larger drill/drivers just in case they need extra large holes to fasten cleats to studs.
builderbob
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I have a CXS, C15 and Ti15...love em all!
I use them in the field and they're probably my most used tools in general!
Each has their own ad/dis advantages. If you need a versatile drill then I would go for the C/T 15 as the batteries are very versatile to the system!
Best of luck!
Bob
I use them in the field and they're probably my most used tools in general!
Each has their own ad/dis advantages. If you need a versatile drill then I would go for the C/T 15 as the batteries are very versatile to the system!
Best of luck!
Bob
Kristian
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Can anyone comment on the weight balance of the T15 vs. the T18?? I have the TDK12 and it's perfectly balanced in my hand. Pointing it downwards I can balance the entire drill on the trigger which to me indicates a perfect weight balance in the drill resulting in very comfortable use.
I've not been able to compare the T15 and T18 side by side but my immediate impression is that the slightly larger battery on the T18 is causing it to be a bit out of balance when compared to the T15 (and TDK12 for that matter).
- Kristian
I've not been able to compare the T15 and T18 side by side but my immediate impression is that the slightly larger battery on the T18 is causing it to be a bit out of balance when compared to the T15 (and TDK12 for that matter).
- Kristian
Kev
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I have CXS, C15, Ti15 and Protool PDC 18-4.
Love them all.
If anyone is thinking of a T18 and doesn't need to jump in immediately, a "greened" version of the Protool should land some time in the future I'm guessing.
The C15, Ti15, Syslites and CARVEX make a fun little family.
I feel the power increments between CSX, C15 and PDC 18-4 are the hikes I need. I Haven't had the need for a more aggressive impact than the Ti15 ... if Festool or Protool wasn't in a position to offer a high end impact if I needed one, I'd look towards Hilti or similar.
Personally I'd suggest going for a visit to your local Festool dealer with a bunch of hardware (screws and timber) and test drive the options. That said, a C15/T15 with the full set of chucks wouldn't be a bad stab at your solution.
Love them all.
If anyone is thinking of a T18 and doesn't need to jump in immediately, a "greened" version of the Protool should land some time in the future I'm guessing.
The C15, Ti15, Syslites and CARVEX make a fun little family.
I feel the power increments between CSX, C15 and PDC 18-4 are the hikes I need. I Haven't had the need for a more aggressive impact than the Ti15 ... if Festool or Protool wasn't in a position to offer a high end impact if I needed one, I'd look towards Hilti or similar.
Personally I'd suggest going for a visit to your local Festool dealer with a bunch of hardware (screws and timber) and test drive the options. That said, a C15/T15 with the full set of chucks wouldn't be a bad stab at your solution.
Birdhunter
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I've got a set of DeWalt drills as well as their small impact drill/driver. I also have a CXS, TI15, and C15. The TI15 was the last purchase.
I think the TI15 is a very good impact driver. However, I'm very glad I have other choices for a drill.
From the drill inventory you already own and your desire for a compact drill/driver, I believe the CXS would be perfect. The ergonomics are excellent.
The kit with all the extra goodies is what I bought. I have used the right angle attachment more than I ever expected. You won't need an off-set attachment as the CSX gets real close to the work piece.
I think the TI15 is a very good impact driver. However, I'm very glad I have other choices for a drill.
From the drill inventory you already own and your desire for a compact drill/driver, I believe the CXS would be perfect. The ergonomics are excellent.
The kit with all the extra goodies is what I bought. I have used the right angle attachment more than I ever expected. You won't need an off-set attachment as the CSX gets real close to the work piece.
My Ryobi impact driver is working just fine for the things I use one for, so the TI15 doesn't really do anything for me personally that I'd consider paying extra for... thus the C15 is on my list, though I might consider an impact version with a C handle if it is out before I order one. Either way, for something I expect to use extensively I can't see myself going back to a T-handled drill anymore now that I've gotten used to the C12.
mastercabman
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For cabinet installation I use an old c12 and a c15
Does the job with no problems
Does the job with no problems
builderbob
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NJHW said:
Smart choice as it will work excellent into the battery compatible system!
Do try both the C15 and the T15 in your hand before purchase. I always liked the different looks of the C-model until I actually used one and found its ergonomics not fitting my hand at all whereas the T-style body fits like a glove and feels like an extension to my hand.
Also note that if you plan on replacing your impact with a Ti15 in the future its the only tool that won't accept the 18V battery pack of Carvex/T18/Syslite (I think it takes 18V but not 110% sure). So the 15V battery is the safe bet at the moment before there is a Ti18 in existance.
