Which drill?

[ear3]

I know this topic has been broached many times, but I wanted to ask again for myself personally.  I've held off on adding a Festool drill to the collection, partially because I haven't seen a need, and I'm happy with my Milwaukee Fuels, partially because of cost, not just for the drill but also for the centrotec accessories.  But with the deal on the Installer's set from Tool-Nut I've overcome the latter hurdle, and I've used Festool long enough to know the superiority of the product.  So now it comes down to which drill.

I'm choosing between the T-15 and the T-18.  I use my drill most when I'm doing art installation work, which can involve anything from attaching drywall to securing heavy 2x6 frames.  I don't always need full power, but having it is a plus.  I'll keep my Milwaukees for hammer drilling and impact driving, but I would like to treat my Festool as my go-to drill.  The advantage of the 18 seems to be the power and the potential integration with other Festool cordless products (don't have any yet).  The one reason I might step down to the T15, though, is to have a bit more sensitivity when it comes to torque settings and a slightly smaller body.

Just wondering the pros and cons people have for either drill, and whether you gain that much more from the 18 over the 15. 

 

[Birdhunter]

Suggest you handle both back-to-back. If the T18 doesn't feel too much bulkier than the T15, buy the more powerful drill. I have the CSX, C12, TI15, and T18 (Yes, I am a tool junky). I tend to use the CSX and the T18. They strike a great balance. The T18 feels smaller than I expected. The CSX is joy to use and is amazingly powerful.

 

[butzla]

I was on the same boat as you and got to hold both in my hands at JLC Live.  Shane pointed out the T18 is only a few ounces heavier and so that's what I went with.  No regrets.  Also, put the CXS in your wish list, I reach for that more than I do the T18.  I do more screwing than drilling.  The CXS might be my favorite Festool of all.  Both great drills.

 

[SoonerFan]

Add me to the list of those with the T18 & CSX.  I was planning to get the CSX and the T15 impact.  Many FOG users steered me to the T18 instead.  Glad they did.  I have been very happy with both drills and the Centrotec Set.

 

[Tyler Ernsberger]

I was planning on getting a t18, but i bought the t15 4.2 from the recon sale, it was 40% off so i jumped and havent looked back.  Like you i have a Milwaukee m18 that i have had for two years and I use it for the hammer drill and crap work.  Im a carpenter so I use a drill all day and I have no complaints with the t15.  I use it to sink timber locks and 3in screw all day and it never bogs down.  Its an awesome drill.  You cant go wrong with either drill.  Personally for what you described what you going to do, the t15 will work great for you.  Plus it will give you a little extra money for some centrotec
bits.  Definitely get a second drill.  I have sent  my Milwaukee back 3 times in two years to get it fixed.  And the last time it was bc of the transmission.  They fixed it sent it back and they replaced my jacobs chuck with one of there junk ones.  Milwaukee isnt a brand like it use to be.

 

[sae]

He already has a Milwaukee Fuel (M18 I assume), I don't think he wants another bulky drill?

I've been really trying to justify a CXS for the past 4 months because I love the idea of the lightest drill you can find, but the capabilities don't really stack up at all.

Festool rates it at 10 Nm for wood (or 88 in-lbs.) which is rather underpowered.

I took advantage of the free battery promo being offered and placed my order for a M12 Fuel screwdriver today, which is designed in the same vein as the CXS (lightweight, clutched driving mode + drill mode), but instead of Centrotec they use the same 1/4" hex chuck they have on their impact drivers that allow for one-handed bit insertion. With a 2.0 battery, it's .3 lbs heavier than the CXS, but has nearly quadruple the power. Add the 5 year warranty that covers shipping both ways, and at $119 w/ a 2.0 Ah battery, I don't really know how I could logically pick the CXS over it.

And from torque specs alone, the little 2 lb Milwaukee outguns even the T18 into wood.

Milwaukee doesn't list a "in wood" vs. "in steel" torque spec though, I'm not sure how the material changes the output of the drill?

 

[ear3]

Thanks for the replies.  I tried out the CXS at the dealer a while back and was unimpressed.  I don't have enough light duty stuff to justify getting a battery system with zero integration with other Festools.

I just put the Installers set and the T18 set in my cart and saw it came out to $943, and I've suddenly got cold feet.  I like Festool as much as the next guy, but the thought of a drill + accessories as basically the same price as a bandsaw is a bit unnerving.  I'm going to sleep on it.

 

[Max Fracas]

I bought the T18 a few months ago.  I absolutely love it, and though it was expensive, I don't regret buying it.  I use it a lot, and every time I do I'm impressed with the power and control it has. 

I've looked at the centrotec kits a few times and as a hobbyist just can't justify the cost.  I have a Snappy centrotec-compatible drill set (four bits) and the Festool stubby set (3-8mm) and get by pretty well with those. 

 

[Staniam]

Since you already have one of the top tier 18v hammer drills in the M18 FUEL I would go with the T15 and save yourself the extra cash if your wanting the buy the Centrotec set. The T15 is still very powerful, I actually returned it and got a T12 set during the recon because I didn't need anything with that power. Putting the T15 in your cart instead may make the price look a little more manageable too.

 

[Just F Me]

My girlfriend bought me the T18 set a few weeks ago and it's awesome.  I had a Makita 18V compact (the white one that they sell at Home Depot) and the T18 is obviously the better drill.

It takes some time to get used to the "beep" when your screws have reached the desired torque.  I'm so used to the guns blazing noise that regular drills make.  It's barely heavier than my Makita and the Makita only has a 1.5amp hour battery on it.  There is a 4.6oz weight difference between the T15 and T18...which means it's barely there.

If you break the drill down, it's really not that expensive compared to others.  Case, eccentric chuck, right angle chuck, jacobs chuck, centrotec chuck, 2x 4.2amp hour batteries and charger that charges newer and older Festool batteries...In the end, it might cost $100-$150 more than the competition if you get something the same.

 

[Claimdude]

I have the T-15 + 3, Ti15, and CXS. Great combination in my opinion. I also have a Makita brushless impact and brushless hammer drill 18v Lion both but they don't get used very often since purchasing my Festool drills.

Jack

 

[Gary in Texas]

After much deliberation and hesitation due to prices for the Festool drills, I eventually bought the CXS, then got the Centrotec 8 piece wood drill set at a discount, and purchased a number of Snappy Centrotec compatible drivers and bits.  The CXS is a fine little drill, all the more so when used with the Centrotec system.  Ironically, immediately had a project requiring the right angle drive, having this feature saved me a lot of time and effort on the project....

I had no intention of getting any of the other Festool drills, then towards the end of the recon sale, I was fortunate to get the T-18 set with the 4.2 batteries at the 40% discount, and also picked up the C-15 set.  The T-18 is pretty awesome, haven't had the opportunity yet to run it through the paces, but I'm totally confident this drill can handle whatever I throw at it.  I also like the upgraded right angle drive that comes with the T-18 and C-15, constructed of steel as opposed to the plastic one you get with the CXS.

I think you will be pleased with either the T-18 or T-15.

 

[mrboult]

surely the T18 is the obvious choice as moving forward there are more tools that can benefit from your 18v batteries.

 

[Iceclimber]

I would wait if you can. Im pretty sure Festool is going to release a sweet drill much more on par with what other manufactures are currently offering. I can remember the name or model but there has been plenty of talk around here about it. Its available in Europe and i believe scheduled for us release within the next year.

CSX is awesome also an i would not hesitate on that either. I think i did read something about it also being revamped. I don't know that there are any definitive plans for it to reach our shores though?

If you can i would hold off as 4+ AH plus batteries are the bomb and clearly the new standard.

If you really want one of these drill though search Craigslist Boston. A guy loval to me is selling three drills that all look to be in great shape. I think a T18 plus kit, the impact combo drill and a C15 i think. All are great deals i think $200-300 respectively!

 

[ear3]

Got the T18.  Performed really well on its first tests, which was installing some hinges with a delicate torque setting and then removing some 3 1/2" screws that were deeply embedded in some wall studs.  That beep is sweet.  Gonna hold off on Centrotec set for the moment, and maybe assemble a kit from various sources like Snappy.