Thread: Drills.

Hi Peter,


I will leave others to comment on grunt and best applications of these drills, but here are some questions regarding the way Festool name and configure their drill sets.

1. the +3 stands for "The 3 principals of more power". Comprising of:

1. The high performance brush less EC-TEC motor more efficient than conventional drill motors.
2. The Li-ion battery technology.
3. Intelligent motor management via the internal electronics, reducing loss of available power to the motor and maximum torque output at all speeds.

2. We done have the NiMh versions of these drills here, only the Li-ion version can be purchased here in Aus. They are the same drills and chargers in the Systainer, only the supplied batteries change. I am not sure what they even ship the Ni-Cd version, as the Li-ion is the way to go for a drill that supports Li-ion battery technology. The Li-ion pack more power to weight, and picking up a T-15 or T-12 with Li-ion battery fitted is much more pleasing than picking up the same drill with Ni-Cd or Ni-Mh battery fitted. The weight of the Li-ion is so much less the whole drill feels almost like there are no batteries fitted at all.

3. Although they will drill brick (with appropriate masonry bit) its a tough slog compared to getting a hammer drill to do the job. Maybe your DeWalt has hammer capability?

4. Yep - aren't they just great!!!!

Thanks Anthony.

Does the drill have a switchable hammer setting?

My DeWalt has a switch and a three-speed setting. For normal drilling it has a rotary torque dial (1-20) but that's not exactly unique. When I saw the Festool drill in the dealer's shop I was somewhat seduced by its sexy lines. So much so that I barely noticed its features!

Originally Posted by CrawleyTosser

Thanks Anthony.

Does the drill have a switchable hammer setting?

Hi Peter,

No - none of the Festool drills have an hammer or impact feature. For more construction features try the Protool range of drills. Protool is the sister company of Festool and more construction featured tools go into the Protool line-up. I am not sure if you have Protool there in the UK.

Protool drills also feature Centrotec, EC-TEC motors, and Li-ion batteries. The chargers are compatible with the Festool ones, and even the Festool C12, TDK, and T-12/15 batteries fir the Protool drils - but battery compatibility between the drills that's a whole other complex thread.

Personally, I like the T-12 version of the two Festool drills a lot. Really light-weight and compact. But as a safe bet, the T-15 is a good choice as it is only slightly bigger and heavier (still compact and light in the compared to other drills) but has that extra bit of grunt you might need on occasion.

Originally Posted by nt900

...For more construction features try the Protool range of drills. Protool is the sister company of Festool and more construction featured tools go into the Protool line-up. I am not sure if you have Protool there in the UK...

I can't find any UK outlets after a quick search. I think I need to go to my local Festool dealer and have a look at the T15+3 as well as discuss the drill accessories available.

The funny thing is, my wife noticed I was looking at pictures of the drill and she commented that she was not sure if that's what I would have wanted or not. I replied that she should let me be the judge of that! Then it hit me, perhaps she was intimating that my "present" was a Systainer short because she could not decide if it was appropriate?

She then cautioned me that if I go and look at the drill then she expects a lot of good things to be done with them all. I asked her how much it all cost and she barked at me in good nature and said "you know exactly how to work it out." I then jokingly showed her a picture of the Kapex. Her final words are "don't push it." I think I know where the boundary is.

So, I'll keep my DeWalt drills (I have three) and I'll look at the T15+3 and assess its use and applications with the dealer. Fortunately, my local Festool dealer is run by very enthusiastic people who love to share their passion about the tools. Months ago when I looked at a Domino they waxed lyrical about it and that they'd be only to happy to talk about the advanced applications and techniques you can do with it. That's the kind of shop I like. They want your money for sure as that's their business but their committment to you as a customer continues once you walk out of the door.

I digress.

[QUOTE=CrawleyTosser;1033520]
I then jokingly showed her a picture of the Kapex. Her final words are "don't push it."

I/QUOTE]

CT she must of tried the Kapex out, as it pulls instead of pushes mind don't hold your breath on this one.
Good luck on trying that one.

Cheers

Originally Posted by John Saxton

CT she must of tried the Kapex out, as it pulls instead of pushes mind don't hold your breath on this one.
Good luck on trying that one.
Cheers

Message understood. Still, you can't blame a chap for trying, eh?

CT, if your DeWalt drills are in working order you might be better off leveraging your wife's pocketbook for other Festool tools instead.

With that said I happen to really like the T15, so much so I bought two of them. I do residential remodeling here in the States so my drills are used almost everyday. The accessory chucks are incredible, I was surprised how often I found a use for them, especially the right angle chuck. They're tough too. One of my drills took two nasty falls onto a wooden floor the first week I hand it. One from about two meters and the other from almost three. No problems, it stills worked with only minor scratching in the plastic housing. The Centrotec fast change bits are great, high quality and nice range of available drill bits, drivers tips, counter sinks and so on.

Good luck with your growing collection of quality tools.

Brice, I just took a look at your website. Fantastic! I really enjoyed watching everything you've posted onto it. I liked your (obvious when you see how) tip on attaching the bayonet power connector to the TS55. The number of times mine popped off because I could not get sufficient leverage to twist it on properly. I don't know how much you've spent on your Festool kit but as a humble servant I bow to a master who has all!

Originally Posted by CrawleyTosser

Brice, I just took a look at your website. Fantastic! I really enjoyed watching everything you've posted onto it. I liked your (obvious when you see how) tip on attaching the bayonet power connector to the TS55. The number of times mine popped off because I could not get sufficient leverage to twist it on properly. I don't know how much you've spent on your Festool kit but as a humble servant I bow to a master who has all!

I had the same problem with my TS55 so one day I decided there had to be a simple solution, then it hit me, just bevel the saw. Why didn't I think of that sooner.

I'm glad you liked the site, I have fun putting it together. I don't want to know how much I've spent on the Festool purchases. The good news is we here in the State only get about half of the products Festool offers in the rest of the world or I wouldn't have any money.