Thread: Festool T12, T15 or T18?

Originally Posted by wixy

I'm looking for a general purpose hand drill for around the house and hobby projects and am set on a Festool, but I am confused about which model to choose.

My initial thought was to just go for the T18 because it's not much more expensive than the others. However, the Festool website has a table which indicates the T18 does not perform as well as the T12 and T15 for some applications. Is this true or just marketing so that everyone doesn't buy the T18 and ignore the others?

Which model should I choose for general purpose work if cost isn't an issue?

Not really sure, their website seems pretty vague as to the differences.

Why the festool ?

For home and hobby use a high end Hitachi, Metabo, Makita, Bosch etc. would all serve you well probably for a fraction of the price for not only the drill but any spare parts.

Does it even have impact/hammer ?

Obviously for any serious masonry work you'd get a rotary hammer but for pure convenience in domestic work nothing beats a cordless with hammer funciton.

Also cost should be an issue... I've got a wish list for my drill that's worth about the same as the drill.

Metric and imperial drill bits
Bi-metal holesaws
Spade bits
Screw and nut drivers

Remember you can only use festool drill/screwdriver bits in their drills (centronic chuck). If you already have an assortment of standard drill bits etc they won't fit. The festool bits can be quite expensive also.
In saying that they are great drills.

Andy

Originally Posted by groeneaj

Remember you can only use festool drill/screwdriver bits in their drills (centronic chuck). If you already have an assortment of standard drill bits etc they won't fit. The festool bits can be quite expensive also.
In saying that they are great drills.

Andy

That's not entirely true; you can put anything you like in the regular chuck - which is what I do - and the Centrotec bit (not the chuck) will take any 1/4" hex tip.

Got a T18 Set for my 21st (with the angle and offset attachments) and love it.

Originally Posted by elanjacobs

That's not entirely true; you can put anything you like in the regular chuck - which is what I do - and the Centrotec bit (not the chuck) will take any 1/4" hex tip.

Got a T18 Set for my 21st (with the angle and offset attachments) and love it.

Oops

I looked at getting a protool drill and I had it on the counter ready to buy then changed my mind because I was told you couldn't put regular bits in the chuck.

It was probably that model only.

Andy

I personally don't think the Festools are all that wonderful. I've had two myself.
Firstly, they don't offer even a basic hammer option. This isn't really essential, and not even extremely effective compared to corded versions. However, it's an extremely useful feature at times (just the ticket for softer, crumbly materials).
Secondly, none offer a high enough top speed for small gauge metalwork, e.g pop riveting.
Thirdly, I believe you can buy superior quality drill (e.g Panasonic) , more versatile (Makita), longer lasting (Hilti), and more powerful (Hitachi), for the same or lesser price. All of these also offer an extremely well executed and versatile system of cordless tools and accessories that share batteries and chargers also.
Festool doesn't.
I myself use a Bosch system for everyday commercial and industrial electrical installation work, which could probably be done as well or better by any of the abovementioned brands.

Actually, Festool batteries and chargers are all backward compatible. I'm still using some old NiMH 15.6v in my T18 with no issues

Bl##dy Festo - my battery pack died after only 20 years, now I'll have to get another one

Originally Posted by elanjacobs

Actually, Festool batteries and chargers are all backward compatible. I'm still using some old NiMH 15.6v in my T18 with no issues

You're absolutely right, however the "system" to which I'm referring is the plethora of lanterns, torches, jigsaws, rattlers, SDS hammers, circ. & sabre saws, impact wrenches, radio chargers, sanders, chainsaws, etc. that the larger manufacturers offer.

Originally Posted by Ratbag

You're absolutely right, however the "system" to which I'm referring is the plethora of lanterns, torches, jigsaws, rattlers, SDS hammers, circ. & sabre saws, impact wrenches, radio chargers, sanders, chainsaws, etc. that the larger manufacturers offer.

Ah, my bad. There's no arguing with that, although Festool do an 18V jigsaw and I'm sure I'm not alone in hoping they do a few more.

Festool make really good quality cordless drills. Well designed, long lasting and relatively lightweight.
However, they're catering to a different market to the others. As such, I can't realistically see them offering alternative cordless tools.
Their particular strength seem to be in making extremely efficient workshop tools. These strengths, however, could be deemed as weaknesses in construction work, where tools are asked to do a multitude of tasks, and where versatility rather than specialisation is more highly regarded.
As a specialist manufacturer of "niche" products, Tooltechnic Systems would probably also lack the financial resources of the larger players in the market to develop and market such products.
They compete on perceived quality, not price.

Originally Posted by Ratbag

I personally don't think the Festools are all that wonderful. I've had two myself.
Firstly, they don't offer even a basic hammer option. This isn't really essential, and not even extremely effective compared to corded versions. However, it's an extremely useful feature at times (just the ticket for softer, crumbly materials).
Secondly, none offer a high enough top speed for small gauge metalwork, e.g pop riveting.
Thirdly, I believe you can buy superior quality drill (e.g Panasonic) , more versatile (Makita), longer lasting (Hilti), and more powerful (Hitachi), for the same or lesser price. .

Originally Posted by Ratbag

Festool make really good quality cordless drills. Well designed, long lasting and relatively lightweight.
However, they're catering to a different market to the others. As such, I can't realistically see them offering alternative cordless tools.
Their particular strength seem to be in making extremely efficient workshop tools. These strengths, however, could be deemed as weaknesses in construction work, where tools are asked to do a multitude of tasks, and where versatility rather than specialisation is more highly regarded.
As a specialist manufacturer of "niche" products, Tooltechnic Systems would probably also lack the financial resources of the larger players in the market to develop and market such products.
They compete on perceived quality, not price.

You are correct Festool caters for a particular market, but "Tooltechnic" remember also has Festools brother, Protool, and they make cordless Impact and hammer drills (excluding Hilti) better and tougher than all the brands you mentioned. And if you want speed, im not sure if im 100% correct, others may correct me, but the Protool Quadrive PCD 18-4 cranks up at a whopping 3800 rmp. Thats very fast for a cordless. Best all round tradies drill by a mile.

Originally Posted by wixy

I'm looking for a general purpose hand drill for around the house and hobby projects and am set on a Festool, but I am confused about which model to choose.

For general purpose, woodwork and good old fashioned tuff stuff, look no further than the new "little" Festool CSX Cordless Drill. It will end up your favourite toy and something you will have to show off to everyone who comes to your house. Its an amazing little drill with power and torque to burn

I have never been a fan of hammer drills with cordless drills mainly because they also come with keyless chucks.

If I was contemplating masonary drilling, I would go corded with a keyed chuck.

For domestic use I would suggest you look at the major brands where you can probably buy a drill and drill driver combination for the cost of just the drill in festool (depending on which model you look at).

Makita, Bosch, Hitachi and Panasonic all make good products. They are robust and commonly used by the trade.

I, and my son (builder), have the Panasonic 14.4V and are well pleased particularly with their high amp hour batteries. We can't fault them except that the forward reverse switch could be better positioned as it is easy to knock accidentally. At times you can pick up the drill and drilldriver combination for a good price.

Regards
Paul

Originally Posted by Bushmiller

I have never been a fan of hammer drills with cordless drills mainly because they also come with keyless chucks.

If I was contemplating masonary drilling, I would go corded with a keyed chuck.

For domestic use I would suggest you look at the major brands where you can probably buy a drill and drill driver combination for the cost of just the drill in festool (depending on which model you look at).

Makita, Bosch, Hitachi and Panasonic all make good products. They are robust and commonly used by the trade.

I, and my son (builder), have the Panasonic 14.4V and are well pleased particularly with their high amp hour batteries. We can't fault them except that the forward reverse switch could be better positioned as it is easy to knock accidentally. At times you can pick up the drill and drilldriver combination for a good price.

Regards
Paul

Never had a problem with my Metabo's chuck when doing masonry work... only time I've had an issue with the chuck on mine seems to be if something binds or seizes up badly, sometimes the ratchet will play up but it's very rare.

Had no dramas though with masonry work... same goes for a corded dewalt I have, no dramas again. The chuck on that is a cheapy plastic keyless in comparison, it's Rohm but a low end one.

I would never use a keyed chuck on any drill I use on site... less convenient and the chance that myself or one of my underlings could misplace the key, leaving me up a certain creek without a paddle.

Anyway I agree with Ratbag... I will use a corded if the situation calls for it... but especially on site dragging cords and your rcd box around is just a pain... up and down the stairs. Even more annoying if you're using a scissor or boom lift and need to run a cord out to it... such a hassle if you need to move slightly and the cords getting caught or tangled.

I know that the hammer function of these is nowhere near that of a rotary hammer but it really is a matter of convenience.

Light masonry work is cordless for me hands down. Anything heavy duty and bring out the hilti.