Festool T18 - everyday user or show pony?

[No skills]

Hi folks,

Been considering the T18 as my new larger drill driver, yes its not a combi drill but I have sds for when I need it.
So is anybody using one as a day to day drill and what are you using it for? smaller drilling and driving or big holesaws and long timber fixings?

2nd gear seems a bit low (1500 rpm) compared to others, does it seem slow drilling larger holes?

I have a new small drill and driver set for little jobs and I need something with some poke for bigger tasks, is the T18 up to it or should I be looking at the PDC or forget it and go Metabo/Bosch?

Cheers!

 

[adidat]

The pdc is my main drill, also have the corded version which is great for decking etc.

Excellent drill driver, very powerful. The torch is great have used it as a work light in the past.

Just be weary they use special bits in the centrotec chuck they are very good quality but come with festools higher price tag. Annoyingly the festool system is about a 1mm smaller than the typical driver bits dewalt, makita etc. but you do get a normal screw chuck and adapters can be bought.

Adidat

 

[petermillard]

Yep, T18's a solid drill - not much heavier than the T15 but more oomph. The PDC definitely spins *much* faster though, so if you're using e.g. large hole-saws a lot then probably a better bet. Be aware it's a lot heavier though - I bought one recently when they were 'on special' and it was quite a surprise picking it up for the first time. As for a T18 being a 'show pony' - LOL, I'll post a pic of mine tomorrow; it gets worked hard. Did a lot of decking last year, and built a summerhouse with it - my main drill/driver, gets used for all the usual stuff, not cosseted at all.

If you do go for one, then allow a fair few quid in your budget for Centrotec bits and pieces - really nice system, if a bit pricey.

HTH Pete

 

[Ali]

I might buy a couple of Festool drills later this month too so wanted to check the offset/eccentric chuck doesn't work on the T18 does it? Bit of a shame if it doesn't.

I am a festool fan (I'm on the FOG too) but have always avoided festool drills. They look nice but a hefty price and I wouldn't want mine nicked when out on site, and I'm not won over yet by the Centrotec system. Is it worth the extra price and the limited amount of bits that actually fit in it? I'm willing to be convinced.

 

[pcb1962]

I might buy a couple of Festool drills later this month too so wanted to check the offset/eccentric chuck doesn't work on the T18 does it? Bit of a shame if it doesn't.

The T18+3 set does come with an offset 'chuck', but it's not a chuck as such, it has a centrotec retainer, so you can only use it for drilling if you have centrotec drill bits, you can't attach the normal Jacobs-type chuck to it.

I am a festool fan (I'm on the FOG too) but have always avoided festool drills. They look nice but a hefty price and I wouldn't want mine nicked when out on site, and I'm not won over yet by the Centrotec system. Is it worth the extra price and the limited amount of bits that actually fit in it? I'm willing to be convinced.

You don't have to use the centrotec system, the kit includes a centrotec adapter which takes normal screwdriver bits. There's also a half-inch shy video on youtube showing how to adapt normal bits to fit the centrotec chuck.

 

[Ali]

thanks for the info pcb

 

[No skills]

I'm not somebody that uses large hole saws a lot but knowing that it will do the job if I need it too is good. Again I'm not somebody that regularly uses very large timber screws, but will it cope if I need it too?

This is kind of the crossroads I'm at - my last large 18v drills have been 3 speed combis, lots of speed/power but also weight and bulk (even the last li-ion one). The PDC is a high quality modern take on these tools. On the other hand I'm approaching 40 years old and I'm starting to appreciate the benefits of newer lighter tools ( ) - my current work 18v drill is the dewalt compact combi (brushed) which looks and feels like a toy but is surprisingly capable for small/medium sized tasks - making up a loss of poke with some higher revs (2000 rpm). This kinda points me back in the T18's direction.

I'm aware of the centrotec 'issues' cant see me buying the drill bits but certainly the screwdriver bits.

Its a shame festools cordless line is so small, if it wasn't I wouldn't even be asking the original question with the current offer that's on. My other 18v purchases will probably be bosch or metabo - eventually jigsaw/circ saw/recip saw/grinder.

Thanks for the input so far, if you have any other thoughts let me know - I'll be ordering/not ordering on Friday...

8)

 

[petermillard]

I'm not somebody that uses large hole saws a lot but knowing that it will do the job if I need it too is good. Again I'm not somebody that regularly uses very large timber screws, but will it cope if I need it too?

Short answer - yep. T15 & T18 both easily drive 10" "timbadeck' type screws - T18 with a bit more grunt and for a bit longer, obviously. Have also used them both with my Souber lock mortice, which surprised me; slow and steady, for sure, but successful.

This is kind of the crossroads I'm at - etc....[snip]

Yeah, basically my story too, only I'm now mid-fifties and don't regret ditching the 18v Combi (DeWalt in my case) at all. I've had all kinds of drills - first Festools were the old nicad CDD12, and a TDK15.6; didn't hate them, but didn't love them either. Big relief when I moved back to T handled drills, Panasonic first, then Bosch. I have a few Bosch 10.8s - they're handy. Never thought I'd buy a Festool drill again, but picked up a 10.8v CSX with Centrotec odds and ends and loved it. Got a T15 on special from Axminster, and couldn't resist a basic one-battery T18 kit when one came along. Ditto the PDC when it was on special recently: Hi, my name's Peter, I'm a drill junkie... Sigh.

Drills are personal though - at least with Festool you can buy it and try it for a couple of weeks, and return it no questions asked if it doesn't work out for you. Incidentally, has anyone actually done this?? Just curious.

Turns out, for me at least, the Centrotec 'issues' were non-issues; you can fit any regular 6mm hex bit direct into the shaft of the drill, or into the magnetic Contorted bit-holder that comes with each drill. And they all come with a Jacobs style chuck as well, so you can use them as 'ordinary' drills if you want.

Anyway that's me, and these are my show-ponies, lol.

Actually they look better in the pictures than they do in real life...

HTH Pete

 

[No skills]

Thanks Peter.

In 19 years I've had 9 cordless drills - not including the new 10.8's (metabo quick model, quick change chuck and an impact driver).
1xWagner (anybody remember those, same make as the spray guns).
1xBosch
3xRyobi
4xDewalt
Oh and two impact drivers.

Its good to know the T18 will do most of what I want, I've got a small selection of tests in mind for when it turns up (sounds like I've already brought it ) in the unlikely even it fails it will go back and a Metabo LTX 18v quick will be ordered instead - and a new gym membership...

Drill junkie eh? and I thought you had a problem with sanders. Or are you just a tool nut like me :-"

Cheers.

 

[petermillard]

Drill junkie eh? and I thought you had a problem with sanders.:-"

It's NOT a problem...

 

[Bradshaw Joinery]

Just ordered a basic pdc with a charger and a 5.2ah battery from ffx, worked out about £300 and i have a free battery offer toO, so will have the two batteries hooefully!

Will let you know how I get on :. Massively impressed with the c12 and t12 drills i currently have

 

[No skills]

Let us know how you get on. I'm always interested to hear reviews on festool stuff away from the FOG. I signed up recently but didn't want to ask on there for obvious reasons.
Plus Peter can usually sell me something anyway. .