looking at a festool cordless drill - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

fr8train · 05-08-2009, 04:44 PM

Well I have been reading and reading and reading about them, and heard a lot of good things. I looked up the closest dealer, and am going to take one for a test drive. I am a little hesitant to drop that kind of change on a cordless drill. But I like the idea of possibly buying the last cordless drill I will use.

I am not dead set on the c12, am also going to check out the newer cordless models. Also, I am trying really really hard not to buy one on impulse. My reckoning is that even if they are the 'best' ones out there, if they are not comfortable in my hands I won't like using them as much.

My current cordless is a dewalt 14.4v model, which since day 1 the clutch has not worked properly. It seems weak. In my experience there is no way I should be able to hold the chuck back when it is set on drill, and that is what is does. Other than that the dewalt has worked like a charm. Battery on it is great, holds a charge for a long time for me.

A friend of mine has an 18v Dewalt, non xrp version. I like the power of it, only thing I noticed is that without the rubber grip, when applying pressure I can REALLY feel the seam on the back of the handle. So my second choice is an 18v Dewalt xrp. I know there may be other options out there that are better, but since some of my other tools are Dewalt 18v, I might as well hang with them since I already have other batteries.

Any thoughts? warnings?

Are the festool cordless drills really all that? Or am I falling for the lust factor?

Opinions are welcome and appreciated

Mike

WarnerConstInc. · 05-08-2009, 05:15 PM

I've had the C12 for a year now. I bought the complete kit with the 2.4ah NiCad.
I use this drill every day for everything. The battery run time is unbelievable, the drill is light, well balanced and delivers full power at any speed. The only other drill that comes close is a Panasonic. The only thing the Panny's lack is the extra chucks.

It's kind of spendy for a drill but, its a very smart drill and could very well be the last drill you buy for the next 10 years or so.

neolitic · 05-08-2009, 05:25 PM

Oh no,
it's too late for inoculations now!
You have come in contact with
a known infectious carrier, a
virtual Typhoid Mary of the
Green Disease.

fr8train · 05-08-2009, 05:35 PM

LOL, well I haven't come into physical contact with one...... yet. Must be a doozy of a disease to infect people over the internet! For those of you with the drills, how comfortable are they in the hand? I do like the idea of the 12v having the capabilities of other 18v drills, should mean less weight.

I think festool needs to come out with an impact driver!! But that would be yet another $400 tool for the junkies!

Anyone have any experiece with the combination panasonic impact/drill? Seems like a good idea, but from my research seems that price wise, you might as well buy a panasonic impact and a drill.

WarnerConstInc. · 05-08-2009, 05:44 PM

Very comfortable, very easy to grab and use in numerous positions. I don't even remember where my 3 impact drivers went to. Trust me, you buy a C12 you will not use your impact driver any more. The other day my buddy got his impact driver and ruined the peaceful silence my C12 and I were enjoying.
http://www.waterfront-woods.com/festool/C12review.pdf Check this out, might answer some more questions. I use mine constantly for running in large GRK structural screws, never phases the C12.

fr8train · 05-08-2009, 05:52 PM

thanks guys,

Warner, I have read that review. Found it very helpful. Basically, once I do the test drive, I figure I will want one, then I'll just have to find a way to convince the wife to let me get one!!

WarnerConstInc. · 05-08-2009, 05:55 PM

I burnt up 2 drills in the same day, took them to be fixed and stopped at Woodcraft on my way home. Walked out 10 minutes later with the C12 and a TS-55. $1100 bucks in ten minutes, damn.

Five Star · 05-08-2009, 09:07 PM

i got the FEVER now also or is it a pleague! i was browsing ebay. ended up buying 2 mft/3 tables, all kind of qwas dogs and clamps, 42" guide rail. and the guy met me half way saved me shipping and an extra 50 miles each way.!

THANKS EBAY!

OHH almost forgot figured out total if new $1500-$1600

PAID CASH $750 for all including gas and tolls

i see alot of the c12 drills there..but i have to many makitas lxt to switch now!

im hot on the kapex next...cant wait till they hit the ebay or craigs list market

WarnerConstInc. · 05-08-2009, 09:12 PM

2 tables!! Screw you buddy!! Now I want another one.

Their stuff just works easily and perfectly evertime you get it out.

**Leo G** · 05-08-2009, 09:16 PM

I have the opportunity to use the c12 on several occasions, including today. I still like my compact Makita better. But the c12's small size has its advantages and the battery run time is incredible. But it lacks a bit in power and I don't like the way the clutch works. My buddy loves it, but he has green fever.

Five Star · 05-08-2009, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WarnerConstInc.

2 tables!! Screw you buddy!! Now I want another one.

Their stuff just works easily and perfectly evertime you get it out.

i know..i jumped fast..he was selling a planer on e-bay and was showing them on the tables. i wanted 1 so i asked him how much. he said 700 for both..i jumped

Inner10 · 05-08-2009, 10:55 PM

They look pretty sweet and you get to join the elitest club of festool owners. I've implimented a policy of if it doesn't have lith-ion batteries I don't buy it, last i checked I think the C12 is NiCad. Not enough balls for me either, I occasionally pop a few holes in plates with my 1" auger bits, really heats up the 18's and 14.4's I have, I cant see a 12 clearing the hole.

That being said I want one too, mainly to look at and play with in bed before going to sleep...unfortunatly the misses has passed a rule about spending that much on tools...oh and bringing them to bed.

Five Star · 05-08-2009, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inner10

They look pretty sweet and you get to join the elitest club of festool owners. I've implimented a policy of if it doesn't have lith-ion batteries I don't buy it, last i checked I think the C12 is NiCad. Not enough balls for me either, I occasionally pop a few holes in plates with my 1" auger bits, really heats up the 18's and 14.4's I have, I cant see a 12 clearing the hole.

That being said I want one too, mainly to look at and play with in bed before going to sleep...unfortunatly the misses has passed a rule about spending that much on tools...oh and bringing them to bed.

they have the c 12 in lith ions now!!..

DAMN YOU FESTOOL>>>DAMN YOU

Inner10 · 05-08-2009, 11:07 PM

Quote:

they have the c 12 in lith ions now!!..

Hmmm, at the potential cost of half my house and half of everything I own its still tempting...

neolitic · 05-08-2009, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inner10

They look pretty sweet and you get to join the elitest club of festool owners. I've implimented a policy of if it doesn't have lith-ion batteries I don't buy it, last i checked I think the C12 is NiCad. Not enough balls for me either, I occasionally pop a few holes in plates with my 1" auger bits, really heats up the 18's and 14.4's I have, I cant see a 12 clearing the hole.

That being said I want one too, mainly to look at and play with in bed before going to sleep...unfortunatly the misses has passed a rule about spending that much on tools...oh and bringing them to bed.

Five Star · 05-08-2009, 11:27 PM

i know im feeling it too...ive been selling off my old stuff on craigslist and ebay...so i can off set there prices. and i am buying used..new there way to hard on the pocket!...only thing new i would buy is the kapex..no seams to be selling them on ebay

Five Star · 05-08-2009, 11:33 PM

i got a nice ts75,2 mft/3 extra blades,clamps,guides,qwas dogs..etc. so far i spent 1200-700(stuff thats been laying around my garage) my out of pocket cost is around $500

i just listed my dw718 if that sells im goin KAPEX+VAC

Five Star · 05-08-2009, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fr8train

Well I have been reading and reading and reading about them, and heard a lot of good things. I looked up the closest dealer, and am going to take one for a test drive. I am a little hesitant to drop that kind of change on a cordless drill. But I like the idea of possibly buying the last cordless drill I will use.

I am not dead set on the c12, am also going to check out the newer cordless models. Also, I am trying really really hard not to buy one on impulse. My reckoning is that even if they are the 'best' ones out there, if they are not comfortable in my hands I won't like using them as much.

My current cordless is a dewalt 14.4v model, which since day 1 the clutch has not worked properly. It seems weak. In my experience there is no way I should be able to hold the chuck back when it is set on drill, and that is what is does. Other than that the dewalt has worked like a charm. Battery on it is great, holds a charge for a long time for me.

A friend of mine has an 18v Dewalt, non xrp version. I like the power of it, only thing I noticed is that without the rubber grip, when applying pressure I can REALLY feel the seam on the back of the handle. So my second choice is an 18v Dewalt xrp. I know there may be other options out there that are better, but since some of my other tools are Dewalt 18v, I might as well hang with them since I already have other batteries.

Any thoughts? warnings?

Are the festool cordless drills really all that? Or am I falling for the lust factor?

Opinions are welcome and appreciated

Mike

look what i just found..
http://newyork.craigslist.org/lgi/tls/1151194858.html

**Leo G** · 05-09-2009, 08:17 AM

You guys seem to have a sickness....I suggest you go to your doctor befor youwallet becomes heavily inflicted.

Aiken Colon · 05-09-2009, 09:40 AM

Mike,

Let me know what you think of whatever you end up getting from Festool. I have been thinking about brining on that line as well as Fein. We have always had really good experiences with German made products, but when it comes to power tools I am a little bit more leary about manufactures because you never know exactly where they are getting their parts from. The case itself (what you visually see) can be made in the xyz country and yet all the internals can be from somewhere else.

JJ