Cordless Drill

boofredlay

Ok, so I am ready to purchase a Festool C12.

Sticker shock yes so I have a couple questions if you please:

Is there a big difference in usage between the 3 battery types? I would be using it mostly for around the house stuff. But larger projects could be in order. I mean come on, I built my shed already I also understand that if one wants the larger battery in the future it is compatible.
Recommendations for places to purchase. I found out that the only place close to me that sold them is no longer in business. So unless I want to drive to Nashville, Chattanooga or Atlanta, which I don't, I should get it online. And Rockler is sold out... boo hoo. So who do you trust?

Thanks again all.

Dave R

Eric, considering things like replacement cost, battery life and run time, I would be inclined to go for the for the NiMh battery. It'll last much longer in terms of years than the NiCd batteries. From my experience with them at work and here at home, they hold a charge longer, too. That means you can not use it for awhile and it'll work when you need it

As to supplier, I've gotten all of my Festool stuff from Jamestown Distributors. They are very good to deal with and they have fast service. I don't think there's any point in price shopping. Everyone is the same on the price.

Good choice of drill.

boofredlay

Thanks Dave. And it seems Jamestown is having a 15% sale so it is the best price I have seen yet.

Dave R

Order it now, then.

You can also get an anchor for your boat while you're at it. And some pine tar and whipping twine and...

boofredlay

Hey, do you need Festool driver and drill bits? I notice some are notched. Will standard drill and driver bits work ok?

Dave R

I think it'll use the standard driver bits you can get anywhere. Get the keyless chuck, too.

boofredlay

Thanks again Dave, and for the phone chat tonight.
Drill kit ordered [patiently awaiting arrival]

Dave R

It was good to chat. I'm almost as excited as you are to get it.

boofredlay

Just got an email that it shipped. Fast turn around.

Dave R

Wow! You might have it Monday.

jeff hammond

fellas.. gonna have to say that's one ugly looking drill
doesn't have the right ergonomics either.. i don't think you can hold it the right way.

to each their own though

Dave R

Jeff, I've used one and watched a friend use it a lot. Never any problemswith holding it right that I could see.

jeff hammond

a lot of people actually hold drills in the palm of their hands and use the pinky and ring fingers on the trigger.. (which puts your arm/shoulder/body directly behind the motor and inline with the bit.. ie- way more power and stabilitly)

i watched the C12 advertisement:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5430410674798623774&hl=en#

...and it looks like he's constantly putting his other hand on top of the drill to get the extra power But, that's the same place where the gear shift is so i'm guessing the switch gets changed accidentally.

i sort of wish one of these tool companies would do some scientific research on how we actually hold drills and/or how best to design a drill for optimum stability and power.. this gun handle type design has been around forever and surely they didn't get it right on the first try ?

screenshot from the festool video:

Dave R

I use both DeWalt and Milwaukee cordless drills at work nearly every day and have never found the need to hold the drill as you describe. That's just me, though. Doesn't seem like a point worth arguing about since most drills are designed to be triggered with the index or second finger.

jeff hammond

oh wait, i'm not coming from an argument stance.. just nerding out on drills

i assume you're doing mainly light duty work if you're comfortable holding the drills like that..

my crew doesn't do too much heavy duty drilling but we do use a lot of 3" screws (as in 10000 of them for a two week job) as well as boring up to 1/2" holes in 1/4" steel.

if we held the drills as they're designed to be held, our wrists would break off.. (as it's the wrist that has to make the weird angular change of force from your shoulder to the actual bit.. as shown in the picture above)

anyway, i (and much of the construction industry) am now using an impact driver for the long screws (i'm pretty sure i linked to one last year in this thread).. those things do so much of the work for you that you can hold it pistol style with only one hand and drive 3" screws..
[edit -- well, two years ago.. http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?p=53520#p53520 ]

for boring holes, we use a certain dewalt corded drill that fits comfortably in the palm of your hand.. even has a little groove for your thumb to rest.. i'm pretty sure the design was accidental but it works out great.

dermotcoll

Hi Boo

Sorry I missed the return of this post, I was offline for a few days. You asked about the chuck. The attached pictures show you the set I have got when I purchased my C12. This was not the standard set but was on offer at the time. The right angles chuck and the offset chuck have been absolutely brilliant for fitting kitchens. You can get a screw in anywhere with this kit - right into the corner of a unit or you can screw cornice down onto the tops of units very close to the ceiling. The standard kit comes with the keyless chuck and the centrotec chuck, the latter will not accept standard hex bits - which can be a bit annoying but I have the centrotec bit set as well so it doesnt affect me too much. I hope this helps and enjoy the new toy - it is a great piece of kit.

MtnTrails

I'm late to the party as well... The centrotec holder will NOT hold anything that doesn't come from Festool. Standard bits like you'd buy at one of the big box stores won't fit unless you take a belt sander to 'em, and even then the groove is in the wrong place for them to lock into the chuck. I honestly don't remember if a bit holder comes with the kit, but the BHS 65 holds standard sized short driver bits. Problem solved If you don't get one with your new drill, Festool's part # is 492 539. I think you're gonna like it Boo!

boofredlay

Thanks.

It came in on Wednesday and I was not able to open the box until yesterday. I got the whole kit like Dermot shows.
Batteries charged and ready for action... I think I have a fence that needs fixing.

Dave R

Cool! How could you hold off on opening that box?

boofredlay

Trust me it was real hard. I had a bunch of work to do and for two nights did not get to bed until after midnight.