This may sound like a follish question, but, I am looking to buy a
nice lightweight and compact 18V driver. I currently have a 14.4V
Hitachi, a 18V Hitachi, a14.4V Dewalt and a 18V Firestorm. I find my
self using the 14.4V drivers all the time and I think it is based on
the weight and balance.

I am looking at and comparing the Festool Ni-Cad Cordless Drill Model
C12 and the Makita 18V Cordless LXT Lithium-Ion 1/2" Driver Drill. Of
these 2 drivers, outside of price, which is truly the better tool. The
Makita is $209 and the Festool is $385. I also cant find a Festool
dealer near me to see how it feels. Any feedback on that?

I also looked at the FEIN HandyMaster Cordless Drill Model ABS9 which
I really liked for the feel and balance, but, it is only a 9.6V and I
have no dealer near me that carries the 18V version.

Going on hype, I would buy the Festool, but is that the right decision?

On 10 Apr 2007 08:59:47 -0700, "Neillarson"
wrote:

This may sound like a follish question, but, I am looking to buy a
nice lightweight and compact 18V driver. I currently have a 14.4V
Hitachi, a 18V Hitachi, a14.4V Dewalt and a 18V Firestorm. I find my
self using the 14.4V drivers all the time and I think it is based on
the weight and balance.

I am looking at and comparing the Festool Ni-Cad Cordless Drill Model
C12 and the Makita 18V Cordless LXT Lithium-Ion 1/2" Driver Drill. Of
these 2 drivers, outside of price, which is truly the better tool. The
Makita is $209 and the Festool is $385. I also cant find a Festool
dealer near me to see how it feels. Any feedback on that?

I also looked at the FEIN HandyMaster Cordless Drill Model ABS9 which
I really liked for the feel and balance, but, it is only a 9.6V and I
have no dealer near me that carries the 18V version.

Going on hype, I would buy the Festool, but is that the right decision?

Based on the safety requirements for lithium battery charging, I would
expect the lithium-ion unit to have better long-term battery survival
(number of years in service).

For its premium price, the Festool *should* have a proper charger.

I haven't used either tool.

John

"Neillarson" wrote in message
oups.com...
This may sound like a follish question, but, I am looking to buy a
nice lightweight and compact 18V driver. I currently have a 14.4V
Hitachi, a 18V Hitachi, a14.4V Dewalt and a 18V Firestorm. I find my
self using the 14.4V drivers all the time and I think it is based on
the weight and balance.

I am looking at and comparing the Festool Ni-Cad Cordless Drill Model
C12 and the Makita 18V Cordless LXT Lithium-Ion 1/2" Driver Drill. Of
these 2 drivers, outside of price, which is truly the better tool. The
Makita is $209 and the Festool is $385. I also cant find a Festool
dealer near me to see how it feels. Any feedback on that?

I also looked at the FEIN HandyMaster Cordless Drill Model ABS9 which
I really liked for the feel and balance, but, it is only a 9.6V and I
have no dealer near me that carries the 18V version.

Going on hype, I would buy the Festool, but is that the right decision?

You have three different brands now, and you want to buy a fourth? That is
just crazy; there isn't that much difference between brands to justify
having more than one. I am a dewalt man myself, but any complete brand is
fine.

On Apr 10, 10:59 am, "Neillarson" wrote:
This may sound like a follish question, but, I am looking to buy a
nice lightweight and compact 18V driver. I currently have a 14.4V
Hitachi, a 18V Hitachi, a14.4V Dewalt and a 18V Firestorm. I find my
self using the 14.4V drivers all the time and I think it is based on
the weight and balance.

I am looking at and comparing the Festool Ni-Cad Cordless Drill Model
C12 and the Makita 18V Cordless LXT Lithium-Ion 1/2" Driver Drill. Of
these 2 drivers, outside of price, which is truly the better tool. The
Makita is $209 and the Festool is $385. I also cant find a Festool
dealer near me to see how it feels. Any feedback on that?

I also looked at the FEIN HandyMaster Cordless Drill Model ABS9 which
I really liked for the feel and balance, but, it is only a 9.6V and I
have no dealer near me that carries the 18V version.

Going on hype, I would buy the Festool, but is that the right decision?

I've played with the drills you mention in the stores. I have a
Festool dealer in town. And Makita dealers too. The Festool is a
pistol grip handle drill. Not the T handle everyone who does not use
a drill for driving screws seems to love. I guess they love the fact
the T handle drill stands up by itself. How many screw guns for
drywallers are T handle? None. All drills made for driving screws
all day are pistol grip. So the handle is a big difference in these
drills. Other difference is the interchangeable chucks available for
the Festool as an option. Expensive options. Right angle, and
offset. And the Festool has the ability to take off the chuck and use
the 1/4" socket for screw driver bits. Festool also gets fairly small
and compact (front to back) with the chuck off. The Festool does feel
good in the hand and has great balance.

With all that said, unless you have a real need for the Festool
options, its a lot of extra money. A professional cabinet installer
could use the Festool options. Others, probably not more than once a
year at most. I like the Festool but cannot justify the huge extra
price for me. And I don't need any more cordless drills anyway.
Unless someone is really giving high quality ones away super cheap.

I am a big fan of smaller Volt drills. 12 or maybe 14.4 at most. I
have big electric drills that can go for hours and hours if I need
more power for drilling many big holes. I'll use the 12 volt for 99+%
of the tasks.

I am a big fan of smaller Volt drills. 12 or maybe 14.4 at most. I
have big electric drills that can go for hours and hours if I need
more power for drilling many big holes. I'll use the 12 volt for 99+%
of the tasks.

Me too. I just upgraded from a 16.8V Craftsman to a 12V NiCad
Panasonic ($100 at Amazon), and I think it's a significant
improvement. Feel and balance are much better, and torque and runtime
are very close, if not better, for the Panasonic.
I've only played with the Makita 18V Li-Ion in a store, and it did
have a nice feel, but I've been so happy with the little Panasonic
that I'm glad I saved the extra $100.
Good luck,
Andy

On Apr 10, 11:59 am, "Neillarson" wrote:
This may sound like a follish question, but, I am looking to buy a
nice lightweight and compact 18V driver. I currently have a 14.4V
Hitachi, a 18V Hitachi, a14.4V Dewalt and a 18V Firestorm. I find my
self using the 14.4V drivers all the time and I think it is based on
the weight and balance.

I am looking at and comparing the Festool Ni-Cad Cordless Drill Model
C12 and the Makita 18V Cordless LXT Lithium-Ion 1/2" Driver Drill. Of
these 2 drivers, outside of price, which is truly the better tool. The
Makita is $209 and the Festool is $385. I also cant find a Festool
dealer near me to see how it feels. Any feedback on that?

I also looked at the FEIN HandyMaster Cordless Drill Model ABS9 which
I really liked for the feel and balance, but, it is only a 9.6V and I
have no dealer near me that carries the 18V version.

Going on hype, I would buy the Festool, but is that the right decision?

I checked out the Festool drill and compared to my DW it is NICE!

I don't need a $400 drill because I only play a contractor on TV. If
you need a good tool that could save you time on the job then check
out the Festool.
http://www.festoolusa.com/find_dealer.aspx
The guy did tell me that not all of the gadgets for the Festool will
accept 1/4", some only take metric, so keep that in mind while
checking them out and asking about them.

On 10 Apr 2007 08:59:47 -0700, "Neillarson"
wrote:

I really liked for the feel and balance, but, it is only a 9.6V

Fein kit is beautiffuly made, but their cordless drills are a couple of
years behind in terms of performance.

I'd probably go with the Makita. Not quite so beautiful as Festool kit,
but their build quality (UK market anyway) is good enough to deliver
hard service for several years.

Naturally you only buy a cordless tool these days that has a real, smart
charger.

On 10 Apr 2007 08:59:47 -0700, "Neillarson"
wrote:

This may sound like a follish question, but, I am looking to buy a
nice lightweight and compact 18V driver. I currently have a 14.4V
Hitachi, a 18V Hitachi, a14.4V Dewalt and a 18V Firestorm. I find my
self using the 14.4V drivers all the time and I think it is based on
the weight and balance.

I am looking at and comparing the Festool Ni-Cad Cordless Drill Model
C12 and the Makita 18V Cordless LXT Lithium-Ion 1/2" Driver Drill. Of
these 2 drivers, outside of price, which is truly the better tool. The
Makita is $209 and the Festool is $385. I also cant find a Festool
dealer near me to see how it feels. Any feedback on that?

I also looked at the FEIN HandyMaster Cordless Drill Model ABS9 which
I really liked for the feel and balance, but, it is only a 9.6V and I
have no dealer near me that carries the 18V version.

Going on hype, I would buy the Festool, but is that the right decision?


$385 is a lot of money considering that ALL battery operated drivers
die. The Milwaulkee is top-rated, but how can anyone here know how
that tool will feel in YOUR hand? If you need that kind of power
don't you think a corded drill will serve you better in the long run?

"Neillarson" wrote in message
oups.com...
This may sound like a follish question, but, I am looking to buy a
nice lightweight and compact 18V driver. I currently have a 14.4V
Hitachi, a 18V Hitachi, a14.4V Dewalt and a 18V Firestorm. I find my
self using the 14.4V drivers all the time and I think it is based on
the weight and balance.

I am looking at and comparing the Festool Ni-Cad Cordless Drill Model
C12 and the Makita 18V Cordless LXT Lithium-Ion 1/2" Driver Drill. Of
these 2 drivers, outside of price, which is truly the better tool. The
Makita is $209 and the Festool is $385. I also cant find a Festool
dealer near me to see how it feels. Any feedback on that?

I also looked at the FEIN HandyMaster Cordless Drill Model ABS9 which
I really liked for the feel and balance, but, it is only a 9.6V and I
have no dealer near me that carries the 18V version.

Going on hype, I would buy the Festool, but is that the right decision?


Check the amp ratings on the Festool to the Makita. I think you will be
more pleased with the Makita.

On Apr 10, 4:03 pm, Andy Dingley wrote:
On 10 Apr 2007 08:59:47 -0700, "Neillarson"
wrote:

I really liked for the feel and balance, but, it is only a 9.6V

Fein kit is beautiffuly made, but their cordless drills are a couple of
years behind in terms of performance.

I'd probably go with the Makita. Not quite so beautiful as Festool kit,
but their build quality (UK market anyway) is good enough to deliver
hard service for several years.

Naturally you only buy a cordless tool these days that has a real, smart
charger.

Those Festool drills are nice. As much as I speak highly of their
sanders, $ 385.00 for a cordless drill is just nuts. There are Fein
tools which I think are worth the money too, but, again, a drill/
driver doesn't need a jewelled movement to perform.

I buy impact drivers that have a nice warranty and have adequate balls
to do the job...for cheap. Usually about 100 to 125 dollars Canadian.
5 year warranty, 2 batteries, smart-fast charger.
If I need a drill with balls, I have 1/2" Milwaukee hammerdrill that
will throw you off a scaffold if you're not careful. I pop 1-1/2 holes
in solid surface countertops with a carbide holesaw like it is made
from papier maché. It has a wire.

I use a lot of tools with cords. There is something satifying to the
fact that when I pull the trigger on my big Milwaukee drill, that a
dryer down the street will eat another sock.

r

You are comparing apples with wheelbarrows. Festool is known for making
very good equipment at a premium price. Makita is in the category of
consumer to professional. At the end of the day, if your objective is to
drill holes, go with the Makita. I have two Makitas and one of them is at
least 10 years old - still works fine but a little more noisy than new.

Before you jump off you might check the price of batteries. I don't know if
Festool batteries are priced like their equipment; but in 3-5 years battery
cost can lead to a keep/replace-the-tool decision.

RonB


"Neillarson" wrote in message
oups.com...
This may sound like a follish question, but, I am looking to buy a
nice lightweight and compact 18V driver. I currently have a 14.4V
Hitachi, a 18V Hitachi, a14.4V Dewalt and a 18V Firestorm. I find my
self using the 14.4V drivers all the time and I think it is based on
the weight and balance.

I am looking at and comparing the Festool Ni-Cad Cordless Drill Model
C12 and the Makita 18V Cordless LXT Lithium-Ion 1/2" Driver Drill. Of
these 2 drivers, outside of price, which is truly the better tool. The
Makita is $209 and the Festool is $385. I also cant find a Festool
dealer near me to see how it feels. Any feedback on that?

I also looked at the FEIN HandyMaster Cordless Drill Model ABS9 which
I really liked for the feel and balance, but, it is only a 9.6V and I
have no dealer near me that carries the 18V version.

Going on hype, I would buy the Festool, but is that the right decision?

"RonB" wrote in message
...
You are comparing apples with wheelbarrows. Festool is known for making
very good equipment at a premium price.

And like all other tool companies even Festool does not build the best of
every thing.

"Leon" wrote in message
. ..



And like all other tool companies even Festool does not build the best of
every thing.


To add to that comment, a recent cordless drill test with the Festool
included did not favor the Festool.

On Apr 10, 11:24 pm, "Leon" wrote:
"RonB" wrote in message

...

You are comparing apples with wheelbarrows. Festool is known for making
very good equipment at a premium price.

And like all other tool companies even Festool does not build the best of
every thing.

Ain't that the truth. When you add in cost vs performance, the rules
really fall apart.
There is always that "yes it is a really good tool, but for the price
it should be the very best...Period."
There are brands that get it right most of the time. Milwaukee is one
of those. I own a lot of Milwaukee tools and I truly believe that you
can't go wrong buying their tools. Having said that, there are those
pesky exceptions.. like their belt sanders.. they're good tools, but
other manufacturers make better ones.... more suitable for my needs.
I own a few Makita pieces that I am very happy with.. like their belt-
sander, the ever-so-famous 1013 SCMS, and a 9/16" hammer drill (A
freebie with the mitre saw) that is nice and light and very
powerful..and just great for doing work around the shop... like pocket
holes etc.
To the best of my knowledge, I don't think Makita makes a bad tool.
There are others..like Metabo, AEG, Bosch and I would include Hitachi
if they weren't so fugly. I have no experience with DeWalt to speak
of. They're well liked by others.

r--- who didn't include Porter Cable.

"Robatoy" the disturber of the space/time continuium wrote

I use a lot of tools with cords. There is something satifying to the
fact that when I pull the trigger on my big Milwaukee drill, that a
dryer down the street will eat another sock.

Well, that explains a lot. Thanks for all the socks!


Regards,

Rick

Robatoy wrote:

There are brands that get it right most of the time. Milwaukee is one
of those. I own a lot of Milwaukee tools and I truly believe that you
can't go wrong buying their tools.

I agree with that! I bought their 86xx router and it's built like a
cross between a locomotive and a jet engine. Too big for easy hand-held
use, it fits under my router table like it was born for the purpose.

I've also used their larger drills and saber saws at work and if the bit
gets stuck, you're going for a ride. :-)))

I'll be looking for the silver & red the next time I'm in the market for
a quality hand-held too. You betcha golly.

Bill
--
http://nmwoodworks.com/cube


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Neillarson wrote:
This may sound like a follish question, but, I am looking to buy a
nice lightweight and compact 18V driver. I currently have a 14.4V
Hitachi, a 18V Hitachi, a14.4V Dewalt and a 18V Firestorm. I find my
self using the 14.4V drivers all the time and I think it is based on
the weight and balance.

I am looking at and comparing the Festool Ni-Cad Cordless Drill Model
C12 and the Makita 18V Cordless LXT Lithium-Ion 1/2" Driver Drill. Of
these 2 drivers, outside of price, which is truly the better tool. The
Makita is $209 and the Festool is $385. I also cant find a Festool
dealer near me to see how it feels. Any feedback on that?

I also looked at the FEIN HandyMaster Cordless Drill Model ABS9 which
I really liked for the feel and balance, but, it is only a 9.6V and I
have no dealer near me that carries the 18V version.

Going on hype, I would buy the Festool, but is that the right decision?

The Makita LXT is a very nice tool. I wouldn't hesitate to get that.


I would also dump all your other cordless stuff and standardize in the
LXT line. One battery system, one charger, etc. The only exception to
this would be if you got that little Bosch LiOn pocket driver.