|
|
In this review I take an in-depth look at the T15+3 cordless drill and see how it performs on a three month remodeling project.
|
|
When I heard about Festool's plans to release the T+3 line of lithium ion powered cordless drills, I was interested. When the T+3 series' release coincided with the need to replace one of my DeWalt 18 volt XRP cordless drills, I became very interested. With a large remodeling job looming, I couldn't afford to be without a couple of working cordless drills. So I decided on the T15+3 as a replacement for my 18V DeWalt. This wasn't an easy decision for me. I'm a diehard Festool user and still I wasn't completely sold on the value of their drills.
When the T15 arrived and I had a chance to handle this new drill I was surprised by the size and weight. The T15 is so light weight and compact I that I had my doubts it would be a capable replacement. My 18V drills see a wide array of tasks in my work from big to small. I was fairly sure the T15 would be fine for small screws and holes but how would it do on the tough jobs. Well, I wasn't going to have to wait long to find out because my remodeling job had started and the T15 would be put to work immediately. But before I go into how the T15 preformed on the job, let's take a look at the drill itself, its features, and some of the accessories.
|
A close look at the Festool T15+3 cordless drill.
What's Included, Features and Accessories
|
Festool has introduced two new features with the T+3 drills - the improved EC-TEC brushless motor and lithium ion batteries. These two new additions allow the drills to have similar torque to competitors drills in the next voltage class up, hence the T+3 name. The EC-TEC, brushless motor uses Festool's new electronic control technology. This electronically controls the motor output allowing constant RPMs under load, monitors temperature and voltage output to optimize performance, and protects the motor and batteries from damage. This is only the tip of the ice-berg, and I'll talk about what is included in the T15 set next.
|
|
|
A Peek inside the T15's Systainer
|
| |
|
|
Inside the Systainer, the drill and its accessories are easy to get to. Plus there is room for storage of other items like bits, tips and fasteners with the lift out insert and Festool's new Systainer with a storage compartment in the lid.
|
Here's what is included in the T15+3 set:
• T15+3 cordless drill
• Two (2) lithium ion 2.6 Ah batteries
• Battery charger
• 1/2" keyless Jacobs style chuck
• Right angle chuck
• Eccentric chuck
• Centrotec starter kit (Centrotec chuck, 4 mm drill bit, #2 Phillips bit, bit holder and Allen wrench)
• #25 Torx bit
• Owner's manual
• Systainer #2 with drill inserts
The pictures to the left show the extra storage available in the lower drill insert and storage compartment in the lid (attic). Notice in the lower insert there is a space for the Fastfix Depth-Stop chuck (sold separately.)
|
|
New and Improved Technology
|
| |
|
|
|
Festool has added some new features to the T15 - lithium batteries, an electronically con-trolled clutch and the improved EC-TEC brushless motor with electronic controls. This technology protects the drill and batteries from damage and helps prevent small screws from snapping or spinning. The T+3 series drills are without a doubt the most technologically advanced drills on the market.
When Festool first introduced the brushless motor in the C12 a few years ago I didn't under-stand all the hype. I mean how many cordless drills are ever used long enough to need their brushes replaced? And so what if the motor is capable of driving a million screws in its life, the rest of the drill won't last that long. While it's nice to have a motor that is almost completely free of wear as a feature under the hood, I thought "what is the big deal with the brushless motor?" The big deal is efficiency - the brushless motor doesn't waste battery power like ordinary brushed motors. The efficiency of the brushless motor, the optimized cells in the batteries, the smart charger, and the electronics monitor the drill's performance making the T15's power impressive for a drill its size.
If you've ever had the misfortune of over-doing it with other brands of drills, you know they only let you know they're shutting down with an SOS in smoke signals coming from the motor. After it's too late. These are dumb drills. Festool makes smart drills.
Like other tools Festool offers the electronics incorporated in the T15 protect the drill from harm. The electronics monitor the output voltage, temperature, battery power to optimize performance. They also protect the drill from damage should you try to push things too hard. The drill will beep and shut itself off if it gets outside of the safe operating limits of the drill or the battery.
The electronics also control the clutch. When the drill reaches the designated torque setting, the electronics shut the drill off and it beeps. On the lowest torque settings the electronics slow the RPMs to help ensure that you aren't going to strip out or snap delicate screws. Another nice feature of the electronics is the constant speed under load. You could if you wanted, drive a large screw with a very low drive speed.
|
The clutch has settings from 1-25 with the green adjustment dial on the back of the drill. Festool has come up with a unique way of separating the drive and drill modes on the T+3 series that is an improvement over the industry standard. Most drills have an adjustment collar with the clutch settings and drill setting on the front of the drill's body. There's a lot of turning the collar back and forth for your clutch and drill settings. With the T+3 series there is a switch on the top of the drill for the drill/drive modes. The drill mode uses the drill's full torque for drilling. When you switch to drive mode the drill uses the clutch. Also seen in the picture above is the gear switch, first gear is 0-450 RPM, second gear is 0-1500 RPM. Like almost all other cordless drills, the T15's first gear produces more torque
|
|
|
The real weakness in all cordless tool technology is the battery. Batteries are heavy, discharge quickly when not in use, are costly to replace, and have relatively short service lifespan. Festool's new lithium batteries are extremely light and they discharge at a very slow rate when not in use. Costs for T15 replacement batteries are about the same as my old 18V batteries. As for service lifespan, there are two main causes for the short life of batteries: over discharging and over charging.
Continued on page two.
|
|
|
|
