Knowledge

The Drill System

Which drill is best for my job?

Two tools, one philosophy:
maximum handling comfort

Do you perform assembly work where you have to continuously change between two ro three tools or purchase a machine that has suffcient power but is simply too heavy or bulky? The C12 and TDK were developed because Festool also asked this question. With superb ergonomics, low weight, durable motors and the FastFix interchangeable chuck system, Festool cordless drills can tackle any situation and make you more efficient. FastFix attachements and the ingenious Centrotec quick git changing system allow you to complete different tasks using the same tool; drilling and driving in close quarters or against adjenct surfaces combined with rapid bit change to suit your application.

Festool Drill Features

Switching between the three primary tasks related to assembly projects - drilling, countersinking, and driving - are quick and easy with the Centrotec rapid bit change system.

Learn about the TDK Drills.

Learn about the C12 Drills.

Which battery for the C12?

Which battery version of the C12 cordless drill should I buy?

The revolutionary C12 cordless drill with its brushless EC-Tec motor offers the best weight to power ratio in the market. Increasing the amp-hour (Ah) value of the battery does not increase power, only the run time.

Following battery versions are available for the C12 cordless drill:

1) C12 Nickel Cadmium (NiCd) 1.3 amp-hour (Ah)

This battery is the smallest and lightest option. The drill with battery weighs 3 lbs. 6.8 oz. The re-charge time of 25 minutes is the fastest one of all the available batteries. The trade off compared to the other available batteries is, that it offers the lowest run time with about 240 screws per charge and the shortest life span, as the battery life depends on charging cycles.

2) C12 Nickel Cadmium (NiCd) 2.4 amp-hour (Ah)

This battery increases the runtime of the drill to about 450 screws per charge. Due to the higher capacity, this battery offers a considerably longer life span compared to the 1.3Ah battery. However, there is a trade off with this set up. You will increase the overall height of the drill by ¾", spend more time on the charger (50 minutes), and you will gain almost half a pound of weight as the drill with battery weighs 3 lbs. 13.4 oz.

3) C12 Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) 3.0 amp-hour (Ah)

This battery will provide the longest runtime per charge at about 560 screws, which is advantageous when working in the field where there is not convenient access to power. It is more environmentally friendly compared to the other two Nickel Cadmium batteries. As Nickel Metal Hydride batteries are only good for considerably less charging cycles compared to Nickel Cadmium batteries, the life span of this battery will be somewhere in between the 1.3Ah and 2.4Ah batteries. The trade off is that you increase your charge time to over 70 minutes, which is 45 minutes longer than with the 1.3Ah battery and 20 minutes longer than with the 2.4Ah battery. This battery has the same height and weight as the 2.4Ah battery.

C12 Drill Technology

Once again, Festool has shattered the expectations of the drill industry with the release of the new C12 cordless drill. The C12 is not just a cosmetic change made to an existing design. The C12 is packed with revolutionary motor and control technology on several levels. Festool didn't just leap forward in one area of this drill; they made huge leaps forward in ALL areas of this drill. From the motor, to the electronics, to the geartrain; this drill raised the bar just past the fingertips of the competition.

EC-TEC motor technology

The heart of the C12 is the revolutionary EC-TEC brushless motor. This isn't just your run-of-the-mill motor. This is a permanent magnet, remotely commutated, 3 phase, AC motor. This is the same type of motor used as servo motors in robotic systems where high torque, high speed, and extreem durability are crucial.
The brushless DC motor lasts longer, and requires no maintenance, as compared to the brushed motor. It is also much smoother and quieter.

Electronics
A powerful drill is of little value if it is easily damaged. The c12 has an intelligent electronic controller that not only powers the motor, but more importantly, monitors its health. Unlike other drills on the market, the C12 won't let you destroy the drill (or the battery) no matter how hard you try.

Battery Sizes
Whether you're an occasional picture hanger, or a professional contractor, the C12 is flexible enough to meet everyone's needs. The cC12 is available with three sizes of batteries to choose from: 1.3 Ah HiCd, 2.4 Ah NiCd, and 3.0 Ah NiMH. The higher the amp-hour (Ah) rating, the longer the battery will last.

Gearbox
The C12 gearbox is virtually bulletproff. To harness the power of the motor, the C12 uses a 3-stage planetary geartrain. This is the same type of gear set used in automotive transmissions for its strength and versatility.

In a planetary drive, the power of the motor is shared by dozens of gear teeth instead of just a couple. It also permits for a very high gear ratio in a small amount of space.

Electromechanical clutch and motorcut-out

Most cordless drills have mechancial slip clutches to prevent you from stripping a screw, but the clutch on the C12 wil slip only half a revolution before the motor detects the slippage and shuts down. No more do you have to put up with the endless grinding sound from the slip clutch.

Another feature of the C12 gearbox is the integral shaft-lock to assist in bit changing.. The motor can rotate the drill chuck, but the drill chuck cannot rotate the motor. With the shaft-lock, you can tighten the chuck as hard as you want, and the gearbox will hold fast.

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