Festool’s C12 12V Cordless Drill is the most imaginative cordless tool you’ll find anywhere. With 5 different chucks, all of which lock into the drill with the turn of a wrist, this drill is a 5 cordless tools in one! There are chucks that turn it from a regular straight cordless drill, to a right angle cordless drill, to an offset cordless drill, to a drywall cordless screw gun, to a quick-change bit system!
The C12 is a lightweight, compact cordless drill with superb ergonomics. It is the first cordless drill with a brushless motor. This means no wearing parts! This leads to extreme durability and long life.
The chuck that I find myself reaching for most often is the Centrotec Chuck. The Centrotec Chuck is not just another quick change accessory. It actually replaces the straight chuck, which means there’s no extra length and no extra wobble. The Centrotec is light, about a half pound lighter that conventional chucks – which makes a difference on a big job. The bits simply snap in and out, which also saves you a lot of time. Pop a drill bit in, drill a hole, then release the drill bit and pop a screw bit in...all within seconds.
For anyone working inside cabinets, making drawer carriages, or doing any assembly work in tight, cramped areas, the Right Angle Chuck and the Eccentric Chuck are invaluable. The Right Angle chuck lets you take one less drill to work...you might as well sell your old electric right angle drill on eBay! The Eccentric chuck offsets the bit to the side of the chuck. This lets you drill and drive fasteners straight, even right up against a wall!
The Depth Stop Chuck allows for precise depth setting regardless of material. Think of a high-quality drywall screwgun, but with more torque for more applications...but without a cord! An additional plus is the fact that most drywall screwguns require 2 hands, whereas using this chuck with the C12 drill can be done one-handed. Installing a bit is easy: take a standard 1" bit, grab the depth clutch in your left hand and twist the silver bit lock counterclockwise a quarter turn. Setting the depth is just as easy, as you turn the depth clutch on way or the other to raise or lower the set. Like I said, you can drive a screw with one hand, so this comes in extremely handy if you are holding up a sheet of drywall with the other hand. If you need to remove a screw for any reason, you can remove it by holding the green Quick Out ring to the left and reversing your drill. Because of the toque that the C12 delivers, you can also drive 3” deck screws with ease! Also consider how easy installing something like two layers of sub-floor would be with the C12 and Depth Stop Chuck!
Some people will balk at the price of the chucks added to the power cordless drill kit, but within a few uses you’ve got your money back in time saved and projects done. The C12 has the advantage of having quick release chucks. You don't have to carry around multiple drills (most with cords), and the C12 comes with a 30-day guarantee and 3-year warranty! If you want the best, the lightest, and the most innovative, you owe it to yourself to give the drill a try.
