Festool is launching a new line of premium cordless power tools in North America, with availability starting in July 2020.
Festool describes their new line of 18V cordless power tools as being engineered to exacting standards of excellence, with features and pricing aimed at woodworkers, DIY hobbyists, and craftsmen of all [skill] levels.
The new Festool cordless power tools will be powered by a new compact 4.0Ah battery pack that has Bluetooth connectivity as a standard built-in feature. The Bluetooth tech enables communication with (compatible or retrofit) mobile dust extractors, enabling them to start automatically when the tools are switched on.
The new line of tools will start off with a cordless drill/driver, T 18 Easy, and impact driver, TID 18.
The Festool T 18 Easy cordless drill driver, above, features a keyless chuck, 2-speed gearbox, and stepless speed control. It also features magnetic bit storage, a removable belt clip, and an EC TEC brushless motor.
Festool T Easy Cordless Drill Features & Specs
- 1/2″ keyless chuck
- 239 in-lbs max soft joint torque
- 398 in-lbs max hard joint torque
- 0-450/0-1500 RPM
Price: $199 for the bare tool, $299 for the kit
Both the kit and bare tool come with Systainer tool boxes.
Buy Now: Bare Tool via Festool Products
Buy Now: Kit via Festool Products
ETA: July 2020
The TID 18 impact driver features a brushless motor, 1/4″ hex quick-release chuck, and 3 + T mode gearbox. There are 3 speed and torque settings, and the additional T mode detects the transition between sheet metal and wood and automatically adapts the speed.
Festool TID 18 Cordless Impact Driver Features & Specs
- 1/4″ hex chuck
- 1593 in-lbs max torque
- 3+T speed modes
- 0-1200 RPM
- 0-2000 RPM
- 0-3200 RPM
- T-Mode: 750-2100 RPM
- Weighs 2.12 lbs
Like the drill, the new Festool impact driver also has magnetic bit storage and removable belt clip.
Price: $199 for the bare tool, $349 for the kit
Both the kit and bare tool come with Systainer tool boxes. The kit comes with (2) battery packs and a TCL 6 rapid charger.
Buy Now: Bare Tool via Festool Products
Buy Now: Kit via Festool Products
Buy Now via Tool Nut
(Festool Products is a Tool Nut Company)
ETA: July 2020
Here’s Where Things Get Interesting – Festool Cordless Combo Kits
Coinciding with the launch of the new cordless power tools, Festool is also launching new cordless power tool bundles and kit options.
This is partly why I see the new line as a new breed for Festool. I am a little surprised by the more basic nature of the new cordless drill, but sometimes that can be good, most notably when it comes to cost savings. The new impact driver looks reasonably competitive, and with its multiple speed modes it has the makings of a flagship model.
Both the drill and impact driver kits are bundled with Festool 18V 4.0Ah compact bluetooth batteries as standard, which will make them very attractive to new and existing Festool users, especially those with one of their Bluetooth-equipped dust extractors – or plans to buy one.
Festool’s Bluetooth remote control retrofit module, for their standard CT vacs, remains incredibly affordable ($80 via Amazon) – both in competitive regards and in the context of typical Festool add-on and accessory pricing. They also have new smaller vacs with built-in Bluetooth controls.
While not inexpensive, Festool’s new cordless power tool combo kits do look to offer a bundle discount. For example, there’s a new kit that bundles the new TID 18 impact driver with Festool’s HKC 55 cordless guide rail circular saw. A close-resembling saw-only kit is priced at $699, and the combo kit looks to add in the $199 bare tool kit for a $875 bundle price.
Here are the combo kits that are launching with the new drill, impact driver, or both:
- TID 18 Impact Driver + PDC 18 Set 576490 – $599.00
- Impact Driver + Hammer Drill Kit
- TID 18 Impact Driver + T 18+3 576494 – $549
- Impact Driver + Multi-Chuck Drill Kit
- TID 18 Impact Driver + PSC 205603 – $699
- Impact Driver + Carvex Jig Saw
- TID 18 Impact Driver + TSC 55 205601 – $875
- Impact Driver + Cordless Track Saw
- TID 18 Impact Driver + HKC 55 205602 – $875
- Impact Driver + Cordless Circular Saw with Track
- PRO Finish Pack 205604 – $1499
- Impact Driver
- Multi-Chuck Drill
- Track Saw
- Carvex Jig Saw
- (2) Compact and (2) High Capacity Batteries
- PRO Remodeler Pack 205605 – $1799
- Impact Driver
- Hammer Drill
- Circular Saw with Track
- Vecturo Oscillating Multi-Tool
- (2) Compact and (2) High Capacity Batteries
Some of the kits also include a slew of starter accessories. All include a selection of Systainer tool boxes as well.
Buy Now via Festool Products
Buy Now via Tool Nut
ETA: July 2020
Additional Discussion
At the surface, it looks like Festool has simply come out with a new no-frills brushless drill/driver and competitively featured and spec’ed brushless impact driver. They say this is all part of a new cordless power tool line, and there seems to be a lot more to this launch than just a new drill and impact driver. Things seem a lot bigger than I initially consisdered.
Festool has a couple of cordless power tools, and this looks to be a new strategic effort at strengthening their appeal.
I own a couple of Festool tools, and have tried out a couple of others over the years. While I have generally been favoring cordless power tools, I have not upgraded my Festool tools, nor have I expressed much interest in doing so. My next Festool purchase will likely be for another corded sander, despite Festool launching hybrid dual-powered sanders 2-1/2 years ago.
Their new cordless power tool combo kits are still priced at “whoa, that’s a LOT of money” levels, but these new combo kits look to bring things together. Festool has offered tool plus dust extractor savings in the past, but I don’t think I’ve seen their cordless power tools bundled together like this before.
Bluetooth-equipped tools that automatically start their new compatible vacs or accessorized larger CT vacs? Compact 4Ah batteries? Money-saving kit bundles?
I think that a lot more people are going to pay closer attention to Festool’s cordless line.
As for the prices, even the $199 bare tools come with a Systainer. Personally, I really like the modular nature of Systainer tool boxes for individual power tools, but that does result in higher pricing. It’s not as big a deal when you’re talking about say a $700 tool, but the relative component cost is going to be a lot higher at $199 to $349.
It will definitely be interesting to see how well these new tools perform, and how the Festool 18V cordless power tool system evolves from here. I don’t think I’ve said those words before – “Festool 18V cordless power tool system.” This certainly does look to be the start of something new.
