If you need a compact, yet powerful drill,
Festool’s new C12 is made for you!
So how compact is it? Well, with the CentroTec chuck, it’s just 6-5/8" from
the nose to the back of the housing, and just 8-3/4" in height -
that’s
over 25% more compact than most standard sized 12v drills! Festool has
managed to use every bit of the C12’s 3lb 7oz weight to advantage - it is
the first cordless tool with a long life, variable-speed brushless motor.
Unlike most drills, the C12 has a unique 21 stage electronic clutch
operating in both its 0-45 rpm and 0-1500rpm speed ranges to minimize weight
and mechanical wear.
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.
Each C12 cordless drill comes with two batteries, LC 45 smart charger, Systainer case size 1, ½" and Centrotec chucks. For best value and versatility, the C12 is also available as a set for each battery version, with both the right angle and eccentric chucks.
Following battery versions are available for the C12 cordless drill:
1) #564178, #PC1213S (set) > 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) #564179, #PC1224S (set) > 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) #564180, #PC1230S (set) > 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.
Like other Festool drills, the C12 converts from its standard 1/2"
capacity “Jacobs®” style chuck to an eccentric chuck, a right angle chuck,
or the new CentroTec chuck in just seconds, without tools. The unique
CentroTec Quick Change system uses special 1/4" extended shank hex bits
for
increased stability and concentricity. Loading bits in the chuck is easy -
just pull back on the green actuator ring and slip the bit in place.
The C12 includes 2 batteries, a 45-minute universal charger,
Systainer storage/carrying case, standard three-jaw chuck, CentroTec chuck,
Mag bit holder, Phillips bit, 4mm brad point bit, and a 3-year factory
warranty.