PRODUCT REVIEW
Festool has one of the most comprehensive guarantee and service packages. The TID 18 comes with a three-year guarantee on both the tool and the battery packs."
Not accepting kickbacks Another useful feature is that Festool engineers have effectively limited the ‘back torque’ or kickback to 10Nm so the user’s wrist will not have to deal with a sudden snap of torque should the driver snag in any situation.
On the base of the handle, marked out in green as is the custom with Festool, are the selection buttons for the gears and T-Mode. The selector button is big enough for a gloved finger and the lights big enough for me to see without my glasses, so I am happy.
Battery choices The TID 18 can use any of Festool’s 18v battery packs, but the review model came with a pair of 3.1 Ah battery packs that are slightly lighter and smaller than, say, a 6.2 Ah pack. This makes a lot of sense to me – there is no point in going for light and compact and then spoiling it by lumping a big battery
pack onto it. So, at just 960g, it is great for small spaces and working overhead without getting muscle ache in the arms.
A couple of other features ensure that the TID 18 really is user friendly. The bright LED light, positioned on the base is aimed directly at the work and provides a good circle of light at the point where it is needed. The battery charge indicators are where they should be – on the front of the battery where they are easy to access and easy to read.
There is a belt hook that can be attached to either the left or right hand side of the handle base. The standard hex fitting chuck is easy to grip with its generously milled nose and it has a positive click to ensure that the driver is properly installed.
Using the TID 18 I was really looking forward to using the TID
on a kitchen fitting job I had lined up, but this was suddenly cut short after a couple of days by COVID-19 restrictions. Nevertheless, even with limited use on site, I was very happy with the TID 18 as being a balanced, easy to use and powerful driver with a lot of sophistication.
I have since used it for a couple of other jobs like dismantling my devastated fencing left by the gales. The screws holding the panels needed the power of the driver to get them out, but the wooden panels had been blown away! This also meant that I had time to test the TID 18 by driving long screws into big lumps of timber as I set up the 100mm square uprights to take the new fencing, as soon as I can get a fencing company to supply and deliver. COVID-19 restrictions apply!
But, a little thought: the power of the TID 18 is such that, especially with bigger screws, the driver bit needs to be in good nick for best results.
Festool guarantees Festool has one of the most comprehensive guarantee and service packages. The TID 18 comes with a three-year guarantee on both the tool and the battery packs. With such a package, it certainly gives users the confidence to invest in Festool tools. Online registration means that buyers don’t have to worry about lost receipts, etc: if it’s registered, Festool will have the details. Some retailers will even do the registration for you – even handier!
www.festool.co.uk 21
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