Professional Tool Reviews for Pros
The Festool AGC 18 is an angle grinder that joins the ranks of Festool’s cordless 18V solutions. The word is that Festool has designed the new grinder to be durable, versatile, and easy to use.
“Professional remodelers tackle tough jobs and need a grinder that can hold up under the harshest conditions. The AGC’s rugged motor casement combined with time-saving and convenient features – such as the unique battery position for quick-cutoff operations — means the work flows smoother with better results, thanks to this versatile tool.”
—Rick Bush, Vice President of Marketing for Festool
Festool has been known for its precision engineering and high-quality workmanship, and it looks like the AGC 18 cordless angle grinder will carry on that tradition. It features a brushless motor that Festool has enclosed for better dust resistance. There’s a variable speed dial that lets you push the motor anywhere between 4500 and 8500 RPM.
The design also points toward an emphasis on comfortability and ease-of-use. Festool starts by giving the AGC 18 a battery position that keeps it out of the way in tighter spots.
Festool also tells us that the tool will run smoothly with minimal vibrations.
It even includes a tool-free arbor nut for quick and easy blade changes, as well as a guard that can be removed without tools.
You can purchase the Festool AGC 18 in a few different configurations. The basic setup – which includes the tool, the Systainer case, a guard, and an auxiliary handle – will run you $375.
The more comprehensive setup that includes two 5.2Ah batteries and a rapid charger, as well as all the aforementioned accessories, will retail for $625. Either option includes Festool’s 3-2-1 program: a 3-year limited warranty on the tool, 2-day standard repair time, and a 1-month money-back guarantee.
Festool is well-known for its high-quality and precision woodworking tools and they have a handful of general construction tools as well. It looks like the product development team is getting serious about expanding in the GC category.
What’s unique about the Festool cordless angle grinder is the relationship between its handle and the grinder head. It’s been turned 90º, putting its most familiar grip in a position for vertical cutting and grinding rather than horizontal.
We love the tool-free arbor nut. It reminds us of Hilti’s Kwik Lock version but with a pivoting tab that helps you get some extra leverage. You still get a spanner wrench in case it gets overtightened. It might not be as fool-proof as Bosch’s X-Lock system, but it’s a nice upgrade nonetheless.
We’re anxious to get our hands on it see how well Festool’s ergonomics play out under load along with their vibration reduction. Any initial thoughts? Feel free to share them in the comments below!
When he doesn't have his hands on tools himself, Chris is often the man behind the camera lens making the rest of the team look good. In his free time, you might find Chris with his nose jammed in a book, or tearing out his remaining hair while watching Liverpool FC. He enjoys his faith, family, friends, and the Oxford comma.
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To answer the questions in the comment section, you can move the gear housing head any direction you want. Tool free arbor nuts aren’t anything new. You can get the Festool/Fein ones separately but there are other options. And yes, like the Vecturo is a Supercut, it’s a Fein grinder. I purchased a 5” Fein guard and slapped it on the Festool. It’s honestly really nice. Fein makes the best grinders in my opinion. Regardless if you choose the Fein or the Festool branding, I’d highly recommend these grinders. Just accept that neither brand will be your go to for… Read more »
The 90• angle for the battery 🔋 sounds great,but doesn’t DeWalts DCG414 have a twist feature for the head that lets you choose what angle to set it up as(in 90 degree increments)?Essentially giving you the same feature but with added control/flexibility.
Credit where credit is due, that tool free arbor nut looks cool, can I buy that by itself? (Just kidding, I’m sure it’s a proprietary Festool spindle size… because “system”). Otherwise… $375 bare/$625 kit for a 4.5″ grinder is pushing it even for Festool. A comparable* Fein kit retails for about $575, and Fein is already known for quality metalworking tools.
*Actually, the two tools appear virtually identical (except for the Festool being twisted 90 degrees), right down to that tool free arbor nut, so I guess I can’t give Festool credit for that after all.
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Professional Tool Reviews for Pros