A few thoughts on the CXS (time for me to eat crow).

[Brice Burrell]

.....What is the reality with the CXS, do the short bits say in place when you are working above, on a ladder and only have one hand to use the tool in tight situation where the chuck makes it too long? Can I use a combo of the 90 degree and another chuck.....???
Cheers,
Steve

Steve, there is a magnet (no locking device) in the driveshaft, it holds driver bits fine but it won't hold a drill bit in as you pull it out of the material.  As for the chucks, the video Frank posted shows you can put the Centrotec or the Jacobs chuck on the right angle chuck. 

 

[spikfot]

Either that's a mini-size drill or you've got hands like Andre The Giant!
- A CXS is on my short list, thanks for the confirmation, Brice.

 

[LostInTheWood]

 The hand should grab the drill high on the drill body with the index finger on the side of the drill and the middle finger on the trigger, this puts your hand directly in line with the driveshaft.  Some people describe this design as allowing you to put more force behind the drill.  That’s not exactly how I describe it.  I say it lets get the force you need to drill or drive with less effort needed on your part. And the body of the CXS is narrow and that makes feel a lot better on my hand than the C12.  
[attachthumb=#]
 

I know what you are trying to say.  I call it screwgun grip.  It's not so much that you use less force, but rather the force exerted is in line with the bit (as you mentioned) which is more efficient and comfortable.    What is  missing is the force that you would need to use to resist the moment action on your wrist as push the bit into the screw to keep it from camming out ( T-handle drill ).    Again, more comfortable. 

Nice review BTW, Paul's too.  Thanks guys....that's another $275 not in my pocket....

 

[fritter63]

 I was only able to get a dozen holes in framing lumber with a used 1” spade bit on a fully charged battery.

Just a small nit on you Brice. Spade bits are made for drill presses, not handheld drills! Unless you're using the name for a spiral bit rather than
a flat "spade" bit.....

 

[Ken Nagrod]

I was only able to get a dozen holes in framing lumber with a used 1” spade bit on a fully charged battery.

Just a small nit on you Brice. Spade bits are made for drill presses, not handheld drills! Unless you're using the name for a spiral bit rather than
a flat "spade" bit.....

[huh]  What you talkin' about Willis?

Of course they're made for a handheld drill.  What would make you think they're only for a drill press?

Spade Bits

 

[pugilato]

I am pretty sure that I would like to own a CXS, but cannot justify the purchase in my mind... I have a Ryobi drill/hammer drill and an impact driver.  I have had these pieces for years with very good service.  However, the batteries are something else.  I generally buy a new set each year, and they last two years before they dont take a charge at all.  But the last set I bought (six months ago) are not holding much of a charge.  Still at $50-60 for two batteries every year to keep the Ryobi's operational, can I justify $300 for the coolest drill ever?

Also, the Ryobi's seem to get heavier every time I use them (is that a weak justification?). I also want a Macbook Pro.

 

[fritter63]

I was only able to get a dozen holes in framing lumber with a used 1” spade bit on a fully charged battery.

Just a small nit on you Brice. Spade bits are made for drill presses, not handheld drills! Unless you're using the name for a spiral bit rather than
a flat "spade" bit.....

[huh]  What you talkin' about Willis?

Of course they're made for a handheld drill.  What would make you think they're only for a drill press?

Spade Bits

Norm Abrams and my high school shop teacher! (covered under the "shop safety" section!)  [cool]

 

[Ken Nagrod]

Ok.  Still, don't understand what wouldn't be safe about using them in a handheld drill?  At least one that has a side handle to brace for torque reaction.

BTW, I know it's being picky, but Norm would probably appreciate me pointing out (since a lot of people misspell his name), it's Norm Abram.

 

[fritter63]

Ok.  Still, don't understand what wouldn't be safe about using them in a handheld drill?  At least one that has a side handle to brace for torque reaction.

BTW, I know it's being picky, but Norm would probably appreciate me pointing out (since a lot of people misspell his name), it's Norm Abram.

It had to do with the inability to keep the bit perfect straight and not have it bind.

 

[alanz]

you cant use the 90 degree with the keyless chuck.

I got my CXS today and the keyless (Jacobs style) chuck seems to work just fine on the 90 degree adapter.

Also, I was informed today by the dealer that a 1/2" keyless chuck will fit the CSX.

 

[fritter63]

you cant use the 90 degree with the keyless chuck.

I got my CXS today and the keyless (Jacobs style) chuck seems to work just fine on the 90 degree adapter.

Also, I was informed today by the dealer that a 1/2" keyless chuck will fit the CSX.

What about the offset chuck? Will there be one for CXS? that's the deal breaker/clincher for me.

 

[Ken Nagrod]

you cant use the 90 degree with the keyless chuck.

I got my CXS today and the keyless (Jacobs style) chuck seems to work just fine on the 90 degree adapter.

Also, I was informed today by the dealer that a 1/2" keyless chuck will fit the CSX.

What about the offset chuck? Will there be one for CXS? that's the deal breaker/clincher for me.

Shane had already stated that there was no offset chuck for the CXS as it was close in ability anyway due to its size.

 

[Brice Burrell]

....Also, I was informed today by the dealer that a 1/2" keyless chuck will fit the CSX.

Yes, it certainly does but.....the CXS doesn't really like drilling larger holes.  You're fine with 1/2", when you start getting much past that, not so good.

you cant use the 90 degree with the keyless chuck.

I got my CXS today and the keyless (Jacobs style) chuck seems to work just fine on the 90 degree adapter.

Also, I was informed today by the dealer that a 1/2" keyless chuck will fit the CSX.

What about the offset chuck? Will there be one for CXS? that's the deal breaker/clincher for me.

Shane had already stated that there was no offset chuck for the CXS as it was close in ability anyway due to its size.

I would agree with Shane, given the size/shape of the CXS there is no need for the eccentric (offset) chuck.  I believe Jonny (as in Round Boy) was the first to notice this.

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

What about the offset chuck? Will there be one for CXS? that's the deal breaker/clincher for me.

Yeah, as others have said... The head of the CXS is significantly smaller than our C-series and T-series drills so there's no need for an eccentric chuck. You can easily get into corners without accidental contact with adjacent surfaces. Go check one out and you'll see.

 

[Alan m]

i dont know if this will work or not but will the offset chuck from one of the other drills fit . i dont have either so cant check. how do they fit and stop spinning.

 

[PaulMarcel]

No the attachment method for the other chucks (eccentric and non-CXS 90º chuck) is different.  Likewise the CXS's 90º chuck won't work on a non-CXS.

You basically get as close with a CXS as you would with an eccentric chuck.

Also, and I'm super late on this one, 1/4" hex bits fit into the end of the CXS but as others pointed out, retracting the bit won't work.

The magnet holds driver bits very well, almost too well!

 

[Dundee99]

I was only able to get a dozen holes in framing lumber with a used 1” spade bit on a fully charged battery.

Just a small nit on you Brice. Spade bits are made for drill presses, not handheld drills! Unless you're using the name for a spiral bit rather than
a flat "spade" bit.....

I hope you are clamping your timber in the drill press when using a spade bit, i had a bad, very bad experience! [oops] almost goodbye thumb thanks to 1-1/2 spade bit. lesson learned though!

 

[Michael1960]

Thanks for sharing your lesson.  It's too easy to underestimate the dangers of drills and bits. 

 

[leakyroof]

One note to add after using mine for a few years now.  A quick shot of Teflon Dry Lube spray on the inner mounting section of the Right Angle Chuck now prevents it from getting jammed on the body of the drill. Before, I could spend a good few seconds fighting to get the chuck off the drill. Now, it just comes off easily when I need it to. [smile]

 

[robertgreen94]

I have the CXS and it haas become my go to drill.  Ergonomics, weight distribution as well as overall weight are stellar.  It is not however my go to driver.  Currently thats the Dewalt, which has yet to come across something it can't drive.  It weighs more, not as well balanced and the battery does not last as long.  I know some of the weight is from the old battery but still.

Festool, please come out with a dedicated driver.  If you do I will buy.

CXS i would recommend to anyone.
just my 2 cents