anyone disappointed with their CXS?

[Timtool]

I second everyone with saying the CXS is a fantastic drill when you have a bigger brother for drilling holes and larger screws, but as an only drill i would say it is not the best choice.
The only drill that can really do anything well is the T/C15.
When i go working on site i only take the T15 with me, it's just a great all rounder. But in the workshop i think it's more like 60% CXS and 40%T15, it's just a great combo that complement each other perfectly.

 

[Dan1210]

Hey skids, ive got the panasonic 14.4 impact/drill set for heavier stuff, fantastic drills! Really need to see the c series for myself and yes after using the cxs for 2 years i couldnt go back to the t style for all day use, the c style is so much better for me.

 

[otis04]

I had a CSX and returned it.  It was a nice drill but as mentioned above, drilling was slow and driving screws was also slow.  The drill repeatedly quit on overload.  I understand it is a small unit and has limitations but for the price I can get a drill and impact driver in yellow or blue that are good tools.  I have owned them and used them for years with no complaints.
For me, the beauty of the Festool system is the "system".  There is no integration of the drills into the larger universe of tools.

 

[Timtool]

For me, the beauty of the Festool system is the "system".  There is no integration of the drills into the larger universe of tools.

the System of the drills is the centrotec, the batteries the chucks and the systainers, when i see someone changing drill bits on a drill with a jacobs chuck, i feel like watching someone getting up to change channels with the buttons on the tv...

 

[skids]

Hey skids, ive got the panasonic 14.4 impact/drill set for heavier stuff, fantastic drills! Really need to see the c series for myself and yes after using the cxs for 2 years i couldnt go back to the t style for all day use, the c style is so much better for me.

I have that one too!! That drill is an animal. But boy is it sloppy. Between the Panny and the C15 I feel pretty confident in my drilling arsenal.

 

[adubeau]

I love mine and It's great... I have no coplaints and use more than my Hitachi 18V and the Milwauke 12V 90 degree drill -- I had a Bosch pocket driver and the batteries went south so I replaced it withthe CXS... 

 

[Runhard]

I'm not disappointed.

 

[Wood_Junkie]

I love the CXS, and now use it for 99% of my woodworking.  It has plenty of oomph, is tiny and light, and of course the special chucks just bring it home!

Now, as others have mentioned, it only has a 3/8" chuck... which is easily solved if you happen to have any other Festool drill.  Just swap the 1/2" chuck from a C12/15, TDK12, T12/15, etc and vavoom, the CXS can use that weird bit. 

 

[ShawnRussell]

Hobby worker, I love my CXS. I have the T15 and use the CXS the majority of the time. As a matter of fact, my wife has decided to borrow quite often and she soon needs to get her own.

 

[fastbike]

Really, I love my MFT/3, TS 55, OF 1400, CT 36 and ETS 125, but . . . . like some have said the system is the thing.

I don't see "the system" with the drills and I don't buy the argument that Centrotec is the feature worth paying a ridiculous premium for the drill.

A keyless chuck takes seconds to change bits and I don't need to buy all new ones.

Instead of the CXS, this is my compact drill/driver of choice: http://www.portercable.com/Products/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=24174.

Small, leds, two speeds. Drills and drives into hardwood. About 40% of the price of the CXS.

 

[waynelang2001]

Really, I love my MFT/3, TS 55, OF 1400, CT 36 and ETS 125, but . . . . like some have said the system is the thing.

I don't see "the system" with the drills and I don't buy the argument that Centrotec is the feature worth paying a ridiculous premium for the drill.

A keyless chuck takes seconds to change bits and I don't need to buy all new ones.

Instead of the CXS, this is my compact drill/driver of choice: http://www.portercable.com/Products/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=24174.

Small, leds, two speeds. Drills and drives into hardwood. About 40% of the price of the CXS.

I agree, the drills really add nothing new to the system. The only reason I got into the festool drills was the chucks, The C and T series really do things that no other drill can. I do feel though that the CXS doesnt really add as much as its bigger brothers.

 

[BMH]

I will disagree, the "drill system" exist. The different chucks and the centrotec system make the system. My Panasonic was a great drill, but Festool drill system beat them in usability.

I got the centrotec on sale and was concern that I was not going to get my money worth out of it.  Now I can honestly say that it was a bargain and that I am piss at the crap "premium drill" that I was buying before.

I have the CSX and the T15. I use the the CSX 80% of the time,  little slow on the 3.5 deck screws, but so easy to carry around that it is my favorite ladder drill. Cabinet install with centrotec system, unbeatable.

 

[waynelang2001]

I will disagree, the "drill system" exist. The different chucks and the centrotec system make the system. My Panasonic was a great drill, but Festool drill system beat them in usability.

I got the centrotec on sale and was concern that I was not going to get my money worth out of it.  Now I can honestly say that it was a bargain and that I am  at the crap "premium drill" that I was buying before.

I have the CSX and the T15. I use the the CSX 80% of the time,  little slow on the 3.5 deck screws, but so easy to carry around that it is my favorite ladder drill. Cabinet install with centrotec system, unbeatable.

Yes the " drill system " exist. But it doesnt add anything to the festool system........thats my opinion.

 

[skids]

Really, I love my MFT/3, TS 55, OF 1400, CT 36 and ETS 125, but . . . . like some have said the system is the thing.

I don't see "the system" with the drills and I don't buy the argument that Centrotec is the feature worth paying a ridiculous premium for the drill.

A keyless chuck takes seconds to change bits and I don't need to buy all new ones.

Instead of the CXS, this is my compact drill/driver of choice: http://www.portercable.com/Products/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=24174.

Small, leds, two speeds. Drills and drives into hardwood. About 40% of the price of the CXS.

I can see the logic here completely..Festool drills are expensive and don't do anything exceptionally better than any other drill to justify the price. I mean, suppose like everything FT makes, they're built better and they have the right angle chuck. But, other than the systainer (which you can put any drill in) I don't really see the point to ditch what you have for them. I am personally keeping my Panasonic Impact driver (14.4 brushless) and just putting it in a systainer, instead of buying a FT impact driver. But...Once I held and used a C Handle it convinced me to get one-I do love my c15. But overall, I can totally see your point here.

Anyway, pound for pound, this might be the best drill ever made in terms of weight, torque and toughness in the 15.6-18v class of drills. Yes, this drill outdoes alot of 18v drills. This is the drill I laid to rest and it will be missed.

http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-15-6-Volt-2-Inch-Cordless-Driver/dp/B002OITMGO

 

[AlexThePalex]

For those who talk about the "drill system", or its lack thereof, how exactly do you envision a drill to fit in with the system?

Like, a CMS insert for the C15, or a rail adapter for the T18?

Personally, I think drills are stand alone tools, in a category of its own, and boy, does Festool deliver some nice accessories for them!

 

[skids]

For those who talk about the "drill system", or its lack thereof, how exactly do you envision a drill to fit in with the system?

Like, a CMS insert for the C15, or a rail adapter for the T18?

Personally, I think drills are stand alone tools, in a category of its own, and boy, does Festool deliver some nice accessories for them!

People are merely pointing out what you just agreed with. The fact it's not as important to buy a Festool drill because there is no NEED for it to fit into the "system". Therefore, you could buy any drill to fulfill the same pupose. Whereas, an TS55 without a rail and an MFT is like a car without tires. I don't think anyone mentioned envisioning it being part of a system.

Simple fact is. Drills aren't really part of the "system" (unless you count systainers as the system) and therefore you don't NEED to buy a Festool drill.

 

[mouppe]

Don't forget the batteries are interchangeable with other tools and the syslite.

 

[skids]

Don't forget the batteries are interchangeable with other tools and the syslite.

Probably worth mentioning this is not the case for the CXS. 15v and up I believe.

 

[AlexThePalex]

For those who talk about the "drill system", or its lack thereof, how exactly do you envision a drill to fit in with the system?

Like, a CMS insert for the C15, or a rail adapter for the T18?

Personally, I think drills are stand alone tools, in a category of its own, and boy, does Festool deliver some nice accessories for them!

People are merely pointing out what you just agreed with. The fact it's not as important to buy a Festool drill because there is no NEED for it to fit into the "system". Therefore, you could buy any drill to fulfill the same pupose. Whereas, an TS55 without a rail and an MFT is like a car without tires. I don't think anyone mentioned envisioning it being part of a system.

Simple fact is. Drills aren't really part of the "system" (unless you count systainers as the system) and therefore you don't NEED to buy a Festool drill.

I posed a question. I wasn't agreeing anything with anybody.

Since this whole drills & system theme started with Otis4's remark that he's amongst other things disappointed about the drills because they don't add to the system.

For me, the beauty of the Festool system is the "system".  There is no integration of the drills into the larger universe of tools.

I'm just curious to know how you would fit a drill in the rest of Festool's system in such a way that it would get and added "system" value.

Don't forget the batteries are interchangeable with other tools and the syslite.

If that's the system then Festool is actually waaaaaay behind other brands. Right now Festool has it's drills, a jigsaw and a lamp to fit with the batteries.

Other brands have what, like, drills, jigsaws, lamps, circular saws, reciprocating saws, planers, grinders, sanders, and more.

 

[skids]

For those who talk about the "drill system", or its lack thereof, how exactly do you envision a drill to fit in with the system?

Like, a CMS insert for the C15, or a rail adapter for the T18?

Personally, I think drills are stand alone tools, in a category of its own, and boy, does Festool deliver some nice accessories for them!

People are merely pointing out what you just agreed with. The fact it's not as important to buy a Festool drill because there is no NEED for it to fit into the "system". Therefore, you could buy any drill to fulfill the same pupose. Whereas, an TS55 without a rail and an MFT is like a car without tires. I don't think anyone mentioned envisioning it being part of a system.

Simple fact is. Drills aren't really part of the "system" (unless you count systainers as the system) and therefore you don't NEED to buy a Festool drill.

I posed a question. I wasn't agreeing anything with anybody.

Since this whole drills & system theme started with Otis4's remark that he's amongst other things disappointed about the drills because they don't add to the system.

For me, the beauty of the Festool system is the "system".  There is no integration of the drills into the larger universe of tools.

I'm just curious to know how you would fit a drill in the rest of Festool's system in such a way that it would get and added "system" value.

Don't forget the batteries are interchangeable with other tools and the syslite.

If that's the system then Festool is actually waaaaaay behind other brands. Right now Festool has it's drills, a jigsaw and a lamp to fit with the batteries.

Other brands have what, like, drills, jigsaws, lamps, circular saws, reciprocating saws, planers, grinders, sanders, and more.

[dead horse]