Best drill combo for 2023, and someone new to the ecosystem?

[tsmi243]

Most of the time I just use my 12v Bosch Flexiclick.

This is what I wish Festool would make- something the size & power of a Bosch 12v. 

I was REAL excited about the CXS18- until I saw that they're advertising..... 8 Nm????    Really?  That's 70 in-lbs where I live....

 

[derekcohen]

What battery system of the C12? There is the C12... what else uses that battery? Almost nothing. Sure, plenty of things are compatible, but they run with very poor performance on the 12V (10.8V) battery.

The C12 (Li version) uses the "big" style 12V batteries.

Fun fact:
Those 12V 3-cell packs are 100 g lighter than the standard 3.1 18V packs AND work with both the DRC 18/4 *and* the PSC/PSBC 420. Especially with the PSC these are a boon - that tool screams for light batteries ... With the DRC they lower the top speed, so not too practical.

I hope the new 2.5 packs - while shorter per videos - will be compatible with the "old" 1.5Ah packs from my C12 Li per above.

Yes. I use the 3.1 18v packs with the PDC 18/4. It drops the weight significantly. This is dropped even further if you use the Centrotec drill bits rather than the chuck. I have 2 x 3.1 packs, and this is plenty for workshop use.

Nevertheless, the C12 is the referred choice for small holes and screws.

Regards from Perth

Derek

 

[Coen]

Most of the time I just use my 12v Bosch Flexiclick.

This is what I wish Festool would make- something the size & power of a Bosch 12v. 

I was REAL excited about the CXS18- until I saw that they're advertising..... 8 Nm????    Really?  That's 70 in-lbs where I live....

8 Nm is the max. setting of the clutch in 1st gear. If you disable the clutch it says 22 Nm. Bosch GSR 12v-35 is 20 Nm. But there are a lot more GSR 12v-15's around, and they are a bit weaker.

Look at what torque value you compare. Most companies now use some nonsense "maximum metal on metal torque" which has zero relevancy for anything else.

Anything more than that on a small machine is mostly just used for twisting wrists anyway.

What battery system of the C12? There is the C12... what else uses that battery? Almost nothing. Sure, plenty of things are compatible, but they run with very poor performance on the 12V (10.8V) battery.

The C12 (Li version) uses the "big" style 12V batteries.

Fun fact:
Those 12V 3-cell packs are 100 g lighter than the standard 3.1 18V packs AND work with both the DRC 18/4 *and* the PSC/PSBC 420. Especially with the PSC these are a boon - that tool screams for light batteries ... With the DRC they lower the top speed, so not too practical.

I hope the new 2.5 packs - while shorter per videos - will be compatible with the "old" 1.5Ah packs from my C12 Li per above.

I know, but there is no "platform" for these full size 12V batteries.

 

[batmanimal]

You sound a lot like me, in terms of projects.

I have the CXS, TXS, and C18. The only one I can’t live without is the CXS.

The C18 is also very good, I use it primarily for drilling holes. I like the C series for the handle shape. Makes it easier for me to drill straight.

The TXS I got on a whim because I loved the CXS so much. I don’t use it that often, but it’s a fine drill too.

For the heavier duty stuff I use the Milwaukee Fuel Surge line, as I’m pretty locked into that battery platform. If I had to start all over again, I would go for Makita, particularly that oil impulse driver that [member=68525]usernumber1[/member] mentioned.

Anyway, I would start with the CXS and save your money for other Festools that aren’t drills. Remember you will need to buy all the centrotec bits, your standard hex drill bits won’t be compatible. And there is no socket bit available (unless this has changed for 2023?), so you’re probably going to need a non-centrotec driver anyway for things like deck work (ie driving endless Simpson strong tie screws into joists). There is a socket converter available (I have it somewhere), but I find it easier to just reach for the Milwaukee whenever I need to drive a bunch of hex head fasteners.