Greetings. I am a hobbyist trying to decide if I want to go for the CXS. I just bought Dewalt 20V drill and 20V driver last year, but am looking for something smaller and lighter. I had in mind getting the CXS with the installers set to take advantage of the entire Festool system, but the kit is a bit pricy. I am following the other thread on what drill bits people are using, but my question is what would I miss out on if I go with some of these other brand bits and do not use the centrotec system bits and attachments? Example, do I need centrotec bits to use the 90 degree head? Or, is it worth it just to jump in and get the centrotec installers kit? Thanks!
Bits for CXS
- Thread starter coug
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carlb40
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- Mar 18, 2014
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No you do not need the centrotec bits, but they are handy. As you don't make a living from woodwork etc the added speed change between swapping bits over isn't such an issue. You can use the 90 degree attachment on its own, with the centrotec chuck or the normal jacobs chuck attached to it. So you can use normal drill bits - up to 8mm or standard 1/4 inch drive bits etc. [smile]
AlexThePalex
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- 7,808
coug said:
The only thing you would miss out on is the added comfort of very fast swapping of bits. And the high quality of the bits of course, which results in nicer looking work.
Cheaper bits can do all the work too of course. You are in no way tied to centrotec bits.
I would strongly suggest you get this Twin Box and I would also get this holder. The Twin Box is pretty much everything you will need and has a nice storage location in the CXS systainer. I like the upgraded bit holder because it is easy to hold the retainer ring to steady the business end of the driver while it is rotating.
I am very happy with my CXS and recommend it without reservation.
I am very happy with my CXS and recommend it without reservation.
+1 on the CSX, Twin box and holder.johnleve said:
I have both the CXS and the old (pre-Lithium) C12. Both are great drill drivers. The C12 is so good that I could not justify getting a new C12 or C15 when the original batteries wore out. I just bought a new battery. In any case, I rarely use the C12 because the CXS is so good.
Some tips and comments about the CXS:
- The Centrotec chucks work on both the CXS and C12.
- The Centrotec Festool drill bits are excellent, but pricey. I have the metric set.
- Any standard hex wire-detent screw bit will work in the holder.
- Any* 1/4", hex shank "power drive" drill or screw bit will work in the holder. (See http://www.wihatools.com/indexes/Indx_power_bits.htm for an example.) The power drive screw bits are very common; you can get them anywhere in a variety of lengths and types. The power drive drill bits are less common, but you can get them from a variety of places, including Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=hex%20shank%20drill%20bits&sprefix=hex+sha%2Caps .
* "Any" is not completely 100% accurate. In the past, I've encountered a couple of off brand power drive drill bits that would not lock in properly to that holder. But that's rare in my experience.
Finally, if you need the head to be VERY short... In a C12, you can load a hex bit directly into the C12 with no chuck attached. I believe that is true for the CXS as well. I'll check when I get home.
You might want to check out Brice Burrell's CSX review: http://greenanddarkblue.blogspot.com/2013/01/review-of-festool-cxs-cordless-drill.html
I hope this helps.
Regards,
Dan.
p.s. IMO, the C12's and C15's are the best drills available. Brushless motors, fairly light, very powerful and controllable. They are not everyone's cup of tea. The CSX does not match the C's except in two areas - weight and comfort. For me, those two characteristics make me use my CSX most of the time. If I were starting from scratch, I'd buy the CSX first and then a new C15. OTOH, If Festool came out with a CSX with a brushless motor, I'd buy it in an instant. THAT would be the perfect drill driver.
I second Dan's comments - I have a CXS, and just got a C15 to replace my clapped out Makita. The CXS is almost like an extension to your arm - perfect for trim work, overhead work, ah heck - perfect for just about everything except "big" jobs....
When I first got my CXS, I was a little resentful that I needed to get some Centrotec bits - but the quality and lack of "slop" quickly shut me up.... ;D
When I first got my CXS, I was a little resentful that I needed to get some Centrotec bits - but the quality and lack of "slop" quickly shut me up.... ;D
dsh,dsh1705 said:
Since I was very happy with my C12, I was more curious about the CSX than anything. I was already used to high quality and zero slop of Festool drills. So I stopped buy a local store just to "look". The first time I grabbed it in my hand, my reaction was, "Ooooooh... NICE! Feels really gooooood!" I.e. love at first grab.
Anyway, that's my story and I'm stickin' to it.
Dan.
