C12 or CXS

[gowyn]

So I have a TDK15.6 as my "big" drill.

Right now I have a selection of Milwaukee M12 drill, driver, impact driver and I'm looking at tidying up the shop by reducing clutter and getting either the CXS or C12.

I'm leaning towards the CXS, does anyone concur this is a good choice to replace the M12's

 

[mike68au]

I've been through a bunch of Small 10.8-12v drills from Metabo, Makita and Bosch.... hands down the CXS is the best balanced smoothest running drill i have ever used.  the size is prefect It can hang of my belt with comfort when on a ladder not weighing me down and I have so much control with the speed i never use a hand screwdriver anymore. 

As a replacement for your Milwaukee you will have the benefit of the system, multiple tools of the one Battery, but once you use the CXS i doubt you'll care.

 

[Birdhunter]

I've got both and they are very different animals.

The CSX is a delight to use. It's small, light weight, and able to access small areas where a large drill can't go.

The C12 is much heavier and larger. It's very powerful and has excellent balance.

I bought the CXS to replace a small DeWalt drill. I ended up keeping both.

If you can't buy both the CSX and the C12, I'd suggest the C12 as an all-around drill.

Whichever drill you buy, I highly recommend getting the accessory kit. I was doubtful that I'd ever use some of the accessories when I bought the kit. I find I use them all at some point or another.

 

[gowyn]

I was thinking the TDK15 would be comparable to the C12

The CXS is just to replace the 12v stuff

 

[Kev]

Get the CXS ... Later you'll get something like a T18 or a PDC 18-4 if you need real THUMP!

I have CSX, C15, Ti15 and PDC18-4 ... I mainly use the CXS and the PDC18-4.

 

[PeterK]

I have a T15, T12 and the CXS. The CXS gets at least 95% of the work load for in shop needs. Yard projects like a fence install sees me using both the T15 and T12 with one set up to drill and one to drive. The CXS is truly a wonderful tool but not powerful enough for most outdoor type projects of driving lag screws and 3" screws into pressure treated lumber. It will do it but wrong tool for the job. Household and shop use - the CXS is a no-brainer. Actually I have 2 of the CXS and leave one in the house for all the oddball needs. If I had it to do over, I still would have purchased 2 of the CXS but I wish I had purchased 2 of the T15s as the T12 has no advantage at all to me. Virtually same weight and size but less power for only a savings of $50 I believe.

 

[mike68au]

I find the CXS and T15 a very effective and efficient combo.

 

[gowyn]

Thanks all, picked up the CXS this morning.  Now have to sell all the M12 stuff.

 

[Saskataper]

Let me know how it fairs compared to the M12 impact. That's my go to driver right now but he CXS has been calling my name lately.

 

[Kev]

Let me know how it fairs compared to the M12 impact. That's my go to driver right now but he CXS has been calling my name lately.

Cripes, mine can't talk ... has there been an upgrade?  [eek]

 

[Davej]

Let me know how it fairs compared to the M12 impact. That's my go to driver right now but he CXS has been calling my name lately.

Cripes, mine can't talk ... has there been an upgrade?  [eek]

Kev , don't you ' hear ' the voices in your head  [tongue]

 

[Kev]

Let me know how it fairs compared to the M12 impact. That's my go to driver right now but he CXS has been calling my name lately.

Cripes, mine can't talk ... has there been an upgrade?  [eek]

Kev , don't you ' hear ' the voices in your head  [tongue]

Yes of course I do ... but I'm a sane human being and I know that's my KAPEX talking to me ... !  [wink]

 

[Julian Tracy]

I had the CXS but it was just too darn slow to be of any use for drilling imo.  For basic assembly or electrical, maybe, but it'd really be a gem if it had a rpm switch to a higher speed gearing.  I sold mine.

I've got an older Nicad C12 - love that for the versatility of the chucks as well as the overall ergonomics of the body design.

Like it enough to pay for battery rebuilds on it - not too many cordless drills that'd be worth doing for these days.

JT

 

[Saskataper]

I've been reading up on the drills here trying to decide on which to buy and today I decided to just start with the CXS and go for a bigger one later. No where did I find anything that said you could do this, I finally found a good use for the mini sys that Festool sent with the package for submitting a video.

 

[NYC Tiny Shop]

The CXS is my only Festool drill right now and I love it! But lately, it seems like I always have to use my very old (over 50 years old!) Craftsman.  This thing is a tank!!  The CXS can't deal with my forstner bits or anything else that requires real juice.  I held the C12 at the Toolnuts showroom and liked the weight and balance...just not sure how much umph it has?

 

[sancho57]

I was going to buy the CXS but opted for the C12. I thought the weight difference between the 2 wasnt that big of a difference.

What my deciding factor were

The C12 is brushless = will not lose performance over time due to brush wear.

The C12 had a additional chuck the offset one which helps me with assembly.

Now with that being said, I have to predrill in order to drive longer screws into thicker and harder wood.

I wish festool came out with a dedicated impact drill.