CXS 18V Cordless Compact 2 Speed Drill

[derekcohen]

I am contemplating getting the CSX 18v to replace an ageing (but goodie) 12v Panasonic drill. I have had it 25 years (!) and it runs great. Plus I have extra batteries, and in a workshop it does it all. However ... While it was the bees knees all those years ago, it is now heavy in comparison to new gear. Incidentally, I did choose it back then over a Festool drill. The Panasonic had better ergonomics. Now the Festool CSX promises to be the go-to. Enough background, here's the issue ...

I do have a 10.8v Festool C12, which proves that this is all the power one really needs to build furniture. I also have a Festool PDC 18/4 for heavy work around the shop and house. To make the PDC shop-worthy (i.e. light), it uses 3.1 Amp batteries. All the Festool drills charge on the same unit. Another advantage of having the CSX would be just one charger (as all here are aware).

The question relates to being able to purchase the CSX as a skin: will the batteries for the PDC fit the CSX?

Regards from Perth

Derek

 

[FestitaMakool]

Hi Derek,
- Yes they will. I bought two 3,1Ah (Bluetooth version) as my first batteries to go with the drills and jigsaw. They are perfect for this as they are much more lightweight and have a smaller footprint than the rest of 18V. I have used a 5,2Ah on my drill, once.. the 3,1 stays put for the drills and jigsaw.

I believe the 3Ah available today is exactly the same battery, only they dropped the ,1 in it’s model designation - and for some reason left the Bluetooth out as well - but! it’s now much better priced. Looking to get one of those to leave on the CXS 18.

Edit: I had one of those Panasonic drills, it was (and is) a really smooth and lovely drill.. the trigger feel and electronics are exceptional - Panasonics batteries where probably one of the best out there too. But it’s big, yes.

 

[derekcohen]

Thanks for that. Very helpful.

Also, since this is a skin and only comes with a chuck, will all the accessories for the C12 fit (corner chuck, angle chuck, etc)?

I'd love to hear your impressions of the CSX vs the C12.

Regards from Perth

Derek

 

[Jim_in_PA]

Derek, I have two of the 10.x volt CXS drill/drivers and as you likely know, they are my go-to for most work in the shop and often outside of the shop because they are light in weight, etc. There's plenty of power. I recently bought the CXS18 to replace an older non-Festool drill/driver as well as a T15 that I had bought used. I love the CXS18 for the heavier jobs and it has the same comfort factor for me that the smaller, older siblings do. While it's already been answered, to be complete, I'll acknowledge that the 18v tools are compatible so your existing 18v Festool tool and the new CXS18 will cheerfully coexist.

 

[derekcohen]

Jim, I did think of you when this topic came up. Have you used the 18v? How does it compare with the 10.8V in terms of weight, size ... I assume the extra power is obvious?

TXS vs CXS? I suspect that the TXS is likely to be better balanced in the hand .... ?

Regards from Perth

Derek

 

[mino]

Jim, I did think of you when this topic came up. Have you used the 18v? How does it compare with the 10.8V in terms of weight, size ... I assume the extra power is obvious?

TXS vs CXS? I suspect that the TXS is likely to be better balanced in the hand .... ?

Regards from Perth

Derek

CXS => 12V, the 18V version makes not that much sense as it is significantly bigger
TXS => 18V, the 12V version makes little sense as it is pretty much same size as the 18V one

From those, the CXS 18 is still serviceable as it is noticeably lighter than a C18. But unless you are looking for an install driver first - in which case the CXS 12 is the one to get - just get the TXS 18 and add the CXS 12 later on.

Add:
As for the C12 Li (with the 3-cell 1.5 batteries) versus CXS 18, IMO it is not worth it. The weight and size difference is not that much (C12 is significantly heavier, but the heavier 18V battery reverts this mostly). The CXS 18 is a bit more powerful, but again, it is not by much.

Looking at it again, just get the CXS 12. If you already have a C12, it will complement it well, a CXS 18 would be more of a slight upgrade but not much more than that. It will not "enable new use cases" like the CXS 12 does.

My main thinking is the weight - a C-style drill needs to be light, otherwise it can become painful to use pretty fast. The C12 with 3-cell packs was marginal on this, C18 is too heavy, especially with the 4.0 HP packs. CXS 18 is kinda still in the marginal zone.

 

[FestitaMakool]

Derek, I have only experience with the latest C18 - combined with the 3,1Ah battery.

The CXS 18 feels much lighter and nimbler in the handling departement compared to the C18.
This may be due to:
C18 has a more forward weight bias (Really front heavy with a regular chuck)
C18 has the trigger further down, and the grip is much thicker.
Resulting in: Less balanced feel, and it feels a lot heavier.
(Electricians love it - but they are holding it upside down.. and the flick switch between screwdriving and drilling - which the CXS 18 don’t have)

Jim and Mino has mentioned valid points.

For me, the CXS 18 does handle really well holding and gripping it like a T-handle would be used as well. (Index finger on the trigger - Not even possible comfortably with the C18)
The CXS 12V is much better for those situations you’re not holding it upright - due to less weight at the bottom (shorter, smaller battery) it is very good at that.

So, if you intend to use it with the 3Ah/3,1Ah batteries, the CXS 18 is a very good allrounder.

 

[Jim_in_PA]

Jim, I did think of you when this topic came up. Have you used the 18v? How does it compare with the 10.8V in terms of weight, size ... I assume the extra power is obvious?

TXS vs CXS? I suspect that the TXS is likely to be better balanced in the hand .... ?

Regards from Perth

Derek

Derek, the CXS18 is much heavier and and a bit larger than the "original" CXS...which is to be expected. But it's still pretty darn compact considering its power. The T version might feel more "balanced" but it's harder to get your weight behind it than with the CXS format which for me is meaningful when one hand need to support "whatever" while the other has to drive something into another thing that is hard. So, in essence, it's "balance" vs leverage in my eyes, and hands.

 

[derekcohen]

I purchased the CXS 18.

I realised that what I wanted for the workshop was a general use drill, and not an installers drill. The drill it was replacing was a 20-year old Panasonic 12V. Comparing the Panasonic to the C12 (10.8v) I have, the C12 just did not have its guts. Another 10.8v drill was not going to be helpful. I do have a 18v PDC 18/4 - big and very powerful. Too big for general use.

Back in the workshop today, the CXS 18 had a run. Wonderful drill, and I am happy with this purchase.



Many thanks for all the very helpful advice here.

Incidentally, the CXS is a nice size, smaller than the C12, but not much smaller than the old Panasonic ...



Regards from Perth

Derek