CXS and C15 - initial impressions from a hobbiest

[RKA]

I've never owned a Festool drill before, so take this with a grain of salt.  I have some Bosch 12v tools and some Makita 18v tools in the stable, those are my frame of reference.  It turns out having a centrotec installer set lying around with no drill is a situation that can't exist for long.  Who knew?  I had planned to wait a few more months before ordering a drill, but it didn't work out that way.  Both a CXS and C15 were abandoned on my doorstep by Tool Nut last night, so I did what any compassionate person would do, I took them in and gave them a warm home!  I haven't had a chance to do much more than run a few screws and drill a few holes, but my initial impression was pretty strong.

CXS - It's relatively compact, but not much more so than my 12v Bosch tools.  Trigger control isn't much different either.  I like the feel in my hand, but that's about it.  I'm a little puzzled why so many love it so much (compared to other manufacturers 12v offerings), but of course, each of us has our preferences and I haven't exactly given the tool a fair run down.  Still, for me, I wasn't overly impressed.  This one might go back to Festool, we'll see. 

C15 - This one blew my mind.  The feel in my hand was similar to the CXS, but heavier obviously.  The sound of the motor was so smooth.  Something about it screamed German-made to me.  The trigger control was what put it over the top for me.  I can easily feather it to control the drill as precisely as I want.  I'm still astonished as I have always resorted to a screwdriver for the final torque because power tools lacked that last bit of control or feedback (not sure what the word for it is).  I'll spare you my BMW vs. Chevy analogy on this subject, but suffice it to say, this tool hit a chord with me.  And for me, hand torquing more than a dozen screws can become quite painful.  Substituting a power tool will be a welcome change if I'm doing a lot of assembly or other repetitive work around the house.

Now, if they could take the guts of the C15 and drop that into a CXS body...maybe for the CSX v2.  p.s. - if you do that, could you add a battery level indicator too? 

 

[mrboult]

You seem to be enjoying the benefits of the brushless motor in your C15. . . so . . . enough said!

Regarding the CXS. . . The day  got mine I was a bit underwhelmed also. However after using it properly for a couple of days I was totally in love with it. It's light weight and great ergonomics won it for me (I never liked the using the shape of the makita/bosch 12v drills).

I especially love how the CXS can be 'holstered'.  By this I mean that I often slip the belt clip into my back pocket while using my hands and then without effort or thought reach, grab, and 'flick' it into position for use, before 'spinning' it back and sliding it back into my pocket. Again without thought or effort.  So easy and quick.

If all your jobs are too heavy for the CXS then that's another problem, but if that's not the problem then I think it will grow on you quickly.

 

[RKA]

That "holster-ing" will probably be the reason I keep it (along with the centrotec chuck).  But it's funny, it's the light duty tasks where I find I want the precision and control...the jobs the CXS is sized well for.  A hybrid between these two would be a homerun with me!

 

[AofD]

I would be interested to know how you feel about it after a couple of weeks usage.  I'm in a similar boat of deciding between these two options or both.

 

[Kev]

The C15 is a lovely unit. The trigger control is incredibly smooth - I honestly feel I have more control with the C15 when trying to be delicate than with the CXS. I still use the CXS more than anything - it's light with great power and I love Centrotec.

I'm curious whether I would have been happy with the C12 over the CXS (with the smaller lighter battery pack) ... one less variety of charger and broader battery compatibility!

 

[GarryMartin]

I have a T15, TI15 and CXS and the CXS is my go to drill. If they sold them "bare" (i.e. without charger and batteries), I'd buy another in a heartbeat.

They're incredibly powerful for their 10.8V, and the ergonomics are superb.

I think you'll fall in love with it very quickly.  [smile]

 

[RKA]

AofD, I'm not sure I would be evaluating and choosing between them.  I'll most likely judge each on it's own merits.  As it stands, they are different enough in my eyes.  The C15 has a finesse about it that I really like.  In a world where cordless tools are sold based on muscle, that's a rare treat.  Unless this thing shorts out and stops my heart, it's a keeper for me.  Now, the CXS is a tougher sell since it's batteries can't be used elsewhere in the festool ecosystem (as Kev mentioned).  It has portability going for it, which by itself may be the deciding factor.  I would love this thing while working up on a ladder!  The jury is out on the ergonomics.  If it does grow on me, that would tip me off the fence.  If I do keep it, I'm up to 5 different battery systems, which is a bit crazy.  

(Edit)
Interesting tidbit, the mounting holes on the C15 charger are 96mm on center.  I got a chuckle out of that.  So then I look at the CXS charger...85 or 86mm (the housing wasn't wide enough to make it 96).

 

[gtriderr]

I enjoyed reading your feelings on the C15. I too bought the centrotec installer set. ( Wanted to get it while it was available again) I did this with no drill to run them other than the CXS which I have only used once or twice.

I like the feeling of the CXS and think that I will be using this for a lot of assembly work. I want a more powerful Festool drill and the additional attachments yet not ready to make the plunge because I keep thinking that Festool may be releasing a new drill soon as they have in Europe. That being said I have a brushless 20 volt Dewalt driver that is great for construction applications and really don't need another driver. I have been leaning toward the C15 as I like the feel of the CXS yet would like to handle one. My local dealer has tools yet not that many and no drills to demo and no new in stock.

My garage is full this time of year and I'm ice fishing with the cold weather in Maine yet spring will soon be here and I'll start thinking about the wood shop and the projects I have plans for.

Wife and I are going to Vermont in March and plan on visiting a Woodcraft store on the way. Want to hold the drill and see how it feels. Always used T style drills yet do like feeling of the CXS.  Time will tell.

John

 

[amt]

Thanks for the review.  I would probably not be able to get both, so comparing the two was just what I needed.  It sounds like the C15 is for me.

 

[RC]

You might want to try both the C15 and the T15 in your hand before deciding - they are pretty much the same drill except for the different grips.

I for one love how the CXS fits my hand, but for some reason I cannot find a comfortable way to grip the C15 whereas the T15/Ti15 body fits my hand like a glove. Go figure.

 

[GarryMartin]

You might want to try both the C15 and the T15 in your hand before deciding - they are pretty much the same drill except for the different grips.

I for one love how the CXS fits my hand, but for some reason I cannot find a comfortable way to grip the C15 whereas the T15/Ti15 body fits my hand like a glove. Go figure.

+1  [big grin]

 

[mrboult]

You might want to try both the C15 and the T15 in your hand before deciding - they are pretty much the same drill except for the different grips.

I for one love how the CXS fits my hand, but for some reason I cannot find a comfortable way to grip the C15 whereas the T15/Ti15 body fits my hand like a glove. Go figure.

+2   [big grin]

I also love the CXS in my hand but dislike how the C15 feels.

 

[lambeater]

You might want to try both the C15 and the T15 in your hand before deciding - they are pretty much the same drill except for the different grips.

I for one love how the CXS fits my hand, but for some reason I cannot find a comfortable way to grip the C15 whereas the T15/Ti15 body fits my hand like a glove. Go figure.

+3

Played with both the C15 and T15 and enjoyed the comfort of the T way more. Use my CSX all the time for mainly driving screws.
thx
Lambeater

 

[gtriderr]

I can see how I could use the CXS for driving screws. I like that it feels great in my hand and you have great control over the torque output while driving screws, especially pocket screws.

I have never had the opportunity to hold anything other than the CXS and would like to buy the C15 just because I want a more powerful drill for drilling and other applications. After the last couple posts I guess I will just wait until March and hold them, maybe even get to try them out.

John

 

[cliffp]

I have  a CXS and T15+3. I like the T15+3 for jobs where I need plenty of torque but in most cases I use the CXS. Its powerful enough for virtually everything and when it comes to installing drawer runners or anything similarly intricate its fantastic ergonomics, light weight and small size make the job a lot easier. When I bought it I thought it would turn out to be an indulgence but it is worth its weight in gold.