CXS drill driver? Once again, honest opinions wanted.

[bobfog]

I started a thread a few weeks back about the Carvex and I was pleasantly surprised and appreciative for the honest and frank answers, especially given this is a Festool forum.

So today I'm looking for new drill driver. I currently own a 10.8v Makita, as pictured below:

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I've been mostly happy with it, it has a fairly good amount of power for its size, handles fairly well and is fairly rugged. It does have a hammer function for masonry but I've never used it.

However, my one gripe is that it only has 1.3ah batteries available and they really don't last all that long. So, recently Makita introduced a new 10.8v of tools with slider batteries, so my hopes of a bigger capacity battery ever becoming available for this line is looking like it's dead in the water.

Therefore I'm looking for a lightweight drill driver with a higher capacity battery and the CXS with 2.6ah batteries is a contender. I do however have a few minor concerns/questions:

1) Is it as powerful as the Makita (especially interested in hearing from people who've used both)

2) How reliable/heavy duty is it? For ~ £200 for it not to have a brushless motor is a little concerning for me, especially as (as is the way with small drill drivers) it will occasionally be called upon as the nearest tool to hand, to occasionally do thing it maybe wasn't specifically designed for. (I've seen the videos of it driving large lag screws, but driving through soft wood end grain is more of a party trick than a true test).

3) Any other suggestions from other manufacturers that anyone would consider superior to the CXS in the 10.8/12v category?

Many thanks.

 

[tjbnwi]

I have 2 CXS's, they get used more than any other drill(s) I own. At times for things that should be beyond their capacity. Just one of those tools you know is right once you use it.

Tom

 

[KRKWW]

I bought the CXS as my very first Festool purchase. I needed it, along with the right angle head to drill holes and drive screws to attach hinges to a narrow cabinet. It worked beautifully!

I was also pleased with the comfortable, rugged and balanced feel of the drill. My friends mocked me when they saw me pull out this tiny drill to drive some 3" screws. When the CXS handled the task with ease they were not so mocking.  [wink]

After driving about a dozen #10x2.5" screws (with pilot holes), I could smell a slight burning electrical smell. The CXS accomplished the task without any obvious problems, but I decided to leave these types of tasks for my 18v. Dewalt.

That mild electrical smell remains to this day but the drill has performed just fine and while in the shop or on the job sight I simply love this drill and prefer its light weight to the heavier Dewalt.

As for battery capacity, I was and remain pleasantly surprised! These batteries last a good while longer than I thought they would. (Mine are the older lower capacity batteries.)

Oh, and I love the belt clip.  [laughing]

 

[GarryMartin]

I have both the 1.3Ah Makita and the 1.3Ah Festool CXS.

Technically the Makita (torque 14/24, 10mm in steel, 21mm in wood) is the more powerful drill/driver of the two but I'd agree with a previous comment that my Festool (torque 10/16, 8mm in steel, 12mm in wood) has done things I would not expect from it, and indeed that it's not capable of on paper.

The Festool is the lighter of the two at 0.9kg versus the 1.0kg of the Makita.

Makita have quite an extensive range of 10.8V tools, including the cool little impact driver that goes with my drill/driver, and the little vacuum that I use for quick cleanup. Beyond that there are saws, right angle drills, all sorts of stuff. So if you're looking for a platform to use batteries in multiple tools, the Makita definitely has the edge.

I'd say the Festool lasts longer in use, but I don't have quantitative data to back that up.

Personally, the CXS is one of my most used tools. It's difficult to quantify this, but it just "behaves" so well, and "feels" so good in use, that I'd immediately replace it if it broke for some reason (not that I'm expecting it too). Indeed, I've even thought about getting another several times (because I'm lazy and I wouldn't have to keep swapping drill and driver bits) and may well end up selling my current 1.3Ah CXS to get a couple of the newer 2.6Ah ones in its place instead.

But I have no complaints about the Makita either, and I love the little 10.8V impact that uses the same battery platform.

There. Does that help?  [unsure]

 

[bobfog]

I have both the 1.3Ah Makita and the 1.3Ah Festool CXS.

Technically the Makita (torque 14/24, 10mm in steel, 21mm in wood) is the more powerful drill/driver of the two but I'd agree with a previous comment that my Festool (torque 10/16, 8mm in steel, 12mm in wood) has done things I would not expect from it, and indeed that it's not capable of on paper.

The Festool is the lighter of the two at 0.9kg versus the 1.0kg of the Makita.

Makita have quite an extensive range of 10.8V tools, including the cool little impact driver that goes with my drill/driver, and the little vacuum that I use for quick cleanup. Beyond that there are saws, right angle drills, all sorts of stuff. So if you're looking for a platform to use batteries in multiple tools, the Makita definitely has the edge.

I'd say the Festool lasts longer in use, but I don't have quantitative data to back that up.

Personally, the CXS is one of my most used tools. It's difficult to quantify this, but it just "behaves" so well, and "feels" so good in use, that I'd immediately replace it if it broke for some reason (not that I'm expecting it too). Indeed, I've even thought about getting another several times (because I'm lazy and I wouldn't have to keep swapping drill and driver bits) and may well end up selling my current 1.3Ah CXS to get a couple of the newer 2.6Ah ones in its place instead.

But I have no complaints about the Makita either, and I love the little 10.8V impact that uses the same battery platform.

There. Does that help?  [unsure]

Hmmm, thanks for the input.

This is a little disconcerting. I appreciate you saying the CXS does things it shouldn't do on paper and that you wouldn't expect from it, however if it is indeed any less powerful than the Makita in real world use, then I think it's back to the drawing board.

As for the impact driver, I also have that, but rarely use it. I find it fills a gap that doesn't actually need to be filled. For small to medium screws I use the 10.8v drill as discussed in this thread avoiding that annoying impact noise, and for larger screws my 18v Milwaukee impact. I rarely find that if I'm driving a screw that's too big for the 10.8v drill driver, that switching up to the marginally more powerful 10.8v impact is actually enough power to drive it home without straining the motor.

 

[GarryMartin]

This is a little disconcerting. I appreciate you saying the CXS does things it shouldn't do on paper and that you wouldn't expect from it, however if it is indeed any less powerful than the Makita in real world use, then I think it's back to the drawing board.

Try one. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

 

[DB10]

You might like to check out the Milwaukee M12 drills, I have these and the CXS, both excellent drills although I use them for diferent tasks.
If it's more power that you require then look at the brushless Fuel M12 Drills with 4 Ah batteries, that's what I will buy when my older M12 drill with 3 Ah batteries eventually dies.
Plus the Milwaukee M12 range of bare tools is huge.

 

[travisj]

I have the small Bosch drill and its matching impact.  It was OK at best.  When it came time for batteries, I started looking at other options.  I picked up the full CXS set (I needed a right angle drill as well) and have been pleasantly surprised.  Out of all of my drills, it has the best ergonomics for me.  About two months after my initial purchase, I liked it so much, I picked up a second.  It is nice to have one chucked with the pilot bit and the other chucked as the driver.  The majority of the work I have put them through is case construction, but I did plow about a dozen 1/2 holes through some cabinets without complaint.

 

[junk731]

Bob I have been using the small Makita driver and impact since they were released. I buy them when they are on sale here for the extra batteries for around 110.00 cdn. Never had an issue they just work well. Currently the CXS is 376.00 cdn. Personally don't like the feel or balance. In my world Festool crossed a line with their latest price increase. I have a C18 that I like and is taken to installs for the angled chuck that gets used occasionally and to have an extra drill but the small Makita's do the bulk of the work. Heavy drilling like using a 4" hole saw through ply is done by my 12 year old Makita LXT 18V. I'm heavy invested in Festool, just not a big user of their drills.

John

 

[Kev]

Despite the fact that the CXS/TXS aren't compatible with the rest of the Festool cordless range in terms of batteries and chargers ... Centrotec and the convenience of Systainer storage do make a tidy addition. Some people don't like the ergonomics of the "C" handle, but thats probably why Festool introduced the TXS. The right angle couch and compact footprint really make it perfect for cabinet assembly and fitting.

There are heaps of cheap options for small cordless drill/driver/hammer/impact/etc. If I was getting something other than CXS/TXS, I'd get thishttps://sydneytools.com.au/metabo-p...h-li-ion-cordless-drill-screwdriver-combo-kit

 

[fifo28]

I have the CXS and the Bosch version of the Makita.  I like both, but the CXS is my most used drill.  Its not cheap and its probably not truly worth the price compared to the Bosch, but since I already have it I do pick it over the Bosch.

 

[Tinker]

I have both the CDX and a CD 12.  The CD 12's batteries have both died and can no longer take a charge.  In both cases, I got the complete set.  I was a little put out that the CD batteries went belly up after only a few years.  I have a Hitachi 9 and a Makita 12 that I was using for maybe 5 years before i bought he CD 12.  When the 12's bateries died and i found out the price to relace (not everybody has them.  are those batteries totally discontinued?), I checked the regular chuck that comes on th CD12 and tried on the CDX.  Voia! It worked.  I now chuck a bit in the larger chuck and one in the CDX chuck and just keep switching back and forth.  I sometimes will put a drill bit in the Hitachi 9v and a driver bit in the CDX.  Both the hitachi and the Makita are still going strong but I don't like the feel of the Makita and it stays hanging on the wall unless I need to drive something that needs a half inch chuck.

Of the three cordless drills, the most comfortable and the "go to" drill is the CDX. It also has the longest life between charges, but the other two are prehistoric in cordless years. I was disappointed in the life span of the CD 12 batteries.

Tinker

 

[Holmz]

I have neither the makita nor the Festool, but the most honest answer will be to take your drill, bits, screws to some place and have a runoff yourself.

 

[Staniam]

The CXS is surprisingly powerful. I run it along with the Bosch PS32 (brushless 12v drill/driver) for probably 90% of tasks. The PS32 is strong too. I recently used it to drill 3/8" holes through vinyl, wood and aluminum to install new vinyl windows. I had to drill through all three materials at the same time then used the CXS to drive 3 1/2" torx screws to screw the window in. 

 

[Lemwise]

How reliable/heavy duty is it? For ~ £200 for it not to have a brushless motor is a little concerning for me

The world has been using drills with brushed motors for decades before brushless came along and it has never been a problem. My 14.4 volt Panasonic (the EY7441) has a motor with brushes and it just keeps on going. It has loads of torque and puts brushless drills by other manufacturers to shame. I replace the brushes once a year which costs me €15 and it's good to go again.

 

[Jeff Zanin]

I have the original CXS and it is by far my most used Festool, and indeed my most used power tool.  I don't have the other small driver / drills so can't compare it to anything similar.

When working in confined or awkward areas the size, weight and chuck configurations (including the right angle chuck) are very handy. 

It is easy to abuse because it will do a lot more than what I expect from such a small tool, but it has yet to let me down and if I had to replace all my tools tomorrow the CXS would be one of the first items on the shopping list.

 

[ginge]

I dont mean to bring a downer on this thread!

Its the only Festool i took back in the trial period. I picked one up about 18months ago and was very keen to like the thing. To my surprise i found it very underpowered and very slow even in 2nd gear.

It felt nice in the hand but i just slow and weak.

My previous experience with pistol grip drill/drivers were the Milwaukee m12 and also the makita 10v drill and impact set. Both of which were fine in use with acceptable torque for their size.

When i took it back to get refunded my dealer couldn't believe i was returning it, as he had never had one returned. Even to this day I'm sure i got a lemon because everyone else seems to love theirs! Nowadays I'm driving a C18 and PDC combo which is working very nicely. Keep meaning to pick up a 2.6amp battery for the C18 for better balance.

Just my honest opinion on the CXS..... dont shoot me!

 

[Cheese]

...and very slow even in 2nd gear.

I agree with you that it could use some additional rpm's on high. It's painfully slow drilling very small (less than 1/8") holes.

However, it is the first drill I reach for and I use it for 85% of everything I do. I have many other cordless drills to chose from, but the CXS is my favorite. Especially now that I purchased the larger capacity batteries. Huge difference.  [thumbs up]

 

[JGrant54]

I love my CXS!  I have the new Hilti 18v drill, a Milwaukee Fuel 18v and 12v set and I still almost always reach for the CXS first, today I used it to run about 300 GRK finish screws all on the same battery!  i will be selling my Milwaukee stuff soon to pick up a C18 and just save to Hilti for the really big stuff and concrete work [thumbs up]

 

[MGB]

I've had my cxs for a little over a year. In that time the price has increased by $50.

I really like the drill, I use it 90% of the time, I would buy another. I had a mishap where it took a spill off the ladder onto the subfloor 14' below. When I felt it go I instantly pictured it blowing up on impact. Amazingly, there was not a single thing wrong with it! I still don't know how it survived so well.

The interchangeable heads are what keep me on board. I can swap heads faster than I could pick up another drill.