CXS drill driver? Once again, honest opinions wanted.

[McNally Family]

I don't know what all the hype is about with regards to "controllability" or "precision"... The drill didn't seem any more controllable or precise than the Makita I currently have.

It's just something they tell themselves in order to justify what they've spent on it. It's not any more precise in driving screws or drilling holes than any other drill. The only reason I bought the CXS is because I like the ergonomics and low weight. It doesn't drive in screws or drill holes any different than a cheap store brand drill.

I guess I am confused now. Doesn't  "ergonomics and low weight" lead directly to, and actually help define being more precise and controllable?

Personally, I like the fact Festool is made in Germany, rather than China.  I have the same healthy respect for German manufacturing, that I used to have for many products that were made in America.   

As my son and I build a shop together, we pick and choose between a variety of manufacturers, for both power and hand tools.  The principle consideration is "quality" and "reputation".  In Festools case, the "system approach", is also highly desirable.

In this case, selecting the Festool brand reminds me of a statement made by a rep for Monroe shock absorbers back in the mid 70's, when he admitted that Maremont (who owns Gabriel), made better shocks, but Monroe made more of them.  As an end user, which shock absorber would you rather have?

 

[Lemwise]

I guess I am confused now. Doesn't  "ergonomics and low weight" lead directly to, and actually help define being more precise and controllable?

I can get the exact same result with a cheap drill made in China and the CXS. I don't know, maybe it's just my 16 years of experience as a professional woodworker talking here. Some of you go on and on about how the CXS allows you to drill more precisely which to me means you just don't know how to properly handle a drill.

 

[Jozsef Kozma]

This forum is all about sharing  of experience ,so give us some pointers
how to use a drill

 

[Tinker]

I guess I am confused now. Doesn't  "ergonomics and low weight" lead directly to, and actually help define being more precise and controllable?

I can get the exact same result with a cheap drill made in China and the CXS. I don't know, maybe it's just my 16 years of experience as a professional woodworker talking here. Some of you go on and on about how the CXS allows you to drill more precisely which to me means you just don't know how to properly handle a drill.

My hands are small and very shakey.  They have always been small and somewhat shakey. Even as a kid, they were small and shakey.  For me, the comfort of holding a drill is very important.  The CXS is the most comfortable drill i have ever handled.  Comfort in my hand equals degree of accuracy.  With other drills, i can spend a lot of time just trying to put the drill bit into the wood precisely where I want it.  When driving screws, with any of my other drills, the screw just sems to jump everywhere except where i am aiming the bit. :.  Not so much with the CXS.  It just seems to obey my orders much better. 
Tinker

 

[Holmz]

Thinking if the debacle of trump & Rubio now.

 

[Ryan Bos]

Purchased the CXS a few weeks ago to use for installing Kitchen cabinets.  I could easily see how the drill wouldn't be suited for every type of use, but for pre drilling and popping handles on, it's a dream come true.  Plus it drives screws remarkably well. I intend to keep using my 18v Makita brushless impact to drive screws, but lots of times I just use the CXS for both because it's in hand, and or I need to be careful to not overdrive certain screws.  The magnetic bit/screw holder on the front of the drill is one of the most ingenious little add-on I've ever seen.  In a moment of pure bliss I also discovered the clip perfectly slides into the corner slot of the festool toolbox, which is perfect for me since I roll around a stack of sortainers full of screws and hand tools with the toolbox on top. 

I would have to second the notion from one of the previous posters- if my CXS broke on the job- I would probably leave work and get another one.

Cheers

 

[AndyUK]

I love my Festools. But for the 10.8V drill I bought the Metabo. It has the changeable attachments, you can use the Centrotec accessories, works great and here in Europe was 35% cheaper than the CXS.
I liked it so much that I ordered a second.

I have ^this^ as well, but I have not compared it to the CXS.
I do need to get more of the bit holders and maybe another chuck for countersinks.
It has enough torque for me, but I have no specs.

I found some Technical Details here for the Metabo and the Festool, I can't vouch for the contents accuracy but I presume they are correct:http://www.metabo.co.uk/Product-catalogue-handheld-powertools.23958+M5a4be74945b.0.htmlhttp://www.powertool-supplies.co.uk...gb-240v.html?gclid=CMuK9uqo28sCFawp0wodRCgNWw

I opted for the Metabo and reckon it was a good buy.

 

[Holmz]

[member=59848]AndyUK[/member] - more torque, lighter, more capacity in wood and steel, and with the little battery it is pretty compact. You can hardly go wrong.

 

[Ajax]

I'd buy a CXS, but I'm already invested in the Bosch 12v line.  At $80 - $120 per tool it's a fairly good way to go.  Dewalt, Milwaukee, and others have their own line ups in that price range.  I'm curious why Festool doesn't offer their own 12v range of tools?

 

[Mort]

I'm curious why Festool doesn't offer their own 12v range of tools?

This was a major reason I went with Milwaukee for my light duty drill. I didn't even go brushless, but they have one if I want it. Plus, I was looking really hard at a grease gun that uses M12 batteries the other day, I can't see Festool offering one of those anytime soon (or even a g** d*** impact driver...).

In the end, the light weight and right angle chuck didn't really justify the cost and lack of a battery platform. Maybe if I can find a reason I'll import one of those European M12 drills with all the different chucks and the battery will still run that grease gun.

 

[Staniam]

I'd buy a CXS, but I'm already invested in the Bosch 12v line.  At $80 - $120 per tool it's a fairly good way to go.  Dewalt, Milwaukee, and others have their own line ups in that price range.  I'm curious why Festool doesn't offer their own 12v range of tools?

I run the CXS and Bosch PS32 12v brushless drill/driver for light duty tasks. Really most of my drilling and driving needs are light duty. Anyways I really like the combo. As you said, it's a shame there isn't more 12v Festool stuff. Bosch for that matter doesn't have a ton of 12v either.

 

[AndyUK]

I'd buy a CXS, but I'm already invested in the Bosch 12v line.  At $80 - $120 per tool it's a fairly good way to go.  Dewalt, Milwaukee, and others have their own line ups in that price range.  I'm curious why Festool doesn't offer their own 12v range of tools?

I run the CXS and Bosch PS32 12v brushless drill/driver for light duty tasks. Really most of my drilling and driving needs are light duty. Anyways I really like the combo. As you said, it's a shame there isn't more 12v Festool stuff. Bosch for that matter doesn't have a ton of 12v either.

I read somewhere that the nominal voltage for Lithium Ion batteries are 3.6 volts/cell so the choices are based around that (7.2, 10.8, 14.4, 18 etc.).

 

[Staniam]

I'd buy a CXS, but I'm already invested in the Bosch 12v line.  At $80 - $120 per tool it's a fairly good way to go.  Dewalt, Milwaukee, and others have their own line ups in that price range.  I'm curious why Festool doesn't offer their own 12v range of tools?

I run the CXS and Bosch PS32 12v brushless drill/driver for light duty tasks. Really most of my drilling and driving needs are light duty. Anyways I really like the combo. As you said, it's a shame there isn't more 12v Festool stuff. Bosch for that matter doesn't have a ton of 12v either.

I read somewhere that the nominal voltage for Lithium Ion batteries are 3.6 volts/cell so the choices are based around that (7.2, 10.8, 14.4, 18 etc.).

Ivery heard that somewhere too. I could be wrong but I believe in the states it's "12v" and overseas it's 10.8?

 

[rvieceli]

As far as the 12v versus 10.8 discussion... It's merely marketing speak. When the lithium ion battery comes off the charger it usually measures out a 12 volts. But put a load on it and it quickly drops to 10.8 volts and stays at that level most of its life and then abruptly drops when needing to be recharged.

 

[GarryMartin]

You're right - the nominal voltage of the cell chemistry typically used for power tools is 3.6V. From Wikipedia;

"Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide (LiNiMnCoO2 or NMC) offer lower energy density, but longer lives and inherent safety. Such batteries are widely used for electric tools."

The Festool CXS and C12 are nominally 10.8V, the C15 14.4V and the C18 18V etc.

 

[Staniam]

You're right - the nominal voltage of the cell chemistry typically used for power tools is 3.6V. From Wikipedia;

"Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide (LiNiMnCoO2 or NMC) offer lower energy density, but longer lives and inherent safety. Such batteries are widely used for electric tools."

The Festool CXS and C12 are nominally 10.8V, the C15 14.4V and the C18 18V etc.

Hopefully this isn't too far off topic but the C12 and T12 both have stronger motors (therefore more power) than the CXS right? I believe their torque ratings are higher at least.

 

[GarryMartin]

That's right.

The new C12/T12 have a brushless EC-TEC motor while the CXS still uses brushed technology. Brushless motors are typically 80% efficient, whereas brushed motors are only about 50% efficient. This means more energy can be used by the same battery voltage by a brushless motor when compared to a brushed one, and is why the C12/T12 are more powerful than the CXS despite both platforms using 10.8V batteries.

[member=191]Rick Christopherson[/member] wrote a great piece on the new C12 technology if you are interested.
http://www.festoolusa.com/Web_files/C12_technical_review.pdf

 

[DB10]

The CXS was the last Brushed motor tool I bought, everything since then and all future purchases will hopefully only be Brushless.

 

[McNally Family]

I just returned my CXS set on day 28 of the 30 day return period, for the C18 set.  Brushless was one consideration, that and the fear Festool will be releasing a brushless / electronic version of the CXS within the next two or so years, just to match where the rest of the market is going.

Of course there were other considerations as well, but I still really liked the CXS form factor and would undoubtably purchase an updated version in the future.