CXS drill driver? Once again, honest opinions wanted.

[kixnbux]

I've used the 12v dewalts forever. I now use only the cxs. I do think the dewalts were stronger but there's nothing wrong with the cxs and it just fits my hand so darn good!

For cabinetry work the right angles are incredibly helpful as well. I do run a PDC Quadrive as my larger drill

 

[Jesse Cloud]

For me, the centrotec system and the clever 90 degree chuck is the big factor for the cxs.  But yes, I use it more than any other drill (I have five other drills) and I have dropped it from a ladder a couple of times with no damage.  It is devilishly good at getting into small awkward places with enough power to drill and drive serious stuff.

 

[Holmz]

For me, the centrotec system and the clever 90 degree chuck is the big factor for the cxs.  But yes, I use it more than any other drill (I have five other drills) and I have dropped it from a ladder a couple of times with no damage.  It is devilishly good at getting into small awkward places with enough power to drill and drive serious stuff.

1) The proprietary 6-mm is less common than the ubiquitous 1/4" bits.
I got a Centrotec and then got a different drill.

2) There are other manufactures with the 90 degree attachment. It is handy and I use it a lot.

3) The offset chuck seem more unique than the 90-degree, and if there is a clear need then that would be worth consideration.

 

[Scorpion]

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.

So I'm not the only one...for the same reasons I ended up with a C18.

 

[vwdave]

I've had my CXS since preorder and the drill is amazing. I just upgraded to a new battery even though my old batteries are still going, just don't last as long. I use the CXS daily along with the t-18. I recently got suckered into buying the m12 fuel set over the holidays, they are already sold. While the m12's are good drills they are no match to the smooth and better quality Festool CXS. I used to think the CXS was slow but over the years I've come to realize that predeilling is the right thing to do and not just grab an impact and drive screws as quick as possible. For me the CXS is a must have tool.

Dave

 

[GarryMartin]

1) The proprietary 6-mm is less common than the ubiquitous 1/4" bits.
I got a Centrotec and then got a different drill.

The major benefit of CENTROTEC is that its design provides much better running precision when compared to a standard bit holder for those ubiquitous 1/4" bits. With a CENTROTEC chuck and drill bit, your holes are going to be far more accurate and you'll see far less wobble than with standard bit holders and bits.

All of the drills ship with a bit holder that takes the ubiquitous 1/4" bits too so you still have access to a huge choice of non-Festool bits should you need something different. I have a number of standard drill bits and 1/4" hex drill bits in sizes that I can't get in CENTROTEC, but if I could, I'd jump at the chance to get the higher levels of precision in my work.

Even the reverse is true - you can buy a CENTROTEC adapter for non-Festool drills to allow you to use the CENTROTEC chucks and therefore bits should you choose.

It's a great system.

 

[Holmz]

[member=11629]GarryMartin[/member] - You may be right, I dunno.

Other manufactures have those holders and the 90-degree chuck; so the system is not solely a FT system.
(However once one needs the offset chuck, then it is only Festool.)

You've reminded me that I do need to get another 6-mm green-lipped bit holder and get some more 1/4" bit holders.

"Honestly opinion" is "Does the OP needs the offset chuck?" ... If so...

 

[bobfog]

[member=11629]GarryMartin[/member] - You may be right, I dunno.

Other manufactures have those holders and the 90-degree chuck; so the system is not solely a FT system.
(However once one needs the offset chuck, then it is only Festool.)

You've reminded me that I do need to get another 6-mm green-lipped bit holder and get some more 1/4" bit holders.

"Honestly opinion" is "Does the OP needs the offset chuck?" ... If so...

Milwaukee and AEG do offset chucks in the 10.8/12v drills:

http://toolguyd.com/aeg-interchangeable-12v-drill-chuck-system/

I guess for now, I've decided against the CXS I can't see me being happy with any less torque than the Makita delivers, so maybe I'll try the Milwaukee offering.

 

[Holmz]

...
I guess for now, I've decided against the CXS I can't see me being happy with any less torque than the Makita delivers, so maybe I'll try the Milwaukee offering.

I decided against one too, but when I pounded my fingernail straight into a fence post end on... Through my tears I envisioned a CXS.
Even sabres in the olden days had the OSHA sense of a hand guard.  [cool]
(I got a new center punch)

There are so many good tools these days it gets difficult choose, and those other choices make good sense too.

 

[shdesign3]

I have the CXS. My opinion is that it does a better job in driving screws than drilling holes.

 

[beeckie]

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.

 

[Vimmelman]

I've currently got the CXS and the T18.
Before that i owned the Makita 10,8v machine for around 4 years before it gave up, the Makita 18v DF456. The Milwaukee Fuel M18 Set.

And bar none - the CXS i use the most. Its always in my toolbag when i go out. The 10,8v Makita was fine. But i never used it when i wanted that precise control. The CXS i can use whenever, wherever without fear or loosing control.

If i dropped it in water tomorrow - i'd order a new one before even picking it up

 

[bobfog]

Little update.

Tried one for myself today at my local tool shop, whilst picking up some consumables.

Pro's

Very lightweight.
Very comfortable.
Belt hook convenient and large.

Con's

As feared it didn't have quite the "get up and go" of the Makita.

Other observations:

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.

So in short, I really want to like it, but I can't rationalise a step back in power over what I already own. Fingers crossed for a brushless motor in the not too distant future.

 

[Holmz]

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.

 

[Lemwise]

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.

 

[GarryMartin]

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.

Then I feel we'll have to agree to disagree.

The whole point of the CENTROTEC design is to improve the accuracy of operations such as drilling. Obviously you don't need the same sort of control for driving screws, but to say it's just something we tell ourselves to justify what we've spent is a gross generalisation.
https://www.festool.co.uk/Products/Pages/centrotec.aspx

 

[Lemwise]

For drilling I use my Panasonic that has a high quality drill chuck on it. It holds the drill bit even more securely.

 

[GarryMartin]

For drilling I use my Panasonic that has a high quality drill chuck on it. It holds the drill bit even more securely.

Now I understand your comment. You're comparing Jacobs style chucks and standard drill bits with regard to precision. Apologies; I'd assumed the conversation was continuing with regard to my comments about improved precision with CENTROTEC.

CENTROTEC is clearly more accurate in drilling operations than other quick-change type bits, but I concede, using standard drill bits in a normal chuck you will see far, far less difference if anything at all.

So perhaps I *am* just paying a premium for the utility of more accurate quick-change type bit use with CENTROTEC, gaining the advantage of the quick-change without the disadvantage of the loss of drilling precision. I can live with that. Especially when added to all the other great features of the CXS set.

 

[Holmz]

[member=11629]GarryMartin[/member]  I think (maybe like [member=60576]Lemwise[/member] ) that there are also other "systems" which do the same thing.
I opted for price and 1/4" compatibility, more torque, and a small size.

In any case the extra bit holders and chucks make repetitive operations quicker no matter which system is used.

The CXS looks nice though and has a large following.

 

[GarryMartin]

[member=40772]Holmz[/member] That's the great thing about having choice; you can make decisions that best suit your requirements and your budget.

That's why I love the FOG so much; start a thread asking for honest opinions about the CXS and get a wealth of comments not just about the CXS, but about why people might have chosen it or disregarded it and the unique circumstances or advantages/disadvantages that led them to their decisions.