So after weeks of procrastination, I finally picked up the CXS drill yesterday. Luckily, my Dewalt 12v gave up the ghost last week so I had the perfect excuse. Well, I say it gave up the ghost; it was perfectly fine but had some sawdust on it, but my wife doesn't need to know that.
Anyway, I know that you like pictures much better than my sparkling prose so I'll get on with it.
Here it is in the systainer. I bought the set version (£247 including VAT) which comes with the right angle attachment and a second battery. When I opened the systainer (new T-Loc...I like it well enough but I'm not doing cartwheels over the change from the classic systainer, truthfully), I swear that choirs of angels burst into joyful song.
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Here are the bits and bobs, all present and correct.
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A quick comparison with my TDK 15.6; soooo much lighter (I don't have the actual weights handy but imagine holding a melon in one hand, and a modest sized banana in the other and you'll not be far off) and more compact. Say what you like about it, but the CXS is a very cleverly designed tool. The balance when you're holding it is perfect.
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Now, here's me holding it. You'll notice that I've got all my fingers in there, but bear in mind that I've got smallish hands. If you've got meatier paws you might struggle a little. For me it's fine though.
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However, here's how I find myself holding it...seems like I have more control this way (just the same as when you hold a plane or saw, I guess). This is cool because it means that if you DO have bigger hands, you won't need to chop a finger off in order to use this drill. Well, not unless you want to.
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Here's the battery, held in my diminutive hand for added effect...it's tiny and remarkably light. Having said that, I don't know how long a charge lasts yet as I've only just started playing around with it. If it runs dry after 15 minutes the joke will well and truly be on me.
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As you know, this drill has a trigger activiated light. Unlight the light on my 18v Dewalt which is pretty much completely blocked by the shadow of the chuck, this one is placed in such a way that the work space is very well lit. Here's me shining it, being careful not to look into it in case I lose my sight. OK, perhaps it's not THAT bright, but it's pretty impressive.
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And here's an action shot. I'm not entirely sure what that brown thing up in the corner is, but I'm suddenly wondering if it might be the egg-sack of a massive spider which I hadn't noticed before because my drill didn't have a light this good on it [crying] . I'll send my little girl in tomorrow to check, just in case.
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And finally, here it is dangling gracefully from my delightfully svelte hip. I can't imagine having to use this feature often, but it makes me feel a little bit like Han Solo in Star Wars so I figure I might wear it for my wife tonight and see what happens.
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So there you go, my first impressions. No buyer's remorse yet which is a good indication that this was a good purchase. I'll update as I get a bit more use in.
Cheers,
Rick
Anyway, I know that you like pictures much better than my sparkling prose so I'll get on with it.
Here it is in the systainer. I bought the set version (£247 including VAT) which comes with the right angle attachment and a second battery. When I opened the systainer (new T-Loc...I like it well enough but I'm not doing cartwheels over the change from the classic systainer, truthfully), I swear that choirs of angels burst into joyful song.
[attachthumb=1]
Here are the bits and bobs, all present and correct.
[attachthumb=2]
A quick comparison with my TDK 15.6; soooo much lighter (I don't have the actual weights handy but imagine holding a melon in one hand, and a modest sized banana in the other and you'll not be far off) and more compact. Say what you like about it, but the CXS is a very cleverly designed tool. The balance when you're holding it is perfect.
[attachthumb=3]
[attachthumb=4]
Now, here's me holding it. You'll notice that I've got all my fingers in there, but bear in mind that I've got smallish hands. If you've got meatier paws you might struggle a little. For me it's fine though.
[attachthumb=5]
However, here's how I find myself holding it...seems like I have more control this way (just the same as when you hold a plane or saw, I guess). This is cool because it means that if you DO have bigger hands, you won't need to chop a finger off in order to use this drill. Well, not unless you want to.
[attachthumb=6]
Here's the battery, held in my diminutive hand for added effect...it's tiny and remarkably light. Having said that, I don't know how long a charge lasts yet as I've only just started playing around with it. If it runs dry after 15 minutes the joke will well and truly be on me.
[attachthumb=7]
As you know, this drill has a trigger activiated light. Unlight the light on my 18v Dewalt which is pretty much completely blocked by the shadow of the chuck, this one is placed in such a way that the work space is very well lit. Here's me shining it, being careful not to look into it in case I lose my sight. OK, perhaps it's not THAT bright, but it's pretty impressive.
[attachthumb=8]
And here's an action shot. I'm not entirely sure what that brown thing up in the corner is, but I'm suddenly wondering if it might be the egg-sack of a massive spider which I hadn't noticed before because my drill didn't have a light this good on it [crying] . I'll send my little girl in tomorrow to check, just in case.
[attachthumb=9]
And finally, here it is dangling gracefully from my delightfully svelte hip. I can't imagine having to use this feature often, but it makes me feel a little bit like Han Solo in Star Wars so I figure I might wear it for my wife tonight and see what happens.
[attachthumb=10]
So there you go, my first impressions. No buyer's remorse yet which is a good indication that this was a good purchase. I'll update as I get a bit more use in.
Cheers,
Rick