CXS Drilling capacity? Can't drill a 1/2in hole?

[bigred00]

So 7 days after Toolnut shipped my CXS it finally arrived today (5 days behind the centrotec installer kit - thanks USPS!). I charged it up fully this evening and wanted to give it a spin. It's bogging down and cutting out with the brand new centrotec 1/2inch brad point on some 2x4 stud I had lying around. Only gets about half an inch or so before it locks up and I have to back it out  [eek]. This was on drill mode on #2 (hi-speed). After watching videos of guys using 1in spade bits with this drill, I'm a little confused!

So I did primarily get it for small work and have a set of DeWalt 18V's for bigger stuff but I was expecting a little more.. Any advice is much appreciated.

 

[Stephen B]

Your problem has two aspects: asking just a little bit too much from this drill, even though it can do it; and you probably should try speed #1 with a 1/2 inch drill bit. Even with my corded and 18v drills I use lower speed settings for 1/2 inch [12/12.5mm] and above.

If you look at the specifications for the CXS, 12mm [1/2inch or just under] is the maximum recommended drill bit diameter in wood. See -

http://www.festool.com.au/epages/tooltechnic.sf/en_AU/?ObjectPath=/Shops/tooltechnic/Products/564540/SubProducts/564540

Hope this helps. It is a great little drill, one of my favourite Festools.  [smile]

 

[Cheese]

I agree with Untidy...switch it to low for more grunt and I'm sure you won't have a problem.

 

[bigred00]

I agree with Untidy...switch it to low for more grunt and I'm sure you won't have a problem.

Yeah. It will run on low but is really slowwwwww...

90% of my stuff is small work anyway. I got it for a bit of finesse when drilling and driving. Up to now, all I had was an 18V dewalt impact driver and I've nearly bored through the house with that a few times when driving stuff.. I guess it's a big step down in brute force and a big step up in control. Thanks for the feedback.

 

[Cheese]

[member=58896]bigred00[/member]
Here are some quick videos I just shot. The CXS will handle the 1/2" bit if you're in a jam and it's the only drill you have handy.

Well I tried to attach the videos but they are .mov files from an iPhone and are not accepted. [sad] What they show is the CSX on low speed drilling through 2x material takes 9 seconds, the CSX on high speed takes 5 seconds and a C15 on high speed takes 2.5 seconds.

 

[bertv]

For the larger holes I always pre-drill — that way my CXS's will do 3/4 inch holes easily… (Using two drills for that… : ))

 

[matte]

I am in to a new drill.  Still have a bosch gsr 14,4  v li.  Butt the jacobs head really wobbles to much.  Now im looking for a new one. Will the "new" cxs with the 2.6 amp batteries more powerfull than the 1.5 amp ? When im investing in a cxs i hope that im not gonnna be disapointed because it doesnt has enough power. 

 

[peter halle]

Same power. Just longer run time and more weight with the larger capacity battery.

Peter

 

[Birdhunter]

I would not buy the CSX or the TSX with power as a prime requirement. They are great little drills with good power but not great power. If you need lots of power, I'd recommend the T18.

 

[matte]

I dont need a lot of power. Just as an allround drill. That the one thing that the bosch does good.  I think personally that 14v will be good for me, i dont need that 18 v power and weight. I also had looked at the fein 14 ascm. Butt i read some reviews that say that this drill also wobbles. And believe me that the one thing i dont want to have again on a drill. What will be a good drill?

 

[KescoNY]

I use my CXS daily and have no issues  I do variety of things with it being in construction  Many times I drive 3" screws with it or drill 1/2" holes with it. It can definitely handle it but its definitely not made for this purpose  If i have to drill more then few holes or or drive a few 3" screws, i will grab a different drill.  Just have to know your limitations with it and its easy to learn that after using it a few times.

It has amazing control and I ve never had wobble issues with it.  I have over 50 plus drills and impact drivers and the cxs is used the most. Always have the cxs with me in the truck. 

 

[tomscf]

I started off with a C15. To be honest after a while I found the C15 quite a cumbersome drill with the 5.2ah battery. I am a kitchen fitter and most of my work is pretty light so I read some reviews and wish I'd done so sooner! The CXS or TXS is a crackin' little tool which comes pretty highly recommended on the FOG. It is always my go to drill due to its size and power. It's just right for most tasks.
Now when it comes to the hard work, I still get out the C15 but there was one time when we had to try and feed a lighting cable behind some units but there was a piece of 4x2 in the way. The only tool that any of the team had that was small enough was my CXS and a long 3/4" auger bit. Now don't get me wrong, it struggled! But I didn't expect it to go through in one hit. I put it on high torque and just eased it through - backing out and taking my time but it got through.
If you're going to be needing that much power, I'd get a back-up driver but not a replacement. The T/CXS is too versatile a driver for most light - medium duty work not to have it in your kit. Make sure you've got the full set though with all the angle bits and stuff.

 

[Birdhunter]

"I dont need a lot of power. Just as an allround drill."

I have most of the Festool drills and if I could only keep one, it would be the T18. It's a relatively compact drill, has all the neat accessories, and has lots of power. If I could keep only two, the CSX and the T18 would be those.

 

[bkharman]

I love my PDC 18 and CSX combo. Power when I need it and compact when I need that. I just got my installers set and was playing around with it. I think that will make some switching back and forth a little less painful as well.

Stupid friggin Festool centrotec wallet emptying system!!

;^)

 

[sancho57]

I got the C12 and C15 one for drilling one for driving

 

[cabinetman803]

I use the CSX for 99% of my cabinetry work.  I hang all my cabinets with 3" Spax screws.  Turn the CXS down to the #1 speed setting and I don't even have to pre-drill.  For the bigger work, i.e. drilling large holes in the backs of the cabinets for water/drain lines, I use the big Fein cordless drill.  It even has a quick fix chuck that uses contortec bits.  Win/win.

 

[NHSP759]

Pretty much everything I do, drill or screw comes down to my CXS. It's a little powerhouse. On rare occasions the T18 comes out for the final say but my CXS will drill into just about anything I've thrown at it.