CXS vs. C18/T18 drill

[McNally Family]

I am a hobbyist who, for a variety of reasons, one of which includes brain surgery, has not worked in my shop for a number of years (at least 13).  To show you just how dated my existing tools are, my Milwaukee 1/2" corded hammer-drill was made in America, and has a metal tag riveted to the tool, showing the serial number and model.

Once I realized my old 12V drill was purchased just before my 21 year old daughter was born, I knew it was time for an upgrade.  After a visit to both Home Depot and Lowe's, I was shocked by the changed landscape of the power tool world.  More research led me to the Festool website, and then to the CXS set, which I purchased, along with the Centrotec Installers set. 

Thinking I may have made a mistake by not purchasing the 18V version (C18 or T18), I once again jumped in and started researching the idea of upgrading to the larger drill (thank you 30-day return policy).

First I rationalized the need for 18v batteries for other cordless tools I might purchase in the future, but then realized the other cordless tools Festool offers are nice, but ideally still need dust extraction, so I would still be "connected" by a hose, and might as well just plug in as well.

Then I started rationalizing the advantages of a 1/2" chuck, along with the increase in power that comes with the 18v batteries.  After some additional thought, I realized I am no longer building wood fences in the back yard, or heavy duty garage shelves out of 2x4's and thick plywood, so perhaps I did not need as much power as I did in the past. 

All the while, I have been knocking out household projects left and right (from my spouses to-do list), with the CXS, which I love (the CXS, not the never-ending to-do list).  Since I can't justify the expense of owning both, I ended up with the less powerful, smaller, and limited technology version from Festool.  No regrets!

Of course, I do not make a living from my tools, as I know many of you guys and gals do.  My only point here is that the CXS is a wonderful device that is capable of amazing things, particularly when combined with the Centrotec Installers set (which is where my extra $300 went, instead of the price difference between the CXS and C18).   

 

[truck90278]

Welcome to the FOG.  Its not a case of CXS vs C18/Ti8 but CXS AND C18/T18.  I have both the CXS and the T18.  The CXS is a much lighter duty tool.  Gets into places easily.  I just finished building al new kitchen cabinets for my sons home.  Most work was with the CXS.  Needed a stronger drill for some large holes etc., so in came the T18.  You will see many comments on the forum that the CXS is the go-to drill for most applications.  Be sure and get the "set".  You might also want to consider the TSX, basically similar to the CXS. 

 

[tjbnwi]

The CXS is a great drill. I'd give up every other cordless drill I have (all Festool drills) before I'd give up my 2 CXS drills.

Tom

 

[Staniam]

Welcome to the forum. I started out with the CXS and while it is surprisingly powerful, there are plenty of applications in which it lacks. I love the drill and it, along with my beloved Bosch PS32 are the drills I use about 70% of the time. They are a great pair. I'm not sure if the PS32 seems more powerful because it's brushless or what, but it does seem to have more "mmph" behind it. Needless to say I also picked up a Festool PDC kit. Unless you're drilling into concrete though, the T18 or C18 could be a wonderful compliment to the CXS for the tougher jobs.

I don't think you truly asked if you should get the bigger drill to pair with the CXS but if you're thinking about it, my vote is for the T18. I owned the T18 and C18 before finally sticking with the PDC and I preferred the T18 as opposed to the C18. When the drill is larger as those two are, the T handle seemed more comfortable to me. Also, I believe the T18 is slightly, slightly stronger according to the Festool specs I read. It seemed odd as I had thought they were the same drill in different bodies but the Festool website did say the T18 is has more powerful in either wood or metal last time I checked.

 

[McNally Family]

Welcome to the forum. I started out with the CXS and while it is surprisingly powerful, there are plenty of applications in which it lacks. I love the drill and it, along with my beloved Bosch PS32 are the drills I use about 70% of the time. They are a great pair. I'm not sure if the PS32 seems more powerful because it's brushless or what, but it does seem to have more "mmph" behind it. Needless to say I also picked up a Festool PDC kit. Unless you're drilling into concrete though, the T18 or C18 could be a wonderful compliment to the CXS for the tougher jobs.

I don't think you truly asked if you should get the bigger drill to pair with the CXS but if you're thinking about it, my vote is for the T18. I owned the T18 and C18 before finally sticking with the PDC and I preferred the T18 as opposed to the C18. When the drill is larger as those two are, the T handle seemed more comfortable to me. Also, I believe the T18 is slightly, slightly stronger according to the Festool specs I read. It seemed odd as I had thought they were the same drill in different bodies but the Festool website did say the T18 is has more powerful in either wood or metal last time I checked.

Your inserting the PDC into the comparison certainly is interesting.  I had not considered that option, but am now.  It's capability certainly exceeds that of either the C18/T18 (You are right about the slight power difference between the two, as confirmed by the parts schematic showing two different motor part numbers/specs).  Adding that expanded range might be something I should consider.  Thanks!

I found this review which seemed pretty good, although dated from 2013:
http://festoolownersgroup.com/festo...lus-set-gb-769194-769195/msg280059/#msg280059

 

[Birdhunter]

I've got CSX, TSX, C15, TI15, and T18. I also have a Bosch SDS hammer drill.

The Bosch hammer drill negates the need for the PDC (not a hammer drill anyway).

The CSX and the T18 are my favorites. The much maligned TI15 is also a great combo drill/hammer drill.

The C15 is the first drill I'd sell and the CSX/T18 combo the last.

 

[TDK]

I too have the CXS and Centrotec kit and have been considering a Festool drill to replace my Makita hammer drill. 

I'd been considering the PDC as a good all rounder and went to look at it in my local Axminster store here in the UK today.  Whilst it's certainly more compact and lighter weight than the Makita it's not as compact as the T18, which was also on my short list.  Now I'm thinking rather than buying a jack of all trades drill, I may well split the roles and buy a T18 Set and a basic, body only, BHC 18 SDS drill for the times that I need to drill brick, concrete, etc.  It's a bit more expensive buying the two drills than just the PDC, but not a huge amount more for the extra capability.

The only negative with the BHC 18 is the lack of chisel option, so I'll have to hang onto my Makita SDS for a while longer.  :-(

I looked at the C18 and found the grip to be too big to be comfortable in my hands.

 

[yetihunter]

I too have the CXS and Centrotec kit and have been considering a Festool drill to replace my Makita hammer drill. 

I'd been considering the PDC as a good all rounder and went to look at it in my local Axminster store here in the UK today.  Whilst it's certainly more compact and lighter weight than the Makita it's not as compact as the T18, which was also on my short list.  Now I'm thinking rather than buying a jack of all trades drill, I may well split the roles and buy a T18 Set and a basic, body only, BHC 18 SDS drill for the times that I need to drill brick, concrete, etc.  It's a bit more expensive buying the two drills than just the PDC, but not a huge amount more for the extra capability.

The only negative with the BHC 18 is the lack of chisel option, so I'll have to hand on to my Makita SDS for a while longer.  :-(

I looked at the C18 and found the grip to be too big to be comfortable in my hands.

In your case, yes.

To the op, the grass is always greener....

I own a cxs and a pdc.  Owning the PDC makes me "what if" instead of owning these two, I just had a T-18 with the eccentric and right angle chuck. 
The electronic clutch is phenomenal, and the T-18 wins with me on ergonomics.

However, I quickly remember that I love the CXS (use it 90% of the time) and I love the PDC.    They're all great!

 

[McNally Family]

I too have the CXS and Centrotec kit and have been considering a Festool drill to replace my Makita hammer drill. 

I'd been considering the PDC as a good all rounder and went to look at it in my local Axminster store here in the UK today.  Whilst it's certainly more compact and lighter weight than the Makita it's not as compact as the T18, which was also on my short list.  Now I'm thinking rather than buying a jack of all trades drill, I may well split the roles and buy a T18 Set and a basic, body only, BHC 18 SDS drill for the times that I need to drill brick, concrete, etc.  It's a bit more expensive buying the two drills than just the PDC, but not a huge amount more for the extra capability.

The only negative with the BHC 18 is the lack of chisel option, so I'll have to hand on to my Makita SDS for a while longer.  :-(

I looked at the C18 and found the grip to be too big to be comfortable in my hands.

I can understand the desire for a chisel option.  After reading your post, I went into my basement and dug out my 30 year old spline drive, Bosch Rotary Hammer (old enough to have been made in America, but not old enough to have been made in Germany), that has not been opened in almost 20 years (I first needed to oil the hinges on the metal case and let it sit, just to get it open).

I can remember creating both large access holes for plumbing, and attaching electrical boxes to a 100 year old stone foundation with that tool.  It really did it's job well.  A little bit of overkill for the things I run into now, but still available, assuming it still works after all this time.

 

[pingvinlakrits]

After many years with the C12 and T12+3 and a briefer stint with the C18 I have now gone over to the T18. With the smaller 2,6Ah battery I find the T18 on par with the T12+3 for ergonomics. I have been a long term champion of the C12 but I do prefer the T18 grip and balance. I miss the larger/better bit storage of the C-series but the pairing of a CXS and a T18 is pretty much perfect for me. The TXS is a bit too tall for a small driver for me.

All time favourite is the CXS. I have worked one to death but when it came to replacing it it was no question about it: I got two more, one for permanent workshop use and one for on site.

I do think the CXS would benefit from brushless so I am constantly campaining for it. 

 

[SoonerFan]

Like a few other who have responded, I have a CXS and a T-18.  I got the sets so I have all the chucks.  I find these two drills to be ideal companions for my needs.  The T-18 and a Cenrotec set were two of the last purchases I made when converting to Festool.  I also added a depth stop chuck which works great.  I use the CXS most of the time but am glad the T-18 is only a sustainer away when needed.  I work in a shop mostly.  When I need to be mobile I find it great to be able to attach the Centrotec set to the systainer for which ever drill I need and be on my way.

After these purchases I gave all my Dewalt drills to my brother with the exception of keeping the impact driver which I still need occasionally.  I used to use the impact all the time but I find the T-18 handles many tasks I previously used the impact to handle.