Festool choices for installation work.

[tomba26]

Hi all,

Looking for some suggestions please.

These days I am mainly installing fitted bedrooms and kitchens. Currently I use the 18v Makita Lithium kit with 6.0 ah batteries - an impact driver for screws, a combo drill for masonry plugs and pilot holes/general drilling and also the 18v brushless jigsaw.
However I am having a bit of agro with joints on my right hand and am thinking about going to lighter kit as I’m sure it’ll help.

I’m looking at a CXS for general screws and installation and maybe another for pilot holes, masonry, etc. Anyone using CXS for this type of work? Still wondering if an impact driver would be better with less torque on the wrist in theory.

Also I’m looking to get a jigsaw with the best possible dust extraction to connect to my Midi. I know jigsaw extraction isn’t the best but any suggestions on this would be welcome. It can be mains powered and plugged into midi or even battery powered and connected with a remote switch to extraction.

Thanks.

 

[aloysius]

Bosch have a pretty extensive range of 10.8v tools these days.  Haven't actually used any myself, but they do make some of the best jiggies in the business.  I believe they also have a very small & lightweight SDS micro-hammer too.  You will find that just about any type of SDS tool will run rings around even the best standard hammer drill as far as operator comfort is concerned.

Otherwise there's the usual suspects, such as Milwaukee, Makita etc. that are also pretty geared up with their 10.8v ranges.

 

[semenza]

CXS will do all the basic screw driving and is certainly light weight. But an impact will take the  impact    off your wrist. I'd be looking at getting a small compact (for the weight)  impact to try to get best of both.

Seth

 

[sancho57]

for masonary work the CSX doesnt have the percission that a hammer drill like say the PDC will.

Though I must admit I did drill into block walls in my UK rentals garage and house to install wall plugs using bosch masonary bits that I picked up at Screw Fix, using my C12 and C18.

So depending on your usage it may work.

If I may, I would also recommend using Space plugs for installing cabinets etc. They are only available in the uk.

I do have some that I use here in the states for installing shop cabinets and cabinets where we run our utilities (rigid and flex electrical conduit etc).
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Space-Plug...?ie=UTF8&qid=1512745326&sr=8-1&keywords=space+plugs

I met the inventor of these at one of my UK get togethers/ bbq. I thought it was  brilliant

 

[antss]

CSX is nice but it's a bit limiting and not really that much smaller/ compact/ ergonomic than the small drills from Bosch or Milwaukee.  If you are already fully invested in Centrotec then these comments should be discounted a bit:

The 10.8 Professional lineup form Bosch and Milwaukee's M12 series will run circles around CSX.  The new GSR12V-15 FC is a killer combo for a cabinet fitter.https://shop.bosch-professional.com/gb/en/product/cordless-drill-driver-gsr-12v-15-fc--40359
In addition the optional batteries at 4.0Ah and 6.0Ah dwarf any FT offering.

The impact drive is a nice addition but they get a little bit loud for fastening cabinet joining bolts or screws.  Can't be beat for driving long screws into wall timbers or masonry. 

The real beauty of this line over CSX is that the batteries can be used with dozens of other tools useful on a kitchen fit out.  Like a jigsaw, fiber optic camera, or a rotary shear, or a cordless planer, or LED light, or multi tool, or.....  how about a vacuum.    You can use the CSX's battery with.....................well the CSX.    There's even an accessory that allows you to charger the batteries through induction without removing them from the tools if you're in to gee wiz tech.

Milwaukee's lineup puts the Bosch to shame with hundreds of tools running on the same  battery:https://www.milwaukeepowertools.co.uk/m12?

Maybe you can use a circular saw or a bandsaw or an SDS hammer and accompanying vac.  Or maybe you need a heated jacket or a caulking gun?

My point is that for an installer, both of these lines are far better for small size battery tools than what festool has to offer.  But if you need a big battery track saw or drywall screw gun - Festool is your best bet.