Festool CSX in 2020

[ear3]

What are people's impressions of the Milwaukee M12 installer?  Was thinking about getting one, as I've run into a few occasions over the years where I could have used an offset chuck on the CXS, in tight spots where the T18 offset chuck wouldn't fit.

 

[Bran077]

I’ve had quite a few m12 tools and have been happy with them for the most part.  I have not personally used the new installation driver, but have heard good things about it other than the position for the forward and reverse button on the top.

As others have said, my main complaint with the Milwaukee’s are their stepped trigger control.  It’s not exactly linear and, at least for me, leads to a tendency to slightly over drive fasteners.

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[hdv]

I hope to receive my M12 installer's drill later this week. I'll post my impressions when I have had the chance to use it a bit.

 

[rst]

I have the Milwaukee installers set and really like it.  It lives in my service van along with other 12v tools, impact, hammerdrill, recip, rotary, and oscillating tool.  The van also has my 18v Milwaukees, Surge, 1 1/8 rotary drill, grinder, right angle impact and 3/8" impact.  I cover so many jobs that all get used frequently, and does not cover my Fein and Metabo tools.  The Festools live in my shop.

 

[bkharman]

I’m just a hobbyist looking for something that’s a pleasure to use in my small shop.  Smooth and linear speed control would be a nice plus, like others have said, I’ve had issues overdriving fasteners with my milwaukee m12 drivers.

I do a lot of cabinet construction.

It excels in this category. By far, this is the most used out of all my festools

Cheers. Bryan.

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[FestitaMakool]

What are people's impressions of the Milwaukee M12 installer?  Was thinking about getting one, as I've run into a few occasions over the years where I could have used an offset chuck on the CXS, in tight spots where the T18 offset chuck wouldn't fit.

I had one for two days, returned it. Reason was that the M12 battery made the whole thing a little more bulky than I liked. Also, I had hopes that Milwaukee had put a better speed control in it, a linear control with load compensated speed control, bearing in mind that it was an installers drill, but no. On the contrary to many others I did really like the rotation switch placement and feel though. Especially on an installation driver, where I found it very handy by doing some inside-cabinet-awkward-reachable screw driving. Cause when holding the driver in such situations you rarely hold it regularly by the handle, and on a regular rotation shifter more often I accidentally shifts rotation just by handling the driver.

 

[Bran077]

Well, if it helps anyone that was in the same boat, I decided to just go and buy the CXS. 

I won’t argue with anyone that says it’s been out for 10 years, and competitors have better value propositions.  It’s expensive for what it is, especially today.  It doesn’t come with an offset attachment and as far as I know there isn’t one available for anything other than the C18.  It might be a touch underpowered and could probably do with a brushless motor to better compete (though as a hobbyist I don’t really care).

All that said, it’s the best darn drill/driver I’ve ever used and I think I love the little dinosaur.  The smoothness of the trigger control is amazing.  It’s just fun to use.

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[grobkuschelig]

...It doesn’t come with an offset attachment and as far as I know there isn’t one available for anything other than the C18...

Nice that you are happy with your purchase! Enjoy it!

The angle attachment does the „offset-job“ nicely. Just check for yourself how close you can get the angle attachment to the wall.

There was a „Toolbox Buzz“ review of the drivers, where they also rated the CXS down for the same point. In my opinion it is a big Plus, because you only need one attachment, not too. Less to loose and lug around...

I fumbled with the Milwaukee again today, when I was collecting some paint from the Hardware Store.
What a thick and uncomfortable handle. Not for me.

I will be ordering a new CXS and sell my old, to get a battery refresh. Other than that, perfect.

 

[Jim_in_PA]

Yup...the little CSX is a "go to" tool for sure. In fact, I just ordered new, updated design batteries for mine today to beat the price increase.

 

[Cypren]

Probably the most significant use of the CXS for me -- something none of my other drill/drivers can do -- is that its incredibly precise and light trigger control lets me use it when working on delicate electronics, screws in plastic consumer parts and similar situations where over-torquing a screw even a little will cause immediate, permanent damage. I don't think I've ever used it for drilling -- I've got plenty of larger and more powerful drills for that -- but as a precision electric screwdriver, it's unbeatable.

 

[grobkuschelig]

Put my money where my mouth is, today...

No regrets. [emoji41]

 

[Bran077]

You should keep them both, I find myself wanting 2.  Ugh, it’s a slippery slope.

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[grobkuschelig]

You should keep them both, I find myself wanting 2.  Ugh, it’s a slippery slope.

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Tempting, but no. [emoji16]

I usually keep the CXS for driving and if I need something in addition, I go for the C18 with the compact battery.

 

[Jim_in_PA]

Put my money where my mouth is, today...

No regrets. [emoji41]

I'm honestly considering a second one as I use my CSX for most of the work when a D/D is required...but that includes pre-drilling/countersink and then installing the fasteners. For larger jobs, I'll employ my T12 or T15 type for the pre-drilling/countersink, but the weight is quite a bit more and joint pain is already what it is.

 

[grobkuschelig]

For anyone who is interested in the generational differences between the 1.3/1.5(same) and 2.6 Ah Versions:

The 2.6 Ah battery pushes the CXS up a little bit in the back. This makes the Bit closer to parallel to the ground. This is only caused by the battery. The tool itself is the same.

The only other difference I could identify is the LED light.
The newer version is a lot less “spotty” and has a wider field of light. New one pictured on the left.

Other than that, the new one is as good as the old was. [emoji41]

 

[FestitaMakool]

Pretty much same, same. Apart from way more even LED light - thankfully with gradual light falloff. I cannot stand or understand makes that makes “tunnel” light beams. Wether that’s a head light, pocket torch or tool light. LED Lenser was awful at this.

CXS/TXS have had sloooow evolution  [big grin]
- Now in a few years a brushless maybe. It would be slight, faster, shorter and have even lighter batteries with increased runtime. That may be too much at once  [scared] - Kidding! [big grin]
Maybe, as Makita: LED from two sides to even out the shadows  [cool]

 

[FestitaMakool]

A tailored situation for the CXS appeared for me today.
I had to dismantle a shelf and casing to reveal water piping in the brand new caravan in order to upgrade the tap in the bathroom. Plastic pocket hole adaptors where used (by no means I think it ‘s either a neat or very practical solution) to secure a shelf and a front plate. It demanded a slim excenter adaptor and an angle adaptor (my Makita CXS was in fact short enough to do the job) - but I decided to try the CXS with the angle attachment. With a 50mm bit it worked perfect, and once again, a sensitive trigger is crucial - as it’s a one hand operation in a very narrow and deep workplace. You know... I could have used a screwdriver.. the one that you turn with your hand.. [big grin][attachimg=1]

 

[johnyhuh]

I have had both and used them extensively.

Milwaukee has much more power and the off-set adapter is very useful. However, the switch for forward/reverse is really bad design IMHO.

CXS is what I reach out for any type of light drilling and driving. It’s real pleasure to use it as it really fits well into my hands. I ended up getting one extra to drilling and the other one for driving.

 

[bwehman]

How did you end up replying to a 1.5 year old thread? Always curious how this sort of thing happens.

 

[notenoughcash]

my guess is he was scrolling through past threads, and saw one that he thought he could contribute to, and did so, forgetting that is was 1.5 years old.  ive done it as well [unsure]