Festool CSX in 2020

[mino]

IMO nothing wrong with "resurrecting" aka continuing on threads like this.

Festool CXS being a 20+ years on market and (likely) 40+ years in use tool. No reason to have a new thread for same topic open every second year.

 

[AaronGeller]

I can definitely say this thread was useful in me buying a CXS yesterday. At the end of the day, the CXS seems to be the tool, that when used for its intended purposes, performs excellently and there’s not much more that can be added to it. Of course, my dad who was born in 1944, thought the electric typewriter would be the last great invention, so I guess they could make it better, but probably not significantly. Those who don’t like the CXS are a tiny minority and useful the gripes are minor.

 

[Jim_in_PA]

I agree, Aaron. I have two of them and they are the "soul" of most of my drill/driver work in the shop...and often beyond.

 

[Cheese]

I wish they'd go to a brushless motor and up the max speed to around 1600 RPM. A small 3/32" or 1/8" drill bit spinning at 1300 RPM into hardwood or aluminum is just painful to witness. I feel sorry for both the drill bit and the piece that's being drilled.

If such a CXS was announced, I'd immediately purchase 2 of them and put the old one down the road. Heck, even if they didn't go brushless but just upped the max speed, I'd still buy 2.  [smile]

 

[Crazyraceguy]

I rarely actually drill with mine, except for with the right-angle attachment, but I'm glad the option is there.  I had one of the original Bosch "Pocket Drivers". It was even slower (400 RPM IIRC) and single speed only. It also had the hex chuck only too. You could use hex shanked drill bits, but the wobble made it rough. I still liked it though. I used it for hardware installation in a cabinet shop. When they introduced a similar unit with an actual drill chuck, I bought one of those too, then came the right-angle drill.
When I discovered the CXS, game over. One thing that does all. I sold the Bosch stuff to co-workers.
If Festool did introduce a brushless with a higher RPM high gear, sure I would buy one, but I would hope that they don't change the battery. I would keep my older one too.

 

[six-point socket II]

(...)

At some point in future I will be removing a suspended ceiling that was put in in the 70ties. All slotted screws. I can't wait to put my hand through the CXS's C handle and remove the screws and not loosing grip on the drill when taking & handing down the modules. Plus it is so lightweight, I won't suffer from fatigue in the evening.

(...)

Funny this thread is back/still active.

Still love my CXS!

Doing what I quoted above. 

[attachimg=1]

Right angle attachment in use with keyless chuck.  8)

[attachimg=2]

Kind regards,
Oliver

 

[tango63]

I agree, Aaron. I have two of them and they are the "soul" of most of my drill/driver work in the shop...and often beyond.

I, too, have two of them and rarely touch other drills for driving screws or drilling small holes. I also have the Milwaukee installer drill and used it over 2 years. Now it just collects dust in a corner.

 

[Mark Katz]

I would love to have a CXS. I already, a have a C18 and a T18, along with an older Panasonic 12. The Panasonic still works well but is expendable. I had to use each of them recently drilling above head level and they were really heavy. But I really don't want another battery platform (batteries and charger) that's just good for that one tool.

What I would really love is a redesigned CXS that took the standard Festool 18v batteries, with a new 18v 1.0ah battery for light weight. In fact, I'd buy those 1.0ah batteries for use with my T18 and C18 too. It's a rare week that I drill/drive more than a few dozen screws.

 

[derekcohen]

Mark, your comments resonate with me. I still have and use an old Panasonic 12v. It is powerful, was very ergonomic in its day (25 years ago) but now feels heavier than I recall.

For what it is worth, a 1.3 Ah 10.8v battery for my C12 drives an 18v PDC. I use the latter with 3.1 Ah batteries to save weight.

Regards from Perth

Derek

 

[Jim_in_PA]

What I would really love is a redesigned CXS that took the standard Festool 18v batteries, with a new 18v 1.0ah battery for light weight. In fact, I'd buy those 1.0ah batteries for use with my T18 and C18 too. It's a rare week that I drill/drive more than a few dozen screws.

The CSX in current form or even redesigned for brushless/whatever wouldn't be a CSX with a big, heavy 18v battery. The beauty of this little baby is that it's very light weight, small and surprisingly powerful with the small 10.8v batteries it uses. I do agree that the "C handle" design in an 18v  for bigger jobs would be nice as I really like the balance of this format.

 

[flair woodworks]

The changes made to the CXS are:
1. From 1.3 to 2.6 Ah battery
2. Addition of 3-LED battery charge indicator
3. Larger 3/8 inch chuck (original didn't quite accept a round 3/8 inch shank)

 

[Cheese]

The CSX in current form or even redesigned for brushless/whatever wouldn't be a CSX with a big, heavy 18v battery. The beauty of this little baby is that it's very light weight, small and surprisingly powerful with the small 10.8v batteries it uses.

I agree...a CXS is a CXS because of its weight and balance, that's what makes it my go-to drill. If the battery gets too large or heavy, well then I may as well pick up the Milwaukee. That's one of the nice things Festool did when they went from the 1.5Ah to the 2.6Ah battery. Both of those batteries are within .1 gram of each other despite the large amperage differential.

 

[squall_line]

I really like the design and balance of the CXS.  I hold my forefinger on the side of the drill in line with the axis of the motor, and use my middle finger for the trigger.

I thought that my affinity would transfer to the C-12 / C-18, but it does not.

The primary reason is that the C-12/C-18 triggers don't extend fully up to the top of the handle opening like the CXS.  This prevents using the middle finger for a trigger and the ring finger must be used instead (or hyper-spread your fingers to reach with the middle finger).  Even with hand exercises the strength, finesse, and endurance just isn't there for the ring finger the way it is the middle finger.

Ironically, I was cleaning out the basement and came across my old Milwaukee NiCd 12v 1/2" drill, which is basically a C-handle design (motor in front of the handle instead of above or behind) without the front handle, and the trigger goes all the way up to the motor. 

 

[NiteWalkerGR]

I agree...a CXS is a CXS because of its weight and balance, that's what makes it my go-to drill. If the battery gets too large or heavy, well then I may as well pick up the Milwaukee. That's one of the nice things Festool did when they went from the 1.5Ah to the 2.6Ah battery. Both of those batteries are within .1 gram of each other despite the large amperage differential.

When I was shop-comparing the milwaukee and cxs, I found that both weigh roughly the same (2lbs) with the battery and hex/centrotec chuck.

I'm fine with the milwaukee, but I do wish festool would update the cxs to a brushless version. And the claim that brushless would make it bigger or heavier is BS; see my comment aboue the m12 driver, or look at the bosch.