Festool CXS - a new kid in town

[Michael_MA]

Hi All,

Finally, i got my hands on a brandnew CXS cordless drill and tried to summarize my short experience and everything noticeable in a short video,

which can be found here:

FESTOOL CXS SET - Feature introduction
Just to mention.. This is NOT a full review, even though this is put in the review section, NOR is it a comparison to anything else.
I'm planning on a second Video shortly, which shows some of the performance capabilities of the CXS in comparison with my C12 and my T15.
I'm completely open minded for any Ideas or Proposals you may have, how one would/should do this performance comparison to receive fair and practical results.

Enjoy the Video !

kind regards, Mike

 

[EcoFurniture]

Klasse. danke!
Jetzt aber zackig und das teil mal in action gezeigt, gell  [big grin]

 

[Frank Pellow]

Thanks for the mini review.  [thanks]

Even if this drill eventually gets sold in Canada, I doubt that I would purchase it (what with annoyances such as requiring a new right angle chuck), but I still enjoy seeing and hearing about it. 

Among other things, it's the first time that I have seen one of the new T-loc systainers in use.  I think that I will like them.

 

[mouppe]

Great video, I got a really good sense of the features of the CXS.

Richard.

 

[Ken Nagrod]

I still can't form a get or pass on it decision, but I definitely don't like what they did with the battery design - body of a slide on mixed with the pod style.  Takes up more room than both separate styles of batteries, for example, carrying a spare in your tool pouch when you're a distance or height away from the kit.  And really, I'm getting tired of these 10.8 volt tools masquerading as 12 volts.  Bosch is the biggest offender.  Looking at the current printed material and German videos, Festool might be doing the same - not sure.  It could be others tossing around the 12 volt designation.  I'm also not thrilled about the 3 jaw drill chuck that only goes to 8mm.  Wish it went to 3/8 inch or 10mm to match the other brands and offer more flexibiltiy for common bit sizes.

Now will they also come out with a TXS to make it similar to Milwaukee, Bosch and Makita's offerings???

Hopefully Michael will put his to a lot of usage in a short period of time and report back the positives, negatives and additions he'd like to see in the tool.

 

[Nigel]

      Nice video Mike.

          I was very tempted by that little CXS. I'll certainly be interested to see your performance comparison video.  Thanks.

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Thanks for sharing the video, Michael.  Looks like a great compact drill. I, too, look forward to your comparison video vs. the C/T drills and being able to try one of these out for myself.

I haven't had the opportunity to see the new T-Loc systainers in person, but I have to say that the latch mechanism appeared to operate very smooth and effortlessly. Also, I like that they have slots for paper labels that slide in versus the old labels.

 

[jmbfestool]

I dont think I like the drill.  Yes it is smaller in height than its big brother but on the video it looked like it was the same length now for me I would want it smaller in length other whise I feel like im just buying just the same drill with less power.  To be honest I dont understand why festool have brought this drill out. The T+15 and C drills are very small drills compared to its competitors any way but also have a lot of torque than the competitors (same size drills) as well as having a very good battery life.  So bringing a drill out smaller only in height and with less power (I am assuming it has less power) doesnt seem to be worth it.  Drills in the same 12V class are smaller. To be honest where the 12V drills will go the Festool T+15 will also go (sometimes the large battery does get in the way though)  The only thing I like about it is the belt clip which is very good and very easy to change which is very good I just wish they had done it with the T15  then it would be almost perfect (Need LED light then it would be the perfect drill ever!!)

JMB

 

[VictorL]

Thanks for good review, Mike.
Why Festool didn't make delayed light off? I need light more often when I'm trying to position bit/screw in dark place, then when I'm actually driving screw/bit.
With my Makita impact driver I shortly press switch, it activates drive/light, then I de-press it, the light is still on, then I positioning screw in place, then screw it.

Regards,
VictorL

 

[Troll]

JMB

You make a very good point.  What's the point of this 'compact drill' when it appears to be hardly any more compact that a C!2 (which can do so much more besides)?
There's no need for Festool to compete in the compact drill market when its drills are already compact, in my opinion.

Troll

 

[Frank Pellow]

JMB

You make a very good point.  What's the point of this 'compact drill' when it appears to be hardly any more compact that a C!2 (which can do so much more besides)?
There's no need for Festool to compete in the compact drill market when its drills are already compact, in my opinion.

Troll

JMB and Troll, I agree with you that I can not (yet  ???) see any need for this drill.

 

[Michael_MA]

Well, the CX is much more compact, as the C12.. and the weight is impressive.. Well, i think one of the reason for the CXS is the price.. it cost about 230 ? WITH the T-LOC Systainer.. Bosch has a Paper box and sells their Drill for 169 ? over here.. so if Festool would also remove the Systainer.. the price would be very competitive..

The w e i g h t .. is the other reason.. please look on the scale.. and i'm shure once you grabbed it.. it won't leave your hands without deep impressions.. it's very sticky  [tongue]

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

For those in the U.S., that's 2.4 lbs for the CXS and 4.4 lbs for the C12 roughly.

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

For those in the U.S., that's 2.4 lbs for the CXS and 4.4 lbs for the C12 roughly.

I am fairly familiar with grams, after that I am confused.

 

[Frank Pellow]

For those in the U.S., that's 2.4 lbs for the CXS and 4.4 lbs for the C12 roughly.

Come on, aren't you Yanks ever going to switch to metric?  [poke]

 

[bobbobbob]

Do you mean converting to the 2 litre bottle (instead of 1/2 gallon etc) wasn't truly a full metric switchover?  [jawdrop]

 

[Ken Nagrod]

Come on Bob.  You're in the U.S.  That's liter, not litre.  What's the matter?  You're too close to Canada, it's rubbing off on you?  [poke] [smile]

 

[Frank Pellow]

Come on Bob.  You're in the U.S.  That's liter, not litre.  What's the matter?  You're too close to Canada, it's rubbing off on you?  [poke] [smile]

That's an other point, if you guys can't even spell the metric units the way they are spelled in the rest of the world, there doesn't seem to be a lot of hope for you.  [dead horse]

 

[jmbfestool]

You know looking at the first picture the CXS actually looks longer than the C12 or is it just the shadows throwing my eyes off.  Also the CXS looks more angled this again increases the length of the tool because as you tilt the tool so its square on with the screw the back end of the battery kicks out more so the overall length increases.    I assume its angled just for more comfort to the users wrist!

JMB

 

[Nigel]

           
          Well it might be midge's nad longer but who cares?It's super light,compact and cheap[ish].What more do you want?I mean on price alone it's a winner for a Festool drill!!