Festool CXS Brushless

[TelcoRandy]

Does anyone know if Festool plans to make a brushless CXS? I scoured the forums and I found a quote from Shane Holland stating that:

It would have no longer been a compact drill if it had a brushless motor. It would have been a C12/15, which we will have later this year.

If brushless is what you want, we have a broad range of drills with brushless motors with more coming soon.  [wink]

If you want compact, technology has not progress to the point of being able to (at least at a reasonable price point) fit a brushless motor in a compact drill form factor.

However, Bosch is coming out with a 12V compact brushless drill/driver with the same weight as the CXS (.9kg or 1.98lbs). So since the technology is here now (2 years later), does this mean Festool will release an improved CXS?
http://toolguyd.com/bosch-12v-brushless-drill-screwdriver/

- Randy

 

[AlexThePalex]

I think it is perfectly possible to make a brushless drill of any size. But if Festool will be making one is another matter. I wouldn't count on it on the short term.

Festool also won't be making any statements about it, they never tell anything about tools in development, until they hit the stores.

 

[TelcoRandy]

I just don't like the idea behind the CXS having a disposable motor. In the same post that Shane made that quote, Johnny Round Boy showed a print of the CXS parts and stated that the motor had self-contained non-serviceable brushes and speculated that you would need to replace the entire motor if they ever wore out. This personally doesn't sit well with me. I think I'll hold out for the next Festool compact drill or maybe go with a competitor... I was hoping that someone might have some inside information to entice me to hold out for a new CXS but I guess that'll never happen.

 

[mrboult]

I love the size, weight, ergonomics of my CXS so much - that I often end up using it when I should probably have a bigger drill in my hand.

I would like festool to make this drill brushless, and if they do, i'll add one to my gear.

I am not really worried, however, about it wearing out.  It has an intelligent electronic cut out to protect the motor from 'self harm' and should therefore last as long/longer than any other normal cordless I've had.

It really is the best drill i've ever held and what I really wish, is that they come out with a more powerful version in the same form factor. If/When possible. I don't like the ergonomics of the C12/C15 sadly.

 

[TelcoRandy]

This Bosch Brushless may be calling my name...

 

[Davej]

This Bosch Brushless may be calling my name...

Not a true comparison , he should have shown all of the drills screwing a screw in each , as far as possible , not swapping over with the same screw.TThe cxs may not be brushless but it is brilliant.

 

[kieran62]

Hi everyone, been a while since I've posted.

I've been using the brushed version of the Bosch for the last eighteen months and it is a powerful little drill.
However, in that time I've had the trigger repaired and been through four batteries (all Bosch originals), and today my fith battery failed  [mad]
I'm going to buy a CXS, not because I'm a fanboy, but a three year warranty on the drill and batteries will make it an investment
against downtime.
If Bosch sort out their issues with batteries (and I know I'm not the only person to have had problems), it will be a handy sized drill with lots of torque,
but until I see some reviews of real world use, I'll be steering clear.

Kieran

 

[mike68au]

I recently sold 2 of the Bosch Models after trying and buying the CXS.  The balance comfort and control of the drill is way better / superior. 
The Bosch's were great but i definitely prefer the CXS

As for driving in those big screws,  not a chance i would consider doing that with a small 10.8v drill..... thats what my bigger drills are for. 

 

[PreferrablyWood]

I'll be in the market for th CXS as a handy go everywhere tool, the handling seems to be it's strong point. I would not worry about it not being brushless at all.

 

[Holz-Her]

i like both

 

[SMJoinery]

I've had my CXS for 2 weeks and love it.
This week it's been pre drilling and fixing oak door linings and hinges to doors etc
It's driving 70mm (4x70) screws no problem at all and swapping between Jacobs churck with centre drill / countersink and centrotec driver has been superb.
Batteries charge very quickly and last ages.
Balance and power are amazing for 10.8v but I have found that I prefer dewalt pz2 bits to festool!
Scott

 

[Jonhilgen]

Love my cxs, but it's time to send the batteries in.  I've owned it since it came out and have abused it daily on cabinet installs.  Greatest festool I own, besides the ts55.

Jon

 

[rl4020]

love the cxs had one for about a year until someone stole it.  But I don't think I would get another one until it has more power.  They need to make a brushless one with as much power or more than the milwaukee fuel 12v brushless

 

[toolslut]

For what it's worth I currently own a set of the Bosch 10.8 including drill driver/impact/reciprocating and mult-tool and I wouldn't buy them again.
The drill driver is powerful but has intermittent faults (light comes on and won't go off, stuttering power). The multitool makes my ears bleed (it's unbelievable) and the reciprocating saw won't eject the blades as the mechanism is prone to fouling with dust. The impact is fine but all of the batteries have lost the clips due to rather rubbishy plastic and fall out unless held in with tape (not good). One of the 3 batteries lasts a while but the others I use in the torch which is OK.
So after 1 and a bit years of use I'm not impressed.
I intend to buy the CXS as I need a decent angle attachment, i'll keep the Bosch impact until it gives up.
I would like to see a 3 or 4Ah battery for the CXS in an ideal world.
Good luck either way. Maybe I've been unlucky.

 

[pingvinlakrits]

I love my CXS, but it needs to get a bigger capacity battery. The larger drills have been developing in that area, so should the CXS.

Some more Ah in the batteries would be nice to have on the CXS. The rest can stay the way it is.

 

[w802h]

I bought the Milwaukee Fuel 12v Brushless Screwdriver.  It is a real tool, not a toy and I'm very happy with it.  It's weight isn't noticeable hanging from my belt, yet it has a lot of power for it's size, and a tight chuck.  I would have gotten the CSX if the battery was compatible with my Syslite, but I like my choice.  The CSX has angle attachments, but they have more plastic than the larger Festool drills - and for the amount that I need 90 degree technology I have a manual attachment, plus the M12 has a shorter length.  Also, I wanted to use standard bits and not get locked into Centrotec, but each their own. 

 

[cgmojoco]

+1Milwaukee M12 Fuel , CXS is a fine drill dont get me wrong.

 

[festivus]

love the cxs had one for about a year until someone stole it.  But I don't think I would get another one until it has more power.  They need to make a brushless one with as much power or more than the milwaukee fuel 12v brushless

I'm glad that I'm not the only one who finds the CXS a little underpowered. It's a great drill - don't get me wrong. But with the amount of rave reviews it gets I thought initially I'd got a dud! I think it's great cabinet making tool. Can imagine it's great for kitchens also (although I don't do this). But really struggles with any general purpose use and more often than not I just pick up the PDC since I know it'll handle any task.

 

[Ajax]

Was thinking about getting the CSX, but I'm happy with my Bosch 12v lineup.  At $295 for a CSX kit, switching out of Bosch was cost prohibitive.

I have the PS20 (driver), PS31 (drill), PS41(impact), PS11 (right angle), and two LED flash lights.  They have served me well and I have 6 x 12v batteries on hand.  They charge fast. 
I also have a Bosch 18v drill and an impact driver with a number of high capacity batteries and flashlights.  Again, I'm very happy with them.

I just ordered the PS22 (brushless driver).  The PS20 has served me well, but the price was right on the newer PS22 driver after the $20 Bosch instant rebate.  So now I have 2 more batteries and a charger for ~$130.

Festool needs to show me something unique that I can't get in Bosch to justify the great cost.

 

[h.gil]

I am still on the fence regarding the CSX. I've been long waiting for the C15 to come with 4.2 ah packs, as I could use them on the SysLite. I too have several Bosch 12v tools, though I lost the right-angle driver, I still have the impact, driver, and multitool. I've had them since they first came out sometime in 2006~7. I used to have 8 battery packs but they all died prematurely I would say, only one was left and I would id' it by the white fast cap I stuck on the bottom; the retaining tabs had gone on it so I would use green tape to hold it in place. The other day noticed it wouldn't come out of the multi-x, it was then that I noticed someone had switched on me; the one I had was 1.5ah and they left a 1.3ah (first gen). So now I have and unknown old battery and I am eager to either replace the kit with a CXS and a corded Fein, or keep buying into Bosch.

If Festool comes out with a 2ah+ battery pack then it would be a far easier decision, but until then, I'll just wait it out.