Festool CXS Cordless Drill Driver - Video

[Stone Message]

Hi Everyone

I have been using the CXS for several weeks now and it has become my "go to" cordless drill. Some manufacturers have ditched or are putting less R&D into their smaller units which I think is a huge mistake. A great friend who makes a living from seriously good woodwork always reminds me that lighter is better when it is in your hands all day.

Here is the link:



I will try and do something on Centrotec before Christmas.

Peter

 

[Wooden Skye]

Peter

As usual, great review.  The more I use mine the more it becomes my go to drill.

 

[Stephen B]

[size=14pt]
One of my favourite Festools, a versatile little gem.

When I purchased it, thought I would hardly need the angle attachment, well I was certainly wrong.

Peter, what was in that little plastic bag on the bench, screen left in many shots?

Once again a great video and demonstration.  [smile]

 

[#Tee]

looking to buy one soon..thanks for the review peter! question does the drill it self have a batter gauge built it?

 

[NHSP759]

No battery gauge

 

[#Tee]

No battery gauge

thanks chrisk! thats a turn off  [mad]

 

[Stephen B]

No battery gauge

thanks chrisk! thats a turn off  [mad]

[size=14pt]
Not really, it has good life per charge, and this is probably not the drill you will be using 20 metres up on some scaffold.

 

[NHSP759]

Yeah I'm inclined to agree, the lack of a fuel gauge is kind of bad but the battery life is phenomenal and as an assemble tool it lasts and lasts. It's a really great driver and if you can get the CXS on recon it's only $177! Worth every penny. Coupled with a heavy drill and or impact and your invincible! If you can I would really give this little gun a try

 

[#Tee]

its not that, its more of i think of festool as in they think of everything and to excluded a useful feature like this is unlike them. sure ill still buy it but if they refuse to put a fuel gauge on this might as well be consistent and remove all the fuel gauges on the t15/t18. another thing is that its not even brushless and i thought all cordless motors festool uses are brushless.

ya chrisk ive played with it and forgot to see if it had a fuel gauge cause i just assumed it did lol.  the 245 price tag is fine with me.  i always have to think everything festool includes in the sys1, so 2 batteries 1 charger and some accessories for around 200 is awesome.

 

[Stone Message]

[size=14pt]
One of my favourite Festools, a versatile little gem.

When I purchased it, thought I would hardly need the angle attachment, well I was certainly wrong.

Peter, what was in that little plastic bag on the bench, screen left in many shots?

Once again a great video and demonstration.  [smile]

That little chap creeps in from time to time...

It is the remote control for the video camera. It allows me to start and stop recording, zoom in and out plus a few more things that I do not use. I keep it in the plastic bag to keep glue and finish oil off it.

Cheers.

Peter

 

[NHSP759]

its not that, its more of i think of festool as in they think of everything and to excluded a useful feature like this is unlike them. sure ill still buy it but if they refuse to put a fuel gauge on this might as well be consistent and remove all the fuel gauges on the t15/t18. another thing is that its not even brushless and i thought all cordless motors festool uses are brushless.

ya chrisk ive played with it and forgot to see if it had a fuel gauge cause i just assumed it did lol.  the 245 price tag is fine with me.  i always have to think everything festool includes in the sys1, so 2 batteries 1 charger and some accessories for around 200 is awesome.

If you do get it #Tee....make sure to get the set. The attachments are amazing and so compact.mmy T15+3 is the set too but with this one you can literally fit into almost anything, plus the right angle and chuck are specific to this tool only. Like I said check the recon list it's only 177!

 

[Tinker]

Great vid, Peter
This is also my go to drill. 
The battery seems to last forever, but when it does die, it is all of a sudden.
The first time it died for me, i thought something was wrong with the drill motor.  It just quit.  One moment it seemed to be driving screws with full power.  Then, all of a sudden, nothing.  But the light was still working.  Finally, in near panic (well, not quite that bad), I went to my backup battery.  That had not been charged, or had been in the sustainer for so long it was dead.  I put that on the charger and was happy to see the light blinking.  I left it there, went upstairs for a cup o' coffee.  By time i returned, the light was no longer blinking.  with immediate installation into CXS, I was back in business.

Every time the battery dies, it is still a surprise.

Aside from that, I am always surprised at the peer of that little drill and the comfort of using.  All my other cordless drills sit on the shelf for so long now, I nearly always have to charge before use.

I agree with those who recommend getting the set.
Tinker

 

[mlfaber]

Great vid, Peter
This is also my go to drill. 
The battery seems to last forever, but when it does die, it is all of a sudden.
The first time it died for me, i thought something was wrong with the drill motor.  It just quit.  One moment it seemed to be driving screws with full power.  Then, all of a sudden, nothing.  But the light was still working.  Finally, in near panic (well, not quite that bad), I went to my backup battery.  That had not been charged, or had been in the Systainer for so long it was dead.  I put that on the charger and was happy to see the light blinking.  I left it there, went upstairs for a cup o' coffee.  By time i returned, the light was no longer blinking.  with immediate installation into CXS, I was back in business.

Every time the battery dies, it is still a surprise.

Aside from that, I am always surprised at the peer of that little drill and the comfort of using.  All my other cordless drills sit on the shelf for so long now, I nearly always have to charge before use.

I agree with those who recommend getting the set.
Tinker

I believe that is the nature of Li-Ion

 

[AlexThePalex]

That's because a Li-Ion battery doesn't really die, it is shut off. A Li-Ion battery can be damaged if you unload it too much, so there is an electronic circuit inside the drill that monitors the battery level and shuts it off when the level drops below a set point.

 

[PreferrablyWood]

Thanks Peter Parfitt for the entertaining, and informative Demo, I think your developing a gold standard for doing these tool reviews, short and to the point...

 

[Stone Message]

Thanks Peter Parfitt for the entertaining, and informative Demo, I think your developing a gold standard for doing these tool reviews, short and to the point...

Gosh, many thanks. I will remember this. You are very kind.

Peter

 

[AndrewMV]

This drill has been on my list for awhile but I just can't seem to pull the trigger.  I have two Makita sets I use for work, Metal roofing installation (95% of the time I use an impact driver), but this drill would fit a lot of my lighter non impact type work quite well.  I enjoyed the video Peter, you have renewed my interest for a CXS, if I can't grab one from the 40% sale I will have to treat myself to a new one. 

Even new the price is reasonable.

 

[Stone Message]

This drill has been on my list for awhile but I just can't seem to pull the trigger.  I have two Makita sets I use for work, Metal roofing installation (95% of the time I use an impact driver), but this drill would fit a lot of my lighter non impact type work quite well.  I enjoyed the video Peter, you have renewed my interest for a CXS, if I can't grab one from the 40% sale I will have to treat myself to a new one. 

Even new the price is reasonable.

Hi Andrew,

I am doing my best to put together a "Presents for a loved one" video - basically a range of tools and maybe some tech stuff too. If I do the CXS is going to be there as it really is a great tool, at a very reasonable price and something that every spouse would appreciate giving to their other half. In the worst case people can buy it for themselves as a treat. Make sure you get the set version as it is by far the better value for money package.

Many thanks.

Peter

 

[HaKLc]

Great video Peter.  As always ...

CXS was one of my earliest Festool purchases and I love it a lot.
It is so light, handy and batteries last long at least for what I'm doing. It's a real gem.

 

[Stone Message]

Many thanks Marko and to everyone else for the very kind comments.

The CXS is a delight to use and I love it. I feel quite bad because my great woodworking friend had always told me that small and light drill drivers can be good as long as the quality was there as well and I just ignored him for ages. I have not seen him for nearly 6 weeks so I think that I will cycle over to see him tomorrow and tell him that he has been right all along.

Peter