FestoolRecon.com coming VERY soon (US)

[Cheese]

The tool looked brand new, but now I know why it was a returned tool, the fence is heavily bowed. Hard to understand how milled aluminum can be bowed like that.

I checked mine yesterday and it's fine. [cool]

That's a fully machined surface, it's been flycut before it was assembled. Yours appears to have been bent somehow.  [eek]
I think yours may have been dropped. Just looking at the 2nd rivet in the bracket, that area looks like the fulcrum. If that's indeed the case, then it's a good thing you're sending it in to Festool. [smile]

 

[ScoFF]

I picked up a CT Mini Dust Extractor (583 360) that came on today.  I'm not to familiar with the model history but is this an old or current sku?    Was there any updates like a newer style hose garage I should be aware of, or maybe mine is good and modern?

It said it was 99cfm

The festool website shows the current mini with item# 574786.  It looks like a side rotating (new style systainer locking mechanism) is on the side of the latest one.

 

[nclemmons]

You can swap out the top of the Midi or Mini to accommodate a T-loc Systainer if you like.  The T-loc will snap to the old style but updating makes it a bit easier.  I seem to recall the cost of doing the upgrade was around $60.  I ordered the parts through Festool in Indiana.  Been a couple of years since I did it on my Midi.

 

[ishmerc]

99 CFM ,the CT SYS is 106 CFM .
$326.25 plus tax that's more then what it cost new $300 back in the days .I don't know what years this catalog is ,it got the Mini 583 360 for $300 .
http://www.talasonline.com/images/PDF/Festool/Catalog-Dust-Extraction.pdf

 

[Cheese]

99 CFM ,the CT SYS is 106 CFM .
$326.25 plus tax that's more then what it cost new $300 back in the days .I don't know what years this catalog is ,it got the Mini 583 360 for $300 .
http://www.talasonline.com/images/PDF/Festool/Catalog-Dust-Extraction.pdf

That's an old old catalog. The CT 22/33 series vacs haven't been available for at least 8-9 years.  [eek] 

Which probably puts the 99 CFM MINI in the same ballpark. The catalog I have says March 2008.

 

[ScoFF]

I cancelled my order for the 99cfm mini.  It should be popping up again.

 

[GoingMyWay]

I just bought the CXS that came up for sale.  I had been interested in this drill the last 2 times it came up on the recon sale, but I think they only came with the 1.5AH batteries.  This time it was being offered with the 2.6AH batteries so I bought it.

I hope I made the right decision.  I got the Bosch Flexiclick 5 in 1 back in September 2017 so I didn't really need another drill of this type (right angle attachment).  Although I will say I didn't really like how the Bosch fit in my hand.  I thought it would have been more comfortable, but it just felt kinda weird.  I'm mostly used to my 18V Makita impact driver and the 18V drill/driver.

I get the sense from most post, comments, and YouTube videos that just about everyone absolutely loves their CXS.

 

[ScoFF]

I was tempted but learned they offer a C18 and T18 drills that are larger like I'm used to in Yellow color.  It seemed like a mini drill to me.

 

[GoingMyWay]

I had also discovered the C18, but my impression (could be incorrect) was that the CXS was still most popular because I think it's lighter and more compact.  Am I the only one who finds their drill naming convention confusing?

 

[DIY WoodWerx]

I just bought the CXS that came up for sale.  I had been interested in this drill the last 2 times it came up on the recon sale, but I think they only came with the 1.5AH batteries.  This time it was being offered with the 2.6AH batteries so I bought it.

I hope I made the right decision.  I got the Bosch Flexiclick 5 in 1 back in September 2017 so I didn't really need another drill of this type (right angle attachment).  Although I will say I didn't really like how the Bosch fit in my hand.  I thought it would have been more comfortable, but it just felt kinda weird.  I'm mostly used to my 18V Makita impact driver and the 18V drill/driver.

I get the sense from most post, comments, and YouTube videos that just about everyone absolutely loves their CXS.

Would appreciate your feedback when you receive your CXS.  I'm torn between getting the CXS or Bosch FlexiClick myself and would like to hear your comparison and input.  Especially since the CXS does not have the offset chuck the Bosch has.

 

[peter halle]

I just bought the CXS that came up for sale.  I had been interested in this drill the last 2 times it came up on the recon sale, but I think they only came with the 1.5AH batteries.  This time it was being offered with the 2.6AH batteries so I bought it.

I hope I made the right decision.  I got the Bosch Flexiclick 5 in 1 back in September 2017 so I didn't really need another drill of this type (right angle attachment).  Although I will say I didn't really like how the Bosch fit in my hand.  I thought it would have been more comfortable, but it just felt kinda weird.  I'm mostly used to my 18V Makita impact driver and the 18V drill/driver.

I get the sense from most post, comments, and YouTube videos that just about everyone absolutely loves their CXS.

Would appreciate your feedback when you receive your CXS.  I'm torn between getting the CXS or Bosch FlexiClick myself and would like to hear your comparison and input.  Especially since the CXS does not have the offset chuck the Bosch has.

I hope you get your feedback.  I just wanted to mention that the reason the CXS /TXS don't have offset chucks like the other Festool drills is due to their slender nose and body size. 

Peter

 

[DIY WoodWerx]

I just bought the CXS that came up for sale.  I had been interested in this drill the last 2 times it came up on the recon sale, but I think they only came with the 1.5AH batteries.  This time it was being offered with the 2.6AH batteries so I bought it.

I hope I made the right decision.  I got the Bosch Flexiclick 5 in 1 back in September 2017 so I didn't really need another drill of this type (right angle attachment).  Although I will say I didn't really like how the Bosch fit in my hand.  I thought it would have been more comfortable, but it just felt kinda weird.  I'm mostly used to my 18V Makita impact driver and the 18V drill/driver.

I get the sense from most post, comments, and YouTube videos that just about everyone absolutely loves their CXS.

Would appreciate your feedback when you receive your CXS.  I'm torn between getting the CXS or Bosch FlexiClick myself and would like to hear your comparison and input.  Especially since the CXS does not have the offset chuck the Bosch has.

I hope you get your feedback.  I just wanted to mention that the reason the CXS /TXS don't have offset chucks like the other Festool drills is due to their slender nose and body size. 

Peter

So will the CXS and TXS get as close as the offset on the Bosch or other Festool drills with offset chuck?

 

[yetihunter]

I had also discovered the C18, but my impression (could be incorrect) was that the CXS was still most popular because I think it's lighter and more compact.  Am I the only one who finds their drill naming convention confusing?

Wait until you get a load of Metabo's nomenclature.  [big grin]

 

[NHSP759]

I just bought the CXS that came up for sale.  I had been interested in this drill the last 2 times it came up on the recon sale, but I think they only came with the 1.5AH batteries.  This time it was being offered with the 2.6AH batteries so I bought it.

I hope I made the right decision.  I got the Bosch Flexiclick 5 in 1 back in September 2017 so I didn't really need another drill of this type (right angle attachment).  Although I will say I didn't really like how the Bosch fit in my hand.  I thought it would have been more comfortable, but it just felt kinda weird.  I'm mostly used to my 18V Makita impact driver and the 18V drill/driver.

I get the sense from most post, comments, and YouTube videos that just about everyone absolutely loves their CXS.

You’ll love it. I’ve had mine for maybe three or four years now with the small batteries and it is a great little driver.

 

[GoingMyWay]

I just bought the CXS that came up for sale.  I had been interested in this drill the last 2 times it came up on the recon sale, but I think they only came with the 1.5AH batteries.  This time it was being offered with the 2.6AH batteries so I bought it.

I hope I made the right decision.  I got the Bosch Flexiclick 5 in 1 back in September 2017 so I didn't really need another drill of this type (right angle attachment).  Although I will say I didn't really like how the Bosch fit in my hand.  I thought it would have been more comfortable, but it just felt kinda weird.  I'm mostly used to my 18V Makita impact driver and the 18V drill/driver.

I get the sense from most post, comments, and YouTube videos that just about everyone absolutely loves their CXS.

Would appreciate your feedback when you receive your CXS.  I'm torn between getting the CXS or Bosch FlexiClick myself and would like to hear your comparison and input.  Especially since the CXS does not have the offset chuck the Bosch has.

I hope you get your feedback.  I just wanted to mention that the reason the CXS /TXS don't have offset chucks like the other Festool drills is due to their slender nose and body size. 

Peter

So will the CXS and TXS get as close as the offset on the Bosch or other Festool drills with offset chuck?

I should be able to do a comparison shortly after I get the CXS.

I had also discovered the C18, but my impression (could be incorrect) was that the CXS was still most popular because I think it's lighter and more compact.  Am I the only one who finds their drill naming convention confusing?

Wait until you get a load of Metabo's nomenclature.  [big grin]

Oh boy.  I don't know much about Metabo other than they're best know for their sanders?

You’ll love it. I’ve had mine for maybe three or four years now with the small batteries and it is a great little driver.

That's what I was hoping to hear.

 

[GoingMyWay]

I just bought the CXS that came up for sale.  I had been interested in this drill the last 2 times it came up on the recon sale, but I think they only came with the 1.5AH batteries.  This time it was being offered with the 2.6AH batteries so I bought it.

I hope I made the right decision.  I got the Bosch Flexiclick 5 in 1 back in September 2017 so I didn't really need another drill of this type (right angle attachment).  Although I will say I didn't really like how the Bosch fit in my hand.  I thought it would have been more comfortable, but it just felt kinda weird.  I'm mostly used to my 18V Makita impact driver and the 18V drill/driver.

I get the sense from most post, comments, and YouTube videos that just about everyone absolutely loves their CXS.

Would appreciate your feedback when you receive your CXS.  I'm torn between getting the CXS or Bosch FlexiClick myself and would like to hear your comparison and input.  Especially since the CXS does not have the offset chuck the Bosch has.

The refurbished CXS arrived yesterday.  It has a manufacture date of May 2017.  My initial impressions are:

The Bosch feels slightly heavier (I can weigh the 2 to compare if anyone is interested, but it does feel heavier in my hand).  The Bosch seems to be a little more "front heavy" than the CXS.  The CXS feels much more balanced and natural in my hand with either my index or middle finger on the trigger.  The Bosch feels slightly more powerful than the CXS.  I think I like the CXS more than the Bosch

It sounded like you were most interested in comparing how close you could get with the Bosch with the offset vs the CXS.  What's the use case for that scenario?  Screwing into a 90 degree corner?  Was there anything else specifically that you wanted compared?

 

[DIY WoodWerx]

I just bought the CXS that came up for sale.  I had been interested in this drill the last 2 times it came up on the recon sale, but I think they only came with the 1.5AH batteries.  This time it was being offered with the 2.6AH batteries so I bought it.

I hope I made the right decision.  I got the Bosch Flexiclick 5 in 1 back in September 2017 so I didn't really need another drill of this type (right angle attachment).  Although I will say I didn't really like how the Bosch fit in my hand.  I thought it would have been more comfortable, but it just felt kinda weird.  I'm mostly used to my 18V Makita impact driver and the 18V drill/driver.

I get the sense from most post, comments, and YouTube videos that just about everyone absolutely loves their CXS.

Would appreciate your feedback when you receive your CXS.  I'm torn between getting the CXS or Bosch FlexiClick myself and would like to hear your comparison and input.  Especially since the CXS does not have the offset chuck the Bosch has.

The refurbished CXS arrived yesterday.  It has a manufacture date of May 2017.  My initial impressions are:

The Bosch feels slightly heavier (I can weigh the 2 to compare if anyone is interested, but it does feel heavier in my hand).  The Bosch seems to be a little more "front heavy" than the CXS.  The CXS feels much more balanced and natural in my hand with either my index or middle finger on the trigger.  The Bosch feels slightly more powerful than the CXS.  I think I like the CXS more than the Bosch

It sounded like you were most interested in comparing how close you could get with the Bosch with the offset vs the CXS.  What's the use case for that scenario?  Screwing into a 90 degree corner?  Was there anything else specifically that you wanted compared?

Thanks for the review.  Yes, I’m interested in getting in close in 90 degree corners.  Looks like the flexiclick gets in closer than the CXS but not by much.  I have no other Bosch cordless tools or Festool cordless tools do not concerned with battery for multiple tools.  Too bad the Festool eccentric chuck is only available on the 18v Festool drills and not the CXS/TXS models

 

[GoingMyWay]

I took a bunch of pictures showing the various combinations of Bosch and Festool chucks.  A lot of the pictures illustrate that the bit will simply not be able to drive the screw in so I've only attached the images that actually show a viable means of screwing a corner bracket into a corner.

I'd say that the Bosch Flexiclick Offset chuck works most effectively, well because this is seemingly exactly the situation that it was designed for.

[attachimg=1]

The Festool right angle chuck works almost equally well with or without the addition of the Centrotec chuck - although the green Centrotec chuck release did rub against the wood leaving a slight mark.

[attachimg=2]
[attachimg=3]

You'd probably be best served using a longer bit or bit holder with either the Bosch Offset or Festool right angle chucks (without the Centrotec chuck) otherwise you need to angle the bit a little which as we all know tends to cause cam out.

[attachimg=4]
[attachimg=5]
[attachimg=6]

I did note a couple of things:

I still prefer the way the CXS feels in my hand compared to the Bosch.
The belt hook seems very handy, although I have yet to actually try hooking it to myself.

The magnetic chuck on the CXS was a really nice feature - none of the Bosch chucks are magnetized so the screw kept falling off when I was setting up the pictures (annoying just like what happens in real life).  I was using Bosch impact bits, which are are not magnetized so I suppose I could have used some other bits that were magnetized or use a magnetized bit holder.

I was also drilling some 1 1/8" Bosch Daredevil Spade bit holes through some 2x4's.  The CXS didn't have the power to drill a single hole.  The Bosch was able to drill the 4 holes that I needed, mostly without problem.  In most cases you'd use a more powerful drill when using a spade bit, but I thought I'd just mention again that the Bosch is in fact more powerful.

I hope this was helpful.  Please let me know if you wanted me to take pictures of anything other type of comparison.

 

[DIY WoodWerx]

Nice review.  I still haven't made a decision.  I was set on the CXS for weight and feel but the Bosch looks interesting.  Have to look into the bit holding issue you mentioned.

 

[Dick Mahany]

I took a bunch of pictures showing the various combinations of Bosch and Festool chucks.  A lot of the pictures illustrate that the bit will simply not be able to drive the screw in so I've only attached the images that actually show a viable means of screwing a corner bracket into a corner.

I'd say that the Bosch Flexiclick Offset chuck works most effectively, well because this is seemingly exactly the situation that it was designed for.

The Festool right angle chuck works almost equally well with or without the addition of the Centrotec chuck - although the green Centrotec chuck release did rub against the wood leaving a slight mark.

You'd probably be best served using a longer bit or bit holder with either the Bosch Offset or Festool right angle chucks (without the Centrotec chuck) otherwise you need to angle the bit a little which as we all know tends to cause cam out.

I did note a couple of things:

I still prefer the way the CXS feels in my hand compared to the Bosch.
The belt hook seems very handy, although I have yet to actually try hooking it to myself.

The magnetic chuck on the CXS was a really nice feature - none of the Bosch chucks are magnetized so the screw kept falling off when I was setting up the pictures (annoying just like what happens in real life).  I was using Bosch impact bits, which are are not magnetized so I suppose I could have used some other bits that were magnetized or use a magnetized bit holder.

I was also drilling some 1 1/8" Bosch Daredevil Spade bit holes through some 2x4's.  The CXS didn't have the power to drill a single hole.  The Bosch was able to drill the 4 holes that I needed, mostly without problem.  In most cases you'd use a more powerful drill when using a spade bit, but I thought I'd just mention again that the Bosch is in fact more powerful.

I hope this was helpful.  Please let me know if you wanted me to take pictures of anything other type of comparison.

Thank you for the photos.  The Bosch 12V Flexiclick has quickly become my most reached for drill.  It is more powerful than I had expected and an all around excellent tool for its size.  Can't beat it for the price.  I do like my T18 and have never even held a CXS, but for 85% of what I typically do, the Flexiclick is hard to beat.