How do you think about CXS

[CNX]

Hi all,

I'm one of those who were caught by the Festool fever. What I like about Festool is;

> Hi quality. Pure joy to use, e.g. sanders
> Innovation: e.g. Domino
> System: e.g. Dust extractor, track saw, routers, and many useful accessories

I can see many blue&green proliferating in my workshop and I'm very happy with it.
On the other hand, I always try to rationalize my purchase, as, I guess, many of you are doing.

What is currently under the top of my priority list is, CXS.  I do 70% solid wood and 30% panel cabinets. Drills are used mostly as a driver for fine screws (and of course pre-drilling of small holes). So, power and speed are not that important. I admire ergonomics and fine control of CXS, but I can't rationalize the purchase. Reasons are;

> My Milwaukee M12 driver with a hex head does the job fine, and it's lighter. Is CXS significantly better in actual use? One thing I definitely need is the right-angle head, but maybe Bosch PA10 would do the job and two drivers are always better than one with two functions.
> I already have a bunch of stuff with a hex head, like self-centering drill, drills with countersink, etc. What is the advantage of the centrotec over the conventional hex adapter? Do you find advantages significant enough to purchases all the bits and screws for the centrotec again? The assortment set would cost as much as a CXS...
> Among the great things about Festool I listed above, the innovation and system do not seem to apply for CXS. Then only high quality is on the table, but without investment on the centrotec, we need to rely on the bulky and heavy chuck or the long hex adapter, which undermines the high quality of the CXS....

Anyway, I would appreciate your opinion to push (or hold) my back.

 

[Ivan T]

I love my CXS. It is a pleasure to use. Festool will let you use the tool for 30 days and return it if you don't think it is what you want. Buy the set and try it and see what you think.

 

[Roseland]

I love mine, and use it for 99% of my drilling and 100% of my screw driving.  It has all the power I need for most jobs, except that I have a set up for pocket holes that I use a mains (corded) drill on.

It's a delight to use - a fraction of the weight my previous cordless drills  - and is so compact it's great for working inside cabinets fixings hinges, catches, drawer runners and the like.

And get the Set - it's worth the small extra.

Andrew

 

[mrboult]

Absolutely LOVE my CXS!!!  I have this and the Festool PDC 18v Drill.  The PDC is a beast and I couldn't be without it, but I would almost always rather reach for the CXS if it can handle the task.  It really is the nicest drill I ever used by far. It is like and extension of my hand.

While I like using it all round, I find the greatest benefits when fitting hinges etc with small screws. So much more controllable and easy than any other drill I've used.

Regarding centrotec. . . . Every centrotec bit/drill I own is totally top quality. But the big benefit is a quick change system that has less runout than most conventional hex adapters. They are a bit pricey though I admit.

 

[Birdhunter]

I would not buy the CSX as an only drill. But as a light duty drill, it is amazing. The ergonomics are excellent, the power is more than adequate, and the build quality is superior to even my Bosch drill/driver. The C12 and the CSX are a wonderful combination.

If I could only have one drill (horrible thought), it would be the Festool C12 and not the CSX.

I also recommend getting the set. It's a good value. I find the Festool drill bits are superior to any others I've ever used. The little Centrotec chuck goes beautiful with the Centrotec bits.

 

[elfick]

So, power and speed are not that important. I admire ergonomics and fine control of CXS, but I can't rationalize the purchase. Reasons are;

> My Milwaukee M12 driver with a hex head does the job fine, and it's lighter. Is CXS significantly better in actual use? One thing I definitely need is the right-angle head, but maybe Bosch PA10 would do the job and two drivers are always better than one with two functions.

The right angle centrotec adapter is definitely amazing and if you were to use it a lot, may alone make it worth getting the CXS. I haven't used any other right angle adapters that even come close to the Festool version. However, if you are considering a second tool, why not stick with Milwaukee and get the 2415-21?

> I already have a bunch of stuff with a hex head, like self-centering drill, drills with countersink, etc. What is the advantage of the centrotec over the conventional hex adapter? Do you find advantages significant enough to purchases all the bits and screws for the centrotec again? The assortment set would cost as much as a CXS...

There is definitely less play with the centrotec, but I will continue to use my standard hex stuff in most cases. The only functionality I really miss is a short, i.e. centrotec adapter length, ball-detent locking adapter.

> Among the great things about Festool I listed above, the innovation and system do not seem to apply for CXS. Then only high quality is on the table, but without investment on the centrotec, we need to rely on the bulky and heavy chuck or the long hex adapter, which undermines the high quality of the CXS....

That's not always the case. You can put hex bits directly into the CXS, there just won't be any ball-detent locking functionality. I believe it has a wire detent lock though. I just checked and it is a magnetic retention.

Anyway, I would appreciate your opinion to push (or hold) my back.

I too love my CXS. That being said, the M12 Fuel would be my second choice so if I already had it I wouldn't replace it with the CXS. I know you didn't say your M12 was the Fuel version but if I already had an M12 I would look at expanding that collection.

 

[pettyconstruction]

Love mine

 

[Tinker]

The CXS is my go-to for drilling & driving

 

[ccarrolladams]

Personally I have always been a fan and user of corded drills and drivers. The reason is that I only work in my shop where there is an electrical outlet every few feet.

All of the master cabinet makers working for me arrived at my new shop with collections of battery powered tools. All were anticipating the CXS while it was still NAINA. My new shop opened in mid 2010. I had the chance to use a CXS in Europe that fall, so I pre-ordered one from my primary Los Angeles Festool dealer.

As soon as it arrived, we all took turns using it, and we all loved it In my case more for driving delicate cabinet hardware screws, since nearly all parts which need pilot holes for hardware have those drilled by the CNC. For me the CXS has been a driving game changer. I'm not sure the last time I reached for a manual screwdriver!

The upshot was we had a super first year in the new shop. I bought both a CXS and Installer's Kit as presents for all of my cabinet makers, and kept a CXS and kit for myself!

 

[CNX]

Thank you all.
It seems like the real appeal of CXS is not something we can easily rationalize, like specs and systems, but something we can appreciate only when we actually use it. It is the most important thing, but we can never get until we use it....
It is amazing how overwhelmingly the CXS and centrotec set are supported.

 

[shed9]

Milwaukee drills are decent kit, not sure I see a rationale in replacing something that already works and works well.

If your looking for an excuse to buy some more Festool go for it, however don't lose sight of what you already have just because it isn't green and black.

 

[Doug S]

I have a couple of festool drills I use in the workshop and a couple of makita I use on site plus a CXS that I use for both and it is always my first choice if it's up to the job. With a bit of grinding you can use some standard hex bits in the centrotec chuck and they will still work in a standard hex chuck e.g. impact driver. I am always trying to reduce the amount of kit I carry round and am about to buy a milwaukee m12 impact and reckon that and the CXS will cover most things plus the altered hex bits will work in both.