Milwaukee 12V CXS Copy

Well I have returned to “eat crow”.

I thought I would try out the drill even after being the loudest critic of the fed/rvs switch...
It is an awesome drill. The switch location is a bit quirky and time will fell if it will hold up for 5+ years but for now I’m pretty happy.

I’m usually switching between 2 drills and an impact for door installs but I hung this Dutch door with just this drill. I’m sure not having to switch back and forth between drills with traditional switch locations helped. But hey I had fun.
 

Attachments

  • B1CAA8D0-CBC0-4C59-BF57-BDA87815712B.jpeg
    B1CAA8D0-CBC0-4C59-BF57-BDA87815712B.jpeg
    440.3 KB · Views: 464
  • 3C99E26A-06C0-4B0E-89D1-60B8E704BCFF.jpeg
    3C99E26A-06C0-4B0E-89D1-60B8E704BCFF.jpeg
    574.4 KB · Views: 383
  • 57707174-55E2-4127-AC7F-4D2E638E57E2.jpeg
    57707174-55E2-4127-AC7F-4D2E638E57E2.jpeg
    490.9 KB · Views: 355
CarlsonCarpentry said:
Well I have returned to “eat crow”.

I thought I would try out the drill even after being the loudest critic of the fed/rvs switch...
It is an awesome drill. The switch location is a bit quirky and time will fell if it will hold up for 5+ years but for now I’m pretty happy.

I’m usually switching between 2 drills and an impact for door installs but I hung this Dutch door with just this drill. I’m sure not having to switch back and forth between drills with traditional switch locations helped. But hey I had fun.
Click to expand...

Glad to hear that switch isn't so bad after all.  Nice door!  Did you also use the drill to bore the holes for the lockset?  Also, is that a Sys Mini that you have the drill/chucks in? 

If I didn't already have the Bosch FlexiClick, I'd jump one the Milwaukee.
 
Yes. I did have to remember to use the drill with my middle finger on the trigger. That allows very easy thumb access to the button.
I didn’t use this drill to bore it, it was a pre bored door. I’m not sure it would be up the task but I’ll try it sometime anyway.
Yes it fits nicely in a sys mini. May put it in a sys 1 with the m12 impact but that works for now.
 
I'm watching this thread closely.  My CXS, arguably my favorite and most used Festool, is starting to spark and smoke.  I just replaced the batteries on it so it most be 4 or 5 yrs old.  But I expected it to last a lot longer.  I like the CXS for it's diminutive size and ergonomics but I'll be gall darned if I have to replace it.  Looks like this little Milwaukee might fit the bill.

For those of you who own one already, can you spin screws at a low rpm?  That's what I like about the CXS for installing small Brusso hinges on small boxes.  I need to screw and unscrew small frail brass screws multiple times over the fitting process.  The CXS excels at this.  I'd be interested in how the Milwaukee performs
 
If available use same size steel screws during the fitting process then install the brass only once at the end.
 
I got mine - haven't done any projects with it yet but looks good with negligible runout.  Have a small cabinet install coming up this weekend so we'll see how it does.  The ergonomics make a lot more sense with middle finger on the trigger and index finger down the side.

Paired with the M12 Surge (love that thing!) makes for a compact and versatile kit.
 
+1 on the new M12 Fuel Surge impact. Very quiet, compact, and powerful.

I plan to order the 4 in 1 driver from Home Depot once the free 6.0 ah battery promotion goes live.
 
I do not have this one but have the brushless impact driver and hammer drill combo in the M12 line.  I like them but was a bit surprised driving some tiny screws that the clutch on the drill had a low setting that was way too much torque for the small 3/8 inch screws.  My Ryobi drills were better in this regard.

Anybody try this Milwaukee on tiny screws?  Does the clutch go low enough?

I also have the Bosch flexi click.  I really like it but the lock for using 1/4 bits is backward from my Milwaukee impact and my Ryobi impact.  Annoying but still it's a nice tool.  Noticably lighter than the Milwaukee tools but may be a bit lighter in abilities too.  My M12s have metal gear boxes which I like even it it adds some weight. 
 
Looking this tool over I am struck with the way that it's being marketed...on price. "If you don't want to spend the big bucks on the CXS then go with the Milwaukee."

What an insult!

The Milwaukee is made in China by workers making pennies and lacking tax payer funded, world class, universal, not-for-profit healthcare; lacking union protection; lacking multiple months of paid time off per year; lacking free childcare, lacking...all of the other perks one gets when living and working in Germany. Meanwhile, the CXS, at $300 for the full kit (which, don't forget, comes with a SYS 1 - a ~$60 value), looks like a bargain in comparison.

I'd rather jump off a bridge then hand over my hard earned cash to an unethical and unscrupulous company like Milwaukee (which sold out U.S. workers decades ago), especially when they have the gall to charge a premium price for a tool that no doubt cost them much less to make then the CXS costs Festool to make. A huge chunk of that extra profit goes right into the pockets of the fat cats that sit at the top of the company. Meanwhile, workers get the shaft.

The Milwaukee copy should sell for $100. Then, at least, I wouldn't feel insulted.

It's truly criminal how these transnational companies think they can exploit workers and environments in far off despotic countries (like China) but even worse are consumers who lap it all up.

I'll stick with my German-made CXS thank you very much.
 
Did you know the brains behind Milwaukee Tools' parent is German ?

And childcare isn't really free?

I think you've forgotten to value the added cost of a brushless motor, the better metal chuck, and the offset drive in your price consideration too. None of which CXS even offer at any price.
 
And don’t forget the value of a really great battery platform. Their M12 and M18 battery platforms and the variety of small hand power tools available within them is also a big selling point. Don’t get me wrong, I love my Festools but unlike Festool, Milwaukee is adding multiple tools (and batteries) to these two platforms consistently. Their Fuel line are as powerful as any cordless tools I have used.
 
I bought one for two reasons.  First, I already have a bunch of M12 batteries, and second, this allows me to get rid of my M12 screwdriver, drill, and right angle drill.  I am keeping the impact driver.

Thoughts after giving it a quick whirl today.
  • It's lighter than any of the older tools I'm getting rid of.
  • Gripping it with the index finger out improves the balance, which is a little top-heavy otherwise.
  • Power seems to be fine.
  • The right angle clearance is slightly better than the single-purpose right angle drill, but not by much.  I expected it to be maybe 1/2" worse.
  • The location of the forward/reverse switch was not a problem for me, but I like mechanical switches better.
  • The tool won't stand up with one of the larger batteries installed if one of the heads is attached.  Mildly irritating.
For me, the CSX and the Bosch were out of the running because I don't have the batteries.  All I have in Festool are 18V tools.
 
"Did you know the brains behind Milwaukee Tools' parent is German ?"

Are you saying that TTI is a German company?
https://www.ttigroup.com/our-company/tti-worldwide/

TTI bought Milwaukee years ago. It's one of many brands they market tools under, along with AEG, RIDGID (select AEG tools rebranded for sale in the USA by Home Depot), and Ryobi as well as Homelite and a couple others I can't remember.
 
Yes the battery platform are a big deal to me and many others.
I have Impact drivers, Impact wrenches, flood lights, ratchets and more that operate with the same batteries. It’s hard to invest in a tool with batteries that only work for it and a tool platform with a fraction of the available m12 tools.
But I do love German tools, engineers and good working conditions but it doesn’t always translate to the best tool for the job. Expense ($300kit vs $230) had nothing to do with it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

N
Wait for the new CXS or look for a sale on the original version?
2 3
Replies
53
Views
37K
Jim_in_PA
Jim_in_PA
woodbutcherbower
A quick 4-day in & out. A Georgian-period panelled room.
2
Replies
23
Views
2K
FestitaMakool
FestitaMakool
J
Milwaulkee 12v light
Replies
6
Views
2K
rvieceli
R
B
$99 - DEWALT XTREME 12V MAX Impact Wrench, Cordless Kit, 3/8-Inch (DCF902F2)
Replies
3
Views
2K
DynaGlide
DynaGlide
Sparktrician
A cautionary tale regarding Stiletto Tool and Milwaukee Tool...
Replies
9
Views
6K
Dan C
D
Back
Top