More praise for CXS

[fritter63]

I've finally got to use my CXS on a big project and I have to say I'm pretty impressed with it.

In this project, I'm basically installing 1.5" SS counter-sunk screws into oak. (QS French Oak - think old wine barrels).

I had previously "hid" my old Bosch 18V and 12V impact driver up high on a shelf to see how I could do without them with only the CXS as my drill/driver.

Drilling holes was easy enough with a countersink bit, but at first attempt I was disappointed in the CXS for driving home the screws. I found that it just *stopped* at first resistance at the bottom of the hole. It wouldn't really suck the two pieces together. My first instinct was to pull down the impact driver (which I did just to keep moving on the project) but after doing some reading (of old threads here), I realized I wasn't using it right).

I found that I needed to put the CXS is gear "1", which allows it turn slowly (and with better control). As somebody said in another thread, like having and powered hand driver. After doing that, the CXS was able to crank all the screws down nice and tight. In once case, I even used it without pre-drilling the second piece, and the screw (an auguring type) went in and torqued tight no problems.

Great little drill/driver, and my hands don't get fatigued using it.

 

[erock]

This is the type of post I need to stay away from.  I have been thinking about buying a CXS for a long time now (since it was released). 

I keep telling myself "hold off until my Makita drill dies."    I even thought about "loosing" my Makita at a friends house, just to give myself

a reason to buy it.  The main reason I have yet to buy one is because I am afraid it will lack the power I am looking for.  I think for now on,

I will stay away from any post that has CXS in the title. 

Good to hear that the CXS worked for you Fritter,  enjoy!!

Eric

 

[fritter63]

I keep telling myself "hold off until my Makita drill dies."    I even thought about "loosing" my Makita at a friends house, just to give myself

Ironically, after I pulled the Bosch back down, one of the batteries went completely dead on me. I guess it saw the writing on the wall....

 

[Brice Burrell]

.......The main reason I have yet to buy one is because I am afraid it will lack the power I am looking for.  I think for now on,

I will stay away from any post that has CXS in the title. 

Good to hear that the CXS worked for you Fritter,  enjoy!!

Eric

Eric, you've got 30 days to decide if it's for you.

 

[tbellemare]

It's not for everyone, or every purpose, Eric, but it has a home in my arsenal. That arsenal includes a C 15, T 18, and an 18V Makita hammer drill that will not likely see the light of day until I sell it because of the TI 15. I'll have to do some testing to determine...

I tend to grab the C 15 or CXS about half the time each. I guess I'm a C kind of guy. I give both of them an A+.

Tom

 

[builderbob]

Eric, I sold off my Bosch 10.8V drill/driver & right angle drill as soon as I got my first CXS. I was never happy with the power of the 10.8 offerings from the various companies. The CXS actually has very good driving ability with occasional light drilling. I use a CXS & C 15 on the road and a CXS and T 12 in the shop and I'm extremely happy with the combos!  You definitely can't replace the abilities of an 18v drill by purchasing the CXS but for my needs, I'm very pleased...the drills are probably my most used tools in general!

Best of luck!

Bob

 

[mouppe]

I don't know why I bought the CXS. I didn't need it, didn't want it, hadn't even considered getting one. But I went to stock up on 6mm dominoes, saw the CXS, held it and bought it without thinking twice.

For screwing in drawer slides and other light tasks, it's unbeatable. I also prefer taking it to and from the workshop to my house more than my C12 as it's lighter and it's usually sufficiently powerful around the house.

Sorry Eric, it's probably not what you wanted to hear!

 

[Jesse Cloud]

Sorry Eric, I'm piling on here.  I sold my Bosch, just couldn't keep a decent charge and the chuck would go slack at the worst times.  I have a cxs and a T12 and a Makita impact.  Haven't used the Makita in ages.  The cxs gets most of the use.  Mainly use the T12 when its convenient to have one drill going for drilling and another for driving.  There's just something about the ergonomics of the CXS that makes it fun to use.  And working on furniture, I often have to get into very tight spots, which is where the CXS shines.  Definitely worth the $$ in my book - but then I'm not driving deck screws all day either.  (Though my chairs do get a few 3 inch number 10 screws, which the CXS has no problem with).

Check it out for 30 days, and send it back if you aren't happy....

 

[Timtool]

I found that I needed to put the CXS is gear "1", which allows it turn slowly (and with better control). As somebody said in another thread, like having and powered hand driver. After doing that, the CXS was able to crank all the screws down nice and tight.

The first gear is destined for driving screws, and the second is designed for drilling. It's tempting to use the second gear on drills for driving screws faster but it's the fastest way to prematurely wear out the gear and battery, big no no!
Besides that, yes the CXS is one of those Festool gems along with the DTS400, can't say anything bad about them.

 

[Sparktrician]

For screwing in drawer slides and other light tasks, it's unbeatable. I also prefer taking it to and from the workshop to my house more than my C12 as it's lighter and it's usually sufficiently powerful around the house.

I'm with Richard on this one.  Installing drawer glides inside a cabinet with a face frame can be done with a C12, but after several hours of it, you'll come out with Popeye arms.  The CXS is so much lighter that it really makes quite a difference.  With the 90° head, it's just what I needed.  As others have pointed out, you have a 30-day decision window. 

[smile]

 

[RONWEN]

Like Richard, I didn't want a CXS drill, I don't need one and haven't considered it much.  I did however in a moment of weakness have one in my shopping cart ready to hit the button but then I did another reality check -- the standard depth stop chuck (or others) won't fit the CXS and Festool hasn't yet created a CXS model depth stop chuck.  That is such a handy, good working attachment and since screws would be my main "purpose" for the CXS I decided to wait until the depth stop is available for the little drill.

If I were spending hours installing something like drawer slides the CXS would be very easy on the arms.

 

[Stokely]

I had to buy one as "present" for my wife so she didn't "have" to use my 18v dewalt. All she had to do is grab it from my workshop when she needs it!

 

[BMH]

Bought the CXS because of a series of cabinets with multiple drawer installation. The weight, size and light makes it ideal to use. This past week, framed an outdoor staircase, with two set of 7 steps and an intermediate landing with it, using exclusively screws, mostly 3" and it did fine. Then my 12 yo daughter installed the steps, 2x6 cedar, pre-drilling and driving in the screws. She has a knack for this and had it done faster then I could have done it. Looking at her handling the drill the slogan "CXS, the ladies drill, built to handle a man's job" came to mind. It is a sweet package and my T15 is not being use much lately but still is an important part of my arsenal.

Bruce

 

[RONWEN]

I had to buy one as "present" for my wife so she didn't "have" to use my 18v dewalt. All she had to do is grab it from my workshop when she needs it!

Smoooooth!  [thumbs up]

Was it an Anniversary (Perhaps 1st.?) or Birthday present???  [tongue]

 

[Kev]

I almost grabbed a second CXS because they were on special, just managed to apply a little self control and stopped myself.

They are sweet in the hand.

If they released another with some of the "big brother TEK" in them I would certainly upgrade.

 

[fritter63]

the standard depth stop chuck (or others) won't fit the CXS and Festool hasn't yet created a CXS model depth stop chuck. 

I finally decided to keep my "dimpler" similar to these:

http://compare.ebay.com/like/180708437981?var=lv&ltyp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar

http://www.drywalldriver.com/

http://www.amazon.com/Vermont-American-16627-Dimpler-Drywall/dp/B000GAWWMS

Also, i still have my PC dedicated drywall gun but I'm not sure I'll ever really need it again. Drywall is one of those things I've decide it's worth paying a sub for...

 

[green fever]

Here in the UK festool had the deal with the £50. Voucher for the purchase of power tools and I chose the cxs and wow it's great not only the money off voucher but I also got a set of forstner bits as part of the deal , I must admit I do spend a lot of the green folding at my local store, just a footnote here vouchers expire Friday 31st august I feel sorry for the people still bidding on eBay for the vouchers right now.

 

[Davej]

Voucher is redeemable up to end of september , but got to agree over selling them on ebay is out of order , i gave a couple of spare  vouchers away to fellow fog members

 

[Stokely]

I had to buy one as "present" for my wife so she didn't "have" to use my 18v dewalt. All she had to do is grab it from my workshop when she needs it!

Smoooooth!  [thumbs up]

Was it an Anniversary (Perhaps 1st.?) or Birthday present???  [tongue]

A just because present!

 

[green fever]

Hey davej I was informed by my local dealer that end September was the cut of point for them to get the vouchers in to tts, I hope they are wrong as I am Trying to purchase some other tools , and you are right about people selling vouchers that sucks , green. edit/ after calling my stockist you are correct about the vouchers that expiry date , now where are those vouchers? looks like a  trip to Travis perkins.