New CXS 2.6ah Set - great!

[Justin Michael]

Got the new CXS set with 2.6ah batteries a few days ago.  I was skeptical about paying the same amount as a 4-tool 18v Makita set on one subcompact drill/driver.  But i have to say, it was worth it.  There's zero run out on any of the chucks, has power to spare, and the battery had enough juice out-of-the box to take of a number of tasks w/o charging it first.

This thing is amazing.  In the first 3 hours of owning it, I:

1. Hung up a heavy mirror (wife has been asking for this for months).

2. assembled a ramp to move my stationary tools from one side of my garage to the other. used the MFT and TS55 as well on this (getting new concrete poured b/c its lower than the other side).

3. dismantled some crappy Ikea furniture.

4. dismantled a work bench using the 90-degree attachment to reach some screws in tight spots.

I have a few questions for other CXS owners:

is the 90 deg attachment robust enough to use in "drill" mode?  some screws were very tight and i wasn't sure if i wanted to move the clutch beyond "12" to "drill" while using the attachment.  I assume it is, it feels solid.

also, does anyone have any experience with the Snappy brand Centrotec drill bits and drivers?  they seem reasonably priced and offer a number of options for the centrotec chuck.

 

[mrboult]

I've regularly used my angle attachment with the full power of the drill going through it, i.e: sinking big screws on speed 1 until the drill can't go any further.  No problems at all.

 

[DB10]

It's interesting that you say there is zero run out with any of the chucks, as my CXS has quite a bit of wobble compared to my other Festool drills. It would be interesting to know what other people's experience regarding zero run out on the new 2.6 CXS's are.

 

[Tyler Ernsberger]

I have some centrotec snappy bits.  I have the Cabinet Makers set, the drill bit set and a 6in robertson style bit.  Snappy makes great quality bits that are very sharp and last a long time.  They fit nicely into the centrotec chuck and operate the same as festools bits.  Definitely  buy them from amazon to get the best price. 

 

[TheTrooper]

Is the drill the same as the old except the bigger battery? 

 

[neeleman]

Besides the bigger 2.6 Ah battery the new CXS also has:
- 10 mm Jacobs drill chuck
- battery indicator just above the LED light

 

[carlb40]

I have mentioned this before in other threads. I have used my CXS - original 1.3 amp version to drive 6'' no 12 screws without pre drilling with the angle attachment. That was through 2 pieces of stud work into hardwood. At no point did it complain.  [smile]

 

[JeremyH.]

The drill turns off if you are using it to do something it doesn't want to do. It's a non-issue.

I use the 90* all the time. In fact it's easier to put some torque on some stuff with it because you can grab it with a thumb to suck it towards whatever you're driving at.

The new batteries are only $45, so I might get one... or two, someday.

 

[Justin Michael]

thanks to everyone regarding the use of the 90* attachment. 

The speed control on this drill is like no drill i've owned before.  I installed a piano hinge last night and was able to snug up the screws like i was doing it with an manual screwdriver.  I love it.

 

[JeremyH.]

Even better is the clutch setting. I think other drills start on like the 8 or so and their other 20x settings are up to the 12 on the CXS and a bit past if it's a much stronger drill. They have a huge selection in an extremely narrow field. I use 1-6 predominately. Almost all hinges are best 1-3, unless you're going into Maple.

 

[ear3]

Love my Snappy Centrotec countersink bits, and recommend them highly.

 

[Staniam]

I grabbed the updated CXS kit a few weeks ago as well. My chucks don't seem to wobble at all. Nice, snug fits. The batteries didn't last as long as I thought they would, but still much longer than the old 1.6ah. Overall, the few minor adjustments leave me happy with the CXS and still make me feel like its arguably the best Festool purchase I've made.

 

[pingvinlakrits]

Hmm, for me during the first two charges I didn't think they were that much longer running but now after a while in use I find the runtime greatly improved. I think the new batteries have transformed my long term user experience with the CXS.

I hope they find a few things to expand the line up with. Preferrably a small impact. 

 

[GarryMartin]

Is the drill the same as the old except the bigger battery?

There are a few differences but mostly the same.

Other than the battery, there is a charge indicator by the LED light, and the keyless chuck is now 10mm with a minor increase in chuck length to accommodate.

 

[#Tee]

snappy bits and cxs are like peanut butta and jelly time  ;D