Power of cxs

[tom46]

Hi,
I'm new to the forum and festool but am rapidly changing all my tools to festool.

Just have a question i was hoping some of you cxs owners could answer. I recently brought a new cxs and find its really not driving screws in far at all. I understand it has electric auto stop to not over stress the motor but i find in gear two its struggling to drive a 3.5 x 40mm screws into 18mm mdf. As its struggling the motor shuts down then after about 5 screws like that the light will just flash when i pull the trigger and i have to change the battery. Is this normal??
So now i'm just using it on kitchen installs and even hanging kitchen doors using 15mm screws i find its putting more stress on my forearms arms causing my longterm issue of tendonities to come back. I understand its only 10.8v but after years of using a small Hitachi 10volt i find the cxs to have less power then a real cheap Hitachi version.
Does anyone else have this problem?

Thanks

 

[NYC Tiny Shop]

Are you in the screw drive setting?

 

[AlexThePalex]

but i find in gear two its struggling to drive a 3.5 x 40mm screws into 18mm mdf. As its struggling the motor shuts down then after about 5 screws like that the light will just flash when i pull the trigger and i have to change the battery. Is this normal??

No, it's not normal. A small screw like that should be a piece of cake. Contact Festool.

 

[tom46]

Thanks for the replies. Yes i've tried screw setting on varies torque settings and also just on drill. Guess i contact Festool thanks.

 

[Sparky]

Keep us posted as to the reply. I wanting one for cabinet installs but still not totally convinced. Wouldn't use it for any hole drilling just putting in screws. Have to pick that or a t15 I think.

 

[peter halle]

Just as an FYI, there are several members here who install cabinets who are using the CXS.

Peter

 

[tjbnwi]

Charge your batteries. The CSX has a mechanical clutch not an electronic clutch. If the LED flashes the battery is low.

Tom

 

[Sparky]

Yeah I have been watching and lots are using the cxs and I never would have considered it from looking at it without this wonderful place my wife makes fun of [big grin]. I figure I will end up with the cxs first then a t15 later to compliment it. The wonderful part is the 30 days to decide if it fits what I want.

 

[tjbnwi]

I have the T-15 and multiple CXS's. The T-15 is my least used drill.

I will say, Sparky, if you are a "sparky" you'll really appreciate the 90° head on the T-15 for drilling studs. Here  EMT is required 99% of the time. I drill a lot of 3/4" & 7/8" holes with it.

Tom

 

[Davej]

I do loads of kitchen fits and wouldn't be without mine. Since I bought it my impact drill has been gathering dust,  for its size it is a great drill and the battery life is pretty impressive. Send it in.

 

[festooldude]

Charge the batteries.. I had the same problem, and then i found out i didnt press the batteries well enough into the charger..
So it wouldnt charge but did show a green light.. The cxs will not dissapoint you with it's power.. Its a small little powerhouse..

If after doing this it still has this problem, send it in for service..

Rick

 

[tom46]

Thanks for all your replies will keep you posted. Thanks Rick I'll try pushing the batteries in with more force today see if that helps.

 

[mrboult]

I was surprised when I first got my CXS that is was not quite as powerful as those little Makita 10.8v drills I've played with.  In actuality I imagine it is as powerfull, but the overload protection kicks in and stops it.  By this is mean that side by side I once drove 5.0 X 100mm screws in speed 2 and while the CXS quit about 20mm short the little makita finished the job and buried the screw.

That said, you should have no trouble driving the small screws you mentioned with the CXS. It sounds like something is wrong with your drill. The CXS is my favourite drill ever to use, and I often end up using it when I should probably have a bigger drill in my hand.

My only other comment is that I have never been as impresed with battery life as others seem to be. I do not find it to be bad just not at all amazing.

 

[NYC Tiny Shop]

Yes, that's a good tip on charging the battery. That happened to me once.
The CSX is my go-to drill for everything small - cabinets, shelves, etc.  Often, I use up the first battery with each time it's used, but gratefully there's a second one always charged. For larger screws or Kreg holes, I use a larger drill driver.

 

[tom46]

Just a quick update sent my cxs off to my dealer and i have a new coming on tuesday so hopefully all will be good. 

 

[fritter63]

Thanks for all your replies will keep you posted. Thanks Rick I'll try pushing the batteries in with more force today see if that helps.

As mentioned, make sure GFE switch is on "1", huge difference in results.

 

[tom46]

Thanks for all the help got my new cxs this week and its much better. Great little drill