Reviews on the CXS

[WelshWood]

Hey there guys,

I'm very close to buying the CXS set, i've got alot of plasterboarding and kitchen units to be done in the coming weeks and was wondering if you could give some advice about the drill in question.

To me this drill seems perfect for the jobs coming up and can see the pro's to having the jacobs and right angle chuck set to go along with it, to those of you that have already purchased this drill, would you recommend it, and also, if you have noticed any disadvantages to it, I would love to hear about them!

Thanks in advance,

~WW

 

[semenza]

Welcome to the forum!  [smile]

  Tons of info on that drill on here. I don't have one but I have seen it in action and it is surprising what that little guy can do.

Seth

 

[NHSP759]

Welcome to the forum! As far as gripes....well no fuel gauge. I can live with that. It's my favorite drill 8 have the set and it is AWESOME!

 

[bkharman]

Prepare for an onslaught of info!  some love it, some hate it.  I am in the first category.  It was one of the first Festool items I bought and I honestly use it on a weekly basis.  I really do enjoy using it.  For fitting it cant be beat!

Enjoy it (I know you will end up getting it)

Cheers.  Bryan.

 

[Davej]

I've had mine a few years and it's had a hard life and when it eventually dies would get another. Or maybe the txs ! Get one when you know you will give it a good workout and if not happy send it back within the 15 days .

 

[Stone Message]

The drill is stunning and, since I made the video below, has just got even better.



Peter

 

[WelshWood]

Thanks for the swift replies!

I've recently read that there have been changes to the CXS in terms of battery charge gauge, 10mm chuck up from 8mm and the increased battery ampage, even more reason to get one!

The main drills I use for on site heavy work are Hilti, can be bashed around all day and have countless scuff marks on them. But with my other Festool gear I seem quite OCD in the fact I take very very good care of them. With the release of the new 12v Hilti drills I was extremely tempted to get them, but the main drawing point that made me contemplate getting the CXS is the diversity of the chuck attachments, a very well thought out concept my Festool.

As this will be my first drill purchase from Festool, I was wondering if you could shed some light on the way it uses standardized bit holders. My friend has the Festool bit holder and when used in my Hilti impact, he said it wouldn't fit in correctly. The only thing I can think is whether the lengths from the end of the bit holder to the 'clasp' is longer on the Festool version?

Thanks in advance,

~WW

 

[Stone Message]

All of the Festool drill/drivers can take the legacy bits that you have used with all of your old drill/drivers. The added advantage of the Festool kit is that you can also use the Festool Centrotec bits and drills which are far superior to the normal legacy equivalents.

This may help you understand Centrotec:



Peter

 

[GarryMartin]

For plasterboarding, the depth sensitive chuck works very well. Of course, you could go for the drywall gun, but I guess that only makes sense if you're doing *loads* over extended periods.

Not sure any of the depth sensitive chucks fit the CXS though.

For kitchen fitting though, I don't think it can be beaten.

 

[pugilato]

I'm not crazy about it, but since I have it, I use it. For the price of the CXS, I could have bought a Ryobi hammer drill and impact driver twice over and a good supply of batteries. 99% of the time I don't need the changeable heads, but they sure are nice when you need this feature.

 

[Doug S]

The CXS is a pleasure to use, it just feels right in your hand, by far my most used drill. Even though it doesn't drill as fast as some bigger drills you find yourself using it because it is so ergonomic.

I had a play with the new Hilti 12v drills last week, they are nice, especially the one with the hex chuck.

Doug

 

[felkadelic]

One limitation I've run into is that my Kreg Jig quick-change won't fit into the jacobs chuck.  Not a huge deal but definitely an annoyance.

 

[GarryMartin]

One limitation I've run into is that my Kreg Jig quick-change won't fit into the jacobs chuck.  Not a huge deal but definitely an annoyance.

Think the new version has a larger capacity chuck?

 

[Vanquish]

I really like mine. It's light weight, small and fits my hand great. I primarily use it for all of my more delicate screwing tasks like attaching drawer runners, knobs, hinges, pocket screws etc. I have several sets of DeWalt 20v drills for my heavy work, but if I don't need that much power, the CXS is the drill I reach for.

I haven't played around too much with smaller drills since I usually stick with the 18-20v variety, but out of the ones I have used, the Festool has been by far my favorite. It my not be the strongest, fastest or cheapest of the bunch, but it's the most ergonomic for me, and I like the features it has. 

 

[mr-gobby]

I suppose cost may come into it too but the pdc18-4 is a do everything drill and I've known those who say althoigh they had a cxs they wanted and so got a pdc, just putting it out there though not knocking the cxs  .
Mark

 

[RALPH WERNETT]

I have for 4-5 years use the Bosch 12v Ion drill with the quick change chuck. I think it's the size and the power of this pocket drill that makes it a favorite. And I see the CXS has it all as well. The one thing I do have to say about the Bosch, is the carrying case is about 1/3 the size of the CXS which makes it a little portable, and 1/3 the price. Not apples to apples but close. I will still buy the CXS just for the different attachments all within time.

 

[Aquila]

I have the CXS, the T15 and the BHC18. All awesome drills. For fine work the CXS is just fantastic, and the flexible chuck system makes it very adaptable for virtually any task. If I need power, I use the T15 and as a hammer drill the BHC is great.
For the job you describe, you can't go wrong - you'll love it.

 

[WelshWood]

Well after reading more of the comments above i've decided to take the plunge and get the CXS 2.6 set (£208 was cheapest I could find)

Should be here on Tuesday so will put it to the test and post my findings on here for any other people thinking about getting one!

Thanks in advance,

~WW

 

[JeromeM]

I was undecided and spent about an hour with the C12 and CSX at the importer here in Thailand last month. For me price wasn't a factor. The deciding factors were the difference in weight and the more sensitive torque settings on the CSX.

The C12 has the better motor, offset and depth stop chucks, less sensitive torque setting, heavier. and of course is double the price.

 

[BMH]

I have a Panasonic for heavy work, T15 and the CSX. I do like all three of them but the CSX, with it's right angle chuck,  is by far my favorite with the Centrotec system. I just moved into a new house that I am slowly updating and the CSX is my main drill to the point I am pushing beyond it's designed capacity, but it's size, power and torque control is just amazing. I have to remind myself to get the T15 out  for heavier work. It is also very drop proof having had a number of 6 foot drops in the past few months. It is also painful to sit on when you have a sharp bit on it as I have it hanging off my back pocket and forget about it being there regularly.

It is an amazing workhorse at a very fair price for all it brings to you.