Should I wait to buy the CXS 18 Drill kit? (new tabless batteries)

[mino]

I have lots of tools and don't have a need to hold a balanced, pretty drill and would be upset if I bought previous gen batteries when I find out 2 months from now the kits all get updated with latest gen batteries. I guess what's what I was wanting to know from insiders. Do you think the kits will get updated with new batteries, and when, or will they just keep selling current SKU's with current batteries to use them up. Also, I notice that the set includes the 90 degree AN-XS but there's a AN-UNI that fits other drills. I wonder if I should get the AN-UNI separately and the Basic.

Get the bigger AN-UNI along with the EX-UNI and the DC UNI FF for the occasional drywalling and decking.

The AN-UNI supports the full torque range so you can use it with the TPC down the line - trust me, you want that drill and its 3600 rpm mode.

Ah, and then the MB 40. Heh.

The best 'initial' set were I based in US with no access to the 3.0 light packs:
CXS 18 Basic
SCA 16
4.0 HP pack
AN-UNI
EX-UNI

EDIT:
Were I the buyer here, I would go with the CXS 12 with the same accessories and augment with T18+3 or a TPC .. but I am not you ..

 

[Frnk]

Do you think the kits will get updated with new batteries,

Based on Festool’s press release, which unequivocally states that the TBX types are replacing the current 4/8 Ah types in the lineup, I believe the current types will be phased out completely. The tabless batteries are priced the same as, or even slightly cheaper than, the tabbed versions. I don’t see how this is reasonable if Festool plans to keep them around for a bit. So yes, TBX batteries will be sold in “Set” packages at some point.

Since you don’t mind waiting, that’s what you should do. Either the kit then becomes available with TBX batteries, or not. And you can make the decision at that point not to buy the kit and instead purchase the tool and the new batteries you want separately. That seems to be the logical conclusion here.

 

[onocoffee]

I have lots of tools and don't have a need to hold a balanced, pretty drill and would be upset if I bought previous gen batteries when I find out 2 months from now the kits all get updated with latest gen batteries. I guess what's what I was wanting to know from insiders. Do you think the kits will get updated with new batteries, and when, or will they just keep selling current SKU's with current batteries to use them up. Also, I notice that the set includes the 90 degree AN-XS but there's a AN-UNI that fits other drills. I wonder if I should get the AN-UNI separately and the Basic.

Obviously, the potential of tabless batteries being included in the kit is important to you. The difficult truth is: none of us know. We can speculate. We can craft opinions based on previous releases, but no one really knows - in a big part because FTUSA is very coy about telling us anything. Even the notion of the tabless batteries being released here is currently an unknown. Festool.com, Festool.de and Festool.co.uk - all say the TBX8 is releasing in April. FTUSA? Nothing. As far as we're concerned, it doesn't exist. This is how FT typically works. It doesn't exist (despite it being released elsewhere) - and then, one day: it does.

The feedback you're getting here stems from that. We just don't know. FTUSA says nothing. We just have to wait. If it's like the BS75 or SwordSaw, we will wait until we're dead. There's speculation that "perhaps" FTUSA will release the TBX batteries in June, but that's speculation. It could very well be 2028.

One thing is for sure - if you're in North America and you want to have the TBX batteries in April, you'll have to source them directly in Europe. TBH, it actually sounds like a good reason to visit Germany, have a beer at Brauhaus Vetter in Heidelberg, eat cheap Schweinhaxe at Globus Baumarkt and see about getting a tour of Festool HQ. That way, you can load up and bring home a bunch of TBX batteries in your hand carry!

 

[onocoffee]

unless you’re hammering monster screws into oak like an idiot on Youtube.

Just a moment, are you telling me that you're NOT using 12" Simpson Strong Tie SDWS Timber Screws to assemble your black walnut MCM coffee table???

This place no longer seems like it's serious about woodworking anymore...

 

[Frnk]

eat cheap Schweinhaxe at Globus Baumarkt

I am not too keen on the Schweinshaxe there, but I do like to watch the lunch crowd—a homey mix of seniors and tradespeople in workwear enjoying their break.

 

[Michael Kellough]

Obviously, the potential of tabless batteries being included in the kit is important to you. The difficult truth is: none of us know. We can speculate. We can craft opinions based on previous releases, but no one really knows - in a big part because FTUSA is very coy about telling us anything. Even the notion of the tabless batteries being released here is currently an unknown. Festool.com, Festool.de and Festool.co.uk - all say the TBX8 is releasing in April. FTUSA? Nothing. As far as we're concerned, it doesn't exist. This is how FT typically works. It doesn't exist (despite it being released elsewhere) - and then, one day: it does.

The feedback you're getting here stems from that. We just don't know. FTUSA says nothing. We just have to wait. If it's like the BS75 or SwordSaw, we will wait until we're dead. There's speculation that "perhaps" FTUSA will release the TBX batteries in June, but that's speculation. It could very well be 2028.

One thing is for sure - if you're in North America and you want to have the TBX batteries in April, you'll have to source them directly in Europe. TBH, it actually sounds like a good reason to visit Germany, have a beer at Brauhaus Vetter in Heidelberg, eat cheap Schweinhaxe at Globus Baumarkt and see about getting a tour of Festool HQ. That way, you can load up and bring home a bunch of TBX batteries in your hand carry!

Just checked the TSA rules on lithium batteries. You can carry on up to 20 maximum 100wh (5.5 amps) batteries and up to two 160wh (8amp) batteries. The terminals of the 8 amp units have to be protected to eliminate the possibility of shorting. Not sure if bringing two 8amp units cuts that other maximum down to 18.

 

[mino]

Just checked the TSA rules on lithium batteries. You can carry on up to 20 maximum 100wh (5.5 amps) batteries and up to two 160wh (8amp) batteries. The terminals of the 8 amp units have to be protected to eliminate the possibility of shorting. Not sure if bringing two 8amp units cuts that other maximum down to 18.

That would be US rules.

Europe is still a <100Wh flat rule, above that the airline must approve (up to 160Wh generally accepted)

Safe Travel with Lithium Batteries

Travelers are flying with more lithium battery-powered devices than ever before. Here are some resources on how to travel safely with lithium batteries.

www.iata.org

 

[Cheese]

 

[Imemiter]

And just because new battery technology becomes available, it doesn't invalidate what exists now and works.

I've already picked up two extra 4.0s, what with the price reduction. And for $165 USD for the 8.0s, another one may be in my near future. If I was OP, I'd buy the drill now and get the trim router with tabless batteries later.

 

[Mini Me]

I too have a battery dilemma due to the last functioning battery for my C12 has died and I am debating whether to bin it or rebuild the battery. I have two quad drive Protool drills and three 12V Bosch drill/drivers but the C12 is the only one that has Centrotec though I don't use it a lot so I suspect the drill is going in the bin.

 

[Michael Kellough]

That would be US rules.

Europe is still a <100Wh flat rule, above that the airline must approve (up to 160Wh generally accepted)

Safe Travel with Lithium Batteries

Travelers are flying with more lithium battery-powered devices than ever before. Here are some resources on how to travel safely with lithium batteries.

www.iata.org

The airline might also be even more restrictive.

 

[luvmytoolz]

Here's a picture of my math working out me getting the basic set vs the set. I thought about getting the basic and tabless batteries later, but then with the attachments it adds up.
Also to add, although I own the TID 18 basic with no batteries (yet) I also picked up locally a pair of TL6 battery chargers, so I don't need the chargers from a set. Even if I subtract the chargers from the buy separately list it's still near the same.
I don't need tabless special batteries for a drill, but I'm thinking if I only have two batteries and it opens up a door to be using them on a higher power tool in the future and if I only had 2 batteries, I thought it would be the best decision to get the most modern model so I thought I'd ask here.

I also thought about getting something off the recon site. I've gotten a few things in the past but it ends up being not a great deal for a Canadian, and once I got a very bad condition tool, the rest were mint. For a Canadian to buy off the recon site, I have to pay NY sales tax, then across the border pay my 13% HST Canadian tax so the price is close to retail with the risk of not getting a beautiful tool and the warranty is cut down.


View attachment 381098

I still think if I was in your place, I'd buy the basic set, especially as you already have the charger, and pickup some second hand batteries to tide you over till the tabless are out.

You can then pickup the accessories and you're still in front for the current technology.

The other thing to seriously consider is that once you buy into the Festool battery platform, you can expect to add a lot more cordless tools over time, so you realistically need to factor that in as well.

 

[mino]

I too have a battery dilemma due to the last functioning battery for my C12 has died and I am debating whether to bin it or rebuild the battery. I have two quad drive Protool drills and three 12V Bosch drill/drivers but the C12 is the only one that has Centrotec though I don't use it a lot so I suspect the drill is going in the bin.

Rebuild.

Three-cell packs are no longer available so the shells you have are the only ones you will have. Non-original 12V packs I have seen only in the 6-cel variety.

Make sure to use modern super-high-performance low-capacity 30C or 40C cells. Those modern cells can give as much power as the old 3.0 6-cell packs.

 

[Coen]

According to the specs from Festool the new batteries provide significantly more power for longer, with less resistance and heat, so I'd definitely say they're worth planning and waiting for.

That is only under heavy load. The typical use case for a CXS isn't framing or hole sawing.

If you run a battery empty in 15 minutes the tabless will do better. If you run a battery light with constant low load and you empty the battery in 4 hours; the tables will do next to nothing better.

I do dare to guess the Festool battery design gives a bigger gain at lower loads than the Bosch design, because the Bosch design has better heat dissipation.

 

[catchy_username]

Rebuild.

Three-cell packs are no longer available so the shells you have are the only ones you will have. Non-original 12V packs I have seen only in the 6-cel variety.

Make sure to use modern super-high-performance low-capacity 30C or 40C cells. Those modern cells can give as much power as the old 3.0 6-cell packs.

+1, good cell choice to use would be ampace jp30

 

[onocoffee]

I am not too keen on the Schweinshaxe there, but I do like to watch the lunch crowd—a homey mix of seniors and tradespeople in workwear enjoying their break.

I’m only but a tourist in Germany, so I will defer to your expertise. However, I did like the very affordable and generous haxe that would give me two meals!

 

[Frnk]

The only thing that counts is that you enjoyed the pork roast.

 

[Coen]

+1, good cell choice to use would be ampace jp30

That thing is closer to a 19650 than a 18650... If the cells need to be pressed into anything... might not fit.

Same with the Bosch 12V batteries; there are tons of videos around of people shaking out the 2.0 and 2.5 Ah versions to completely replace or repair some broken contact up top. I have a 3.0 with bend contact and the cells are insanely snug in there. Still have to figure out how to get the pack out of it's housing. I'm thinking of putting it into a plastic bag and submerging it into 60 degree water to just heat the plastic shell.

 

[derekcohen]

I too have a battery dilemma due to the last functioning battery for my C12 has died and I am debating whether to bin it or rebuild the battery. I have two quad drive Protool drills and three 12V Bosch drill/drivers but the C12 is the only one that has Centrotec though I don't use it a lot so I suspect the drill is going in the bin.

This is likely a stupid question, but what would happen if an 18v battery for the CSX was used in the C12 (which is actually 10.8 volts)? Would it quickly burn out the motor, or would it only use 10.8v?

Regards from Perth

Derek

 

[luvmytoolz]

This is likely a stupid question, but what would happen if an 18v battery for the CSX was used in the C12 (which is actually 10.8 volts)? Would it quickly burn out the motor, or would it only use 10.8v?

Regards from Perth

Derek

The full voltage would be presented, but it probably wouldn't harm the actual motor too much as they're pretty forgiving with wild voltage swings, but depending on how the input clamping has been designed the controller board possibly may not survive.

A simple 7812 voltage regulator IC would solve this though, so long as it's not drawing more than 1A.