The Original CXS

[SoonerFan]

I have had the original CXS for around 9 years. It’s one of my favorite tools. Today I was using it for something I think it’s the ideal tool: installing cabinet hardware. I was installing Blum under-mount drawer slides, Blum hinges, attaching drawer fronts to drawer boxes, installing knobs, etc. Everything was great. I was enjoying using the CXS as I usually do and making good progress. Then the battery died. No worries, I grabbed the other CXS battery from the charger on my charger station and plugged it in.  Then I learned something new. I learned that Festool batteries charge better if the charger is plugged in [big grin]

Having not had the charger plugged in, I had two dead batteries. I plugged in the charger and grabbed my T18 to finish installing the hardware while the CXS battery charged. The T18 is also a nice drill. Using it was yet another reminder of how much I like my original CXS for work like I needed to do today.

 

[Cheese]

That's exactly the reason I purchased the new CSX 12.

The CXS 10.8 is just a sweet, sweet drill but there were always 2 nagging issues with it...the lack of power if you needed "just a little bit more" and the maximum drill speed of 1200 rpm. It was painful drilling 1/8" diameter holes in maple at 1200 rpm. I've snapped several small diameter drill bits because I wanted to force the process.

The CSX 12 has the additional low end grunt and also the additional 400 rpm that's needed to efficiently drill small diameter holes. I use them both and will keep both of them.

Did I mention how painful it is drilling 1/8" diameter holes in 1/4" thick aluminum with the CXS 10.8? Not any longer once I fire up the CXS 12. If drilling this same sized hole in aluminum on a drill press...you'd be pushing 2500-3000 rpm.

 

[onocoffee]

I'm with Cheese on this one about the CXS12. It was my first Festool and I really like it. Compact, well-balanced and solid power. One of the heaviest tasks I've used it for has been to drill out 20mm dog holes in 3/4" plywood using a 20mm Fisch Forstner bit. I've now done about 225 dog holes with the 12.

 

[fritter63]

CXS is probably my favorite and most used Festool.

Recently I got a second "practically new" CXS. Because I bought one for my brother like 10 years ago, he never used it, and decided to gift it back me. Only downside is one of the batteries is dead.

 

[tjbnwi]

I have a couple dozen original CXS drills for the shop. Each bench has at least two. Pocket screws to all hardware screws are run with them.

CXS 18’s (one per bench) are used for drilling and running Conformat screws.

Tom

 

[bertv]

CXS is probably my favorite and most used Festool.

Recently I got a second "practically new" CXS. Because I bought one for my brother like 10 years ago, he never used it, and decided to gift it back me. Only downside is one of the batteries is dead.

If you plan on buying new batteries for your Gen One CXS, look into the updated one. Different shape. It uses the same charger, but has more oomph (2.6 Ah). Lee Valley calls it "2.6 Ah Replacement Battery for Festool CXS & TXS Cordless Drills"

 

[Hawkeye0001]

I had been really reluctant to get the CXS 12 after I read the reviews and knowing the racket my CXS 18 makes. I eventually succumbed to the addiction and bought it when it was on offer for just 200€, simply to try it out and possibly replace my CXS 10.8 fleet (to unify my chargers and batteries).

I've gotta say I'm still undecided.

+ it has a lot more power and RPM which is nice, you can easily use a 35mm Forstner bit to drill a hinge cup into a door (power to size ratio reminds me of Agent J's "Noisy Cricket" from MiB  [big grin])
+ it is an inch shorter than the old one
+ electronic clutch
+ same great hand grip
0 it doesn't fit the Sys Sort drawers with the battery attached (bit of a luxury problem)
- the balance is slightly off compared to the original
- the noise is pretty insane for such a tiny thing when in drill mode
- it has a lot more power
- the electronic clutch
- no magnet in the Centrotec adapter

I've featured power and electronic clutch both as pro's and con's as it's my biggest pet peeve with it. It's nice to have the power available, but at the same time it's just way too easy to sink screws too far or strip out particle board while the CXS 10.8 would've already cut out right on the money. The old clutch felt so much more linear and predictable. I tried getting used to the new clutch but it always feel like I should be in between two settings.

Eventually I ended up keeping all my old 10.8's and I use them concurrently with the CXS 12; the trusty old ones being the first pick when I install hardware, the CXS 12 for driving somewhat larger screws, drilling holes or countersinking (lot of overlap with the CXS 18 though).

 

[Jim_in_PA]

I have two CXS which are most often set with one dedicated to drilling and one dedicated to driving. They are comfortable in my hand, lighter in weight than other options I have and surprisingly powerful. I use them for everything I can and only pull out the CX18 or another brand impact driver if I actually need to.

But yea...plugging in the charger really does help it do what it does! "D'oh!!"