Upcoming CXS / TXS 18

[igdesignla]

As with basically all “12v” battery platforms using lithium cells, the cells are charged to a max voltage of 12V+ but the nominal voltage is 10.8v. A lithium battery cell is typically 3.6v nominal and a battery made from 3 cells in series or 2 series sets of 3 cells in parallel would be 3.6v*3 = 10.8v. Most lithium cells can reach 4.0-4.2v when fully charged so 4.2v*3 = 12.6v. It’s why most manufacturers now say “12v/20v/40v/60v” when in reality the cells are actually rated to 10.8v/18v/36v/56v.

 

[hacke11]

And here i just got the CXS18 delivered this Saturday. And now it looks like the CXS12 is real?! Thats not a bummer, and i will tell you why. Ill get the 12v version as well

The CXS18, and i have only used it for a 1 hour session, is remarkable. It is really fantastic, the power is amazing. Cannot compare the C18 at all. Towards the C18 this thing is so much easier to handle and use.

 

[carlb40]

There’s some weird shadow lines and shading on that cxs12, looks like photoshop to me.
Are you sure this was not posted on April 1st?

Wpz

It's not photoshopped, there is a video where it is shown at a tool show in the usa

 

[wpz]

Really [member=30494]carlb40[/member]?
If only someone could post that exact same video again, maybe then I would be convinced  [dead horse]

I know by now that it is real, but it still looks odd to me because the C-grip is so small.
Looks like I would not be able to fit more than 2 fingers in that grip, but I guess I will only know when I hold one in my hand.
Anyway, nice that there will be even more choice and I'm wondering if there will be a new TXS 12 as well.

wpz

 

[mino]

...
I know by now that it is real, but it still looks odd to me because the C-grip is so small.
Looks like I would not be able to fit more than 2 fingers in that grip, but I guess I will only know when I hold one in my hand.
...

wpz

Well, one does not need more than two fingers *inside* the CXS grip.

Thumb, index and middle for grabbing the driver on the sides. Always thought such grip was the whole point of the C-style handle.

 

[igdesignla]

I mean my hands aren’t giant or anything but I can fit my 3 fingers with plenty of room to spare as you can see in the video. I can and did also try it with 4 fingers but I often keep my index finger on the side anyway for better control as the c shape was made for.

 

[Cheese]

Along with the other improvements already mentioned, I noticed they've also incorporated the electronic clutch like the larger models.  [thumbs up]  I purchased a C 15 specifically for the electronic clutch.

So far there a lot of serious improvements on the CSX 12. With the inclusion of the EC TEC brushless motor, it should also have more power and better battery life than the CSX 10.8.

 

[danny777d]

Along with the other improvements already mentioned, I noticed they've also incorporated the electronic clutch like the larger models.  [thumbs up]  I purchased a C 15 specifically for the electronic clutch.

Electronic clutches on brushless motors have so far been inferior to brushed motor clutches, especially for fine work.
They are a lot more convenient but no one (yet) has made them better. A Festool rep had previously mentioned that was why the CXS wasn't replaced earlier.

I'll be curious to see if they solved that issued.

 

[FestitaMakool]

Don’t know if there are many comparison photos, but here’s some of the new CXS 18 vs old CXS 10,8 (12V).
I ordered the CXS 18 primarily to replace my C18 - as I thought it was a bit on the heavy side.
I’m eagerly using my Makita brushless 10,8 (12V) CXT as these fill the gap between CXS 10,8 and the heavier drills. I pleased to say that the new CXS 18 is a delight in comparison to my C18 (now sold) in terms of handling and weight - It feels like a slightly heavier CXS 10,8.
The old CXS 10,8 has a slight edge on slow speed. (None real screwing experience yet between these two) It would be a hard choice between the two new models.. CXS 12 and CXS 18.. That’s my guess. And it depends on where you “come from”.

Anyhow, some photos:

[attachimg=1]

[attachimg=2]

[attachimg=3]

[attachimg=4]

[attachimg=5]

[attachimg=6]

 

[woodferret]

I’m eagerly using my Makita brushless 10,8 (12V) CXT as these fill the gap between CXS 10,8 and the heavier drills.

Does the CXS 18 replace your Makita CXTs?  I have the later.

 

[FestitaMakool]

I’m eagerly using my Makita brushless 10,8 (12V) CXT as these fill the gap between CXS 10,8 and the heavier drills.

Does the CXS 18 replace your Makita CXTs?  I have the later.

No, at least not yet. Having both the regular chuck one and the shorty hex equipped one, they make a fabulous compact pair - It’s more of a luxury and leaving various drills ready to go, inside the house and in the workshop. Still, all my drills have different strengths, also in power, to fill in for each other to the task in mind. Yet, the two Makita’s do cover huge ground, more than I thought initially. Good speed, good torque, good load speed control (Field Oriented Control, FOV if you like. Festool’s are better at the latter, and that’s a big part of what you pay for)

 

[Lime green]

Don’t know if there are many comparison photos, but here’s some of the new CXS 18 vs old CXS 10,8 (12V).
I ordered the CXS 18 primarily to replace my C18 - as I thought it was a bit on the heavy side.
I’m eagerly using my Makita brushless 10,8 (12V) CXT as these fill the gap between CXS 10,8 and the heavier drills. I pleased to say that the new CXS 18 is a delight in comparison to my C18 (now sold) in terms of handling and weight - It feels like a slightly heavier CXS 10,8.
The old CXS 10,8 has a slight edge on slow speed. (None real screwing experience yet between these two) It would be a hard choice between the two new models.. CXS 12 and CXS 18.. That’s my guess. And it depends on where you “come from”.

Anyhow, some photos:

[attachimg=1]

[attachimg=2]

[attachimg=3]

[attachimg=4]

[attachimg=5]

[attachimg=6]

How is the handle of the CSX 18 compared to the C18?  Is it the same shape and feel?

 

[grobkuschelig]

…I ordered the CXS 18 primarily to replace my C18 - as I thought it was a bit on the heavy side…

I already postet the question as a separate Problem thread, but since no one replied there, I thought I‘d ask here directly.

I did the same swap (sold the C18, then ordered the CXS-18).

I do like the new shape and appreciate the reduction in weight and size. Definitely nicer to handle and not as bottom-heavy.
Even with the 4ah batteries (did not get the small 3ah batteries for this, due to lack of BT) it is nice to operate and does feel much better than the C18 did.

Regardless, I have a major issue:
The gap above the trigger pinches my skin, when used in C-mode (middle finger operating the trigger).
From my extensive research across all drills I have, it is due to the unique combination of „soft-middle-finger-skin“(index finger is no issue, and is much more „used“) and the depth of the gap.
The CXS2.6 features a similar, but shallower gap - no pinching problems. (No problems either on C18, PDC, TPC, BHC, TID, PD20/4).

I love the C-Shape (reason I went with Festool drills in the first place more than a decade ago) and would really like to keep the drill, but it looks like I‘m not compatible.

Anyone else have a similar experience?

 

[mino]

...
Regardless, I have a major issue:
The gap above the trigger pinches my skin, when used in C-mode (middle finger operating the trigger).
From my extensive research across all drills I have, it is due to the unique combination of „soft-middle-finger-skin“(index finger is no issue, and is much more „used“) and the depth of the gap.
The CXS2.6 features a similar, but shallower gap - no pinching problems. (No problems either on C18, PDC, TPC, BHC, TID, PD20/4).
...

Did you consider milling it to remove the sharp edge there with a Dremel or such ?
This may void the warranty (should not as is a defect fix) but looks a 15 minute job with the right bit. The Festool plastic is very much millable in my experience. Just needs a sufficiently low speed to not melt.

[member=101]Festool USA[/member]
Above looks like an easy to solve design miss. There is no reason for the detent to have such sharp edges. Pls feed back to HQ ..

re-attaching so the pics do not get lost

 

[tsmi243]

Did you consider milling it to remove the sharp edge there with a Dremel or such ?

Wood chisel.  Extra sharp.  Go bevel-down, and be careful. 

That's disappointing, but not a deal breaker (for me, at least- I've voided all kinds of warranties in my garage...).  Can't wait for these to hit the US.

 

[grobkuschelig]

…
[member=101]Festool USA[/member]
Above looks like an easy to solve design miss. There is no reason for the detent to have such sharp edges. Pls feed back to HQ ..

re-attaching so the pics do not get lost

I‘m in Germany so I supplied pics +video directly to Festool.
They are investigating and have offered to exchange for a TXS, which I will opt for.

I mainly wanted to check if anyone else was experiencing this, because to me it was imminently obvious and I would not have such a part leave the development office. But not my company.

I contemplated fixing the issue on my own, but did not feel comfortable putting a knife to such a recently released product.

I’d rather have it go back to Festool to check if there are any issues with the tooling or design.

 

[NiteWalkerGR]

…I ordered the CXS 18 primarily to replace my C18 - as I thought it was a bit on the heavy side…

I already postet the question as a separate Problem thread, but since no one replied there, I thought I‘d ask here directly.

I did the same swap (sold the C18, then ordered the CXS-18).

I do like the new shape and appreciate the reduction in weight and size. Definitely nicer to handle and not as bottom-heavy.
Even with the 4ah batteries (did not get the small 3ah batteries for this, due to lack of BT) it is nice to operate and does feel much better than the C18 did.

Regardless, I have a major issue:
The gap above the trigger pinches my skin, when used in C-mode (middle finger operating the trigger).
From my extensive research across all drills I have, it is due to the unique combination of „soft-middle-finger-skin“(index finger is no issue, and is much more „used“) and the depth of the gap.
The CXS2.6 features a similar, but shallower gap - no pinching problems. (No problems either on C18, PDC, TPC, BHC, TID, PD20/4).

I love the C-Shape (reason I went with Festool drills in the first place more than a decade ago) and would really like to keep the drill, but it looks like I‘m not compatible.

Anyone else have a similar experience?

My recently sold milwaukee m12 installation driver had the same finger pinching issue above the trigger. It's the main reason I sold it.

 

[Mr Speaker]

I just received a CXS 18. Systainer is a bit big, but the tool size is perfect. It's a bit bigger than my CXS 10.2 so it will not fit in some cabinets. but that is not the main issue. I produces 90 dBSPL(A), against the CXS 10.2 66 dBSPL(A), that means that you will need hearing protection (and offer employees hearing protection while using it. Festool has been difficult about it. I reported it immediately and at first they said that indeed it is louder than the preveous one, and when i said that I cannot use it then, they said to bring it in for repair. I told them that I would rather return it, and appearantly my two weeks were up. BTW: 90 dB sound pressure level A weighted, peak in the midrange at about 75% max rpm. It is very loud. Max legal limit without hearing protection would be 80 dBSPL(A). If anyone is interested, I have the measurements, made with class I meters (NTI XT2 TA)

 

[MAK]

I just received a CXS 18. Systainer is a bit big, but the tool size is perfect. It's a bit bigger than my CXS 10.2 so it will not fit in some cabinets. but that is not the main issue. I produces 90 dBSPL(A), against the CXS 10.2 66 dBSPL(A), that means that you will need hearing protection (and offer employees hearing protection while using it. Festool has been difficult about it. I reported it immediately and at first they said that indeed it is louder than the preveous one, and when i said that I cannot use it then, they said to bring it in for repair. I told them that I would rather return it, and appearantly my two weeks were up. BTW: 90 dB sound pressure level A weighted, peak in the midrange at about 75% max rpm. It is very loud. Max legal limit without hearing protection would be 80 dBSPL(A). If anyone is interested, I have the measurements, made with class I meters (NTI XT2 TA)

I got a cxs couple weeks ago and the main thing I noticed is how loud it is compared to the smaller cxs. Quite disappointed about the noise. Its a nice drill weight wise and power good,  have to have it on speed 1 to drive screws in though, never have to on the smaller cxs.
I don't think it's a  big improvement over the smaller cxs.

 

[squall_line]

I just received a CXS 18. Systainer is a bit big, but the tool size is perfect. It's a bit bigger than my CXS 10.2 so it will not fit in some cabinets. but that is not the main issue. I produces 90 dBSPL(A), against the CXS 10.2 66 dBSPL(A), that means that you will need hearing protection (and offer employees hearing protection while using it. Festool has been difficult about it. I reported it immediately and at first they said that indeed it is louder than the preveous one, and when i said that I cannot use it then, they said to bring it in for repair. I told them that I would rather return it, and appearantly my two weeks were up. BTW: 90 dB sound pressure level A weighted, peak in the midrange at about 75% max rpm. It is very loud. Max legal limit without hearing protection would be 80 dBSPL(A). If anyone is interested, I have the measurements, made with class I meters (NTI XT2 TA)

This is the first I heard of a country where Festool doesn't have a 30-day like-it-or-return-it guarantee.  I don't see a location in your profile, so where are you that you only had 2 weeks to return?