Video Review of Festool CXS Drill/Driver Set (564274)

[PaulMarcel]

I posted these videos over on my blog.  The related links over there will send you to some other related posts that might be interesting.

EDIT: Festool USA provided the CXS drill/driver for review.  Sorry! blog states that immediately and it is in the videos, but I neglected to put that here as well.  Thanks for pointing that out, Shane.

Part 1 is a video describing the features of the CXS comparing many to the C12 equivalent since many of us are familiar with the C12.

Part 2 is a series of demos putting the CXS to the wood, 6/4 hard Maple in this case, side by side against the C12.  You'll notice a difference between these drill/drivers, but I think you'll agree that it is likely a difference you could live without in the shop instead opting for the lighter CXS.

Part 3 was rolled a couple weeks after recording the first two videos.  Since that time, I had a busy weekend using it for everything from light screws to lag bolts.  It's more a summary of my opinion on the CXS along with a small segment on the eccentric chuck that is a favorite with the C12, but missing on the CXS.

Festool CXS Preview

Festool CXS Demo

CXS More Thoughts

Enjoy!

 

[GhostFist]

this went excellent with my coffee this morning. Cheers Paul!

 

[Timtool]

great reviews, my CXS battery has also amazed me. i think im on my 2nd charge in a month and i have used it pretty much daily.
it sort of makes the C12 as an allrounder obsolete, if i ever switch my Bosch 14.4 it may be for a C15 or a T18. with that combination i could handle anything.

 

[ajones]

Not nearlly enough picking up the drills waving them about and putting them back down again [poke]

 

[Theshipstore]

Paul  as always great review, I am waiting on my pre order as we speak,
Thanks

Sal

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

In the spirit of full disclosure, we provided the CXS to Paul-Marcel for his review.

Here's a video from one of our dealers demonstrating the battery life, which P-M eluded to in his follow up video.

They drove 1-1/4" screws in 2" poplar, a total of 200 screws off a single charge. You get two batteries with the drill. Charge time is ~20 mins. to 80%, ~30 mins. to full charge.

With that in mind, you could drive a screw every 9 seconds for the full thirty minutes and not have to wait on the other battery to be fully charged.  [smile]

Festool CXS Drill Test - How many screws on a single charge

 

[RONWEN]

As usual Paul, a great demo video!  You are getting way too good at it.  [smile]  The CXS appears to be a good choice for a light duty drill.
(By the way, full disclosure should always be noted.)

EDIT: I see you did edit in the note of disclosure.

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

(By the way, full disclosure should always be noted.)

Ron, he says it in the first video. I was just reiterating and noting for those who don't watch the first video and skip to the second or third.

 

[RONWEN]

(By the way, full disclosure should always be noted.)

Ron, he says it in the first video. I was just reiterating and noting for those who don't watch the first video and skip to the second or third.

I was one of those that skipped ahead although I see Paul did edit it in -- Great guy, great reviewer.

 

[EvilNuff]

Am I the only one who sees a new Paul Marcel review and stops what he's doing to watch immediately?

 

[RONWEN]

Am I the only one who sees a new Paul Marcel review and stops what he's doing to watch immediately?

No, the man has found his niche & he is very good at it.  [wink]

 

[mouppe]

Paul,

Great review as usual. This one saved me $300 because thanks to all the good info in it, it convinced me that I do not need the CXS as I already have a C12 and the size and weight differences are not critical to me.

So do I owe you a reward or something?!

Richard.

 

[GhostFist]

Ya, well it's gonna end up costing me about $200 more than the CXS. c12 has double the power plus all the benefits of the brushless motor and electric clutch. I'll decide when both are available and make a good comparison.

 

[RONWEN]

Ya, well it's gonna end up costing me about $200 more than the CXS. c12 has double the power plus all the benefits of the brushless motor and electric clutch. I'll decide when both are available and make a good comparison.

Hear, hear!  Those are features that are more important to me than wringing every last ounce of weight out of the drill.  I don't remember if Paul compared the weight of the two drills or not but since I don't have the drill in my hand for hours on end a little added weight doesn't matter to me.  If your work requires a lot of overhead work for considerable amounts of time then the CXS looks like a great choice.
The audio in Paul's excellent videos tells the difference in power between the two drills.

 

[rookie08]

Great review as usual Paul! [thumbs up] 

Going to have to start coming up with more superlatives just for your reviews.  [big grin]

James

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Just for reference, here are the weights of the various drills in pounds based on the specifications that I have:

1.98 - CXS

3.43 - C12 NiCd 1.3Ah

3.20 - T12 LiIon 3.0Ah
3.57 - T15 LiIon 3.0Ah
3.86 - T18 LiIon 3.0Ah

2.64 - C12 LiIon 1.5Ah
3.53 - C15 LiIon 3.0Ah

The C-series Lithium Ion drills, new versions of the T12/15, and the new T18 are planned for fall. I don't currently have prices or firm launch dates.

 

[PaulMarcel]

Thanks for the superlatives!

I agree that the C12 is more powerful and the brushless is a nice benefit.  Maybe I didn't word it clearly enough in the 'final thoughts', but if I were buying today and had none, I'd likely go for the CXS for its lightness and that it does most of what I'd need (despite being less powerful than the C12).  For harder tasks, the C12 would be excellent, but if that second drill is for doing power tasks the CXS isn't up for, something like the T15+3 would be even better as it has a third more torque than the C12.  But also, that's me based on what I do with a drill/driver.

I compared the weight of the two drills; the CXS is about 40% the weight of the C12 1.3Ah Nicad (no LiIon option today... just saying for people reading this after the LiIon versions are released as the weight will definitely become more on par with the CXS at that point).  I find the ergonomics of the C12 such that the weight is less an issue.  A cabinet installer with all those above-head screws to install would likely go for the lighter CXS.

The sound does give away the extra load for certain tasks.  ...and I'm still impressed the C12 drove that lag bolt through6/4 hard Maple with a seriously undersized pilot hole.

EDIT: while typing this, Shane posted the weights of the new C12/15 adn T18s that are LiIon-based and the LiIon C12 with a 1.5Ah (vs 1.3Ah) is much closer to the CXS in weight.  Have to say, choosing between that C12 and the CXS will be a much more difficult choice...

 

[RONWEN]

Thanks for the superlatives!

I agree that the C12 is more powerful and the brushless is a nice benefit.  Maybe I didn't word it clearly enough in the 'final thoughts', but if I were buying today and had none, I'd likely go for the CXS for its lightness and that it does most of what I'd need (despite being less powerful than the C12).  For harder tasks, the C12 would be excellent, but if that second drill is for doing power tasks the CXS isn't up for, something like the T15+3 would be even better as it has a third more torque than the C12.  But also, that's me based on what I do with a drill/driver.

I compared the weight of the two drills; the CXS is about 40% the weight of the C12 1.3Ah Nicad (no LiIon option today... just saying for people reading this after the LiIon versions are released as the weight will definitely become more on par with the CXS at that point).  I find the ergonomics of the C12 such that the weight is less an issue.  A cabinet installer with all those above-head screws to install would likely go for the lighter CXS.

The sound does give away the extra load for certain tasks.  ...and I'm still impressed the C12 drove that lag bolt through6/4 hard Maple with a seriously undersized pilot hole.
EDIT: while typing this, Shane posted the weights of the new C12/15 adn T18s that are LiIon-based and the LiIon C12 with a 1.5Ah (vs 1.3Ah) is much closer to the CXS in weight.  Have to say, choosing between that C12 and the CXS will be a much more difficult choice...

I disagree.  If I didn't have any drill & comparing the weights that Shane listed it appears the T15 would be the all around choice -- slightly heavier than the C12 and all the torque needed for ANY battery drill tasks.  Having that I might then choose the "special purpose" light weight of the CXS for overhead work, etc. as a second drill.  Only if cost is a primary factor does the CXS go to the top of the list for a one drill shop.

 

[GhostFist]

A light weight compact drill is what I'm after, HOWEVER, it's the smart motor on the c12's and up that get me interested. The new lithium C112 and CXS are so close in weight/size that I'd have to side with the C12 based solely on it's ruggedness and increased torque. Came very close to picking up a T-15 on discount here but decided to wait it out for the T-18's when they arrive despite savings i would have had. I'd be looking into a compact after that

 

[Ken Nagrod]

Just so all of you understand, a big part of the weight difference between the old C12 and the new C12 LiIon is the battery pack.  The new one is really 10.8 volts like the CXS.  The old one is a true 12 volt pack (NiCd, NiMH).  That's because LiIon cells have a different voltage per cell and a reduced weight.