Wait for the new CXS or look for a sale on the original version?

[northman]

New forum member here.  I am a DIY home owner with plenty of projects and was shopping for a new small and lightweight drill.  I am currently remodeling my house and plan on installing some built-in cabinets which lead to me my shopping endeavor.  I have plenty of Milwaukee M18 tools and a few M12 ones but I have never used a Festool.  After spending the last week researching online and watching videos, I convinced myself that I was going to buy my first Festool product, specifically the 10.8v CXS.  It looks perfect for my needs and a general all-purpose drill/driver to be used for many years.

I realized tonight that Festool is releasing a long anticipated update to the this tool in the 12v and 18v version.  Now I struggle with the idea of buying the older model at full price or wait for the new 12v version.  I'm not sure if the CXS ever goes on sale but I figure that vendors may try to move their older stock if a newer model is coming out.  I'm in the U.S. so I'm not sure when the new one releases here but I read sometime this fall.  So ... buy the older model now or the newer model in a few months?  Wait for a sale?

Any advice would be appreciated. 

 

[woodferret]

Welcome

I went for the old model recently.  The very high likelyhood that the new CXS12 is going to have a loud, high-pitched BLDC motor pretty much steered me towards the old.  If you're already deaf and aren't envisioning having to get into really tight quarters with that drill, then it doesn't matter.  But funny the amount of times for home stuff I find myself up close to it, more so than shop work.  And you said cabinet install so... amplify that sound with your head in an echo chamber.

I think the battery issue is a false saving.  You're going to want the lightest battery, so that means the 3.0Ah.  And that's going to be stuck in the CXS.  Sure in a pinch you can stick a 5Ah battery on.... but really?

Also don't bother waiting for a sale.  They'd have to really discontinue the old CXS before any NA retailer has leeway to set clearance prices.  And even then, it's typically some miniscule $30-50 amount judging by the last SKU swap they did for some things with the SYS3 rollout.

 

[northman]

Thanks for the quick reply and advice.  I wasn't aware of the potential sound issues with the new models.

 

[SoonerFan]

[member=80364]northman[/member] I have had a CXS for about 8 years.  While the batteries won’t power anything else, it is terrific at what it does.  It is light weight.  Ergonomics for me are great.  Just a joy to use.  That said, I cannot comment on or compare it to the new models since I have never held or used either.

 

[hdv]

I bought another one of the current model last month. I am more than happy with that model and found a good deal. From what I read the new model doesn't have enough to offer over the older model, and it has too much potential to not be as good as the old model *for what I do* to wait for it. I expect its price tag to be higher too.

 

[northman]

What online vendors do you guys recommend buying from? I checked last night and they all seen to be the same price point. I wasn't sure which one to go with. I'm based in the US.

 

[SoonerFan]

What online vendors do you guys recommend buying from? I checked last night and they all seen to be the same price point. I wasn't sure which one to go with. I'm based in the US.

I have used Toolnut and Beaver Tools and had great luck with both.  Both ship quick and have great service.

 

[Imemiter]

The big improvement over the CSX will be the way the light functions. Staying on after a light tap so you can find the screw and being able to use it as small area light for short amounts of time are the big draws for me. I'm waiting for the 12v. A client already called dibs on my CXS.

 

[Ultimate Tools Marketing]

What online vendors do you guys recommend buying from? I checked last night and they all seen to be the same price point. I wasn't sure which one to go with. I'm based in the US.

Vendors in North America are not permitted to sell Festool for less than list price, so choose the dealer who you feel will provide you the best service!

 

[Cheese]

I've owned my CXS for 10 years...it's an absolutely great little drill. The only reason I'm considering the new CXS 12 is for the max 1600 RPM drill speed. I've complained for 10 years that the max 1200 RPM on the CXS 2.6 is too slow when using 1/16" or 3/32" drill bits in maple or oak. The drill bit doesn't cut but just wears away the wood fibers and if you apply too much pressure you'll snap the drill bit.

One other nice feature is that the new CXS 12 is rated to drive a 35 mm Forstner bit while the older CXS 2.6 is rated for only a 12 mm Forstner bit.

 

[Birdhunter]

Drills just make round holes. I have both the TSX and the CSX. They are nice tools, but not game changers.

I would suggest you look at the Domino. Probably the 500 based on your comments.

The Domino is a true game changer!

 

[bwehman]

What online vendors do you guys recommend buying from? I checked last night and they all seen to be the same price point. I wasn't sure which one to go with. I'm based in the US.

Vendors in North America are not permitted to sell Festool for less than list price, so choose the dealer who you feel will provide you the best service!

TBH this is such an underrated feature of Festool. If I need a tool, I can just safely buy the tool and not fear a stupid sale popping up next month.

 

[dougolupski]

Like others have posted here Festool doesn't do discounts. The CXS was up on Festool Recon yesterday for a pretty good deal. I bought mine off the bay for 180.00 a few months ago and love it. Personally I don't know where a CXS 12 would fit in my work flow I already have 18V drill/drivers in another brand. The 10.2 CXS is perfect installation tool and I reach for it first for any job due to its size. I generally grab the CXS even though I don't think it will complete the job because I love the form factor. If it stalls drilling then I will get my bigger drill.

 

[Jim_in_PA]

I have two of the CXS drill/drivers and they are my primary tool for, well...drilling and driving...in my shop and for a lot of my home improvement tasks, too, They are comfortable, compact, lightweight and efficient. They are also surprisingly powerful for their size and battery design. I wouldn't give them up for anything for the things I do. I would not upgrade to a "12v" version as there's no need to for my use.

I do remain interested in the upcoming 18v version to replace the older 14.5/15 volt T handle drill driver I have. (Actually, I'll move that to the house/garage to join the 12v T12 Festool drill/driver that lives there and still works nearly like new because the 14.5 v is actually lighter in weight) The 18v CXS will be a nice go-to for heavier jobs. Now if they would only start offering it here in the US, I'd have it bought already.

 

[northman]

Drills just make round holes. I have both the TSX and the CSX. They are nice tools, but not game changers.

I would suggest you look at the Domino. Probably the 500 based on your comments.

The Domino is a true game changer!

I am a complete rookie as a DIY carpenter but that tool looks amazing. I will put it on my wishlist as I work through my various projects.

 

[woodferret]

I am a complete rookie as a DIY carpenter but that tool looks amazing. I will put it on my wishlist as I work through my various projects.

Start with pocket holes first.  Skip biscuits.  Jump straight to domino*, unless you just want to collect tools

* dare we tell him to check out the Lamello Zeta P2?  LOL

 

[vkumar]

What online vendors do you guys recommend buying from? I checked last night and they all seen to be the same price point. I wasn't sure which one to go with. I'm based in the US.

I would recommend Tool Nirvana and US Tool and Fastener.  Excellent service and the former is really fast turnaround.

 

[northman]

Well, my order for the CXS has been placed. I bought the set with the right angle chuck.

I'm not sure what bits come with it. Are there certain ones I need to grab sooner than later? I saw the 576932 kit with all the bits but it's not cheap.

 

[woodferret]

Comes with a 1" Ph2 bit.  You stick it in the magnetic centrotec adapter which then goes into the CXS mini chuck.  You can also forgo the positive lock chuck and put the bit directly into the recess on the CXS.

They've come out with a few BKS bit cassettes to go with the new attic style SYS3.  Note their 1" bits are still standard 1/4 bits.  The 50/100mm are actually centrotec.

 

[slavi.yordanov]

I honestly don’t get the obsession for the old CXS. Yes it’s small and light, but at the same time pretty long. Light cuts off right after releasing the trigger. You can’t really drill holes with it, other than cabinetry with fostener bit. Forget about driving 2-3” screw to install your cabinets. Simply said, it’s really good at a few specific tasks.

I got the new 18V version 2 months ago, and it’s much stronger, not that much heavier and it’s very well balanced. I can use all 18v batteries for it as well. Spins faster as mentioned and you can actually drill with it.

Also check out Milwaukee M12 Surge or Bosch Flexiclick 12V. The Bosch is super versatile and compact, plenty strong (sinks 3.25” framing screws) and relatively cheap for what you get. Also has offset chuck, which comes in handy sometimes. Last time I check they have bundled it with their multi-tool for $150

The Milwaukee is quiet, strong and compact. Best drill for driving up to 4” screws in my opinion.