Festool 10.8V CXS Cordless Drill - Thoughts???

[Davefr]

The price tag is a tough nut to swallow, but is this drill really that much higher quality/precision then the current 12V offerings?

It appears there's a void of quality/compact drills in the <<12V segment. They are either cheap "toys" or obsolete battery technology.

When the need is compact, ergonomic and high quality above all else, does this thing really stand out? Anyone have one?

 

[tarbellb]

I have used Festool drills before. I think they geared more for light duty applications, we were installing $100k european kitchens. Festool shines in that dept, but if you are doing metal work, auto, etc... I think it would be underwhelming.

The exchangeable head is awesome, well worth the extra cash.

Personally, im looking at replacing my M12 Fuel with Bosch next time for big reduction in size. Love my M12 stuff, but its closer to my M18 Fuel in size and performance.

 

[Ericgst]

Milwaukee, Dewalt, Bosch, and Makita all have 10.8V lines of tools. They just advertise them with 12s. M12, 12V MAX etc. They are just 10.8V tools in disguise. Much like Dewalt 20V MAX is 18V.

 

[Monte]

You should ask that question in a Festool forum

 

[tarbellb]

Yeah, they serve free Cool-Aid in that forum.

Also, Ericgst...I wasnt implying that Festool was lighter duty because of the 10.8v nomenclature. I understand the marketing behind 10.8/12/18/20v.

 

[dutchgray]

My Cousin has one.
I have used it and it isn't really much better than others, just very compact and with cool features, like the electronic torque control.
I have Bosch 10.8v tools which do what I need. The Festool is not worth spending the extra on to me.

 

[canuckian]

I've had one for a year or so. Works well. if there's such a thing, it feels a little more "refined" than others I've used. Perhaps that's just my mind trying to justify the extra cost to itself But it is a great little drill/driver. The exchangable head is handy for sure. The finger guard (for lack of a better term) has gotten in the way a couple times. Not sure what its purpose is.

 

[LeeG]

I use one. It is my go-to driver/drill. I was using it last fall with a 1" auger bit and the right angle chuck to drill through studs for flex conduit, so it has a fair amount of torque. The belt strap is easily reverse-able (remove battery and switch sides) which comes in handy. It does not have the power of an M12 Fuel, but it is considerably lighter and more compact. I do like that I can set it down in an upright position rather than having to pick it up off its side every time. It is very ergonomic.

I also have a full set of M12 and M18 tools, but this is by far my favorite. Festool has a 30 day no-questions return policy, so give it a try and see what you think.

 

[stevenhs]

I own the CXS drill. I use it everyday at work. I only use for removing under side car covers and cabin filter on new cars. Mostly size torx 20 and 7mm bolts. And it great job at screwing in screws.Great drill. Smooth and Solid, no vibrations.


IMO What the CXS is bad at is drilling holes. It will drill, but dont expect it to last on a full charge.

 

[ca90ss]

I have 2 of them. I do a lot of work in tight places and for me the right angle attachment alone makes it worth the price.

 

[Monte]

here some teaser pics

they upgraded the batteries and a few other things in the meantime though
(now 2.6AH instead of 1.5AH, 10mm chuck instead of 8mm, and they added a battery gauge as well as increased the speed of the tool)

 

[Davefr]

Thanks everyone. I decided to buy the same kit in Monte's images. At least they offer a no questions asked 30 day return policy.

+'s:
1. This is the most precise speed control of any drill I've used. (Panasonic comes close). The drill attempts to keep the RPM at exactly what you select regardless of load. There must be some feedback loop in the speed control.

2. The drill is very lightweight, quiet and almost no vibration even at full speed.

3. It does feel good in the hand.

4. No backlash in the gears going from forward to reverse and no wobble or runout in the chuck.

-'s:
1.Price

2. Although I like the ergonomics, the hand grip is a little tight for all four fingers. Do German's have small hands??

3. I'll probably never use their proprietary Centrotec bit system. The bits are very expensive. I guess there are some advantages but std. 1/4" hex bits are much more readily available and cheap. I bought this more for the drilling then driving.



I'm glad Festool offers compact professional drills. It seems like there's a void in compact/ergonomic/high quality 10-12V class drills.

What happened to Panasonic? They were ahead of their time with excellent cordless drills but let it all slip away.

 

[Furious Filipino]

The CXS $300 with the right angle attachment is quite pricey. For that kind of money, you can get a vastly more versatile platform in the Milwaukee M12, with no fewer than 6 possible options for drilling (standard chuck brushed or brushless, hammer drill brushed or brushless, hex-drive brushed or brushless) AND you can go out and buy the right angle attachment with $100 to spare if you go with the lowest cost option for the drill (brushed 3/8" chuck).

"Fools-tools" only really have one thing going for them: their dust collection system for just about every tool is unmatched (even for drills--see Drill Dust Collection Nozzle--available separately). In that regard, if you are a finish carpenter that routinely works indoors with already finished rooms, then it can easily be justified.

Edit: I see you already bought it. In that case, cool buy!

 

[BikerDad]

I'm glad Festool offers compact professional drills. It seems like there's a void in compact/ergonomic/high quality 10-12V class drills.

I have to disagree with this assessment. Bosch, Milwaukee, DeWalt, and Makita all make compact, ergonomic, high quality 12v class drills. While it's true that not all of them have brushless motors in their 12v tools, even their brushed 12v tools are good lit'l critters. Heck, the 12v drills from Rigid, Hitachi and Porter-Cable are light years ahead of my 12v DeWalt NiCad, which was professional grade when I got it.

The catch with the "ergonomic" comes down to YOUR handsize. Some folks like the fatter grips of the Bosch and Milwaukee and previous gen Makita, others' prefer the slide battery pack and thinner grip of the DeWalt, Festool, and new Makita.

In fact, it's harder to get a crappy 12v tool than it is a crappy 18v tool today. All of the big makers have different quality levels available in their 18v tools, not so with their 12v.

 

[Furious Filipino]

On that note, the Milwaukee M12 Fuel 1/2" hammer drill is one serious piece of kit. It was the one tool that got me looking at the whole M12 line. I have no need for a compact hammer drill, but after testing, I ended up buying their 3/8" drill, 1/4" hex impact driver, multi-tool, and rotary tool.

For what I do at home, I can foresee using 12 volt cordless tools exclusively. I've got their circular, 2-speed screwdriver, and 3/8" ratchet on my radar for upcoming purchase.

 

[Monte]

2. Although I like the ergonomics, the hand grip is a little tight for all four fingers. Do German's have small hands??.

Try to use 3 fingers and put the pointer finger alongside the drill. Use the middle finger as trigger finger.

What happened to Panasonic? They were ahead of their time with excellent cordless drills but let it all slip away.

I think their main selling point was always the higher battery capacity.... it seems they slept...

 

[GTO]

We are an authorized seller @ the lumber yard that I work for.
If you do a lot of interior finish work and you have a lot FU money....

 

[Davefr]

I have to disagree with this assessment. Bosch, Milwaukee, DeWalt, and Makita all make compact, ergonomic, high quality 12v class drills.

You're right. I've had most of these other 12V drills and they were just fine. The CXS just takes it up a notch. (particularly in the area of light weight, very precise speed control and low noise).

For these benefits the drill is probably not worth the price for general DIY/Homeowner tasks. My application is pretty unique. I guess it's analogous to a SO Dual 80 ratchet vs CM/Stanley/Etc.

 

[ca90ss]

2. Although I like the ergonomics, the hand grip is a little tight for all four fingers. Do German's have small hands??

You might want to look at the TXS, I haven't held one but their other t series drills have slightly longer handles than their c series drills.

3. I'll probably never use their proprietary Centrotec bit system. The bits are very expensive. I guess there are some advantages but std. 1/4" hex bits are much more readily available and cheap. I bought this more for the drilling then driving.

Whatever you do don't buy the locking centrotec bit holder, mine only lasted a few days before it wouldn't lock onto bits anymore.

 

[Furious Filipino]

You're right. I've had most of these other 12V drills and they were just fine. The CXS just takes it up a notch. (particularly in the area of light weight, very precise speed control and low noise).

For these benefits the drill is probably not worth the price for general DIY/Homeowner tasks. My application is pretty unique. I guess it's analogous to a SO Dual 80 ratchet vs CM/Stanley/Etc.

I'm interested in what application this might be.

 

[Davefr]

I'm interested in what application this might be.

Tapping aluminum with 0-80 taps and broaching bronze bushings.

 

[tarbellb]

Comparing the Milwaukee M12 Fuel to the Festool CXS is like comparing a Dodge Viper to a Acura NSX. Same category, two totally different beast.

Both respected for what they are designed to do.

 

[GTO]

FYI,they are discontinuing their line of hammer drills and bits..

 

[Furious Filipino]

Tapping aluminum with 0-80 taps and broaching bronze bushings.

Like rotary broaching? I want to see your setup!

I'm sticking to lathe for stuff like that.