Thread: CSX Series (mini-D-handle) Drills

Gidday Wongo

Looks good I reckon. Only downside that I can see is the batteries are only 1.5 ah, but they are lithium ion so you should get a fair bit of use between charges. It does come with 2 batteries so that shouldn't be a problem.

There is however the unfortunate fact that the centrotec chuck will not take the imperial shafted bits that are commonly available in the marketplace. Your either stuck with using Festool bits or using the conventional chuck which will make the machine just a little longer.



Cheers
Bevan

It was $299 at the Perth wood show this past weekend as well. I was tempted. But I have the T15+3 and Ti15. It is a great tool and the light weight with a decent amount of torque makes it worth the while.
My 2c worth.
Les

Originally Posted by Enfield Guy

There is however the unfortunate fact that the centrotec chuck will not take the imperial shafted bits that are commonly available in the marketplace. Your either stuck with using Festool bits or using the conventional chuck which will make the machine just a little longer.

Hi Bevan,

No it's not a problem. You can put common hex bits into the magnetic bit holder (held by Centrotec chuck) or directly into the drills shaft (it has a hex fitting machined into it). Although Festool have their proprietary Cerntrotec range of bits, they also make standard hex bits, one will come with the drill, and these standard bits or any others you might have just go into the magnetic bit holder or drills shaft.

get one is my recommendation...

I bought one about 18 months ago. and love it. For such a small drill it has more torque than you need for driving screws in to most timbers. Big screws into hardwoods without a pilot hole are a bit of an exception.

Battery life is pretty good. you get two and they are quick to charge. I recently did a scratch build laundry and the day I screwed all the cupboards together, I went through 3 batteries. Total was 15 sheets of melamine cutup, so there were alot of screws. The driver was brilliant for that job I cant say I ever needed more torque on that job. the right angled chuck also comes in very hand at times.

Thanks everyone for your input. I just placed an order for Festool #2.

You know Ideal Tools is doing something right to get repeated customers with this free delivery and reward point system.

I had a GMC 18v platinum drill which has died after a lot of use so I'm down to an AEG 12 V cordless drill. It lacks a long battery life.

Im wondering if this festool drill would be a good additional/ replacement drill for everyday use or is I a bit light on too.

Thanks
peter

you can use it for drilling as it comes with a chuck. but it isn't exactly high speed, and it does seem to eat into the battery life using it on speed 2. I think its intended use is as a driver rather than a drill.

It has remarkably high torque for 10.8 volts, but is a bit slow in either gear, hence the high torque.

1.5ah is not a lot of battery in my opinion, especially as competitors are now producing 4.0ah batteries in 10.8 volts.

Pistol grip tools don't really have the right ergonomics for screwdriving either. Most manufacturers now produce Tee handled tools for screwdriving and Pistol grip tools for drilling. The balance isn't quite right otherwise.

Working for TTS, I have access to the range of drills. When I need one, the CSX is normally the first one I reach for. It is light, comfortable and the brushless motor really is surprisingly strong.

Going to a 4.0ah battery would defeat the purpose of designing a light drill. Sort of like putting bathurst fuel tanks on a mini. Sure you could do it, but you would lose the benefit of having a light vehicle.

Recently had some feedback from a sparky who bought the CSX for doing his fit off of power points, switches etc. He loves it. He also purchased the PDC 18 with the angle head for drilling holes for conduit etc.

Is this a good all round drill? depends on what you do. Would you build a shed or lay a roof with the CSX? No, but it is not designed for that. I have hung doors, assembled kitchens and done repair work with screws going into plastic where control was more important than grunt.

When I need speed or power, jump to the PDC 18.

FWIW

Steve

The baby arrived a couple of days ago.

I don't need it for heavy drilling, so this tool is great tool for fitting cabinets, driving screws in tight places. I am building a new kitchen at the end of the year so this will be a great tool to have.

Originally Posted by Wongo

The baby arrived a couple of days ago.

.

I hope you will nurture it with a regular loving contact with timber

Festool is a slippery slope...but what a lovely way to go

Cheers

I've had one for about a year now and it is still going strong.

The default 6mm bit size for the Centrotec chuck was a major disappointment, as was the included adapter which lost its magnet the first time I used it (the magnet stuck to the bit tho', and subsequently stuffed up another quick release adapter when it stayed in after I removed the bit ) Luckily I don't usually need to use the driver in its super-short mode.

Originally Posted by TritonJapan

Working for TTS, I have access to the range of drills. When I need one, the CSX is normally the first one I reach for. It is light, comfortable and the brushless motor really is surprisingly strong.

Going to a 4.0ah battery would defeat the purpose of designing a light drill. Sort of like putting bathurst fuel tanks on a mini. Sure you could do it, but you would lose the benefit of having a light vehicle.

Recently had some feedback from a sparky who bought the CSX for doing his fit off of power points, switches etc. He loves it. He also purchased the PDC 18 with the angle head for drilling holes for conduit etc.

Is this a good all round drill? depends on what you do. Would you build a shed or lay a roof with the CSX? No, but it is not designed for that. I have hung doors, assembled kitchens and done repair work with screws going into plastic where control was more important than grunt.

When I need speed or power, jump to the PDC 18.

FWIW

Steve

I understand that working for Festool's importer makes you partial to their products, and less so to competitors' offerings.

Of course having such low speeds assists in available torque (twisting force). All other things being equal, torque is inversely proportional to rotation speed. That's what makes the Festool an effective screwdriver. It also unfortunately makes it a slow and unproductive drill. Slow rotation speeds adversely affect drilling performance in small diameters. Lower power (10.8v, or approximately 180watt input/80watt output?) make all 10.8v drills poor performers at larger diameters. Sometimes that's a good thing: it can be ideal for domestic electrical installation in sensitive and easily damaged materials and substrates. Having only 1.3 or at best 1.5ah available is also an exercise in frustration when productivity is paramount.

I'm also a sparkie. I use 10.8, 18, 36 and 240v tools as the need arises. I disagree with the assertion that a bigger battery is unnecessary in such a diminutive tool. In fact I'd suggest larger cells enhance both performance AND handling. The Festool drill uses the "old school" pistol grip design, which provides great balance in drilling situations, but is less effective for screwdriving. The biggest advantage of this design is that it can be easily set down on its battery rather than its side, and is therefore easily picked up again, one handed and without looking. The major disadvantage of this layout is that the large footprint and confused design means that even as a small and light tool it can't be pocketed. I suspect that's why Festool include a belt clip to help overcome this flaw.

Conventional Tee handled tools are by their nature ergonomically suited to screwdriving situations, which is why all battery "rattlers", and a few mains models, use this configuration. Having a 3.0 or 4.0ah battery in the handle actually enhances the tools natural balance, and also makes it easier to grab and remove from one's pocket when up a ladder, or "more pocketable" as it were.

The increased footprint also provides the necessary surface and balance to be able to sit the tool down on the battery, which is lacking in conventional 10.8v tools.

Let's not forget that you're also actually getting over 300% improved runtime. This means enhanced productivity, reduced downtime and ultimately more dollars in the kitty.

Far from being "heavy and/or unweildy", in my opinion and in my experience the additional mass (it's still under 1KG) of 3.0 and 4.0 ah. tools and their enhanced balance and handling characteristics actually transforms the 10.8 volt class from being mere toys into proper professional-class tools. At last there's a tool that can be used professionally, hour after hour on site with confidence. In particular my 10.8v rattler is my most frequently used tool.

Might I respectfully suggest that you actually try some perhaps before being so dismissive of their capabilities?

Hi,

I have recently bought a CSX drill. I am a sparky too, though I work for a distribution company and most of my work involves hanging meters on switchboards.

I have access to a company supplied "T" handle 14.4 volt drill driver.

I recently hurt my right arm, golfer's elbow, I was told.

The much lighter CSX has been great for my work through the healing process. I'm aware of it's short comings. I often need to drill 12mm holes in switchboards, which has meant using the chuck. Though after Anthony's post about the adapter, I'll be giving that a go. The driver setting will do up screws tighter than I can with a screwdriver, likewise it will rattle out corroded screws I can't budge.

The other point about drilling is to choose the right drill for the job. i.e. point angle, material and coating if any. These things can also make a difference.

Even though my arm is just about right, I'll continue to use the CSX because I know the light weight will help reduce the likelihood of any repetitive strain injuries.

The only item I would like to see for it is a battery charger that plugs into a car's 12V system. For tradies this is the bee's knees.

Cheers

The Beryl Bloke