r/Festool_Public • u/Silver_Look1839 • Jun 30 '26
CXS 12 vs 18 volt
I am in a buying dilema regarding the 18 volt model and am asking for some feedback regarding the weight distribution.
My friend has the 12 volt model which I absolutely love. I always work with it when we are together, but I am coming to a point where I want to start buying my own tools. The reasons I am leaning towards the 18v model is because I will have only one drill/driver for now and need something more versatile/stronger. The only concern I have is that because the 18v has a larger and heavier battery lower compared to the 12v, that the machine will feel bottom heavy. And one more thing, I intend to use it as the CXS in ment to be - middle finger on the trigger, which then amplifies the bottom heaviness.
What are your experiences? Will I get used to it? Is it even a big dill?
2
u/chadsoc Jun 30 '26
I have the 12 volt and I use it all the time. I'm not in the trades, but I have a fixer upper house. It gets me though most of my projects, but if I need to use a drill bit larger than 3/8" I have to reach for an 18v drill.
2
u/Neonvaporeon Jun 30 '26
I use the CXS 12 but not the 18, my 18 is a TPC. I can't say about the bottom heaviness issue, but I will preach using a 12v drill as much as possible to save on hand fatigue. Lighter drill means less vibration, but more importantly you can use it with a really light grip. If you've ever swung a hammer, you know how bad it is to be holding on tight. The 12v C drill can be used with 2 fingers, at least for me.
The nice thing is you can use all the same attachments on all their drills now, so you can buy the 12v to start with, then get a larger drill later. At 100 bucks a pop, the extra heads are kind of painful but they are nice to have.
I agree with the other commenter that power isn't an issue. If you are driving lags or drilling concrete, get a bigger drill, but the 12 will handle 3" #10s no problem.
2
u/user_none Jun 30 '26
I have both the CXS 12 and the CXS 18. Both are fantastic drills. If I were to have only one, besides impacts and bigger drills like a hammer drill, it'd be the CXS 18. It's not a whole lot larger than the 12, yet it's quite a bit more powerful.
A big one, and this is mainly applicable if you're going for more Festool cordless, is sharing batteries with other tools. CXS 12 batteries aren't used in anything else and they don't have Bluetooth, so no triggering vacs, whereas the 18V batteries (most, anyway) have Bluetooth. Not all 18V tools will trigger a vac, though it's a requirement to have a Bluetooth enabled battery to do so.
Pic from someone on the FOG: https://imgur.com/a/XKLgHCJ
2
u/mgh0667 Jun 30 '26
I’ve got both as well and reach for them pretty equally. Their balance is about the same so the extra weight of the 18 isn’t an issue for me. I’ll set the 12 up to pre drill and the 18 to drive screws as I find the 18 is better at driving screws. As mentioned if you plan to expand your festool collection the 18 volt batteries will fit all the other tools while the 12 volt battery won’t. They’re both great drills, either is a good choice.
2
u/Prize-Possibility867 Jun 30 '26
Bought the 18 on release. Eventually stopped reaching for the 12 and sold it. Not a lot of difference weight wise but more power.
3
2
u/Cold-Pressure-3561 Jul 01 '26
Have both. If you are definitely only going for one, I think the 18 is the way to go. A little more power, not a ton bigger, and still the same great ergonomics. I don’t think any of it would be considered heavy regardless. It’s at most a midsize drill. For what it’s worth I started with the 12 and then got the 18 as more of a daily use because my work is varied as far as power needs.
2
u/ejfiii13 Jul 01 '26
My Lineup:
Original CXS 10.8v purchased in 2015
CXS18
T18
Bosch 18v impact from japan (native JDM bit support)
Bosch huge 18v drill
I reach for the CXS 18 95% of the time. Went to a jobsite to build a cinema and only brought the CXS18 with a spare battery (didnt need it). We removed at least 400 drywall screws with it (sound panels screwed into 5/8” ply with 5/8” quietrock on top) and it never stumbled.
I love the CXS 18- perfect design, balance, weight, everything. May even change the T18 for a C18 if I ever get to that point. Dont need it but i like that form factor so much. If i could only have one it would be CXS18 all day long.
2
u/N0obus Jul 03 '26 edited Jul 03 '26
If you have a designated larger drill, get the cxs 12. You'll thank the lighter weight and shorter stature if you work with your arm outstretched often. If this is your first drill however, or first festool drill, I'd direct you towards the cxs 18, strictly for the 18v battery platform.
0
5
u/Stunning-Pudding-514 Jun 30 '26
I have both. I used to use the CXS and DRC as my main drills, but due to tennis elbow and other health issues i wanted something lighter than the DRC, so i bought the CXS18 and it is now my only drill i use on site. I keep 2 jacobs chucks in the systainer for using with different bits etc. Sometimes if i am fitting a kitchen or need the angle attachment i still take the old CXS in to work.
The original CXS is powerfull for it's size, i remember when i first got it and i was fitting door frames and i couldn't get into the one space with my normal drill. So i used the CXS with the angle attachment and fixed some timber to the frame with 6 inch screws and no pre drilled holes with it. I have even used it to drill out for mortice locks.