Festool CXS Preview

Okay, I'll admit I was sandbagging these videos until the May SysNotes release, but green gremlins tell me it will slip! d'oh!

Festool USA provided me with a CXS before the official release on June 1, 2011 to review.  Thanks, guys!

The CXS drill/driver is smaller than the more familiar C12 drill/driver, but it packs a lot of power for likely 95% of everything you'll do in the shop or job site.  It is true the C12 has more power, but unless you drive a lot of lag bolts, the CXS will take care of you.

I had the CXS for a couple weeks before recording this review.  The review is in three parts:

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.

If you haven't seen it yet, you might also like to see my demo of the Festool Centrotec chucks.  In my mind, these chucks are at least half the reason to own a Festool drill/driver.  That video covers the non-CXS Centrotec 90º and eccentric chucks besides the universal Centrotec chuck.  The CXS has its own version of the 90º chuck though the preview video will explain the differences.

Installing Double-Bullet Catches

Taunton's Fine Woodworking magazine recently had a great article on installing various hinges.  This was mostly a great way to get me off my butt and install the 6 pairs of double-bullet catches that have been shuttled around my shop for the past year onto the Oak cabinet on my back patio (it's a thankless life being a cabinet on an Arizona patio, I assure you!)

I rolled a video of it so you can see how easy they are to install using this technique.  It was also a (minimal) chance to play with a new toy that is pre-destined to be my favorite.  This is a "prequel" of a review so check back very soon :)