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Festool has announced a new 18V cordless drill, CXS 18, which they advertise as being “the hero amongst the compact screwdrivers.”
The Festool CXS 18 is described as “a compact powerhouse” and delivers “impressive performance” – up to 22 Nm (~195 in-lbs) max torque in wood, and 40 Nm (~354 in-lbs) max torque in steel.
The new Festool cordless drill has one of the most unique features I have ever heard of in a modern cordless power tool.
For left-handed people, the Work App can be used to reverse the right-hand/left-hand selector switch such that the switch no longer causes disruption by protruding into the handle area during the main application – in clockwise rotation (only in combination with a Bluetooth battery pack).
That seems like a convenient function for a compact tool like this.
For all you lefties out there – is this a feature you would take advantage of? Or have you never paid much attention to the direction selection levers of cordless drills and drivers?
You will need a Festool 18V Bluetooth battery pack in order to do this, though, and from Festool’s product images it doesn’t look like the drill is kitted with one. Compatible batteries are marked with a white Bluetooth logo.
The cordless drill has a compact C-shape design for working in tight spaces and is light, weighing just 0.70 kg (~1.54 lbs), presumably without a battery.
Festool says that the CXS 18 is compatible with all of their current 18V screwdriver attachments, such as the ones that come with the similarly designed C 18 drill.
The CXS 18 kit comes with the drill, a 10mm (~3/8″) drill chuck, quick-release screwdriver bit adapter, 2x 3Ah batteries, charger, and Systainer tool box.
Price: £327.22 excluding VAT, or ~$393 at the time of this posting
There is also an expanded CXS 18 kit, which adds a right angle attachment, an accessory set, and switches out the Systainer for one with a top-lid storage compartment.
Price: £415.94 excluding VAT, or ~$500 at the time of this posting
If the drill launches in the USA, the kit options might be a little different, or at least the bundled drilling and driving accessories.
The CXS 18 is launching in Europe in May 2023.
Festool USA has not provided press materials or product details, and at this time it is unclear if or when the CXS 18 will be available here.
Other Compact Installation Drill/Drivers
Personally, I prefer 12V-class tools for cabinetry and other finer woodworking drilling and driving applications, as they tend to be smaller and lighter than 18V-class tools.
Milwaukee’s M12 Fuel brushless installation drill/driver is a very popular choice.
It has a similar compact c-handle design, and features its electronic direction selection button at the top. That’s one way of improving the comfort for both right and left-handed users.
The tool is is kitted with 4 attachments, 2x compact batteries, charger, and tool bag. At the time of this posting, you can buy the 2-battery kit for $229-249, and it’s eligible for a free bonus XC HO 5Ah battery.
Dewalt also has an Xtreme 12V Max 5-in-1 brushless drill/driver, with 4 head attachments.
The Dewalt kit, DCD703F1, is currently priced at $179-$189, and comes with the tool, attachments, 2Ah battery, charger, and tool bag.
