Hey gang! Wanted to do a ONE year review with you all on my experience with the Milwaukee 4 in 1 installation driver and how I compare it to my beloved Festool CXS. Results might shock some of you…….
Hi Brian, you’re 100% right in that the forward reverse button takes some (a lot of) getting used to. The power is certainly there with the Milwaukee but I always grab for the CXS because it is just so refined. There is just something about the CXS that is so nice.
I'm 15 years into the original Festool 12V multi drill (pre CTX range, since replaced with first the 15V, then the current 18V by Festool, but mines is still going strong), still working perfectly, still with perfect batteries (and they're still available new from Festool too). In fact the 12V batteries can be used in my 18V Festool tools too, in a pinch. The original 12V drill came with the offset chuck. They're all 'light weight and plasticky' and in perfect running/working order after 15 years of use. That drill set cost me £200 - twice as much as the Bosch/Dewalt/Makita alternatives...but 15 years ago, for a TCO of £13/year and still dropping. Festool tools are like dogs - they're for life, not just for Christmas. I also use Milwaukee 12V and 18V, but those are for DIY/brute force, gardening etc.
Pretty much agree with you. You are absolutely right about the annoyance of the forward/reverse switch on the Milwaukee. I have a love/hate relationship with Festool...love using them, hate the price. The big plus for the Milwaukee is the close quarters attachment. Don't know why the CXS doesn't have one. Just want to add the light on the CXS is brighter. Makes a difference inside a cabinet with my old eyes.
Very fair comparison of the two after a year of use. Like I said in your previous video, the M12 installation driver is my most used tool. It's light enough for me, and the extra power is always welcome. About having to press the button twice to turn change direction, I usually give the trigger a small squeeze to wake the drill and then the button works with a single press. A bit more intuitive than pressing the button twice. I do hope milwaukee releases a 2nd gen installation driver with a traditional direction switch though, and make it shorter front to back. Thanks for the video!
Nice review, I did want to get into the M12 fuel line but that button for forward/reverse... I somewhat haphazardly jumped on the Bosch 12v line with their version with the same attachments as the Milwaukee and I really do enjoy it. Ended up buying the brushless version and the impact too and now I find my TPC and T18 and hikoki impact not seeing a lot of use outside a need for more power. I think the point is that small, powerful tools are super neat for a lot of things that needs doing, 18v and up are great when needed but at least in my case, 90% of the time 12v is enough 👍🏻
Agree! I looked pretty hard at that Bosch 12v lineup too, but in the end just went the Milwaukee route…obviously. The Bosch brushless version still might have to give it a try
@@BrianWatersOutdoors I'm surprised at how capable they are for their price and size. The M12 fuel line looks sublime but yeah that button 🙈 For some reason Milwaukee is quite expensive here in Norway compared to Bosch, but yea. The brushless Bosch is nice for what it is. Pretty sure the m12 is stronger though.
I use festools 18v lineup, because all the tools are great quality. But in the 12v segment milwaukee has such a great lineup, it makes sense to buy the fddx to get in to it.
I saw all the festool stuff and thought 🙄 lol! That was a really good review though. I think the trigger on the black and green tool would be best for finish work but most of my tools are red. Thanks for an honest opinion 👍
I prefer the old school positioning of the F/R button where it's a lever under the chuck. The button on the side I often accidentally hit and it frustrates me probably as much as the button on top frustrates so many others.
Unfortunately I’m not like most, I love the forward reverse button, at first I didn’t like it , but after awhile l prefer it. The switch by the trigger I find myself hitting it and the drill stops. I do agree that Milwaukee needs to fix the easy tipping of the drill and the chucks seem to be a little sloppy compared to the festool, yes I bought the festool first, nut now own 3 Milwaukee installation driver and my festool collects dust. Milwaukee’s m12 line is hands down the best and continues to grow. ✌🏻
Then forward/reverse switch location on the milwaukee is the ONLY reason i haven't and will not buy that tool. What a shame and such a head scratcher of a choice.
Forward reverse switch is 1 biggest hate detaching 11:41 batteries is second and 3 rd is 3 batteries have gone bad at just over 3 yrs loosing 4th battery now .
I would get a Bosch if I want half the power of the Milwaukee. Bosch is lighter, has better attachments and more ergonomic to hold than that cxs. Also a fraction of the price.
Festool's Centrotec system is not friendly to anyone that wants to use standard 1/4" bits, Milwaukee wins this based on that alone. I have both tools, I hate the Milwaukee switch, I think the drill is overpowered for what it is too, I even broke a Wera 1/4" slotted bit with it on Friday. Aside from those weaknesses I'm happy with it. In defense of the CXS not having an eccentric attachment - Festool claimed in their early marketing that it shouldn't be needed because the drill has such a low profile 360 degrees around the chuck.
my wife isn't going to be as excited as me when the CXS and a Kapex show up. can't stand the dewalt dws780 with how much space it requires and the dust...so. much. dust. adding dust collection on the dewalt also requires another 6" of clearance behind it. need damn near 4' of room for that dewalt.
Shouldn’t it be a better comparison the c18 vs. the Milwaukee is you still own it? (Regardless of voltage difference). In any case I would like to see a comparison of the CXS vs. C18, if possible. Thanks for all you do.
All chucks are made out of metal it just the facing that is either plastic or metal and for kitchen installs, plastic is better because you won’t damage the cabinets
Correct. I should have been a tad more specific. All chucks internal components are metal. I was referring to the outer portion where the Festool is plastic vs the Milwaukees metal construction. Thanks for the comment!
Why don't you do a Milwaukee 4 in 1 vs Festool C18 Cordless Drill with Bluetooth Highpower 4.0Ah Kit in a Systainer3 comparison? That would seem to be a closer match.
@@BrianWatersOutdoors Regardless wouldn't the torque specs and accessories more closely match? Who cares how many volts are used to perform these tasks? In the end it is the completion of the tasks that matters most.
I sure would like to have been in the meeting when that idiot said everybody's got that push button let's find something different just to screw with them. I've had it for a year and cannot get used to having to look if the light is forward or backwards just stupid. Other than that I really like it. I wanted to Bosch when it came out it was exactly what I was looking for except it didn't have a belt clip I can't live without a belt clip.
I think a guy by the name of jakeofall on Instagram 3d prints a little kickstand to go on the Milwaukee so it doesn’t fall over maybe look into that. I hear people like it.
