Author Topic: Snappy for Centrotec Quick Review (Read 33550 times)

mikey2 · « **on:** July 28, 2012, 08:50 AM »

Snappy now makes driver bits, drill/countersink bits, and self-centering bits that fit Centrotec chucks.

I picked up a couple driver bits, #1 and #2 square drive. They are 3 inches long, and the tips are hardened. They fit well in the Centrotec chuck, and seem to run true. They also fit directly into the shaft of my T18, with the usual small amount of play like Festool's own driver bits. I wish they would make a 6 inch long driver for use with a Kreg jig.

They also make drill/countersink bits, individually and in a set, that feature replaceable drill bits.
Also a set of drill bit adapters, and a set with drill/countersink, self-centering, and driver bits.

Brice Burrell · « **Reply #1 on:** July 28, 2012, 09:38 AM »

Do you have a link?

mikey2 · « **Reply #2 on:** July 28, 2012, 09:40 AM »

Search "snappy" on woodcraft.com. Rockler does not show them, but then they have their own "Insty-Bit" line, so may not carry Snappy. I do not see them on woodworker.com yet either. I would assume most places that carry Snappy, especially those that also carry Festool, will carry them.

VictorL · « **Reply #3 on:** July 28, 2012, 10:29 AM »

How good they are?

Scott in Bend · « **Reply #4 on:** July 28, 2012, 10:37 AM »

Couldn't find the centrotec bits on snappytools.com. So, where did you purchase them?

MrToolJunkie · « **Reply #5 on:** July 28, 2012, 11:10 AM »

Here is a link from Woodcraft

http://www.woodcraft.com/Search2/Search.aspx?query=snappy

Scot

Steve-CO · « **Reply #6 on:** July 28, 2012, 11:47 AM »

Looks like they figured out how to produce a square drive bit to fit centrotec.

bopperontbay · « **Reply #7 on:** July 28, 2012, 05:17 PM »

Does anyone know if these are available in the uk would love a few bits that FESTOOL do not make.

Dogwood · « **Reply #8 on:** July 30, 2012, 02:05 PM »

Can those who ordered them let us all know what you think?

I'd really like to have the full set of drill bits snappy makes only in Centrotec. They have a very reasonably priced kit with imperial twist bits, countersink bits, self-centering bits etc.

Dogwood · « **Reply #9 on:** August 01, 2012, 01:51 AM »

Wow the regular 7 piece drill bit set is $35( on sale for $25) and the Centrotec 5 piece set is $65... Well at least they're not gouging us!

Ken Nagrod · « **Reply #10 on:** August 01, 2012, 02:11 AM »

It's funny how this recently appeared. I saw the pictures on the Woodcraft website, but when I clicked on the actual product, it brought me to the home page.

I had actually been talking with the owners of Vix bits, trying to get them to have the Centrotec shaft machined on their bits. Father and son team and they don't do everything in house. There would have been a lot of cost involved that would have to have been passed onto the consumer and great enough demand. I haven't heard anything, so I'm not sure they're interested, but I think the quality of their product is better than Trend's and that's why I contacted them originally.

Dogwood · « **Reply #11 on:** August 01, 2012, 02:15 AM »

Snappy is made by trend then?

Are vix that much better? I'm still thinking of getting some snappy ones just irritated that they are more than twice the price for 5 bits instead of 7. Thats a bit much IMO.

Ken Nagrod · « **Reply #12 on:** August 01, 2012, 02:23 AM »

Quote from: Dogwood on August 01, 2012, 02:15 AM

Snappy is made by trend then?

Are vix that much better? I'm still thinking of getting some snappy ones just irritated that they are more than twice the price for 5 bits instead of 7. Thats a bit much IMO.

In my opinion they are. I've been using the same Vix bits since 1999 and have used them a lot. I do own one Snappy bit that came with a shelf pin jig and I can tell the difference in materials and quality. Others might not care or notice.

Alan m · « **Reply #13 on:** August 01, 2012, 03:46 AM »

i have a few snappy bits and bobs. none of it is special . quality is good enough. i have a set of vix(or whatever the generic name is) . i mostly use the smallest one for hindges etc and it is still going good after a few years

GhostFist · « **Reply #14 on:** August 01, 2012, 11:07 AM »

snappy make decent cheap "beater" bits. might look into their twist bit set. as for Robbie's I'd stick with atlas.

mikey2 · « **Reply #15 on:** August 01, 2012, 10:45 PM »

I have used the driver bits for a few days now, and am happy with them. As I said, I hope they make a six inch #2 square drive for use with a Kreg jig.

I also picked up a 1/8" drill/countersink for #8 screws and it works fine. The original Snappy 3/8" stop collar fits. The only difference is the shank for Centrotec. Since the Centrotec versions cost almost double what the regular 1/4" hex shank units, I will not rush to replace any existing countersinks.

I also have some original Vix bits, and like them better than the Snappy versions, but wish they were hex shanks (mine are round shank, had them since the early 80s.)

SRSemenza · « **Reply #16 on:** August 07, 2012, 05:58 PM »

I received an order of these bits today. I have the Handyman set and one additional countersink. All of them have a good fit in the Centrotec chuck, and run smoothly. I drilled few test holes and they do just fine. I especially like having the selfcentering bit. The Snappy quality seems good. I am guessing it will be just the same as any other Snappy bit. Between the Snappy offerings , Festool, Atlas and some homemade I now have the core of what I use all in Centrotec. Which makes it really worth using the Centrotec.

Seth

ericbuggeln · « **Reply #17 on:** August 07, 2012, 10:27 PM »

Seth, do they have the tapered countersinks? I use those to join cabs and i always have to jacobs chuck it, Eric

mikey2 · « **Reply #18 on:** August 07, 2012, 11:39 PM »

They do not make tapered countersinks in Centrotec. They make replacement tapered drill bits, and you could replace the straight drill bit with a tapered bit, but the cost would be prohibitive.

ericbuggeln · « **Reply #19 on:** August 07, 2012, 11:58 PM »

Interesting Mikey, I did not know that was an option. I only use one of the three, not sure of the size, Eric

Gone · « **Reply #20 on:** August 08, 2012, 07:20 AM »

Its too bad Snappy hasn't made their carbide countersink in the centrotec shank. I've been using it for 3 years now and replaced the bit with an LV tapered drill.

John

MrToolJunkie · « **Reply #21 on:** August 08, 2012, 04:47 PM »

My sense is that if these are good selling items that they will only expand the offering...could be wrong. It is nice to see other manufacturers stepping in to offer things compatible with the Centrotec system -- these bits will supplement my Festool bits nicely.

Scot

ericbuggeln · « **Reply #22 on:** August 08, 2012, 04:54 PM »

Are you guys getting these tapered bits directly from Snappy? Eric

builderbob · « **Reply #23 on:** August 08, 2012, 09:39 PM »

Quote from: ericbuggeln on August 08, 2012, 04:54 PM

Are you guys getting these tapered bits directly from Snappy? Eric

Eric, Drew is going to be carrying these soon.

Bob

ericbuggeln · « **Reply #24 on:** August 08, 2012, 09:59 PM »

I have two untouched unused and one well worn. That sounds great. Give me a reason to go hang with those guys, Eric

mikey2 · « **Reply #25 on:** August 08, 2012, 10:32 PM »

Okay, tonight I looked at the tapered Snappy bits, and am not sure the replacement drill bit will fit in the straight bit body. The tapered bits are much larger in diameter, but the countersink part of the body is 3/8" for the smaller-to-mid sized screws. The straight screw bodies with the larger drill bit sizes have a larger countersink, which might be too large.

I suppose one could drill out a smaller body, but that might be too much work.

mastercabman · « **Reply #26 on:** August 20, 2012, 09:14 PM »

I did get a #2 sq drive bit over the weekend.Used it today and not sure i like it much.Did not fit the screws i used very well.All of my screws usually stays put on my other bits(without magnet)but this bit would not do it.It drove the screws until getting tighter,and it would start to cam out.
I m going to try some other screws tomorow and see what happens.

GhostFist · « **Reply #27 on:** August 20, 2012, 09:41 PM »

I find thats the problem with robertsons. You need good quality bits.

VSM_4 · « **Reply #28 on:** August 20, 2012, 09:51 PM »

I've been using #1 bit from Atlas today and it cam'd out a bunch with McFeely's screws. I think I got a dud batch of screws from them because even their own bits cam out.

leakyroof · « **Reply #29 on:** August 21, 2012, 09:35 AM »

Quote from: Vindingo on August 20, 2012, 09:51 PM

I've been using #1 bit from Atlas today and it cam'd out a bunch with McFeely's screws. I think I got a dud batch of screws from them because even their own bits cam out.

Do you have any No-Corrode screws from McFeely's? If so, try that Atlas bit in them and see if it fits any better. McFeely's sells 'undersized' tip bits to fit the heavier plating of the No-Corrode screws which can fill the square drive of the screw up and interfere with a bit fitting into the screw you're trying to install. This would maybe let you know just how undersized your Atlas bit is. Just a thought...