50mm Centrotec Bits

[Rick Herrick]

I am investigating moving more towards centrotec bits.  I wanted to get a start and I looked at sets here.

Festool Centrotec Bit Assortment (205088) $45
Festool 205090 Centrotec 12-Piece Bit Set $90

I know these are kind of expensive but I was hoping that FT quality and they were somehow more durable that other bits.  Any opinions on that?

I bought the $90 set and not sure it was a good move.  There are a couple of them I am sure I will never use.  But the bigger issue is that when you put these into a centrotec chuck, there isn't much of the bit showing.  I know that will work in some situations.  I know some will say to just put in a bit extender but why buy centrotec bits in this case?

Am I missing something?  Looks like I should just get the 100mm versions of the 5 that I use regularly (#2 PZ, #2 Phillips, #2 square, T20, T25) and leave it at that.

 

[semenza]

The 50mm bits are great for the purpose of making the driver + bit compact. Assuming that the bit is in a straight Centrotec chuck. As opposed to a three jaw (Jacobs) with an adapter. One of the really good aspects of the Centrotec is the compactness and light nose weight. 

Seth

 

[Rick Herrick]

Thanks Seth,

I can see this benefit for sure.  Assuming that is something I need, are these $10 bits really more durable than the other cousins out there?  I don't mind paying for quality and durability, just looking for confirmation these are top shelf bits.

 

[mac sparrow]

Hi Rick,

Interesting topic.  I made an odd decision last year which makes sense in my own head at least; I decided to sell all my Centrotec drill and drive bits for the same reason people complain about CT in the first place; lack of options.  I did however keep my Festool drills and Festool Centrotec to 1/4" bit holders.  This way I can still enjoy using Festool drills AND I have full access to all 1/4" bits in existence.  Yes it does mean the depth of my drills all now include a bit holder.

I went with Wiha 50mm bits and was able to order 50+ bits in nearly every head type I'm likely to come across.  Wiha bits are available in different lengths as well but 50mm was a length that was available across the range, which is not the case with say 70mm or 100mm bits.  The US has better access to Wiha bits and equipment than we do over the pond so I can't see a problem for you being able to access the bits you need from Wiha.

If you can get by with only Centrotec bits in your work then I see no reason not to go Centrotec if you enjoy using them.  It was simply the options I wanted access to.

Thank you

 

[Rick Herrick]

[member=26410]mackenzie[/member] Thanks for the write up.  Honestly, I think what you describe is probably the way I should go, at least for most of my drilling needs.  I would never give up these FT drills now that I have them.  I just need to get this bit situation figured out.

 

[mac sparrow]

I spent hours thinking about it and pouring through the Wiha catalogue to work out which bits I could get across the board and 50mm was the size.  People think me mad but I like to make a decision once and put full thought into it once and then never think about it again.  I have these bits now and will never need to think of them again.  In a perfect world I'd have preferred the bits be impact rated so I could use them in an impact OR electric/manual driver but now I'm just being super picky.

Drill bits.... well that's a different story.  I have had to accept that I'll have a mix of 1/4" shank drill bits and round shank drill bits.  I can get wood bits in 1/4" for all the one's I'd likely need but metal bits in 1/4" shank just don't have the variety.  Auger bits as well as Forstner bits are a pest as well when it comes to shank sizes and types; I get why.

The only thing I could absolutely standardise on was Wiha for drive, Famag for wood drill and Bosch for metal drill (cheap and easy to get hold of for my limited metal needs).

 

[mac sparrow]

I'll add, I was able to get hold of 3mm-13mm drill bits in 1/4" shank from Famag as well as the stubby sizes up to 10mm from memory.

 

[Rick Herrick]

Do you have a pointer to the 50 packs?  I am finding the Wiha impacts in packs of 10 so far (on their site).  I found 30 packs of non-impact on Amazon.

 

[rst]

I use Wera bit holders and bits that I buy from Chadstoolbox.com.  Chads has a 115% price match and they distribute to dealers.  Any time I find a Wera part # I check it against Chads. and have gotten the discount a couple times.  The Wera holders are exactly the same as the 1/4" holders Festool is selling.  While I have quite a few of the Centroc drill sets, my go to work drills are Milwaukee's impact 1/4" impact sets and hole saws.

 

[mac sparrow]

[member=72312]Rick Herrick[/member] I bought 50 x individual drive bits i.e 1 x PZ2, 1 x PZ3, 1 x TX20, 1 x Slotted 8... etc  Had to go through the catalogue and weed out the part numbers and find a supplier that had the ability to order them all as not all were in stock.

 

[PreferrablyWood]

I'm waiting for a better price on som 50mm Centrotec bits In PH, PZ, and the most common tori sizes that would not need a bit holder but fit directly in the Centrotec Chuck. I have a PDC with the Centrotec; brad point drill, bits stone/masonariy bits, as well as the Centrotecc Forstner set and HSS metal bit sets. The 50 mm Centrotec bits would be an obvious upgrade compared to a bit holder plus 25mm bit. Having all Centrotec options is something I like very much because of the ease of switching between drilling and screwing. The size of the centrotec chuck being  so compact and light on a small drill like the CXS really shines. The Jacobs chuck on the PDC is huge but not front heavy. Clearance can be an issue.

Expensive but in the long run for me at least worth it.

 

[Rick Herrick]

What I am looking for now is input on the durability of the FT 50mm centrotec bits.  At ~ $10 a piece, will they hold up?  I don't see they are impact rated.  I am a hobbyist weekender so they won't get beat to death all day.

 

[PreferrablyWood]

What I am looking for now is input on the durability of the FT 50mm centrotec bits.  At ~ $10 a piece, will they hold up?  I don't see they are impact rated.  I am a hobbyist weekender so they won't get beat to death all day.

I'm looking to get the new version 50mm Centrotec 2 bits. They most likely more expensive than 10 bucks bought individually but will be very durable. If you need impact rated bits then that's what you should buy. For non impact use the Festool bits are on par with other makes like wiha in fact I remember reading that they were made by wiha.

 

[PreferrablyWood]

Because of this thread I just bought the Centrotec 50mm bits set as an attic lid insert that I've been on the fence about. Bit-Sortiment DB CE 50/12-Set 1, 205089  Crazy that it's so expensive but it fits the small centrotec chuck and with the CXS opens up a new very compact funtionality for that drill. That combined with stubby centrotec brad point bits will make installation work in tight quarters a breeze.

Oh and by the way the set is the same as the one  mentioned by the OP costing $90 just a different number  in europe.

I'll report back when I receive them, hope for speedy delivery..but they warn of possible delays because of covid 19.

 

[PreferrablyWood]

Well the Centortec 50mm bits I ordered are already shipped.

Not sure how I can vouch for the durability as I don't really want to put the set through a torture test. I treat my gear with care normally and haven't really had problems with my driver bits from any manufacturer to tell the truth. Drill bits from Festool have proven to be extremely robust, the bradpoint bits I've had now for 8 years hold up extremely well, as do the HSS steel centrotec bits.

The stone bits are fine though in exceptionally hard materials can be a challenge. I loaned the PDC with a 5mm bit out to someone and It came back ruined.

 

[Rick Herrick]

[member=23193]PreferrablyWood[/member]  I don't necessarily need impact bits, just thought they would be tougher, in the long run.  Like you, I don't plan on beating my bits up.  The ones that I bought (same as you, different part number) look like solid bits so I hope they will be a good addition.  Hopefully yours work for you as well.

 

[PreferrablyWood]

[member=23193]PreferrablyWood[/member]  I don't necessarily need impact bits, just thought they would be tougher, in the long run.  Like you, I don't plan on beating my bits up.  The ones that I bought (same as you, different part number) look like solid bits so I hope they will be a good addition.  Hopefully yours work for you as well.

Used my centrotec 50mm torx 15 and phillips PH2 they both were nice and strong and allowed maximum clearance in a tight spot. My Centrotec 8mm  countersink is pretty dull so in that application with small clearance  I'd wished for a little foresight and included one in my last order.