Alternative Centrotec bits in Europe?

[city17]

Hi all, I've just purchased the CXS and am looking at a few Centrotec drill bits. In North America there are a few more affordable ones available by Snappy (this set for example), but I can't really find them for a good price in Europe.

Also there were some Fisch ones, but I can't really find them anywhere except Axminster and they're not that cheap either. In the end neither option really saves much compared to the Festool ones.

I was wondering if there are any other options for aftermarket Centrotec drills and bits (in Europe)?

 

[tomktest]

Hi

Congrats on the purchase. Yep I sure you will love it.

See my reply in another topic. I’d just make your own by “centrotecing” standard hex bits
https://www.festoolownersgroup.com/...es/larger-centrotec-installers-kit-in-canada/

I would grab the new Festool Centrotec bit holder even though it is a bit pricey.

 

[FestitaMakool]

You can also buy the small Festool drill bit sets. They are of high quality (Brad point bits).
Compared to “universal” brad points of high quality they are not that much more expensive (if looking at brand drill bits)
There’s also this set that has Centrotec shank with standard drill bits inserted into a socket.
Then you would have an option to use whatever standard drill bits you may need or want.
The Centrotec shanks should last some good time.

I’m from Europe too, and apart from Snappy, and Fisch here in Europe I haven’t seen any other Centrotec compatible drill bits, nor any screw bits with 50mm or longer shanks.

 

[Jim_in_PA]

Check with Axminster in the UK...they have, I believe, quite a bit of Centrotec compatible stuff.

 

[Euclid]

Do bear in mind that the Festool-branded bits (the 'regular' 'HSS' bits, not the brad points) come with the shank/holder and three bits - so in the long term they are not quite a expensive as they might appear.

 

[city17]

Thanks all, too bad there aren't more options. Centrotec seems like a good system, if Festool opened it up it would make their drills more attractive - You'd think they would make more money that way than with the current higher margins on their own bits.

Don't have a drill press at the moment, so centrotec'ing them myself is not really an option. I guess I'll try to find some deals on the Festool bits.

[member=76739]TomK_2[/member] I did indeed get the new Wera-like holder in a set with some regular Festool bits, it looks quite nice.

 

[mino]

Thanks all, too bad there aren't more options. Centrotec seems like a good system, if Festool opened it up it would make their drills more attractive - You'd think they would make more money that way than with the current higher margins on their own bits.

Don't have a drill press at the moment, so centrotec'ing them myself is not really an option. I guess I'll try to find some deals on the Festool bits.

[member=76739]TomK_2[/member] I did indeed get the new Wera-like holder in a set with some regular Festool bits, it looks quite nice.

Centrotec is opened today as the patents have expired long ago. It is just the market is not really here /anymore/.

That is why the likes of Metabo and Dewalt used the Centro-tec-like chuck systems on some of their drills.

Back in the 90s when Festool with Centrotec there were effectively no high-end/high-precision "standard" hex bits on the market so Centrotec was like something from another planet. It brought options which were simply unfeasible otherwise.

Over the 30 years the market has moved as the manufacturing was improved to allow making pretty good bit holders based on the 1/4 hex standard. This has removed like 90% of the appeal of Centrotec for the casual users - and for tool makers.

Wera and the likes would rather sell you their own "high-precision-hex" solutions than support a competitor like Festool.

There are still benefits to it. The quick-change chuck interface is best on the market. And the Centrotec chuck is STILL better than any hex-based holder even if not the game changer it once was.

Festool understands this and they do not push their customer to Centrotec-only. The chuck system is good on its own. And the specialist bits still benefit from the Centrotec interface /and their price is not such a concern there/.

But Festool clearly does not see Centrotec as the be-all for screw bits anymore. That is why they pulled in the locking bit holders, eventually settling on the Wera licensed one.

The US market is bigger so there is the space for specialist makers like Snappy. In Europe the markets are more fragmented, so unless someone like Wera or Wiha "goes in", I do not see the situation improving much. Not that it is a problem in practice. The Jacobs is just fine for non-bradpoint and Centrotec Chuck + the new BHS is such a treat to use to.