C12 Cordless and square drive?

[Steven in Iowa]

Has anybody heard whether a #2 square drive is available for the Festool C12 yet?

 

[JimRay]

Steven:

We have been working on this for several years (Really). I think that a solution is on the way, but it is probably several months away, at the minimum. In the meantime, the only real option is insert bits in the adapter.

 

[Dan Clark]

Has anybody heard whether a #2 square drive is available for the Festool C12 yet?

Steven,

I can understand why people want native CentroTec drill bits, but why the concern about a screw bit?  I've been using 1" flat, Phillips, square, and Torx bits in my C12 for over a year with no problems.  Having screwed in about 4,000 to 5,000 screws, I prefer the standard, replaceable bits. 

Regards,

Dan.

 

[ejantny]

If I had a #2 square drive bit I'd be able to use it with pocket hole screws. I think this is the reason people want them available.

 

[Steven in Iowa]

Dan,
  I realize they will work with all of the standard bits, but I use pocket screws for lots of things other than their intended use.  That's why I wondered about the square drive availability.

 

[Dan Clark]

I think I see the issue now.  I've been able sink some pocket hole screws using a 2" ball detent bit in my CentroTech.  It's not perfect, but it does work.  But...

The Kreg pocket hole drill bit drills a hole 9.5mm in diameter.  The Festool standard bit holder is 9.6mm in diameter.  It won't fit. 

A workaround is to use the longer ball detent bits.  I believe McFeely's has them up to 6" long.

Regards,

Dan.

 

[Sam Blasco]

I got this gun with assembly and field work in mind, so the centrex system was attractive.  I am firmly committed to, content with, won't be without them, square drives.  Use them for everything.  Interior and exterior work.  I'm getting by with my magzilla bit changer in the standard drill head attachment for the C12 until the "someday" centrex square drives are available.  I am actually a little underwhelmed with the gun in general -- finding it kinda "whippy" for the torgue it has, balance wise, and the clutch settings are very fussy to find the one that works just right, especially in the lower settings.  I do like it in the field with all the heads, but will be switching to a good impact driver for assembly work in the shop.

 

[Dave Ronyak]

I think I see the issue now.   ...
The Kreg pocket hole drill bit drills a hole 9.5mm in diameter.  The Festool is 9.6mm in diameter.  It won't fit.   

A workaround is to use the longer ball detent bits.   I believe McFeely's has them up to 6" long.

Regards,

Dan.

This may be viewed as blasphemy on this forum, but is it possible to chuck the Festool bit holder in a drill press (or your Shopsmith in lathe mode, and take a file and some aluminum oxide sandpaper and remove that 0.1 mm?  I have no idea what the wall thickness of that bit holder is, and I realize this will destroy any anti-corrosion coating on the steel.  I do not often use pocket screws.

Dave R.

 

[Dan Clark]

Hi.  I understand and respect that there is a demand for a native CentroTec square drive bit.  However, I still don't know where people are getting the impression that you can't use square drive screws WITH a Kreg jig using a Festool C12 plus bit holders.

This is a standard #2, 2" square drive, ball detent bit that I bought at Lowes tonight: 

Here's a link to McFeely's page of color coded square drive bits from #0 to #3 bits from 1" to 6" long: http://www.mcfeelys.com/subcat.asp?sid=480.  Loads of options.

This is a pic of a Kreg square drive screw, my 2" #2 bit in my "Bit holder BH 60 CE magnetic", and my "Bit holder BHS 65 with collet":

.

Here are two pics showing how either can be used to screw in a Kreg Pocket Hole screw:
BHS60

BHS65

Both worked fine for me.  The only difference that I can see is that BHS60 is made for wire detent bits and the ball detent bit wobbles slightly.  It won't fall out, but it just is slightly loose.  For drill bits that would be an issue.  For pocket hole screws, I don't seen any problems. 

The BHS65 is made for ball detent bits and holds the ball detent bit snugly.  But, if you crank the holder down close to the wood, the collar can rub slightly.  Neither of these bother me at all.  Depending on application, I'd choose one over the other.  But both work fine.

Are they perfect?  No.  To be sure, having a native CentroTec square drive bit would be better.  Assuming that I rated a native bit as a 10, I'd still rate either of these between 7 and 9 depending on application.  They work very nicely for me.

If you want to use square drive screws, even using a Kreg jig, don't let the C12 stop you.  These two options should work nicely until a native square drive bit shows up.

Regards,

Dan.

 

[semenza]

Hi,

    Yes, there are any number of ways to use various bits and holders to drive square drive screws with the C12. Its just that it would be nice to use the slick CENTROTEC chuck the way it is intended without  holders etc. IMO

Seth Semenza

 

[Dan Clark]

In theory, that would be nice.  However, I view a bit as a consumable, not an accessory.  CentroTec bits are about $7.5 a piece! 

Regards,

Dan.

 

[mysterium]

These have been "coming" for a year and a half PLUS...

Like they say in Jamaica....

"Soon cum....."

Must be another "UL" hold up.....

jim

 

[Warrior]

How about torx drive pockt hole screws.http://www.grkfasteners.com/en/PAN_0_information.htm