Centro chuck

[yansomeski]

Hi all
A bit new to festool!!!
But nit new to Carpentry!!30yrs in the making/ Makita/Dewalt
Can you put a normal 6mm/1/4in driver bit in a festool if you remove the centro chuck? seems to be a bit loose? and the chuck seems to have its own size if you remove the driver bit (Der)

 

[eddomak]

Hi - welcome to the FOG,

The standard 1/4 inch driver bits "fit", but as you noticed, are a little loose, and also there is no magnetic force or wire detent to hold them in.

In theory you should be using drill -> centrotec chuck -> 1/4 inch adapter -> driver bit.

With the 1/4 inch adapter there is the cheaper magnetic bit holder, or there is the locking one. But if you go the 2nd one, you might as well spend $AUD3 more for the set which includes the bits themselves.

 

[mrboult]

My CXS holds bits very well and there is definitely a magnetic in there too.  I also feel the right angle adapter has a magnet in too, the bit has certainly never fallen out of it.

Right now I can't remember what my PDC is like, I have a feeling the bits don't stay in as well as the CXS.

 

[sgt_rjp]

I think it depends on what drill you have.  I think all the current generation drills can receive a standard bit without a chuck installed, but I think there were some older drills that didn't.  As mrB said, the CXS has a magnet.  The T18 actually has a spring detent holder.  The only other drill I have is the TI15, and I think it will, but I can't remember for sure. 

I've seen some hostility toward Festool concerning the Centrotec and I really can't understand it.  Yes it's expensive and there are very few third parties making compatible accessories, but it's an excellent system if you choose to embrace it.  That said, you don't necessarily have to completely embrace it.  I've had my CXS for 2 years now, and still mainly use standard bits either with no chuck, or in the bit holder.  I bought the locking bit holder but have been happy with the basic one. 

I will say that I've been a little frustrated with the holder that came with the T18.  There's something up with the spring.  Sometimes the bit slips right in, but most of the time you have to fiddle with it to get it in.  I've been meaning to contact support to see if something can be done.  That's the new impact driver, the old holder that came with the CXS has never been a problem.

 

[tbellemare]

The Centrotec chuck is a retainer and alignment mechanism for Centrotec bits, it doesn't drive them. They are driven by the fact that they engage in an internal 1/4" hex in the output shaft of the drill. Any 1/4" hex shank can also be inserted into the output shaft. It is the shortest stack and works well for tight spots.

Centrotec bits are essentially 1/4" hex shaft drive bits with the corners abbreviated and a ball-detent groove that is farther away from the drive end of the bit than a typical ball-detent bit. The reason a normal 1/4" hex drive bit won't pass through the Centrotec chuck is that the corners get in the way. The reason they can't be held in place, even if the corners are ground down, is that the ball-detent groove is in the wrong place.

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Tom