Centrotec 09 bit set

Which Centrotec Set would you prefer?

  • Metric (sooner)

    Votes: 70 69.3%
  • Imperial (later)

    Votes: 31 30.7%

  • Total voters
    101
Fastenal in Ottawa will sell to anyone with a heartbeat and a credit card.  I think your safe to assume they would sell you a box of screws.
 
Guys have made some really good points. I think the best and hopefully the one Festool will pick up on, is that it really is about the bits. Screw all the sys, sort options. We need bits. I spend a lot of time using the standard chuck so that I can drill bigger holes. Bits up to  min. 1" 1 1/8" would make drilling for me a lot easier. This really seems to be one of those situations where users don't care much about packaging and just want the product, drill bits. We have enough places already to store the bits.
 
Holzhacker said:
Guys have made some really good points. I think the best and hopefully the one Festool will pick up on, is that it really is about the bits. Screw all the sys, sort options. We need bits. I spend a lot of time using the standard chuck so that I can drill bigger holes. Bits up to  min. 1" 1 1/8" would make drilling for me a lot easier. This really seems to be one of those situations where users don't care much about packaging and just want the product, drill bits. We have enough places already to store the bits.

Okay, so what is this thread about, getting new bits, larger, more sizes and types or is it really about discounting the currently available bits in sets?

While I'd like to see both it might be unlikely to happen in the foreseeable future if at all. As Shane mentioned Festool USA can maybe put together some sort of set in a Sortainer (or some other container) of bits already for sale here in the short(er) term, can we as users work with that idea? 
 
Is this a stupid suggestion but how about modifying the drill so it can take a normal 1/4" hex shank and avoid the centrotec restriction all together?
 
Brice Burrell said:
Holzhacker said:
Guys have made some really good points. I think the best and hopefully the one Festool will pick up on, is that it really is about the bits. Screw all the sys, sort options. We need bits. I spend a lot of time using the standard chuck so that I can drill bigger holes. Bits up to  min. 1" 1 1/8" would make drilling for me a lot easier. This really seems to be one of those situations where users don't care much about packaging and just want the product, drill bits. We have enough places already to store the bits.

Okay, so what is this thread about, getting new bits, larger, more sizes and types or is it really about discounting the currently available bits in sets?

While I'd like to see both it might be unlikely to happen in the foreseeable future if at all. As Shane mentioned Festool USA can maybe put together some sort of set in a Sortainer (or some other container) of bits already for sale here in the short(er) term, can we as users work with that idea? 
Brice, I certainly thought that it was about the former, that is: "getting new bits, larger, more sizes and types"

The later is of little or no interest to me -and I think that goes for most of the folks who have responded to the thread.
 
Inner10 said:
Fastenal in Ottawa will sell to anyone with a heartbeat and a credit card.  I think your safe to assume they would sell you a box of screws.

Good to know.  Sadly they are the only place in AZ, an hour from where I live, and only open business hours.  The point I was trying to make earler up the thread is not that torx are unobtainable in the US, but that I can buy Phillips 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, grocery stores, Walmart, big box, etc.  Robertson, not so much. Just deck screws at the big box stores.  Torx, better not run short on a project or I'm waiting for mail order shipments or taking a 3 hour lunch and driving an hour each way to buy some.

I wish this were not the case, I prefer Torx to all.  I also wish we were on the metric system.
 
I always forget how much commotion the centrotec bit set threads drum up.

I just would like to have a nice set of drill bits, driver tips, and all those other cool little things you guys sell.

As mentioned earlier, if they are all bundled up in one package, we will save some money.

i could add up all the stuff that comes is those things, individually but, that would take too long.

I say just offer one's that were like the previous sets that were offered.
 
Brice Burrell said:
Okay, so what is this thread about, getting new bits, larger, more sizes and types or is it really about discounting the currently available bits in sets?

Hi, Brice.  Shane was the first person to respond to the OP, and he wrote:

Shane Holland said:
I do know that there have been discussions to work out details for a new Centrotec set offering in 2010 but I don't have a time frame or specifics on pricing or contents.  Members are encouraged, as always, to provide a wish list or ideas on their ideal contents for such a set.  Your feedback is always welcomed and appreciated and often times influences our decisions.

If I understand Shane correctly, he's asking what we'd like brought over from deutschland in 2010.  And if he's offering us the opportunity to wish for things, we might as well wish for 1 1/8" bits, spade bits, bits in increments of 0.5mm, etc.  But I like your idea of asking for a bit assortment we can buy now.

Regards,

John
 
Guys, I'm trying to give this thread some focus. We're all over the place and this isn't going to get us anywhere. It sounds like the idea of the Sortainer set is not the most popular, lets work with it or put it out of its misery. While I'm all for wishing for new bits I'd rather work with existing bits (sold in N. America) to make a set so something will actually happen in the foreseeable future. The problem as I see it, in these type threads we seem to only spin our wheels. Our opinions are much more valuable if they are focused. That starts by defining the subject more directly. Of course we aren't all going to agree on what that subject should be.  ;D

Maybe we should start a poll or a number of threads on possible future Centrotec sets to better focus the feedback.
 
Brice I beg to differ.  I just re-read the reponses to this thread and it appears to me that there are a large number of people resonding who want a wider selection of metric bits ASAP, want them at a fair price, and prefer not to pay for a container to hold them. 

What is so hard about the Festool in North America geting a few extra sizes of bits from Germany?  Any company that could notrespond quickly to such a demand seems to me to be out of touch with its customers.  And, I think that Festool is, for the most part, in touch with its customer.
 
why more  because why spend 10 to 15k on the best tools available  then not have best accsesoriies.
thats not smarter [wink]
why sortanier because unstacking systainers is not easier
smarter  [cool]
faster      [big grin]
easier        ;)
get them here and everyone will be ;D
 
No matter what it woul take at least 2 months or longer for anything to be put together in Germany before it would be here.

Unless someone is going out the warehouse and frankenstiening some bit sets together.

The whole point of the imperical ones taking longer is probably due to the fact that they currently dont make imperical bits.

Just put them in a systainer like they always were.  If I want them in a sortainer, I will do it myself with some of sortainers I all ready have.
 
Maybe if someone from Festool could provide a comprehensive list of the numerous Centrotec options then everyone could vote on which parts and pieces they're interested in.  That should provide enough detail for Festool to work with as opposed to, "Bring it and we'll buy it."
 
I got a feeling everybody is making his own interpretation of what Shane said.  ;)

I can't speak for the American market but I myself would agree with those who say a Centrotec set in a sortainer is too much. Gosh, the cost of a sortainer itself adds so much to the cost of the complete set, it's not nice anymore. I'm not even fond of the centrotec set coming in a systainer. It's too big for a case of bits. I got all my important bits in a 7 euro box that's only 5cm or 2'' high and 30cm/12'' wide. The systainer only adds to the price and there's a lot of bits in it that will never be used.

I myself would prefer smaller (disposable) packages with certain kinds of bits. I'm thinking of:

- a standard screw bit set like you see of all other brands. 8 bits like PZ1, PZ2, PZ3, PH1, PH2, PH3, Straight small and Straight big.
- a wood drill bit set 
- a stone drill bit set
- a concrete drill bit set
- a metal drill bit set
- a 3 or 4 piece countersink set of the most common sizes
- spade bit sets

I base this on what I use most, namely:

- Pz2 bit mostly. Pz1 sometimes, Pz3 rarely. Phillips, never, Straight, sometimes.
- wood bits 2 to 12 mm with 1 mm increments
- stone bits 4,5,6,7,8,10 mm
- concrete bits 6,8,10 mm for fischer plugs only.
- metal bits 1 to 10 mm with .5 mm increments
- countersinks 10,12,14,16 mm
- Spade bits 14,16,18,20,22,25,30,32,36 mm

 
Steve-CO said:
Maybe if someone from Festool could provide a comprehensive list of the numerous Centrotec options then everyone could vote on which parts and pieces they're interested in.  That should provide enough detail for Festool to work with as opposed to, "Bring it and we'll buy it."

Good idea.

Alex said:
I got a feeling everybody is making his own interpretation of what Shane said.  ;) ......

Alex, I think I'm guilty of that.

Alex said:
....I can't speak for the American market but I myself would agree with those who say a Centrotec set in a sortainer is too much. Gosh, the cost of a sortainer itself adds so much to the cost of the complete set, it's not nice anymore. I'm not even fond of the centrotec set coming in a systainer. It's too big for a case of bits. I got all my important bits in a 7 euro box that's only 5cm or 2'' high and 30cm/12'' wide. The systainer only adds to the price and there's a lot of bits in it that will never be used.

I myself would prefer smaller (disposable) packages with certain kinds of bits. I'm thinking of:

- a standard screw bit set like you see of all other brands. 8 bits like PZ1, PZ2, PZ3, PH1, PH2, PH3, Straight small and Straight big.
- a wood drill bit set 
- a stone drill bit set
- a concrete drill bit set
- a metal drill bit set
- a 3 or 4 piece countersink set of the most common sizes
- spade bit sets

I base this on what I use most, namely:

- Pz2 bit mostly. Pz1 sometimes, Pz3 rarely. Phillips, never, Straight, sometimes.
- wood bits 2 to 12 mm with 1 mm increments
- stone bits 4,5,6,7,8,10 mm
- concrete bits 6,8,10 mm for fischer plugs only.
- metal bits 1 to 10 mm with .5 mm increments
- countersinks 10,12,14,16 mm
- Spade bits 14,16,18,20,22,25,30,32,36 mm

I like your line of thought, alter this slightly to better fit the American market and you'd have a winner.
 
Brice Burrell said:
I like your line of thought, alter this slightly to better fit the American market and you'd have a winner.

Well, lets hear your list of most used bits then. I'm also curious. 

Since Shane asked for lists:
Shane Holland said:
Members are encouraged, as always, to provide a wish list or ideas on their ideal contents for such a set.  Your feedback is always welcomed and appreciated and often times influences our decisions.

I'd thought, lets give him one, because I don't think I've seen many yet. But since his inquiry doesn't really concern me as I'm not from your side of the pond but from Holland, Shane The Netherlands er... Holland :) will be better off hearing actual lists from you guys. So far I see most of this discussion go about the sortainer or the odd Robertson bit.

 
Alex said:
I'm not even fond of the centrotec set coming in a systainer. It's too big for a case of bits.

Yeah, or at least it's too big for any set of bits I'd use in one day.  Besides, I don't carry every tool in systainers, and don't desire to.

Alex said:
- a standard screw bit set like you see of all other brands. 8 bits like PZ1, PZ2, PZ3, PH1, PH2, PH3, Straight small and Straight big.
- a wood drill bit set 
- a stone drill bit set
- a concrete drill bit set
- a metal drill bit set
- a 3 or 4 piece countersink set of the most common sizes
- spade bit sets

Boom, there you go, and from a guy outside of our market.  Thanks, Alex.  I'd probably only be interested in one wood bit set in "regular" twist bits one in brad-point bits, the countersinks and some drivers.

Regards,

John
 
I also think Alex nailed it. I probably wouldn't buy all the sets but I certainly would buy at least half of them.

And yes, John, by wood bits I meant brad-points. I had a senior moment when I was posting and couldn't come up with the designation. I would have waited for it to pass but I keep getting older by the minute.  ::)

Shane,

What we really, really need is an emoticon for "I can't remember."
 
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