CENTROTEC Bit Set with Systainer?

[Administrator_JSVN]

I have to ask... does it really matter whether a drill bit is metric or imperial?  [scratch chin]

After all, I compare the shank on my screw and choose a drill bit that's the right size.

 

[Jesse Cloud]

I have to ask... does it really matter whether a drill bit is metric or imperial?  [scratch chin]

After all, I compare the shank on my screw and choose a drill bit that's the right size.

Good question!  Made me think (ouch!)
There are some times (not usually with screws) where the hole needs to be spot on.  You want dowels and other round tenons to fit snugly.  Clearance holes for bolts or hardware may need to be snug.  At least in my neighborhood, dowels and hardware are imperial.
Of course, the more different sizes of metric you have, the closer you can get to an imperial measurement. [big grin]

 

[RONWEN]

I have to ask... does it really matter whether a drill bit is metric or imperial?  [scratch chin]

After all, I compare the shank on my screw and choose a drill bit that's the right size.

Apparently the Festool engineers think so...  [smile]

 

[peter halle]

I believe that the record will show that the Festool drill bit sets that were brought into the US last year were Imperial due to the demand of the members here as well as other users. Festool USA does listen.

Peter

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Apparently the Festool engineers think so...  [smile]

Bah! What do they know?!  [tongue]

Just wanted to provoke you guys to think this one through before deciding. That's all.

Plus, what Peter said.

 

[gojira]

I got the centrotec bit set in systainer back when it was first offered and I have been happy to have it on a number of occasions. My only question is why does Festool not make bits (and centrotec shanks for them) smaller than 3mm. I e-mailed Festool USA once and they confirmed that no Festool bits smaller than 3mm are available (at least in NA).

 

[ccarrolladams]

While it can be convenient to use CENTRONIC bits, that can be expensive in the smaller sizes.

Sure, I do own brad-point bits in both metric and imperial sizes up to 12mm and 1/2"  However, I also own several styles of metal cutting drill bits, also in both metric and imperial. Over the years I have become comfortable using USA number sizes below 0.250" I buy all the sizes I use often by the dozen. Depending on the type of wood, I either use a spring-activated center punch, as I would do if drilling metal, or an awl. That indentation serves as the brad point, but in smaller sizes those drill bits are far less expensive.

 

[RONWEN]

Apparently the Festool engineers think so...  [smile]

Bah! What do they know?!  [tongue]

Just wanted to provoke you guys to think this one through before deciding. That's all.

Plus, what Peter said.

Your point is well taken.  Unlike metalworking, close enough works most of the time with holes drilled in wood.

 

[fdengel]

I have to ask... does it really matter whether a drill bit is metric or imperial?  [scratch chin]

After all, I compare the shank on my screw and choose a drill bit that's the right size.

That's fine if you are just pre-drilling for screws, but there are times when it matters a great deal.  Even 1/64" (or .5 mm) of difference can really mess up the holes I drill to glue tubes into pen blanks for fitting them onto the mandrel on the lathe... if the hole is slightly too small, the tube won't fit  :; if it is slightly too large, the glue can give way within the workpiece and the tube starts coming out of the blank when I take it off the lathe (or worse, while I'm using the pen  ).  Precision counts... and so do strange sizes (out of curiosity, can anyone think of another form of woodworking in which it would be critical to have both 11/64" and 13/64" drill bits?)

 

[mark_proulx]

I just joined this forum, having just purchased my first Festool - a T12+3 Cordless drill kit...

With regard to this topic...did Festool ever bring to the U.S. market a Centrotec set (ideally in a Systainer)?

 

[GPowers]

Yes they have, BUT only for a limited time.