Centrotec-ing standard bits

[rmwarren]

Some things are so simple they plumb evade me...

Love the little TXS and Centrotec in general but I've been frustrated by the lack of available bits which has kept me from plunging further into the depths of Festool drills. Then I stumbled across this video:


Before/After:

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Tested this first on a #2 square bit using the drill press and then ordered a set of DW countersinks to convert. With the little Taig lathe, Foredom w/ carbide burr, flat file and chainsaw file they took a few minutes each after working out the wrinkles.

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Found another video by Paul-Marcel after the fact.


Enjoy.

RMW

 
 

 

[Cheese]

Just a can-do addition to this thread...I Centrotec'ed a set of Milwaukee titanium coated drill bits about a year ago. It's easily done with a lathe and some extra time, it took maybe an hour to complete the job. [cool]

 

[Naildrivingman]

I'm a wood guy first and foremost, so I'm now stepping in to the deep end.

If one were to do this on hardened steel, doesn't even that little bit of material removal for the secondary detent compromise the bit's strength?  If so, it's probably not a big deal when drilling wood; but if true, I imagine it would be when resistance is higher such as drilling steel or driving hardware.

I guess my mind tells me that altering hardened steel (post hardening) is like trying to cut tempered glass (post tempering).

Just thinkin, not sayin...

 

[Scorpion]

Was wrapping up in the shop and my lathe caught my attention...why not.  So the file knocking down the hex edge was easy.  I used a full length hex but (like the one on the left) and cut off the detent using a cutoff wheel.  Then used the city off wheel to make the detent relief.  Took maybe 5 minutes total.  Works like a champ.

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[ben_r_]

Yep, if Festool would just make a head for each of their drills that would accept standard 1/4" standard bits Id switch out all my DeWalt drills to Festool.

 

[Bob D.]

Yep, if Festool would just make a head for each of their drills that would accept standard 1/4" standard bits Id switch out all my DeWalt drills to Festool.

Do you mean something like a Centrotec chuck but for standard 1/4" hex bits?
That would be great.

 

[CADru]

Yep, if Festool would just make a head for each of their drills that would accept standard 1/4" standard bits Id switch out all my DeWalt drills to Festool.

Do you mean something like a Centrotec chuck but for standard 1/4" hex bits?
That would be great.

Yeah, that would be great! If I'm reading you guys right here's my work around from Snappy. Sorta like having a second chuck on the drill, a bit bulky but works

 

[Scorpion]

Yep, if Festool would just make a head for each of their drills that would accept standard 1/4" standard bits Id switch out all my DeWalt drills to Festool.

Do you mean something like a Centrotec chuck but for standard 1/4" hex bits?
That would be great.

Yeah, that would be great! If I'm reading you guys right here's my work around from Snappy. Sorta like having a second chuck on the drill, a bit bulky but works

Would be so simple to make a different chuck (differing only in where the detent is) for the Festool drills.  Such an accessory is a no brainer $25 part/accessory.

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[Samo]

  [bite tongue]

"Would be so simple to make a different chuck (differing only in where the detent is) for the Festool drills.  Such an accessory is a no brainer $25 part/accessory."

                                        [dead horse]

 

[Euclid]

But you'd then lose the really big, attractive feature of Centrotec: that the bit is driven by the output spindle (shaft) of the drill motor; that's only made possible by the detent being further along the shank.

It would need more than just the ball-and-detent in different place; it needs to grip the bit rotationally too, like a hybrid of the Snappy chuck (that CADru mentioned) and have something to both lock on like a Centrotec chuck and engage with the drill motor (a function normally fulfilled by the Centrotec bit) - but then you'd lose 'compactness' too (the second big C'tec attribute). I suspect there would be a rather greater propensity for 'slop' in such a system too.

Mind you, I only really use Centrotec or traditional plain-shanked bits (I never got into the generic quick-change format), so the Jacobs chuck is usually enough for me. YMMV!

 

[Scorpion]

  [bite tongue]

"Would be so simple to make a different chuck (differing only in where the detent is) for the Festool drills.  Such an accessory is a no brainer $25 part/accessory."

                                        [dead horse]

Yeah, yeah.  I got there organically after fabbin a bit.  Let my mind finish it's business and I'll move on. 

 

[Scorpion]

But you'd then lose the really big, attractive feature of Centrotec: that the bit is driven by the output spindle (shaft) of the drill motor; that's only made possible by the detent being further along the shank.

It would need more than just the ball-and-detent in different place; it needs to grip the bit rotationally too, like a hybrid of the Snappy chuck (that CADru mentioned) and have something to both lock on like a Centrotec chuck and engage with the drill motor (a function normally fulfilled by the Centrotec bit) - but then you'd lose 'compactness' too (the second big C'tec attribute). I suspect there would be a rather greater propensity for 'slop' in such a system too.

Mind you, I only really use Centrotec or traditional plain-shanked bits (I never got into the generic quick-change format), so the Jacobs chuck is usually enough for me. YMMV!

Think I'm the opposite.  I have about a half dozen Dewalt impacts that have been with me for years.  A few (retired now) are 20 yrs old?  Anyway, piles of bits follow that legacy.  Added festool drills around a year ago so I'm occasionally using a Jacobs instead of a quick change which pisses me off (not really, just sayin).  I'll adapt over time it might just take me a while.  Modifying bits here and there might help the time pass.

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[HarveyWildes]

...
"Would be so simple to make a different chuck (differing only in where the detent is) for the Festool drills.  Such an accessory is a no brainer $25 part/accessory."
...

$25 is the adaptor from Snappy.  A Festool chuck would be more like $60-$110.  Aside from that, you're right on.  I just sold a C18, and the absence of the chuck you're proposing had a lot to do with it.  I just kept reaching for my Milwaukee 12V when the C18 was right there, because it was easier to chuck the bits.  I can't justify $500+ if I keep reaching for the other tool.  So I sold it and bought a TS55 instead.

Maybe if I had seen this thread first...

 

[rmwarren]

...
"Would be so simple to make a different chuck (differing only in where the detent is) for the Festool drills.  Such an accessory is a no brainer $25 part/accessory."
...

$25 is the adaptor from Snappy.  A Festool chuck would be more like $60-$110.  Aside from that, you're right on.  I just sold a C18, and the absence of the chuck you're proposing had a lot to do with it.  I just kept reaching for my Milwaukee 12V when the C18 was right there, because it was easier to chuck the bits.  I can't justify $500+ if I keep reaching for the other tool.  So I sold it and bought a TS55 instead.

Maybe if I had seen this thread first...

That is exactly what has kept me from plunging into the C18 or PDC, as I have both the 18V DeWalt and 12V Milwaukee. I really want to love/use Centrotec, but the options are too limited. Hence, DIY Centrotec.

Before long I am going to be forced to upgrade the DW 18V. Newest batteries I have are 2013 vintage non-LI. I've been tempted to convert to DW 20V and get a battery adapter to keep using the 18V tools I have. Then I trip over the Centrotec installer kit and other bits and my mind goes into a tail spin again.

Dagnabbit. Spit. Sigh.

RMW

 

[Euclid]

I guess I'm luckier than most. I only had a very small inventory of regular quick-change detent bits (and in the past never really had much need for powered screwdriving) so when I needed to replace drills I went for a CXS and a DR18 - without the 'legacy' issues that many of you face.
I do have a fairly large inventory of drill bits in sizes and forms that (so far as I know) are not easily available in a hex-shank style of any sort, but of course that's what the Jacobs is for...

 

[Dick Mahany]

Many thanks to those who contributed this thread.  I just took delivery of my first Festool drill/driver T18, and was pondering how I could adapt the more readily available and less costly hex shank drills, to my new centrotec chuck.  The suggestions and ideas here, were a tremendous help !  The timing couldn't have been better.

I'm fortunate enough to have an old Chinese mini lathe and I think the money I saved on conversions paid for that little lathe  [big grin]

 

[rljatl]

I wish the Festool Centrotec bits included detents for standard 1/4" ball bearing and wire bit holding devices.  I know the Festool Centrotec 100mm bits are not impact rated, but it would be nice if they could be used in standard impact driver chucks.  For most uses, I think they would be plenty durable enough.