Centrotec Installers Set 498796

[stairman]

I'm building up this week's Festool order,  and I keep adding then removing the Centrotec Installer Set...  -having a tough time deciding on this one, and would like to hear from anyone who has ponied up the $425 for this set?  ???

I know Festool Quality and performance,  but I gotta say, $425 seems like a LOT for  a bit and driver set,  even one as nice as this!

I use almost nothing but Festool,  and this has made so many benefits and even earned me more work,  - I almost feel embarrassed to ask this,  but:
Is this set worth the price? [embarassed]

better yet,  has the addition of this set been justified and how?

 

[Guy Ashley]

Stairman

Dave Reinhold has done a review on the set which might give you more help in your decision making

Festool Centrotec Set (2011)

I have been tempted by it but it has some things I would not use, and is missing quite a few things that would make it a more useful item to me, greater range of hinge bit guides, wood spade bits, etc.

Guy

 

[RonMiller]

I had the same back and forth but finally went for it when I got my CXS. I'm predominently a cabinet installer and love organization, so now I wonder why I waited so long to get this. It's not a perfect set but I've used many more pieces than I expected, I love knowing at the end of the day that I have every piece, the quality is excellent (even that crazy hand screwdriver!), and it has definitely made my work more efficient. It has also really impressed the last couple of clients, so that's good too. I'm sure this set isn't for everyone but for me, it's been an excellent addition to my work tools.

 

[ajones]

I had the same back and forth but finally went for it when I got my CXS. I'm predominently a cabinet installer and love organization, so now I wonder why I waited so long to get this. It's not a perfect set but I've used many more pieces than I expected, I love knowing at the end of the day that I have every piece, the quality is excellent (even that crazy hand screwdriver!), and it has definitely made my work more efficient. It has also really impressed the last couple of clients, so that's good too. I'm sure this set isn't for everyone but for me, it's been an excellent addition to my work tools.

I think that the set is for everyone who has a festool drill it is just the price point that is an issue for some.

 

[davee]

I went back and forth on this one as well.  I finally bought it and love the convenience and organization.  As long as I have the set I've not been without the bit I needed at the moment (except the square head which I've added on my own).  I still wince at the cost and try not to think about it!

 

[ccarrolladams]

For me buying Centrotec sets was a no brainer.

My cabinet shop and business is based on the concept of hiring the very best people I can find and then reduce their frustration. This means they not only need appropriate tools but also the space in which to work without asking someone else to move.

Although only 3 of my cabinet makers leave the shop to perform installs. I pre-ordered one Centrotec set for each of us plus one for the shop. It can be over 150' from some assembly locations in my shop to the tool crib. Thus saving just a few such trips a week will soon pay for those sets.

 

[PeterK]

I have looked at this set several times. As I have purchased so many of the pieces individually over the years, I just can't see urchasing it although I would love the organization. Just don't need duplicates or triplicates of many of the pieces.

 

[woodwreck]

Interesting question that many have been wrestling with. Yesterday I posted the same question, looking for a same solution and received the same range of issues - $450 price, flexibility, and mix and match of contents in two trays.

Yesterday I went to a local dealer because the Festool web site and paper catalogs' photos are so abysmal, to see the alternatives available. The Sortainers I learned, come in mixes of all combinations of 1 to 3 rows of small (3 1/4" wide), medium (6 1/4") wide, and large (full 11 1/4").

Given the issue that everyone has of the $450 kit's content mix, I ordered a Sortainer made of all 3 size drawers. The $450 one , mentioned here comes with 2 Centrotic Drives and several bit holders which had already arrived with each of my drills, at up to $30 @ for the snap model purchased separately. (Ouch)

Bottom line is that the mix of drawer sizes I ordered, small, medium, and large should carry the huge hodge podge I already have at no further expense with room for the inevitable future additions. Cost of the Sortainer was $145.

 

[MrToolJunkie]

I'm building up this week's Festool order,  and I keep adding then removing the Centrotec Installer Set...  -having a tough time deciding on this one, and would like to hear from anyone who has ponied up the $425 for this set?  ???

I know Festool Quality and performance,  but I gotta say, $425 seems like a LOT for  a bit and driver set,  even one as nice as this!

I use almost nothing but Festool,  and this has made so many benefits and even earned me more work,   - I almost feel embarrassed to ask this,  but:
Is this set worth the price? [embarassed]

better yet,  has the addition of this set been justified and how?

As others have said, it is not for everyone.  I debated on this one too, but in the end, it is a great kit and the pieces are top-notch.  I use the hand-driver all the time and I really find the longer drivers to be particularly useful.  The drills bits are razor sharp and some of the nicest quality that I have seen and having everything in a neat and tidy kit that you can grab and move to the work is a real plus too.  It would be nice if it contained some T10 torx bits and maybe a few more of the self-centering bits, but you can always add those as you need them.  It is a lot of money, but like wiht any things, you forget the cost once you have it and I am glad that I got mine.

Scot

 

[woodwreck]

I agree with everything Scott said and the quality of the proprietary parts agreed,  is the best. But I forgot a comment in my note....   a main purpose of the product is to have everything in one grabbable systainer-compatible container. But, since it is so compact everything has its notch, and there is no room to add. As a corollary, anything for which you have no use, once removed, the space is pretty useless so what do you do? - you add another hardware store small box for the extras. And, the biggie is packed in two tight trays, where the Sysorter is available in three rows if that happens to fit your needs.

And, as to the contents, while the drills of all flavors are top notch, the large selection of various length screw driver/wire ring snap in bits are pretty much run of the mill retail available.

So, if Fstl just sold these with a check list of contents you could mix and pick to include, it would be just great  ;D !

 

[andvari]

The thing that disturbed me most about the review was the comment that replacements for some of the bits weren't available individually.

Otherwise I think that it would be pretty attractive to someone who goes to job sites a lot.

 

[Jonhilgen]

As someone who installs high end cabinets for a living I just can't see the need for an entire systainer filled with bits that I have very little or no need for.

Go to's on the jobsite day in and day out:

1 1/8" spade bit for drilling out water lines in backs of cabinets, and other spade bits in same case
Various hole saws for drilling out  drain lines in backs of cabinets.
Tapered drill bit/countersink bits for predrilling holes to join cabinets and attaching cabinets to walls
-same bit used for drilling door/drawer hardware.  Tapered bit makes it easier to see pencil line on doors/drawers
Four drill bits (tops) from 1/8" to 1/2 for various drilling purposes
35 mm forstner bit for an occasional door hinging.
Kreg pocket hole jig

I can fit all of these bits in my existing drill systainers and replace any if these bits for a fraction of the cost.  I believe in the value of festools more than many (which I will catalogue in another post shortly), but this is nothing short of a joke to say this is an installers set.  What the heck are you guys installing that you need 15 Philips, torx, flat head and other drivers at any given time?  All I can picture is a basketball team each with their own drill looking for something to do...

I know, different strokes for different folks...but 425.00.  Really? 

Jon

 

[mouppe]

The value of this set has been debated previously on the FOG, some think it's worth it, some don't. I don't think the two camps will ever reach agreement.

For me, I pre-ordered one in the UK in September 2010 and have been really happy with it ever since. Sure, many of the bits I rarely use (the hook driver comes to mind  [scratch chin], and I have added bits and switched some for others, but the convenience of having everything I need in one systainer (attached to my C12 systainer) outweighs almost everything.

 

[fritter63]

But, since it is so compact everything has its notch, and there is no room to add.

I have to disagree. I found there are four or five empty pockets on the bottom tray, and I was able to add extras such as my Vix bits and nut drivers.

 

[Dave Schwarzkopf]

Warning:  This opinion is heavily tempered by the several bottles of wine I've shard with my neighbors.  I'm a hobbyist who likes to build furniture for friends/family NOT a professional/full time/cabinet maker or anything resembling 'for profit'.

I just bought the set earlier in the month, and I'd only give it a yes if you:

1.  Are absolutely in love with everything centrotec and cannot stand the idea of switching back to a regular chuck, (no matter how easy it may be)

2.  Are an extremely anal retentive person who needs a place for everything and gets bent out of shape whenever something is 'out of place' or doesn't look like it was made/manufactured to be there.

or

3.  Does installing for a living and has some chance of using 80%+ of what's included, (like the hook driver and/or several of the specialty bits that I *might* use one of in the next decade).

#2 applies to me, so I'm reasonably happy.  If Wera sold a similar systainer w/ maybe some Miebach 5 star Colts or Famags for drill bits, I think you'd be better off.  Don't get me wrong, it's great knowing that I've got a pretty complete set, and I do love the level of organization, but I still reach for my wera or felo screwdrivers even if the festool is nearby, and I haven't yet found a drill bit to compare to Colt 5 stars.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that if you could find a semi regular use for an MFT, an OF 1400, an HL 850, an 8' rail etc etc etc, you'd probably get more mileage out of that and just use what kit you likely already own.

 

[stairman]

Dave...  DAVE! [eek]  Why'd you have to do that...      -OK,  so how many others had to look up the names Dave dropped?
-I did  [embarassed] 

http://colt-tools.com/en/catalogue/

http://www.famag.com/en/news/2009_02_17.aspx

I think I would just buy the Centrotec kit without another thought IF the Festool ZOBO kit was included...  as it stands, I'm going to have to put this one on the back burner until I have a bit more "extra" cash on hand...

I've been keeping all bits and drivers in a SOrtainer, and I have excellent organization this way.  I am sure the Installers kit will be a fantastic addition,  -later...  but for now, I am going to HAVE to find some Zobo, Famag or colt bits in some various sizes besides the typical 15mm, 20mm, 25mm, 30mm and 35mm sets,  since,  -as you may gather from my username...  I build stairs for a living,  and could greatly benefit from these bits,  but  don't see Festool dealers listing anything but the set, so I may have to go to one of the others to find what I need.

thanks for all the input on the Centrotec set.  I can tell from the rhetoric, that those who own these,  as with all Festool purchases,  -have no regrets!

 

[vwdave]

I really enjoy the set and since buying it I really appreciate the centrotec system.  I think if you do not already own a bunch of centrotec items and have a festool drill you will find this set extremely useful.  Shane mentioned that you will be able to buy most of the items in the set separately if something were to happen to them.  The stubby metric bits will not be sold separately as well as individual drill bit replacements for the imperial drill bit set.  I really wish I could get replacements for the imperial set because they are some superior drill bits.  I can't get get over how sharp they are, I get a super clean hole when drilling out knobs in finished cabinetry.  

I stacked my centrotec kit on a sys1 sortainer so I could add the other items I use on most of my installs.  Here is some pics of how my setup sits now.

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Dave

 

[Dave Schwarzkopf]

Errr, sorry about that.  I will say that you won't regret the Miebach Colt 5 stars if you do end up getting some during a moment of weakness.  They do have a one-step down variety the Twinland; either way The Best Things has some of the better pricing on them.

 

[woodwreck]

But, since it is so compact everything has its notch, and there is no room to add.

I have to disagree. I found there are four or five empty pockets on the bottom tray, and I was able to add extras such as my Vix bits and nut drivers.

Apparently I (mis)spoke or was interpreted a little too literally, but the point was that compared to a Sortainer, the flexibility in space is minimal. Thx.

 

[Kev]

You know - I think Tupperware parties are an insane, stupid, moronic load of rubbish ... But if somebody invited me to a systainer/tanos party - I'd go!