Centrotec Installers Set...to buy or not to buy?

[Naildrivingman]

I have an opportunity to purchase a centrotec installers set.  This particular one does not have the attic on the SYS.

I would be interested to know FOGers thoughts who own or owned the kit. Do you feel it is worth the investment?  At FTs a la carte prices, it does not take many purchases to exceed $100.  This particular kit is $300 and it is complete except a few individual tip inserts.

All thoughts are appreciated.

 

[tjbnwi]

I like my installer kit. Have no clue which one it is, but it works for me.

Tom

 

[Bob D.]

Which kit (by part number) are you looking at?

Imperial or metric.

Is there anything in there you don't have already that it would be worth the expense to pick up the whole kit?

 

[Naildrivingman]

Which kit (by part number) are you looking at?

Imperial or metric.

Is there anything in there you don't have already that it would be worth the expense to pick up the whole kit?

I don't know the kit number as it is used and discontinued. I'm not sure if imp or metric. It is an NA version and about 2 years old.

I only have the basic centrotec quick change bit holder. If I were to buy the locking bit holder, long bit holder, counter sink bit and chamfer bit, my total would be at least $100.

 

[Atonwa]

I recently purchased a brand new NA installers kit. Was by chance in the comments of a Facebook post that someone had found one. I contacted the company selling and it was at the actual cost and arrived in less than a week. It's set #201312.

I thought about putting a set together myself but it's so nice having everything and organized in a systainer. I really use it a lot now that I have it because of all my Festool purchases that was the toughest $$$ to swallow.

Also Toolnut has the attic lid as a separate piece to purchase so I added one to my set to hold even more items. It's gone up in price a bit from when I purchased but it's a nice addition.

 

[ear3]

I can tell you I have used the screw/cup hook driver i got the imperial one with the fancy wood bits a few years ago when it was on sale for 299.  I can tell you that i have used the screw/cup hook driver much more than I would have imagined.  I've run through most of the spare driver bits as well, and have had to start replacing them.  A couple of times the stubby drill bits have saved my bacon.  The centrotec screwdriver set is also extremely useful.

Worth it? Jury is still out. What is really convenient is having everything together,  so I can just grab and go when I'm going to do site work, as opposed to fishing around for everything.

 

[#Tee]

i didnt care too much for the kit at first ( TOOO EXPENSIVE) ...then months goes by i ended up buying about 65% of whats in the kit piece by piece. now 300 dont sound soo bad thinking the that the systainer is about 80 alone.

 

[BJM9818]

I bought it along with my CXS back in 2012. It has stayed attached to my CXS case ever since. While it's expensive, it does contain almost everything you need and has room to store other items like plug cutters and T10 bits I normally use.

If you have the extra $$ I would pick one up.

 

[Holzhacker]

Yes, a centrotec set is a bit pricey.
Having all the bits readily available in one spot instead of wasting time having to scrounge around for them, priceless.
Buy it.

 

[Woodwork Wizard]

The perfect companion for a Festool drill is the Centrotec Installers Set. All the drills/bits in the sets are very high quality and they're a well thought out set as in they'll more than likely all come in useful at some point. The 2 countersinks are very worthy of a mention and the depth stop drill with countersink is especially really amazingly wonderfully truly fantastic. The SYS-1 it comes in has extra compartments so you can customise your drill bits kit to your exact requirements.

It's a lovely luxury (as is a Festool drill) but is actually worth the seemingly high asking price really. I bet you buy it. If this hasn't convinced you I doubt much will. I'm certain you'll love it.

The one I have is a 2014 edition.
I love mine.

Replacing bits when they break/dull is expensive.
Zobo bits are really really really nice too. The most beautiful holes in wood I've ever seen...

 

[Scorpion]

To add to everyone's feedback - Another thing I found nice about the kit is that it comes with (nearly) all the different bits and adapters.  Before I had the kit I didn't think I need them all.  Having the kit I've ended up using almost all of them.  The only downside  is that it doesn't come with EVERY bit and adapter.  I would have paid more had they had a Centrotec Mega-Installers kit.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[SoonerFan]

I have had my installers set for a couple years now.  It is very versatile.  I like that it packs almost everything I need in one sustainer.  Constantly connected to my CXS or T18 depending on the job at hand.  If you use a drill a lot, I say go for it assuming you have the funds.

 

[NL-mikkla]

Same here, I have it for a few months and it's superb.
Wish I bought is earlier, it packs everything I need.

 

[Naildrivingman]

I did indeed purchase it.  It is the imperial version, so it does not have the stubby bits.  I can live without those for now.  The seller actually replenished the 1/4" (legacy) inserts that were missing and sold the kit at $300, which is what he paid for it.  I examined the kit more closely last night, and based on debris residue/marks, I think the drill bits are virtually unused.

The major deciding factor was all the fantastically positive comments I received here in the FOG.  I'm grateful for this platform and to all of you.  Even though I've been involved in woodworking for nearly 40 years in one capacity or another, I have posted many novice questions and not once have I felt talked down to.

The only thing I would change in FT's marketing would be to offer larger a la carte options.  For example, sell all the legacy bit holders in their own set, sell all the HSS & SDS bits in their own sets.  I get that FT wants to offer the "piggyback" versatility thus the Centrotec in a SYS 1, but I think giving the end user the option to customize his own set would result in higher sales.

Thanks all!

SIDE NOTE:  Is the absence of a T-10 long bit because it cannot be made durable enough?  I buy VESA 3" torx bits and I've yet to break one.  I hope FT starts offering a t-10 soon.

 

[Cheese]

SIDE NOTE:  Is the absence of a T-10 long bit because it cannot be made durable enough?  I buy VESA 3" torx bits and I've yet to break one.  I hope FT starts offering a t-10 soon.

Apex makes Torx bits (USA made) up to 6" long and down to Torx 7, while Torx 5 and Torx 6 sizes are 3 1/2" long.  [smile]
http://www.apex-tools.com/sites/www.apex-tools.com/files/Apex Fastening Tools_TC-100-EN.pdf

Festool did offer a short 25mm Torx 10 bit. Interestingly enough, they've recently obsoleted all of their 25mm long bits.  [sad]

 

[six-point socket II]

(...)

SIDE NOTE:  Is the absence of a T-10 long bit because it cannot be made durable enough?  I buy VESA 3" torx bits and I've yet to break one.  I hope FT starts offering a t-10 soon.

Hi,

I think that a T-10 long bit is/could be as durable as any other bit easily, but my guess is that these are not really asked for that often.

Now please keep in mind that I'm located in Germany and, speaking of hardware, I'm a "Spax" kinda guy. Whatever I can get from Spax I will buy from them. Anything I can't get from Spax I will very carefully select another manufacturer for.

Now why do I tell you this? -> Spax finally and ultimately changed it's 3,5mm screws from T-10 to T-20 drive in the beginning of this year. This was often and firmly requested by a lot of people to speed up "production" and for being able to work through most projects using only the T-20 bit on all of the most commonly used screws. Only screws remaining with a T-10 drive are 3,0mm.

So my guess is use/demand of 3,5mm screws highly outruns use/demand of 3,0mm screws.

The only time I can remember using 3,0mm screws was when I had to attach a lot of metal clips to a substructure for holding ceiling panels. Using a long bit over a 25mm bit + holder wouldn't have made any difference in this situation. The long bit would come in handy if you needed to reach deep into something since it would be significantly thinner than the bit holder.

Anyway - I did write an E-Mail to Festool and Spax some time ago proposing to co-operate on Spax T-STAR Plus long centrotec bits T10 - T40. Sadly I didn't get any reply to that E-Mail.

Kind regards,
Oliver

 

[SoonerFan]

I did indeed purchase it.  It is the imperial version

I have posted many novice questions and not once have I felt talked down to.

Glad you made the purchase.  I think you will like it and get lots of use out of this kit. 

FOG is a great place with lots of talented/helpful people.  Like you, I have received lots of help without every being dismissed or talked down to.

Enjoy the installer kit!

 

[Naildrivingman]

(...)

SIDE NOTE:  Is the absence of a T-10 long bit because it cannot be made durable enough?  I buy VESA 3" torx bits and I've yet to break one.  I hope FT starts offering a t-10 soon.

Hi,

I think that a T-10 long bit is/could be as durable as any other bit easily, but my guess is that these are not really asked for that often.

Now please keep in mind that I'm located in Germany and, speaking of hardware, I'm a "Spax" kinda guy. Whatever I can get from Spax I will buy from them. Anything I can't get from Spax I will very carefully select another manufacturer for.

Now why do I tell you this? -> Spax finally and ultimately changed it's 3,5mm screws from T-10 to T-20 drive in the beginning of this year. This was often and firmly requested by a lot of people to speed up "production" and for being able to work through most projects using only the T-20 bit on all of the most commonly used screws. Only screws remaining with a T-10 drive are 3,0mm.

So my guess is use/demand of 3,5mm screws highly outruns use/demand of 3,0mm screws.

The only time I can remember using 3,0mm screws was when I had to attach a lot of metal clips to a substructure for holding ceiling panels. Using a long bit over a 25mm bit + holder wouldn't have made any difference in this situation. The long bit would come in handy if you needed to reach deep into something since it would be significantly thinner than the bit holder.

Anyway - I did write an E-Mail to Festool and Spax some time ago proposing to co-operate on Spax T-STAR Plus long centrotec bits T10 - T40. Sadly I didn't get any reply to that E-Mail.

Kind regards,
Oliver

One of the primary screws that I use are GRK brand trim screws. I don't know the imperial screw diameter, but my guess is that it is in the range of 2mm with a head at around 4mm.  I don't think a T-20 tip could be made to work with these without enlarging the head.  If that were to happen, I likely wouldn't use them anymore.  We have SPAX brand in the US and I think they have a similar screw only with a larger head for the T-15 tip.  I have used these in a pinch, but the crater left by the head is not ideal for stain grade finishes.

I believe VESA makes Torx drive bits up to 6" long (150mm +/-), so that may be an option to consider.  With that, the versatility of the Centrotec does allow me to continue using my legacy tips.

Thanks for your reply.

 

[VW mick]

[member=64733]Naildrivingman[/member]

You did the right thing. I have two different kits and I really like using them

I find it makes me a neater worker as you have a compulsion to put every thing back every time you use it

Also the kits have a good amount of expansion space in them. In witch I like to keep some generic drill bits etc (To put in the Jacobs chuck for dodgy jobs with a high prospect of breakage) The short bits are really nice

Also to just grab and fit to the drill sys you know you have most things

Mick

 

[antss]

How long a t10 are you looking for ?

Wera has this:https://www.kctoolco.com/wera-060196-t10-x-152mm-torx-power-bit/

not centrotec, but a nice bit.