centrotec systainer

[woodguy7]

That Pro tool set is not that much different to the 09 set.  Still a lot of empty spaces & trays.  There is more plain metal bits but no socket set.  I actually have used the socket set more times than i thought i would & now think it is not that bad a set.  The bigest bug bear i have with Festool is the price they charge for individual bits.  After discount, the countersink bit will cost me 33GBP & the self centering bit 38GBP.  Once VAT is added, that is 83GBP for 2 bits  [mad].  I don't care how good or sharp they are, that is to expensive.

Woodguy.

 

[AlexThePalex]

That Pro tool set is not that much different to the 09 set. 

It may look like that, unless you realise the Protool set was sold a good 80 or 90 euros cheaper than the Festool set.

Still a lot of empty spaces & trays.  There is more plain metal bits but no socket set.  I actually have used the socket set more times than i thought i would & now think it is not that bad a set. 

If you don't have a socket set this one might be a nice add on, even though it's just the baby sized set of 1/4''. (I'm not trying to be denigrating here, but for years already do I call the 1/4'' socket wrench 'baby size'). But most people who work on a lot of bolts and nuts already have a good socket set. I myself have a highly customised 3/8'' set and a good 1/2'' set. I have sockets running from 5.5 mm to 44 mm. No need to spend money on something I already have in better versions. And I don't understand why they include it in a DRILL accessories set. Now I realise there's a adapter to use sockets on the drill but it seems just as logical to me as putting jigsaws in the set. A socket set is just another type of tool and has no place in a drill accessories set and therefor generally speaking, a waste of money. 

The bigest bug bear i have with Festool is the price they charge for individual bits.  After discount, the countersink bit will cost me 33GBP & the self centering bit 38GBP.  Once VAT is added, that is 83GBP for 2 bits  [mad].  I don't care how good or sharp they are, that is to expensive.

I agree about the drill bits. They are twice as expensive as most other good brands. But when it comes to other special bits like counter sinks and the self centering bits, you'll find that other high quality brands like blue Bosch or Famag have similar prices. Anyway, I myself am prepared to pay an extra premium price for the centrotec shaft that comes along with the high quality bits. I simply LOVE the centrotec shaft and the ease and speed I get with changing out bits.  The Jacobs style chuck is dead as long as I'm concerned. I just wish there were more different centrotec bits than there are now.
 

 

[EcoFurniture]

I looks like there is quite a bit of interest in a centrotec systainer.

Maybe we can make it a bit easier for Festool USA to put one together if we say very clearly what we would like to see in one.
No big fuss just list the items you would like to see!
Also: What would be an acceptable price?

1. Forstner bit set
2. Centrotec full drill bit set (metric and standard). plus counter sink bit!
3. Full range of (short-stubby) driver bits to fit into the magnetic holder. (the shorter ones are easier to store on the drill)
4. Extra room to store "conventional bits" and jig saw blades
5. All in a Sortainer (way easier to access!)
6. Make everything available as single items for people to use their own storage boxes.

Price: For all above including a sortainer-$500. Without Sortainer-$350.

 

[Holzhacker]

Shane, you are such a politician. Stop teasing us and out with it. Log on under an assumed name and spill the beans.
Hypothetically, a US 2010 centrotec sys set will be announced May 1 along with other stuff already anticipated, is that right Shane? Hypothetically of course. [poke]

 

[woodguy7]

Alex

I know what you mean about the socket set being a "baby set"  I also have a full set of 1/2" sockets in my van but this small set has proved quite usefull being there in the systainer at just the right moment.  As long as one realises it is a light set & don't use it for anything heavy then they are fine.  Although i say the individual bit are too expensive, i will probably still get them, I'm just holding out a bit in protest  [embarassed].  I do love the centrotec system, but it is not as easy to install bits in the chuck as say the Trend Snappy bits.  I know this is probably to do with the bits going into the shaft of the drill but anyone new to Festool has to fiddle with the bits to get them in.

Woodguy

 

[Redfox]

Hi,
I also use a full 1/4", a full 3/8" and a full 1/2" set. The few 1/4" parts in the centrotec 2009 is okay, though the amount of teeth on the handle are way too few. Working in restrained or narrow spaces, it comes in handy and much more handy, if it would have had more teeth, therefore more precission. As it is a 1/4" set, one is not going to use a big amount of strength to tighten a nut or bolt anyway, so the coarse teeth is not needed.
Overall I've changed my look on those bits and come to appreciale it, e.g. in putting up a new kitchen. I'll add my own bits and bobs to enhance the 1/4" set.

Btw. Festool wrote me that they will bring out a 2010 set in the autoum. We'll see if they improve further.

Cheers,
Redfox.

 

[DimTex]

I just got my 2009 Centrotec system and I am quite happy I did. 

I think its a nice set and while others have critiqued various shortcomings they ignore the benefit of having all your bits and drivers in a single container that can be attached to the drill Systainer.  For myself I think I could have paid for the Centrotec with all the little drill sets I have bought over the years and misplaced or lost pieces from.

That being said, buying this set along with a 10 piece 8mm router bit assortment helped defray the shipping costs.   

 

[woodguy7]

Nice 1, glad your happy with it.  It is a good set all said & done, I'm just glad i got about a third off the price  [smile]

Woodguy

 

[DimTex]

By the time all was said and done I saved a substantial amount compared to what I saw them going for on eBay and buying some other stuff from the dealer helped defray the shipping costs.  BTW, it pays to ask specifically for the cheapest shipping method and to insist they deduct VAT off the price.  Exclusive of shipping I paid well under $300 for the Centrotec set.