Is there any chance that other brands would adopt Centrotec on their tools or are they even allowed to? I know some brands have had limited compatibility in the past but don't know if they still do. Other connection standards like 7/16 hex chucks, Starlock, and X-lock to some degree have become commonplace when a short time ago they were not. Why hasn't Centrotec been more widely adopted like these other connection standards? Maybe there are patents that prevent other brands from using Centrotec? The benefits of Centrotec seem appealing to me but the bit selection is extremely low when compared to traditional 1/4 hex.
Cetrotec Coming to non Festool/TTS brands anytime soon?
- Thread starter jronman
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Crazyraceguy
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I would bet it is patented, but that doesn't necessarily mean others can't manufacture items to fit it. Snappy makes self-centering drill bits, as well as drivers for Robertson.
There are lots of things that are compatible from Festool and others.
There are lots of things that are compatible from Festool and others.
Does anyone make more sizes of brad point bits in Centrotec? The size selection is kinda small from Festool. Not looking for any size in particular but would be nice to have more options. I could buy regular hex shank bits from Amazon but those seem questionable in quality at best. Any reputable brand that sells Bradpoint bits that I saw only sell them in round shank in the states unless you are Festool. I am not really looking to use the Jacobs style chuck if possible. Supposedly Fisch sells Hex shank but I could only find one size stateside and the rest were round shank.
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jronman said:
Snappy has a line of Centrotec compatible bits. And these Centrotec compatible bit holders. They are quite good.
Seth
six-point socket II
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Centrotec will never be widely adopted or get anywhere near the volumes of 1/4" hex shank consumables. It's around for a long time, if there had been any widespread interest, that would have happened a long time ago.
I consider most of the compatibilities "lucky accidents", with the exception of Snappy and Axminster/UJK products (think Parf guide drill bits) because their consumables are really designed/engineered to be Centrotec compatible.
Centrotec is a great system with quite a few truly high-end and exceptional quality consumables available, expressly NOT talking about the driver bits here, but it's not a one stop solution. I love using my kit, but I know it will never cover everything - so I get what I need from competitors with a round shank or hex shank and use the keyless Jacobs chuck.
If you need consumables/ drill bits that are not available, befriend the keyless Jacobs chuck and go round shank. Modify 1/4" hex shank consumables like it has been shown/discussed here on the FOG before, that is if you have the time and then get the desired results with those modified consumables. Or use the 1/4" hex adapter, although that is probably the worst/ least precise option when it comes to drilling/ drill bits.
Last but not least, there are countless manufacturers of quality drill bits, so between buying "drill bits of questionable quality from Amazon" and high-end Fisch there are more options.
For example, you can go with Bosch, which should be readily available in the US ->https://www.bosch-professional.com/ae/en/brad-point-wood-drill-bits-with-hex-shank-2868006-ocs-ac/
Kind regards,
Oliver
I consider most of the compatibilities "lucky accidents", with the exception of Snappy and Axminster/UJK products (think Parf guide drill bits) because their consumables are really designed/engineered to be Centrotec compatible.
Centrotec is a great system with quite a few truly high-end and exceptional quality consumables available, expressly NOT talking about the driver bits here, but it's not a one stop solution. I love using my kit, but I know it will never cover everything - so I get what I need from competitors with a round shank or hex shank and use the keyless Jacobs chuck.
If you need consumables/ drill bits that are not available, befriend the keyless Jacobs chuck and go round shank. Modify 1/4" hex shank consumables like it has been shown/discussed here on the FOG before, that is if you have the time and then get the desired results with those modified consumables. Or use the 1/4" hex adapter, although that is probably the worst/ least precise option when it comes to drilling/ drill bits.
Last but not least, there are countless manufacturers of quality drill bits, so between buying "drill bits of questionable quality from Amazon" and high-end Fisch there are more options.
For example, you can go with Bosch, which should be readily available in the US ->https://www.bosch-professional.com/ae/en/brad-point-wood-drill-bits-with-hex-shank-2868006-ocs-ac/
Kind regards,
Oliver
derekcohen
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I have said this before, but no one has commented on their experience ...
All the (Festool) Centrotec bits I have show significant run out when I use them in a Nova Voyager drill press. The actual drill bits are excellent and accurate when removed from the holders. Does this mean that the system is only suited for coarser work with a hand (power) drill?
Centrotec screw driver bits are not applicable.
Regards from Perth
Derek
All the (Festool) Centrotec bits I have show significant run out when I use them in a Nova Voyager drill press. The actual drill bits are excellent and accurate when removed from the holders. Does this mean that the system is only suited for coarser work with a hand (power) drill?
Centrotec screw driver bits are not applicable.
Regards from Perth
Derek
derekcohen said:
You're talking about the two-piece bits though, right? The ones where the round-shank drill goes into a black centrotec holder, and is held in with a set screw?
It's the nature of the beast. A reasonable fit for that kind of connection isn't going to be a precise one, which is why you won't see that kind of bit holder in a machine shop. If you switch to the integral bits, with the non-removeable centrotec end, they'll probably be a ton better. I can tell you the Zobo's I've got are the most true-running things I own.
derekcohen said:
I haven't heard of the runout issue on Centrotec. Thank you for the info. I was more or less going to use Centrotec for better than 1/4 hex without the annoyances of Jacobs. I just like the convenience of not having to loosen and tighten a chuck. I have heard the Festool Jacobs style chucks are pretty good at holding bits but that could just be hearsay. My plastic chuck DeWALT I had a number of years ago was garbage at reliably holding bits. When I upgraded to the metal chuck DeWALT I never had issues apart from maybe user error.
six-point socket II said:
Thank you for the info. Looks like Bosch does not sell hex shank bradpoint in the states. Sounds like Jacobs is better anyways for drilling. Honestly having to use a Jacobs style chuck is not a big deal (just a bit bulkier). Centrotec maybe saves at most 5-10 seconds in regards to a bit change. I have heard the Festool Jacobs style chucks are pretty good in regards to bit holding.
six-point socket II
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derekcohen said:
I have read your comments on that issue before and my personal opinion is that specifically these drill bits, consisting of the Centrotec drill bit holder and the actual drill bit, have no place in a drill press when aiming for maximum precision.
I'm using them solely in my hand held drill/drivers and I'm absolutely able to get the results I need with them. While I have used other Centrotec (drill) bits, the Zobo bits, (...) in a drill press to my full satisfaction, I don't think I have ever tried to use the 2-piece Centrotec drill bits in a drill press and I don't see any reason to do so, simply because there is nothing special or especially high quality about the actual drill bits themselves. I get drill bits from my industrial supplier in different qualities, different coatings, (...) - basically whatever I need - and keep them sorted by the drill press. So again - to me that is simply a non issue because they work well with my hand held drills - and that is what they are intended for.
Additionally I keep a few "Made in Germany" DeWalt Extreme II drill bits with the Centrotec Set in my Installer's set because they offer multiple advantages for hand held use. Especially when you need to drill at an angle, in round materials, or at an angle in round materials. Additionally, also because of the tip design, they work without center-punching - which sometimes is another advantage.
I also have used the Centrotec Jacobs chuck adapter and corresponding Centrotec chuck in a drill press - which is even more margin for error - so unless that is the goal - I don't see any benefit of trying to run the 2-piece Centrotec drill bits in a drill press. It's not what they are designed for. And I guess, results will also vary depending on how accurately one fits the drill bit to the holder.
No issues what so ever with hand held drills, not suited for (high-end, high-precision) drill presses.
Just my opinion.
Kind regards,
Oliver
squall_line
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[member=69487]jronman[/member] , yes, the Festool Jacobs chucks (at least, the recent models) are all locking chucks, so once they close to snug, you can hear them click into place as you twist more. I've not had any issues with mine, though I'll admit I've never tried to, for example, run a massive forstner bit into a beam or anything like that.
To me, the bigger advantage to the Centrotec system (and others have this, too, on some of their drills), is being able to have two or three centrotec chucks bitted up with different bits, and a Jacobs chuck or two with drill bits in them, ready to go. Swap the head instead of swapping out the bit.
As a bonus, the Jacobs chuck will stand on end very easily, so you can cool off a hot drill bit without having to worry about burning your hands on it.
I mean, I have multiple drills, so sometimes I'll set up the T18 with a drill bit and the CXS with an installation bit, but it's nice to be able to quickly swap the heads like that when you're up on a ladder or squeezed into a tight space.
To me, the bigger advantage to the Centrotec system (and others have this, too, on some of their drills), is being able to have two or three centrotec chucks bitted up with different bits, and a Jacobs chuck or two with drill bits in them, ready to go. Swap the head instead of swapping out the bit.
As a bonus, the Jacobs chuck will stand on end very easily, so you can cool off a hot drill bit without having to worry about burning your hands on it.
I mean, I have multiple drills, so sometimes I'll set up the T18 with a drill bit and the CXS with an installation bit, but it's nice to be able to quickly swap the heads like that when you're up on a ladder or squeezed into a tight space.
I would have been surprised if they weren't locking. The old DeWALT I had was locking and it was just bad at holding bits for some reason. Good thing I don't have it anymore. I just ordered my first Festool drill today. I went with the CXS kit. I opted to add the locking bit holder to my order. I have the Wera version and it is my most used bit holder.
A while ago I got this Snappy set from Woodcraft. It seems ok - no issues.https://www.woodcraft.com/products/...iJU_AU0aNWqddpJuOzxoCEVUQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
