CXS drill and Centrotec Chuck - What am I missing?

[gmcooper]

Love the drill, but can't drill with it when the Centrotec chuck is mounted, as far as I can see, without buying new drill bits and adapters, a different adapter for each sized bit, and having to keep track of an allen wrench to mount the drill bit in the adapter. Am I missing something?

 

[dalep]

The Centrotec Chuck is designed to work with Festools range of Centrotec bits

I dont know where you are located, but see here for a look at the range available
http://www.powertool-supplies.co.uk/drilling-and-screwdriving/centrotec-drilling/

Regards

Dale

 

[ear3]

Festool makes an installer's set:
http://festoolusa.com/power-tool-ac...ec-driver-bits/centrotec-installer-set-201312

Snappy tools also makes centrotec compatible bits for somewhat cheaper than festool, though they have a narrower range of options:
http://www.snappytools.com/products/festool-centrotec-compatible-accessories/

Love the drill, but can't drill with it when the Centrotec chuck is mounted, as far as I can see, without buying new drill bits and adapters, a different adapter for each sized bit, and having to keep track of an allen wrench to mount the drill bit in the adapter. Am I missing something?

 

[NHSP759]

Love the drill, but can't drill with it when the Centrotec chuck is mounted, as far as I can see, without buying new drill bits and adapters, a different adapter for each sized bit, and having to keep track of an allen wrench to mount the drill bit in the adapter. Am I missing something?

http://www.bobmarinosbesttools.com/centrotec-impact-bit-holder/p/498974/

No more than I was when I got my first Festool drill. This is the bit holder that will fit all standard driver bits. Also, to quote the other guys if you are looking to drill holes, the Snappy drills, marked for Festool and obviously the Festool ones fit right in the Centrotec chuck.

 

[Holmz]

Love the drill, but can't drill with it when the Centrotec chuck is mounted, as far as I can see, without buying new drill bits and adapters, a different adapter for each sized bit, and having to keep track of an allen wrench to mount the drill bit in the adapter. Am I missing something?

By design... It is a system [wink]

There are other drills which take all the bits...
I have a centrotec set and use it with a Metabo type 10.8V. However the regular 1/4 bits do it fit the centrotec stuff with the radiused corners. But all the regular 1/4 bits fit it.

 

[gmcooper]

Lots of help from all of you. Thank you. I get it now - it is a system.

 

[McNally Family]

Lots of help from all of you. Thank you. I get it now - it is a system.

A system should you use the Centrotec chuck (green).  Your drill also came with another chuck that is much more like what most people use. 

When I purchased my CSX (later exchanged for the larger 18v C18), I also purchased the Centrotec Installers set, since I was taking on the Festool Centrotec System, it helped to get the Installers set.  No regrets since!

 

[jbasen]

It is a system.  That being said I had a lot of non-centrotec bits and was also frustrated by having to go back and forth between different chucks and/or adapters to go between different bits.  My solution was to modify a Milwaukee bit holder so it would fit in the Centrotec chuck.  The Milwaukee bit holder is somewhat unique in that it will tightly hold a standard hex end bit or a Centrotec Bit.  I just leave it in my Centrotec chuck and grab whatever bit I need. 

Here is a thread on the modification of the Milwaukee bit holder that I started quite a while ago.
http://festoolownersgroup.com/festo...ndard-bit-holder-that-fits-a-centrotec-chuck/

At the time I felt I had a hard time getting people to understand why I did it and what the advantage was.  Maybe this thread will help overcome that.

 

[Holmz]

Lots of help from all of you. Thank you. I get it now - it is a system.

A system should you use the Centrotec chuck (green).  Your drill also came with another chuck that is much more like what most people use. 

When I purchased my CSX (later exchanged for the larger 18v C18), I also purchased the Centrotec Installers set, since I was taking on the Festool Centrotec System, it helped to get the Installers set.  No regrets since!

The green lipped Centrotec one fits on my A10M.
I picked up another one as well as another FT screwdriver handle on my last trip.

I also ordered a couple of extra Mafell ones which are the same but with a red lip.
I am not sure how to see if they fit on a FT drill, but if that adapter did fit then all the standard bits with 1/4" hex would fit.
If you want to try it let me know... We can work out a way and I know one fellow locally that has a sander so maybe he has a FT drill too??

 

[gmcooper]

For me the Centrotec is a system looking for a purpose which just happens to require that I buy a lot of new stuff from Festool that looks like tons of stuff I already have that don’t quite fit the Centrotec: collections of HSS drill bits, socket and screw drivers, etc. I like the idea of just being able to insert and draw out attachments, but for every purpose I can see, the standard chuck BCF-FX8 that requires hand tightening works just fine. Love the drill itself though.