CXS & Festool Drilling

[Kunzwerks]

Hi all,  new to the forum and I have tried to find my own answers, but haven't succeeded fully.  So hoping someone can clarify a couple of questions using the Centrotec chuck.  Wanting to get the CXS drill.

I get that the Centrotec is for fast bit changes, but what are the limitations?  Do I have to buy the Centrotec drill bits or can drill bits and screwdriver bits from my local hardware store work/fit?

What are the Centrotec bit holders for?  Do I need the BHS 65 or the BH 60 ?  Are these things adapters to hold "regular sized" hex fit bits?  This whole area is not clear for me.  Thanks in advance for your comments.

 

[thebicyclecafe]

Hi all,  new to the forum and I have tried to find my own answers, but haven't succeeded fully.  So hoping someone can clarify a couple of questions using the Centrotec chuck.  Wanting to get the CXS drill.

I get that the Centrotec is for fast bit changes, but what are the limitations?  Do I have to buy the Centrotec drill bits or can drill bits and screwdriver bits from my local hardware store work/fit?

What are the Centrotec bit holders for?  Do I need the BHS 65 or the BH 60 ?  Are these things adapters to hold "regular sized" hex fit bits?  This whole area is not clear for me.  Thanks in advance for your comments.

The centrotec chuck only holds centrotec drill bits/driving bits. There's a wide variety of centrotec compatible drilling and driving bits available. Obviously Festool makes them, I've also seen some made by Snappy (sold at woodcraft) that claims to work with the Centrotec chuck.
Regular non-centrotec bits will fit but won't be held in place.

The bit holder lets you use standard wire detent bits (1/4" hex shank bits usually found in North America). Pretty easy to just keep it attached to your centrotec and just change bits by popping them in and out of the magnetic bit holder.
Last I checked, one comes with the CXS when you purchase it, enabling you to use any driving bits you might have already.

 

[Kunzwerks]

OK, I might be having a stupid day (or two).  So the Centrotec is only for Centrotec drills and bits, and non- Centrotec bits will fit but not be held in place.  Do they just fall out?

"The bit holder lets you use standard wire detent bits (1/4" hex shank bits usually found in North America). Pretty easy to just keep it attached to your centrotec and just change bits by popping them in and out of the magnetic bit holder. "

Doesn't this last statement contradict that they will not be held in place?  Does the Centrotec holder have a magnet to hold bits in place?  I'm still confused.  

Perhaps I should mention, I have not had the opportunity to handle the CXS or any Festool drill.  A Festool dealer is a considerable distance from where I live, and so on-line purchases is best for me, however finding a description of how the whole Centrotec system works has been through bits of information that is not complete.  I own the TS-75 and the RS2E, so I am familiar with Festool quality and am in the market for a drill, but need to understand what the Centrotec system is and how it works.  The BHS 65 and BH 60 have no description beyond they are bit holders.  How they are used or if I need one or both is unknown to me.  Perhaps someone can direct me to the info. or explain it to me.  Thanks.

 

[tbellemare]

The Centrotec chuck is a proprietary, quick-bit-change chuck for Centrotec bits. Centrotec bits are 1/4" hex shafts with abbreviated corners and the ball detent groove farther up the shaft than typical ball detent bits.

[attachimg=#1]

The Centrotec bits engage in the output shaft of the drill. This means that the Centrotec chuck is actually just securing and guiding them, the shaft is turning them.

There are 3 Centrotec bit holders. One grips wire detent bits and two are magnetic. They are all for typical 1/4" hex shaft bits.

Tom

 

[Davej]

The centrotec bit holder is magnetic and will hold any standard 1/4 inch bits in place , the centrotec fitment is unique to festool and you have to use their drill bits to benefit from the 'system'  or you could use the jacobs chuck for standard drill bits but its not very good . I bought the centrotec drill bits with my cxs as it made sense to be able to swap bits faster , you save time and if you are using it to make a living time is money

 

[Brice Burrell]

Here are a few pictures to help understand some of the Centrotec components.

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In the picture above you see a Centrotec chuck on the drill.  I'm inserting the BH 60 bit holder.  You can see a regular 1/4" hex (wire detent) bit in the BH 60.  Any brand 1/4" hex wire detent bit will fit in the BH 60 and BHS 65 bit holders.  Notice I'm pulling back the green collar to insert the bit (also pull back to remove a bit.)  Also I'm holding a Centrotec twist drill bit.  When it comes to drill bits pretty much only Festool Centrotec bits will work.  There is, as already mentioned, one other company making drill bits and bit holders that will work in the Centrotec chuck.  

[attachthumb=#]

[attachthumb=#]

Above are the two types of drill bits Festool sells for the Centrotec system.  In the top pic, and the top bit is the brad point bit, on the bottom a twist bit.  The twist bit comes with several extra replaceable drill bits( you can see the extra bits in the lower pic.

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In the picture above you can see what is included with the CXS set (the non-set version doesn't include the right angle chuck).  Do yourself a favor and get the set, you're going to want the right angle chuck.  

The BH 60 is bit holder is included.  I think that is all you'll need.  The BHS 65 has a locking collar for locking 1/4" hex wire detent bits.  Don't confuse wire detent for ball detent hex bits.  See image below, top is a wire detent, bottom ball detent.  Ball detent bit will work in the BHS 65 but there isa fair amount of slop in the fit so the bit ends up wobbly.

I hope this helps and welcome to the FOG!          

 

[Kunzwerks]

Thank you Tom, Davej, and Brice.  It's all getting clearer.  The pictures helped a lot, Brice. 

 

[Brice Burrell]

Thank you Tom, Davej, and Brice.  It's all getting clearer.  The pictures helped a lot, Brice.  

[thumbs up]

 

[tbellemare]

The BHS 60 has a locking collar for locking 1/4" hex wire detent bits.

I think you meant the BHS 65, Brice. It's the one with the locking collar.

The BH 60 is a magnetic, 60 mm long Centrotec bit holder. The BV 150 is a magnetic, 150 mm long Centrotec bit holder.

They all hold 1/4" hex bits and the BHS 65, as Brice pointed out, locks wire detent bits.

Tom

 

[semenza]

Hi all,  new to the forum and I have tried to find my own answers, but haven't succeeded fully.  So hoping someone can clarify a couple of questions using the Centrotec chuck.  Wanting to get the CXS drill.

I get that the Centrotec is for fast bit changes, but what are the limitations?  Do I have to buy the Centrotec drill bits or can drill bits and screwdriver bits from my local hardware store work/fit?

What are the Centrotec bit holders for?  Do I need the BHS 65 or the BH 60 ?  Are these things adapters to hold "regular sized" hex fit bits?  This whole area is not clear for me.  Thanks in advance for your comments.

Hi,

Welcome to the FOG!  [smile]

Just a note ... the Snappy / Woodcraft Centrotec compatible bits fit and function well in the Centrotec chuck. They cover bits that are common for USA woodworkers that are not available from Festool. 

Seth