Drill Bit Sets and Recommendations

[avanderhoorn]

Hi All

I'm looking at getting a few of the different sets of bits and finding if confusing. There are so many different combinations and I'm wondering if anyone can help navigate this and if anyone has any recommendations around what to get.

To start with, I'm after a good bit sets and having trouble deciding between the following sets. Obviously the centrotec ones are what I would like, but I'm not finding a really good set.
- http://www.amazon.co.uk/Festool-Drill-Bit-Set/dp/B00EZ0GF3W/ref=sr_1_70?s=diy&ie=UTF8&qid=1427428477&sr=1-70&keywords=festool
- http://www.amazon.co.uk/Festool-Bit-BITS-BHS-24x/dp/B00EZ0GVPO/ref=sr_1_333?s=diy&ie=UTF8&qid=1427428656&sr=1-333&keywords=festool
- http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bits-CENTROTEC-BITS-CE-SET/dp/B00EZ0GVXQ/ref=sr_1_15?s=diy&ie=UTF8&qid=1427305287&sr=1-15&keywords=Centrotec (I like these but there isn't as many)
- http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cutting-Edge-Festool-Pozidrive-CENTROTEC-Holder/dp/B00IEHYHLY/ref=pd_sim_sbs_diy_4?ie=UTF8&refRID=1CNE6WTC53JBYAJC7W38
- http://www.amazon.co.uk/Festool-HiQ-PZ-2-100-Bit/dp/B002VMREYK/ref=sr_1_44?s=diy&ie=UTF8&qid=1427429595&sr=1-44&keywords=festool+bits (I can't find this style as a set)

Next the Centrotec Forstner Style Bit Set vs the Zobo Sets.

Lastly the HSS steel drill bits vs the Brad point bits (and I think that the HSS bits come in Centrotec and non Centrotec versions).

Is there anything else that I'm missing anything people would recommend?

Cheers
Anthony

 

[Euclid]

Regarding your last item, Brad-point vs. HSS... the Brad point bits are essentially for use in wood, whilst the HSS bits have a wider utility. I think the 'non Centrotec' HSS bits are intended as replacements for those supplied in the Centrotec holders - they have a small flat ground onto the shank for the grub screw in the holder to bear onto - though of course you could use them in a regular jawed chuck.

I have a small selection of the HSS bits in the Centrotec holders (bought individually rather than in a set) and they each came with two extra, spare, bits - so they are better value than they might first appear. I don't know if the same is true if bought as a set, but the relative prices suggests that it ought to be. They seem to be of fairly good quality.

The 'stubby' length Brad-points (available only as a set, I believe) are very nice.

 

[avanderhoorn]

Thanks for the info! Where do you find the stubby brad points are better than the normal length ones?

 

[Euclid]

When working in confined spaces mostly, or when using an angle chuck - makes things a bit less clumsy (assuming, of course, the bit will go deep enough…).

 

[elfick]

I love the stubbies and always carry them with my CXS. My only complaint is I could really use a 2 or 2.5mm for pilotting smaller screws.

 

[Mauri Motti]

Hi Anthony,

The Festo bits are good. But the ones you show in this link http://www.amazon.co.uk/Festool-HiQ-PZ-2-100-Bit/dp/B002VMREYK/ref=sr_1_44?s=diy&ie=UTF8&qid=1427429595&sr=1-44&keywords=festool+bits I personally think are not of great use in a battery driven drill. (too soft material, they wear really quickly. They are good for the hand crank thingy (handle?) festool makes. It may be worth looking at Wera, they produce excellent bits too. Check em out Wera US

And thanks for subscribing to my youtube channel!!

 

[Euclid]

Wera screwdriver bits seem to get lots of recommendations - I bought a few recently but I haven't used them enough to comment on their durability.

Wiha are much loved by automotive techs, whose tools - inevitably - have a fairly hard life.

Most of my regular 1/4" drive bits are older French-made Facom which have been excellent (I don't know what newer ones are like) and they are mostly used with a ratchet and socket set rather than a battery driver . I have a lot of 5/16" drive bits too, but they are probably not relevant here.

But best quality of all (in my experience at least) are 'PB Swiss' - they have all the usual drive types, plus Robertson, Tri-wing and so on and proper bits for those hybrid posi/slotted screws that you find in electrical connections and some cabinet hinges. But, of course, no Centrotec fitting bits.

 

[Cheese]

I love the stubbies and always carry them with my CXS. My only complaint is I could really use a 2 or 2.5mm for pilotting smaller screws.

I just want to turn your personal complaint into my personal rant  [wink]
I have Festool sets of stubbies and regular length brad point bits. Both Festool sets contain 3-4-5-6-8mm bits. Really?, where's the 7mm bit and why didn't they include a 2mm bit?
Check out the photo below, a Milwaukee set of drill bits starts at 1/16" and goes to 1/4" in 1/32" increments. Everything is covered.

Who stole the 7mm bit?

[attachthumb=1]

A nice selection in .030" increments

[attachthumb=2]

 

[Mauri Motti]

Most be a European thing  [tongue]  [big grin]
But, even though no centrotec, there's options

[/img][/img]

 

[promhandicam]

I have a limited edition 2015 installers set - 500875 which is brand new. I am happy to ship anywhere in the world  at cost so contact me if you are interested.

 

[avanderhoorn]

Wera seems to be good for driver bits, what about for drill bits? Any recommendations?

 

[AlexThePalex]

Drill bits, Famag if you can get them. Expensive but the best. Cheaper but still nice bits are Bosch bits. Very decent and they have a very broad assortment.

 

[avanderhoorn]

Well at first glance they seem cheaper than the Festool bits which is a nice start - how do they match in quality again the equivalent Festool ones? Have you heard of anyone trying to modify them to be Centrotec compatible?

 

[Mauri Motti]

Sorry Anthony.. Im getting a bit confused at this point regarding your question as we went off topic a bit getting into drills and not the bits you referred to earlier.

-how do they match in quality again the equivalent Festool ones? Have you heard of anyone trying to modify them to be    Centrotec compatible?

The drills or the bits..? Im assuming you mean the drills because of the "modifying to centrotec"

Drills, I mainly use the jacobs chuck but I also have a festo set of (the NOT brad point set) that came in the 2012 (?) installers set) And you can replace the drills themselves for a nice brad point bit of your choice but only the sizes festo carries.

The Wera bits are of excellent quality, I have heard only good things about Wiha too but have no personal experience with them.

Hope to somewhat have answered your question but if you're still in the dark... then let us know!

 

[Stephen B]

[size=14pt]
Those ranting about the lack of Centrotec drill bits such as 2 and 1.5 mms, yes I agree. [Obviously I would not use +1 here!  [smile] ]

I can't see what the manufacturing problem would be and as we know these sizes are very useful for pre-drill of hinge and other similar 2 and 3G screws.

 

[Euclid]

As an aside, do we know who makes the Festool-branded drill bits?

I may be completely wrong about this, but I didn't imagine it would be worthwhile tooling up to make their own if they were able to re-brand product from a specialist manufacturer.

Some of mine are marked 'Made in Austria', so I was thinking maybe Fisch or Alpen*...?

(*That's Alpen the toolmaker, not that ready-mixed hamster food that masquerades as a breakfast cereal...)

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

I buy bits by the bucket at auctions.  I take them home and sharpen them on my bench grinder.  Some suck, some are great and I don't spend very much money.