Festool Centrotec Installers Set(s) - Reference Thread

[Cheese]

[member=44099]Cheese[/member] I see you have my favorite all around pencil, the draftmatic .5mm mechanical. I have carried those for almost twenty years.  They are a fantastic pencil.

Ya [member=64733]Naildrivingman[/member] , the Alvins are really nice. The blue one shown is a .7mm, I also usually use .9mm Alvins. I really like the .7mm and .9mm versions as they still work with Woodpeckers saddle squares, yet the points don't break as often as the .5mm versions. I've kind of given up on the .5mm pencils.

The lead advancing mechanism in the Alvin is also a lot more robust than the Pentel mechanism. The Pentels tend to lock up and quit functioning after a while.

 

[six-point socket II]

Hi!

Thanks everyone for the contributions so far!

Kind regards,
Oliver

 

[LDBecker]

I don't have the large countersink in my set though. Cheese, did the large countersink come in your set?

I also installed an attic lid on mine.

Ya Clint, I added the large c'sink along with a couple of other items.

I also added the attic lid because it holds so many small items. The 3rd photo shows how many additional items can be stored.

Where did you get the sys1 with an attic lid? I see on Amazon a sys2 with lid- I think that would be a bit big.

I just last week had my local Woodcraft order a 2015 Assembly Package, 201312. I paid $299. It has the imperial brad point bits (which I had from before but needed to replace a few from breakage and a friend's abuse), a slotted bit (rare, but I had one still), and square bits (also rare?). Try to get centrotec imperial bits anywhere... or, from another thread, the bench unit for the 850 planer...

I agree about the wasted space on the left side.

Larry

 

[Cheese]

Where did you get the sys1 with an attic lid? I see on Amazon a sys2 with lid- I think that would be a bit big.

I agree about the wasted space on the left side.

Hey [member=11424]LDBecker[/member] , I ordered just the attic lid from the Tool Nut [member=48572]Shane Holland[/member] . They are usually in stock. [big grin]

I also have an attic lid on my Carvex, it works well in that application. However for these installer sets, a Sys 2 is rather bulky. [sad]

 

[LDBecker]

Where did you get the sys1 with an attic lid? I see on Amazon a sys2 with lid- I think that would be a bit big.

I agree about the wasted space on the left side.

Hey [member=11424]LDBecker[/member] , I ordered just the attic lid from the Tool Nut [member=48572]Shane Holland[/member] . They are usually in stock. [big grin]

I also have an attic lid on my Carvex, it works well in that application. However for these installer sets, a Sys 2 is rather bulky. [sad]

Thanks- ordering a couple of lids attic lids today- I think it's a great idea.

Larry
Edit- ordered 2 from Toolnut- thanks for the recommendation!

 

[Naildrivingman]

I just bought the centrotec stubby drill bits yesterday. I don't have an immediate use for them, but I know when I do they will be invaluable. For now they reside in my installers case and I will simply admire them for their cuteness!

SIDE NOTE:  What is the rationale behind a $90 USD FT centering  bit?  For that price I hope it not only drill centered holes, but also mortises the hinges and installs them!  I have 3 Vix (#5,7,9) bits that cover all my needs and I think they were $10-15 each.  Just curious.

 

[six-point socket II]

Hi,

86 USD, that's about 10 bucks more than it's German list price incl. Tax. (When converted to EUR) I honestly don't think I would buy it for that price as single unit - as good as it is, I don't use it that often. Given we are talking about: ZB HS D 5 EURO CE (492525) - this can be had for half of the list price incl. Tax here. I think I paid 30 bucks for my single unit purchase during an accessory close-out sale from one of my dealers. The other came with the installers set.

Kind regards,
Oliver

 

[Euclid]

You can find that item here in the UK for the equivalent of under 55 US dollars. That still sounds a bit pricey to me - though I haven't used one, so can't make a judgement on its quality - and it only in comes in one size (geared, I assume to the usual Euro cabinetry hinges?).

Trouble is, some of the seemingly-good-value alternatives have quality issues or serious design flaws. For example, the very nicely-made Axminster Centrotec compatible ones have a smaller size bit using the much-too-bulky sliding housing size from the larger ones with a hopelessly small chamfer that renders it wholly useless for the size of hinge usually associated with that size of screw… (i.e. the chamfered sleeve is way too big for the csk in the hinge).

 

[Steve-Carpenter]

I have the same set as six-point socket purchased a couple of months ago here in the UK.

The hinge bit is expensive (like anything Festool related) but the wood debris clears more effectively. I have had other Vix style bits including Trend where I have to constantly remove the outer sleeve as the drill bit becomes so clogged with wood chips it no longer retracts.

The attic case is a brilliant idea. Some of my work involves maintenance and I often have to deal with up to 20 small jobs in one day. This means my constant companion is the CXS Drill, Screwbox and Installer Set. Invariable I'll have to make my way back to the van for something or other. This will save me a few trips.

Off to look for one now.   

 

[Naildrivingman]

I used the 1/2" drill bit from the kit.  Man, what a bit!  The spoils from the hole looked more like those from a Forstener bit.  I'm impressed.

 

[tjbnwi]

I just bought the centrotec stubby drill bits yesterday. I don't have an immediate use for them, but I know when I do they will be invaluable. For now they reside in my installers case and I will simply admire them for their cuteness!

SIDE NOTE:  What is the rationale behind a $90 USD FT centering  bit?  For that price I hope it not only drill centered holes, but also mortises the hinges and installs them!  I have 3 Vix (#5,7,9) bits that cover all my needs and I think they were $10-15 each.  Just curious.

The self center from Festool is a 5mm. I use mine for the occasional draw slide into a case that does not have holes.

It's also great for drilling near door and drawer edges for stem bumpers.

Tom

 

[sancho57]

I have the 2013 Installers set. It didnt come with the countersinks or 5 mm self centering bits and the standard (flat tip) screw driver bits. All that i had buy extra.It did come with the stubby drill bits.

I use the 5mm but for installing drawer slides. I like useing the blum hinges. So it comes in handy.

 

[Alanbach]

I am curious as to approximate price of these sets. I realize that they are all a little different and some of them where purchased in 2013 or before. I just saw something on Amazon that almost $1,000. Is that about right?

 

[Samo]

No  [eek]

 

[Alanbach]

What should they cost?

 

[ScotF]

What should they cost?

1/2 that price

 

[Alanbach]

Thanks!

 

[Ben63]

I think this is the first centrotec set. Bought it for about 15-20 years ago.

 

[six-point socket II]

Thanks for sharing!

Kind regards,
Oliver

 

[Luzzy]

Anyone know where I can get a replacement centotec 1/8" bit for my installer kit?