Festool HSS bits opinions

[PreferrablyWood]

My thoughts center on centrotec bits FESTOOL SPIRALBOHRER - KASSETTE HSS D3-10 CE/10x Nr: 195128, this is a set of 10 HSS bits that have the shanks you can get replacement bits for, It's rather expensive but I'm needing to do some drilling in steel this week with my new PDC and want to start off right with my first Festool drill. For this kind of money I'd hope these HSS bits are good to excellent for normal drilling in steel as well as plexiglass? If they not so good for say 4mm holes in plexiglass causing chipping and so on is there another type of bit that would work better for that application?

I will try and get this set added to an order I have that was delayed and will likely be on its way tomorrow, my retailer has the cheapest price I can find them for in the The EU but still somewhat expensive for ten bits,.. but I can understand that knowing that it is a real advantage of getting replaceable HSS bits for the centrotec holder. I speculate also in some cases it might be interesting to try to switch out the HSS bits for a third party titanium or cobalt bit, if they have the same dimension I can't see that it would be a problem.

Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[AlexThePalex]

It is an expensive kit, but you're also paying for the centrotec holders. After the initial purchase you only have to buy replacement drill bits.

I have this set and I use these bits the most. They are very high quality, very sharp, and leave an excellent round hole without chipping. They also stay sharp for a long time because they are made from a very hard metal. Downside is that my most used bits 4 and 4,5 mm break more often than I would like and I already had to replace a handful of both sizes.

When I first got into centrotec I hesitated to buy this set because it cost so much, but I simply couldn't feel like my centrotec set was complete without it so I had to get it. Bought it for 67,50 euros from a dealer, when you shop around it is possible to get it cheaper than list price. Similar sets from top brands like Famag cost about the same though.

I always feel it's a joy to use these bits, and haven't regretted buying them for second. I use them for almost any material, except stone of course. Metal, wood, plastics, glass, it all works great. 

What's also great about the holders is that you can put anything in them you like.

 

[PreferrablyWood]

Okay thanks Alex, I think you just sold me on the set in question then, I'll try and get them added to my order, they have them for around 50 €...

 

[mouppe]

They're the set that comes in the centrotec set. Good bits. I bought the 3mm replacement bits too as I use that size the most. Don't lose the hex key!

The code is 495128 fyi (not 195128).

 

[AlexThePalex]

I'll try and get them added to my order, they have them for around 50 €...

That's very cheap, €50. Most dealers here sell them for over 90. I'd jump on that immediately.

 

[PreferrablyWood]

I just ordered them now, so it's almost evertying Centrotec I can get for the PDC 18/4, I'll be missing the countersinks with depth stop and the larger countersink, and a couple of other things..

I guess I'll get the anglechuck,depthstop chuck and the 3/8 chucks slowly over the next months when I get extra items, like the TS75 Blades or the Syslite KAL2..

 

[mouppe]

I just noticed that the Festool codes for the replacement bits are on a label on the back of the case.

 

[PreferrablyWood]

I'm really excited about my ah hoc centrotec kit! The HSS bits with the reuseable shanks had exscaped me on my initial perusal through the catalog, but they are a very smart idea, I could potentially also get the stubby bradpoint replacement bits and use them in the these shanks, as well as some other types of tools to use in these shanks like mini grinding balls, spindle sanders, but I suppose these smaller type of shaping tools would suit the CXS sized drill better..Than my PDC so the CXS seems to be moving to my want list...

 

[mouppe]

I'm really excited about my ah hoc centrotec kit! The HSS bits with the reuseable shanks had exscaped me on my initial perusal through the catalog, but they are a very smart idea, I could potentially also get the stubby bradpoint replacement bits and use them in the these shanks, as well as some other types of tools to use in these shanks like mini grinding balls, spindle sanders, but I suppose these smaller type of shaping tools would suit the CXS sized drill better..Than my PDC so the CXS seems to be moving to my want list...

I'm not sure about the brad-point bits being replaceable, or the compatibility of other tools. The HSS bits have a flat on the shaft against which the grub screw tightens. The brad-point bits are different.

But they are very good bits.

Also, the depth stop bits have different bits in them too to the HSS bit set ( and use a different hex key size). It's all quite confusing sometimes!

 

[PreferrablyWood]

I'm really excited about my ah hoc centrotec kit! The HSS bits with the reuseable shanks had exscaped me on my initial perusal through the catalog, but they are a very smart idea, I could potentially also get the stubby bradpoint replacement bits and use them in the these shanks, as well as some other types of tools to use in these shanks like mini grinding balls, spindle sanders, but I suppose these smaller type of shaping tools would suit the CXS sized drill better..Than my PDC so the CXS seems to be moving to my want list...

I'm not sure about the brad-point bits being replaceable, or the compatibility of other tools. The HSS bits have a flat on the shaft against which the grub screw tightens. The brad-point bits are different.

But they are very good bits.

Also, the depth stop bits have different bits in them too to the HSS bit set ( and use a different hex key size). It's all quite confusing sometimes!

I'm sure it is, but surely the old pioneering spirit will find work arounds.. But I here will request a standardization for Centrotec replacement bits so that they can be interchanged, in a pinch. I can see that the shank would have to be flattened at the gripping point to allow the hex locking screw to lock it in tightly... You could potentially grind/file a flat spot on thirdpart bits, though I haven't tried it in practice...

 

[AlexThePalex]

You could potentially grind/file a flat spot on thirdpart bits, though I haven't tried it in practice...

I have, with a bench or an angle grinder, works just fine.