Festool router bits

[Jeff Magnus]

    I was informed today by a unreliable Festool supplier that router bits were no longer going to be manufactured by Festool. I was in a pinch and needed a metric cutter for some door hardware, so I called Rockler since its close to my site. Please tell me it isn't so...... I would be crushed if I couldn't use Fes bits anymore.

 

[tbellemare]

It's true, most Festool router bits won't be sold in NA much longer.

Tom

 

[whitesys]

Hi Tom,

Do you know which bits will still be sold in NA?

 

[tbellemare]

The LR 32 and bits relating to the VS 600 should still be sold here for quite some time.

Tom

 

[Wonderwino]

That would really be sickening news if the 8mm bits are going away. 

  Say it ain't so, Shane! 

 

[Ken Nagrod]

Clean up in aisle Alex.  [eek]

 

[Bob Marino]

The Festool  8 mm router bits (made by Lietz, IIRC) are superb bits, the carbide is high quality and the selection is huge.
I have a bunch and will probably get a bunch more before they vaminos  muchachos.
I wish it weren't so, but it is so and am hoping that Festool will revisit the router bits again. They were never properly promoted and featured and am betting the router promotion programs were passed around to whomever was unlucky enough to get that project "placed in their hands." Probably held up and handled like a dirty sweat sock, "puleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeze, give that job to someone else!"
I could be exaggerating a tad, but it simply wasn't promoted. Anyhow, they are great bits at a good price.

Bob

 

[tbellemare]

It occurs to me that the bits that are sold for use with the MFK should continue also.

Tom

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

That would really be sickening news if the 8mm bits are going away. 

  Say it ain't so, Shane! 

We distributed a list of which router bits would be discontinued to dealers. The bits that are discontinued have been discounted by 25%.

I would like to mention, since the OP asked, that Festool will continue to manufacturer its router bits. We are just choosing not to offer some of them in the US market any more.

Here's a list of what we will no longer offer. As mentioned, we will continue to offer bits specific to the MFK, LR 32 and VS 600.

490645 Rev. stile & rail bit HW 46mm OF
490941 Groove/slot cutter HSS 3x8mm OF
490942 Groove/slot cutter HSS 4x15mm OF
490943 Groove/slot cutter HSS 5x12mm OF
490945 Spiral bit HSS 8x19mm OF
490947 Spiral bit HSS 12x20mm OF
490948 Spiral bit HSS 14x20mm OF
490949 Spiral bit HSS 16x20mm OF
490950 Spiral bit HSS 18x25mm OF
490951 Spiral bit HSS 20x25mm OF
490952 Straight/mortising bit HW3x6mm OF
490953 Straight/mortise bit HW 4x10mm OF
490954 Straight/mortise bit HW 5x12mm OF
490955 Straight/mortise bit HW 6x14mm OF
490956 Straight/mortise bit HW 7x17mm OF
490957 Straight/mortise bit HW 8x20mm OF
490958 Straight/mortise bit HW 9x23mm OF
490959 Straight/mortise bit HW10x20mm OF
490960 Straight/mortise bit HW10x25mm OF
490961 Straight/mortise bit HW11x20mm OF
490962 Straight/mortise bit HW12x20mm OF
490963 Straight/mortise bit HW13x20mm OF
490964 Straight/mortise bit HW14x20mm OF
490965 Straight/mortise bit HW15x20mm OF
490966 Straight/mortise bit HW16x20mm OF
490967 Straight/mortise bit HW16x30mm OF
490968 Straight/mortise bit HW18x20mm OF
490969 Straight/mortise bit HW18x30mm OF
490970 Straight/mortise bit HW19x20mm OF
490971 Straight/mortise bit HW20x20mm OF
490972 Straight/mortise bit HW20x30mm OF
490973 Straight/mortise bit HW22x20mm OF
490974 Straight/mortise bit HW24x20mm OF
490975 Straight/mortise bit HW25x20mm OF
490976 Straight/mortise bit HW30x20mm OF
490977 Spiral bit HW 4x10mm OF
490979 Spiral bit HW 8x25mm OF
490983 Core box bit HW R4 OF
490984 Core box bit HW R6.35 OF
490985 Core box bit HW R8 OF
490986 Core box bit HW R9.7 OF
490987 Core box bit HW R12.7 OF
490988 Dovetail bit HSS 14.3mm 15 FS/SZ14
491002 Script bit HSS 11mm 60 OF
491003 Script bit HW 11mm 60 OF
491004 Plunge ovolo bit HW 17mm R3 OF
491005 Plunge ovolo bit HW 19mm R4 OF
491006 Plunge ovolo bit HW 21mm R5 OF
491007 Plunge ovolo bit HW 23mm R6 OF
491008 Plunge ovolo bit HW 27mm R8 OF
491009 Roundover bit w/ 2b HW 16.7mm OF
491010 Roundover bit w/ 2b HW 18.7mm OF
491011 Roundover bit w/ 2b HW 20.7mm OF
491012 Roundover bit w/ 2b HW 22.7mm OF
491013 Roundover bit w/ 2b HW 25.5mm OF
491014 Roundover bit w/ 2b HW 28.7mm OF
491015 Roundover bit w/ 2b HW 31.7mm OF
491016 Roundover bit w/ 2b HW 38.1mm OF
491017 Roundover bit w/ 2b HW 47.2mm OF
491018 Cove bit w/ b. guide HW 25.5mm OF
491019 Cove bit w/ b. guide HW 28.7mm OF
491020 Cove bit w/ b. guide HW 31.7mm OF
491021 Cove bit w/ b. guide HW 38.1mm OF
491022 Rabbet bit HW 31.7mm OF
491024 Chamfer bit w/bear HW 24mm 30 OF
491025 Chamfer bit w/bear HW 24mm 45 OF
491027 Edge trim bit w/b HW 12.7mm OF
491028 Edge trim bit w/b HW 19mm OF
491029 Roman ogee bit w/b HW 31.7mm OF
491030 Roman ogee bit w/b HW 38.1mm OF
491031 Classical ogee bit HW 36.7mm OF
491032 Plunge ogee HW 19mm OF
491033 Hand hole bit HW 19mm OF
491034 Tongue & groove bit HW 34mm OF
491035 Keyhole bit HW 10.5x13mm OF
491036 Aluminum bit HSS 5mm OF
491037 Panel cutter bit HW 8mm OF
491038 Slot cutter HW 40x1.5mm OF
491039 Slot cutter HW 40x1.8mm OF
491040 Slot cutter HW 40x2mm OF
491056 Slot cutter HW 40x2.5mm OF
491057 Slot cutter HW 40x3mm OF
491058 Slot cutter HW 40x3.5mm OF
491059 Slot cutter HW 40x4mm OF
491060 Slot cutter HM 40x5mm OF
491061 Cutter spindle w/ bearing D16 OF1010/1400/2000
491062 Cutter spindle w/o bearing OF1010/1400/2000
491063 Laminate slot cutter HW 40mm OF
491129 Stile bit HW 43mm OF
491130 Rail bit HW 43mm OF
491131 Roundover bit HW 42mm R6 OF
491132 Chamfer bit w/b HW 25.7mm 15 OF
491133 Chamfer bit w/b HW 38.5mm 30 OF
491134 Roundover bit w/a b HW 17.5mm OF
491135 Roundover bit w/a b HW 23.1mm OF
491136 Roundover bit w/a b HW 31.4mm OF
491137 False raised panel bit HW 42mm OF
491138 Raised pnl bit w/o b HW 42.7mm
491139 Bullnose bit HW 27mm OF
491140 Finger pull bit HW 22mm OF
491403 Bearing angled repl. f. 491134
491404 Bearing angled repl. f. 491135
491405 Bearing angled repl. f. 491136
491406 Bearing set (repl.)for 491022
491557 Cutter spindle w/ bearing D28 OF1010/1400/2000

 

[whitesys]

Thanks Shane,

That info helps.

 

[BMH]

I agree with Bob assessment the biggest problem with the Festool bits was that the dealers never had a good selection in stock and would push other brands on me. Our three local dealers had little or no knowledge of what Festool bits where available or understanding of the quality of these bits. This equals poor marketing.

My suggestion to Festool would be to slowly re-introduce these great bits with kits of 3-4 bits  targeting each of their routers starting with the mfk 700.

Bruce

 

[jmbfestool]

LOADS!  Gutted you lot man!

 

[PeterK]

Ok - you need to translate for this dumb yank!!!
And I am half English.

 

[Wonderwino]

I would agree on the promotion.  I suggested sets of bits when I was at router class last year as a way to do this.  Maybe promote the 1010 router with a set of basic bits for a nominal extra cost to get users hooked.  (chamfer, roundover, ogee, edge trim)

I think another aspect would be the "8mm advantage;" I'm not an engineer, but the heavier than 1/4" shaft would have measurably less vibration and chatter.  What is the % of greater mass between the two shaft sizes?  Maybe if these figures were widely known, that would provide more impetus for sales. 

I have about a dozen Festool 8mm bits for my OF1010 and they are all fantastic!  [big grin]

(I remember lots of cigarettes being sold in the 60's with the jingle; "it's a silly millimeter longer, 101s!")

 

[PeterK]

I have about 8 Festool bits and they are extremely high quality.
I totally agree that bit packages should have been offered to expose people to them.
Christian alluded to this happening last year and sadly it is happening.
Festool has several very unique bit designs that I have not found elsewhere.

 

[Wonderwino]

Festool does have the largest selection of 8mm router bits available in NA that I'm aware of.  This is a strength that they could use to their advantage, as most other brands of routers include an 8mm collet, but I think only for Leigh dovetail bits.

Maybe an ongoing program of discounts on multiple bits of the users choice; "Make Your Own Set" with 10% off for 2-3 bits, 15% off for 4-5 bits and 25% off for 6 or more on one order.

How much additional demand would it take for Festool to continue selling the full line of bits in NA?

 

[ccarrolladams]

As Shane stated above, Festool USA will continue to stock the bits specific to LR32, MFK700 and the VS600.

The 2011/2012 NA catalog only mentions these bits.

Shane did confirm that the discontinued bits are on-sale at a discount.

 

[tbellemare]

I just realized yesterday that the 1/2" shank router bits will also continue to be offered. They are the ones with prefix "492" and are considered solid surface bits.

Tom

 

[wilburpan]

Just found this thread after looking into 8mm router bits.

If the 8mm shank router bits are being discontinued, it seems that this is really going to affect sales of the OF 1010 EQ router.  Festool seemed to be the only place where you could find a variety of 8mm router bits in North America, and I don't see anyone laying out $385 for a router that could only use 1/4" router bits, for all practical purposes.

I was pretty close to getting a OF 1010 EQ, and learning about this has made me rethink things.

 

[ajones]

they will buy the of 1010 if they want the router to intergrate into a system.... guide rails and the lr32 system..