Just curious - Limited edt. Centrotec systainer kit, are U using it?

[FestitaMakool]

I was just curious, wondering how many of you owning one or several set(s) of the limited
Centrotec kits are using the bits’n bobs for your projects.

And how many of you store them like shelf queens?

 

[Crazyraceguy]

I would use them, if I could get ahold of one. None of my tools are "collection" oriented. As it is, my Centrotec gear is rather limited.

 

[guybo]

Hi, I have the 498796 sort1 and carry it with the csx,however these are my shelf queens

 

[batmanimal]

Are those Festool allan wrenches? Had no idea that was a thing! Who makes them, I wonder?

I have the centrotec LE kit # 576932

I recently invested in the CXS and C18, and picked up the kit as part of the expenditure

After opening it, what struck me was how much space there is. It is not a particularly efficient use of the larger container. It is not something I would carry around with me too much. I would rather curate a smaller number of bits and store them in a sleeve in the drill systainer or in my toolbelt, and return them to the kit after I’m done with them… kind of like a drill bit mansion for them to return to after a day of work.

I also don’t care for the way the little bits are stored in the open bins. I don’t like digging my fingers down into a tiny box to grasp one. I much prefer the “flat” storage style of the longer boring bits where you can see what you have all on one page and take what you need.

 

[Coen]

Nope, don't own one. I would have, had I bought a Festool driver. But as I've said before, for the cost of one T18+3 Set I now have a Bosch 18V and two Bosch 12V machines (one of them with all the attachments), complete with a charger and two batteries each. Centrotec is nice, but not nice enough. Although the bit storage on the machine that Festool has also trumps anything comparable of the competition.

Are those Festool allan wrenches? Had no idea that was a thing! Who makes them, I wonder?

Festool Toolie. Pretty much has all the drivers you need for adjusting Festool stuff.

 

[twistsol1]

I have a set, don't know which one but it came in a Sys 1. That and the C18 are in my don't leave home without it pile unless I'm going to my daughter's house in Sioux Falls. She has the same set.

I also have one of those Festool Toolie's and it never leaves the shop so it doesn't get lost. It has everything you need to adjust Festool stuff except for 1 thing and I can never remember what that one thing is until I need to do it, then I grumble about it like a grumpy old man  , get the right tool and move on with my life.

 

[FestitaMakool]

Ah well, the Toolie..
that’s a “bicycle” tool. Great for its convenience, and should be carried as a Festool tool adjuster on the go, or even in the shop.

I’m 99% sure Wiha makes this for Festool - Wiha has the same, but ie with Hex or Torx instead.

Guybo: Can you use more than two at once?  [big grin] Shouldn’t these be spread around on various places [wink]

 

[guybo]

I love playing Edward Toolie Hands [big grin]

 

[johnyhuh]

Have the 497628. I use it regularly. It's not cheap, but comes with many things I use for installation.

 

[Cheese]

Hey Festita...I have the USA installer set from 2015. I like it a lot. However, I think it's really important to modify these Systainer sets to work for you. ONE of the biggest issues is to find some additional room in the Systainer to add to the set those things that you need to have with you.  Maybe the SYS³ Systainers are better in that respect?

I transferred the installer set into an attic Systainer and that really made a difference.

[attachimg=1]

A Milwaukee Sharpie and a Starrett center punch added to the top section.

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Some hex keys and a couple of countersinks added to the bottom section.

[attachimg=3]

And then there's the attic space, lots of extra space in there.

[attachimg=4]

And all this and more is stored in the attic.  [smile]  All/most of this stuff is usually used for an installation, all kept in one place.

[attachimg=5]

 

[Frank-Jan]

...
I also have one of those Festool Toolie's and it never leaves the shop so it doesn't get lost. It has everything you need to adjust Festool stuff except for 1 thing and I can never remember what that one thing is until I need to do it, then I grumble about it like a grumpy old man  , get the right tool and move on with my life.

I have a toolie from when I got my first festool (an atf55). The things I didn't like about it is that the flat head screwdriver was not the ideal shape to fix the railconnectors; and the main missing part was the 3 mm allan key, used for almost all doorhandles round here and also the MFS jig.

When I bought my first centrotec compatible drill (then protool pdc 18) I got both the festool 2008 centrotec systainer and the protool version. I still use the festool, but the protools systainer was used so little the latches still go stiff, while the festool is in it's second or third systainer.

 

[johnyhuh]

Hey Festita...I have the USA installer set from 2015. I like it a lot. However, I think it's really important to modify these Systainer sets to work for you. ONE of the biggest issues is to find some additional room in the Systainer to add to the set those things that you need to have with you.  Maybe the SYS³ Systainers are better in that respect?

I transferred the installer set into an attic Systainer and that really made a difference.

[attachimg=1]

A Milwaukee Sharpie and a Starrett center punch added to the top section.

[attachimg=2]

Some hex keys and a couple of countersinks added to the bottom section.

[attachimg=3]

And then there's the attic space, lots of extra space in there.

[attachimg=4]

And all this and more is stored in the attic.  [smile]  All/most of this stuff is usually used for an installation, all kept in one place.

[attachimg=5]

I wish Festool brings metrics CE set to NA.

 

[FestitaMakool]

Good point Cheese, adapting the set to each needs.
There was actually one set that had the attic lid, that set had a lot more space for “your own” tools in the bottom tray. (I’ve added a photo of that tray I found online - marked with red star)

I’m migrating my attic lid from my C18 systainer - it’s a better use for it on the Centrotec kit.
(I’m slowly going to add SYS3 with attic lids for my drills, but mostly this will be for non Centrotec bits)
Plan is to keep the Centrotec thingys close to each other and not linked to a drill case, for me it’ll be better to grab the Centrotec SYS together with the drill of choice. Most times I use standard hex accessories anyway. BUT, the new HSS drill bit kit for the attic lid of the SYS3 is a set I’m going to buy, it’s long awaited for my use anyway.

There’s another set (HD/15) on its way, I’ll post some photos of this later.

Well, here’s mine, it’s a SYS 1 CE-SORT from 20180710 part No. 497628
(Bottom photo is the bottom tray of the set that had the attic lid)

[attachimg=1]

[attachimg=2]

Part No: 500875 from 2015:
[attachimg=3]

 

[batmanimal]

I greatly prefer the systainer and Sys+attic based kits I am seeing here over the organizer based kit I have. Shallow trays are much more sensible for bits vs tiny deep open bins.

I think I will eventually migrate my kit to a Systainer with attic, and include the attachments from the drill kits so they can be in one place with the bit assortment. Very similar to the installer kit that you have shown here. Then repurpose the organizer I have for fasteners and nuts/washers, things like that.

I also would like to find a toolie but it doesn’t seem common in the US.

I am really enjoying this thread. It is helpful to see how others organize!

 

[Cheese]

Plan is to keep the Centrotec thingys close to each other and not linked to a drill case, for me it’ll be better to grab the Centrotec SYS together with the drill of choice. Most times I use standard hex accessories anyway. BUT, the new HSS drill bit kit for the attic lid of the SYS3 is a set I’m going to buy, it’s long awaited for my use anyway.

Ya Festita I agree with you, all my drills are stand alone items...none of them are housed in a Systainer. The Systainers for the drills have been repurposed a long time ago.  [big grin]  It's just easier to grab a drill or two and then grab the Systainer of drill items I need. I showed you the Installers Set that I use most of the time, but I also have a Systainer full of Milwaukee hole saws and ship auger bits. Just grab a drill & grab a Systainer.  [smile]

 

[FestitaMakool]

True Cheese, my Festool drills have lived in their systainers too long.. I tend to grab what’s on the bench and laying around (Yes, I have a few Makita’s - 3 which are my favourites and they are spread and ready to use). Trying to move that habit now..

Here’s another one, this kit was bought for 3 reasons (4.. it’s was on special limited price)
I wanted the small bins, the ORG systainer and the screwdriver bits (for manual driving).

Then I started  a small conversion I’ll try out (as I like the ORG SYS’, apart from Bott..).
I’ve adapted with a good amount of plastic grinding and sanding.. a couple of bit sets that completes Centrotec and standard hex. It’s not finished yet, so any suggestions are welcome!
The plywood will be painted with a rattle can if I’m pleased with how it works out.

The bit set with sockets are really nice, the extender can be used in a handle or in a drill too.
The other set is a cheap one, but so far it’s looks very good (S2 steel) - And it has some of the more unusual bits like hex, S (Robertson) and PH0. I like the idea of opening ONE box/or lid instead of multiple boxes open/shut/open/shut.. you know what I mean [wink]

[attachimg=1]

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[attachimg=5]

 

[batmanimal]

[member=71478]FestitaMakool[/member] do you have the part number for the HSS drill bit kit you plan to buy? I am very impressed by your system. Sure beats a magnetic dish with random bit thingies stuck on it. Not like I do that … (I definitely do that)

You have the same LE organizer kit that I just got a few weeks ago, btw. Magnificent job reorganizing it! Why didn’t I think of that?

Anyway, it’s the the only kit I’ve purchased that I considered returning. But, because of my addiction, and because the organizer is pretty, I decided to keep it (and like you say, there are lots of bins and parts in there that I like)

[attachimg=1]

You can see the bins included are 95% wasted space. So the bins will be repurposed, and bits will be moved into a custom set up (inspired by yours, Cheese’s, and others here). If I come up with anything worth sharing, I will.

I don’t suppose anyone knows if the systainer based installer kit will be reissued?

 

[FestitaMakool]

Hey [member=77343]batmanimal[/member]
Haha, you did did you.. well, yes it’s a total waste of space. I bought the 150mm wide bins accordingly - these where the only ones I didn’t have before, and I needed more of the small bins for the screw box. That’s when I got the idea of making this one as an accessory box.
However, to make the small stuff be in its place, you need to be careful to match the height inside, so the lid holds everything in place - otherwise you’re left with at least one ore two very unorganised bins once you lift the whole thing…  [big grin]

The bits and drill bits take up unnecessary huge space.. it may have to go, I doubt this will ever be a “history item”. I repacked the small bits immediately into zip lock bags, tagging them for spares..

Over here the part no’ on the HSS bits are: 577402

 

[batmanimal]

Hey [member=77343]batmanimal[/member]
Haha, you did did you.. well, yes it’s a total waste of space. I bought the 150mm wide bins accordingly - these where the only ones I didn’t have before, and I needed more of the small bins for the screw box. That’s when I got the idea of making this one as an accessory box.
However, to make the small stuff be in its place, you need to be careful to match the height inside, so the lid holds everything in place - otherwise you’re left with at least one ore two very unorganised bins once you lift the whole thing…  [big grin]

The bits and drill bits take up unnecessary huge space.. it may have to go, I doubt this will ever be a “history item”. I repacked the small bits immediately into zip lock bags, tagging them for spares..

Over here the part no’ on the HSS bits are: 577402

Agree! This is not Festool’s most well thought out use of space, for sure. I am thinking I will need another type of kit and then make something work with all the parts.

The idea of modifying any of these makes me more nervous than it should. It’s not like I’m “ruining” anything precious like that one Simpsons episode where Homer makes his own professors jacket (see link below, in quotes to make it appear). I just need to get over my reluctance and make it work for me!

“https://youtu.be/UF29LRqwjXA”

 

[FestitaMakool]

Well, the bins can be moved about - and these are not something I’d worry about modifying, they are “cheap”. The nice thing about using the SYS ORG, is that it can be moved in and out and between SYS ORG’s - making it a viable modular option.

So, Festool.. Do the Centrotec options:
-Primarily non limited option
-Add permanent items such as the handles - NO limited options here!

Make it modular:
- Give the possibility to buy modules that fits the systainers, and that can be combined.

This will give the Centrotec a status as a viable option for various users
- “Build Your Own Set”