Long centrotec bits rubbish?

[Timtool]

I have the centrotec installer set with the long yellow coated bits, and i had the perfect situation for them. Driving 5x80 spax screws with a TX20 head through a 10mm hole where any regular bit holder cannot go through.
Those are relatively big screws, but the holes were predrilled and i was using the T15 with the driving mode engaged to stop at the right tension.
All went well untill i very slightly slipped, and noticed how badly it damaged the bit, with the bit damaged it happened more and more and after 100 screws and 20 minutes of work this is how the bit looks, completely useless.
On the left i added my regular festool TX20 bit which i have been using daily for over a year, and driven thousands and thousands of screws with it. it's worn, but still works perfectly.

[attachimg=#]

 

[Brice Burrell]

I've never bought any of the long Festool bit because I heard from several people who's opinions I respect ,that are no good.  So you aren't alone on this.

 

[Steve R]

Wow, that is one worn bit.  Glad to know about the long bits.

Cheers,
Steve

 

[Guy Ashley]

Yup! I have broken two of the long PZ2's, but thought it was just me, I bust things!! [sad]

 

[Stone Message]

Hi Timtool and Guy

I get a sort of chill running down my spine when I discover any Festool failing or failure - it is almost like being reminded of one's own mortality.

If Festool rely on items like these bits and perhaps other non 'electric tool' items to be made for them by other manufacturers then they must ensure that the right quality control mechanisms are in place so that customers are not let down.

I hope that someone from Festool UK reads this and sends you a replacement, maybe with a couple of spares. I know that Shane would have fixed it for someone in NA by now! Is there anyone from Festool Belgium or Germany reading this?

Peter

 

[Mauri Motti]

I also have the Centrotec set (2011) and though I've used the long bits in a T12, I do think they are meant to be used with the hand crank thingy that comes in your set. (just my intuition, no expert here ) In the Centro set there is a bit extension holder too. You could use it with regular fest bits and reach your desired depth with it.

 

[Mauri Motti]

I have the centrotec installer set with the long yellow coated bits, and i had the perfect situation for them. Driving 5x80 spax screws with a TX20 head through a 10mm hole where any regular bit holder cannot go through.
Those are relatively big screws, but the holes were predrilled and i was using the T15 with the driving mode engaged to stop at the right tension.
All went well untill i very slightly slipped, and noticed how badly it damaged the bit, with the bit damaged it happened more and more and after 100 screws and 20 minutes of work this is how the bit looks, completely useless.
On the left i added my regular festool TX20 bit which i have been using daily for over a year, and driven thousands and thousands of screws with it. it's worn, but still works perfectly.

[attachimg=#]

Sorry, misread something here. I thought it concerned depth, not width

 

[Greg Lock]

Hi Peter
I use all sorts of driver bits and accept that at somepoint they will wear, round over or break, this i accept as a consumable cost when used. The tips are under huge force when used.
    The best i have used are the 50mm Makita £10.00 for a tub of 50 and rarely break, i just loose them instead!!
Just because Festool does not mean it will last. I keep the Festool set for Furniture/ Cabinet use only. The big benefit of the green ones is the ability to swap and change.
G.L

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Having had a background in the screw business, just a reminder that the tolerances and quality of screws also play a factor in the fit of the bit. The photo shows that the bit cammed out, which can happen for a number of reasons. But regardless of the reason, camming will severely wear and even destroy the best of bits. I'm not trying to dispute your opinion of our bits, but there's more than just the bit that plays a factor in wear.

Shane

 

[Stone Message]

Hi Peter
I use all sorts of driver bits and accept that at somepoint they will wear, round over or break, this i accept as a consumable cost when used. The tips are under huge force when used.
    The best i have used are the 50mm Makita £10.00 for a tub of 50 and rarely break, i just loose them instead!!
Just because Festool does not mean it will last. I keep the Festool set for Furniture/ Cabinet use only. The big benefit of the green ones is the ability to swap and change.
G.L

Hi Greg

I used to buy bits, especially Pozidrives, in bulk but have now switched to Wera. They must be made of very special steel as they really do last a long time.

Peter

 

[optimistisch]

Hi guys,
the Festool bits are made by WIHA. WIHA is at least on the quality level with Wera, I would rate them a litle bit above Wera.

Ingo

 

[Timtool]

Having had a background in the screw business, just a reminder that the tolerances and quality of screws also play a factor in the fit of the bit. The photo shows that the bit cammed out, which can happen for a number of reasons. But regardless of the reason, camming will severely wear and even destroy the best of bits. I'm not trying to dispute your opinion of our bits, but there's more than just the bit that plays a factor in wear.

Shane

I know that camming them out can quickly destroy a bit, but this bit reacted to the camming like a cheap bit would by disintegrating instantly. I am however impressed by the quality of the small Festool bits, as the one left on the picture had driven thousands of screws and probably cammed out quite a few times. the thing is that then the bit would destroy the screw head, and not the opposite.
I also have a TX15 bit, same age, that i used quite a few times by error on aTX20 screw resulting in camming out. And each time i expect the bit to be ruined, and yet i find it nearly intact and perfectly usable.
I don't usually use spax screws, maybe the metal is harder. Thing is that at around €17 to replace the long bit, i probably will go looking elsewhere.

Edit: Shane, could you maybe confirm or not that these long bits are intented to be used on a power driver, and not just the hand driver that sits next to it in the set? I get the feeling these are for special cases to get get you out of trouble, and certainly not for frequent use. Seeing the thinness and length of the shaft i suspect the metal needs to have different requirement in order not to snap, maybe it's less hard.

 

[festoller]

Tim we've had similar experience with the golden short and long bits in direct comparison to the other version you have on your photo. It also doesn't matter if it's Torx, PZ or any other kind! If I remember right Festool now only offers the long version, the shorter one is available from Protool.

I don't think the golden Centrotec are intended to be used only by hand!

Anyway we've compared both bits (golden Centrotec to grey) on a deck (same number and conditions of screws, as well as the same T15) and came to the same conclusion! Although we got replacements from Festool the problem is still the same and in the end you just stop using them on many projects, they just wear out so fast!

It's quite sad since I really love the golden long and short Centrotec bits, they don't get stuck in the screw, they are easy to switch, and much easier to locate. I prefer the long ones for 95% of the work.

The question is why they can't be manufactured with the same steel than the small grey ones.

I hope there's a better version coming out soon, it seems silly with so many other inovative and durable products!

 

[Greg Lock]

Peter, are you paid by Wera to promote after a review?
G.L

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Shane, could you maybe confirm or not that these long bits are intented to be used on a power driver, and not just the hand driver that sits next to it in the set?

They are for use in drills or the hand driver, either. Those bits existed long before the hand driver was introduced.  [wink]

 

[Deansocial]

Hi Timtool and Guy

I get a sort of chill running down my spine when I discover any Festool failing or failure - it is almost like being reminded of one's own mortality.

If Festool rely on items like these bits and perhaps other non 'electric tool' items to be made for them by other manufacturers then they must ensure that the right quality control mechanisms are in place so that customers are not let down.

I hope that someone from Festool UK reads this and sends you a replacement, maybe with a couple of spares. I know that Shane would have fixed it for someone in NA by now! Is there anyone from Festool Belgium or Germany reading this?

Peter

[dead horse]

 

[Stone Message]

Peter, are you paid by Wera to promote after a review?
G.L

I do not accept payment from anyone for the video review work that I do - it is all free. I earn a small amount from my magazine for articles of mine that get published. I am an independent reviewer who just happens to be a great fan of Festool, Wera, Cyclone Central and Osmo. I try to make sure that all of my reviews are positive - there have been things that I have refused to review.

I did contact Wera UK and told them that I had already bought a number of their tools and that I was going to review them on a woodworking forum and in a woodworking magazine. I was trying to get some woodworking specific literature. The person that I spoke to said that Wera were not particularly interested in the woodworking market as they focus on electricians and plumbers. I made a tiny dig at them in the video for saying that. I expect to be visiting Wera HQ in Germany next year with an aim of making them aware of the woodworking community.

Any other questions?

Peter

 

[ericbuggeln]

These bits are the same as the little three packs of small bits made out of the same material? I got some at ToolNut awhile back and have been using them exclusively with no wear. Not sure yet if they are worth $3.33 a piece but so far so good. I have had the installers set for some time and ran out of some stuff supplied with it, but had left the long bits for the "perfect" job. Would these be the same ones? Eric

 

[Greg Lock]

Hi Peter
Yes, another question - So you are not sponsored or supported by any company/business then, as some reviews are sliding towards other manufacturers products - oil, wera ? Do not get me wrong, free speech and all that.
I ask as i like the video sections and prefer not to be sold 'on the sly' so to speak.
G.L

 

[Stone Message]

Hi Peter
Yes, another question - So you are not sponsored or supported by any company/business then, as some reviews are sliding towards other manufacturers products - oil, wera ? Do not get me wrong, free speech and all that.
I ask as i like the video sections and prefer not to be sold 'on the sly' so to speak.
G.L

Greg

I do understand - it is a common prejudice especially when you see some of the workshops of the reviewers full of the lastest 'must have' kit. I have to remain independent otherwise manufacturers and suppliers would not approach me. I have a huge wish list of kit, especially Festool stuff and so if anyone would like to give me a C15 or a CMS Router insert then just give me a call! Back to reality...I hope to get one for Christmas and the other for my birthday unless I win the lottery.

Peter