Newbie Centrotec Question

[JohnnyNum6]

I'm new to Festool and pretty novice with tools in general, so I apologize if this is a dumb question.  I did look for the answer and its possible that I found it, but just don't know enough to understand it.

Are "Centrotec" bits/drivers only manufactured by Festool?  More specifically, if I want to purchase a drill bit which fits the "Centrotec mechanism" (without using some type of adapter) can I only purchase them from Festool?  I was wondering if other manufactures produce bits/drivers which fit in the Centrotec drive, but maybe call it something other than "Centrotec" possibly for copy right reasons.  If the answer is "yeah there is some cheap knock off that sucks", then to me the answer is really "no".  Just wondering if its a situation where many other top bit/driver manufactures make items that use the centrotec "specification"...or heck I did mention I'm a newbie, so maybe they make them and call them centrotec, but I'm just not finding them.  Thanks!

 

[Scott in San Diego]

Snappy Tools make a small variety of Snappy Centrotec bit sets.  As for example:
https://www.amazon.com/SNAPPY-5-Pie...5?crid=1OJ3XAVOZVBT5&dchild=1&keywords=snappy+bits&qid=1596821619&sprefix=snappy+bits%2Caps%2C223&sr=8-15

 

[JohnnyNum6]

Scott thank you for taking the time to answer!

 

[Svar]

There are Fisch and Axminster branded Centrotec bits available from Axminster tools in UK.
Some people modified regular hex bits to fit Centrotec chuck. See Half Inch Shy on Youtube and plenty of topics on FOG about the conversion.

 

[ear3]

Although the snappy drill bit size selections are limited, they do also make a Centrotec shanked quick change bit holder for standard 1/4" hex drill bits.

 

[semenza]

  I have been using the Snappy Centrotec for years. They are decent bits. The selection is not huge but it does cover most general woodworking bits aside from large holes. I have the bit holder style drill bits (twist drills) and the countersink bits.  There are also a couple sizes of self centering bits.

Seth

 

[Rusty_Shackleford]

Axminster makes bits as mentioned above by Svar under their Trade Bitz line which are universal to 1/4" and more less any quick connect including Centrotec.  I ordered a few different sizes of bit extensions from them as they are perfect for both my PDC and TID as they work in both chucks and 1/4" by 1" bits of various varieties can be had from almost any manufacturer.  The extensions are not impact rated but most of my applications where I would be using an extension won't call for impact.  The genuine Centrotec are better quality pieces but the universal aspect of the Trade Bitz are useful and the cost with shipping was literally about 1/4 of the Festool extensions.  Axminster is clearing these out, not sure if they'll replace them with impact rated but get them while they last if you're getting onto Centrotec.

I believe it was Peter Parfitt of The New Brit Workshop who spoke about this in another thread about terminology but double groove which is what the Axminster bits actually are is another name for them.  You won't find much by Googling that though.