POLL: Would You Purchase a Centrotec-Driver if Available in USA?

[WarnerConstCo.]

I spent 400 bucks on a Wera ratchet set, I appreciate quality tools.

Robertson bits are soo last century guys.

 

[Frank Pellow]

...

Robertson bits are soo last century guys.

And many 'last century' things are the best.  [poke]

 

[EcoFurniture]

Robertson bits are soo last century guys.

I agree... but if this is what's available , then that's what we are using...

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

You guys really can't get a hold of torx head screws in Canada?

I mean GRK is a canadian company for goodness sakes.

 

[Frank Pellow]

You guys really can't get a hold of torx head screws in Canada?

I mean GRK is a canadian company for goodness sakes.

Yes, it is possible to get Torx screws, but they are not in common usage and they are expensive.  By my estimate, 90 percent of the screws for sale in most hardware stores are Robertson.  The same goes for screws that have been used in any reconstruction project that one takes on.

And anyway, I don't find Torx screws to be any better than Robertson.  I will admit that Torx are as good as Robertson are as good, but that's all.

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

The discussion of Robertson (square drive) has come up plenty of times. Your wire detent Robertson bits will work perfectly fine in these bit holders.

 

[Frank Pellow]

The discussion of Robertson (square drive) has come up plenty of times. Your wire detent Robertson bits will work perfectly fine in these bit holders.

But they don't work in pure Centronix chucks.  That's the support that I (and many others) have been asking for for many years.

Festool simply is not listening.  [dead horse]

I get the impression that Festool thinks they know better than many of their customers.

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

I just don't think that Robertson exists or is widely adopted in Germany. There are many other recesses that are more widely used throughout the world, which are supported in the Centrotec line.

Maybe our European friends can comment on the use of square drive there.

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

I just don't think that Robertson exists or is widely adopted in Germany. There are many other recesses that are more widely used throughout the world, which are supported in the Centrotec line.

Maybe our European friends can comment on the use of square drive there.

They don't know that roberston guy. [smile]

I don't use anything other then driver tips, Wera's and GRK's.

 

[Frank Pellow]

I just don't think that Robertson exists or is widely adopted in Germany. There are many other recesses that are more widely used throughout the world, which are supported in the Centrotec line.

Maybe our European friends can comment on the use of square drive there.

They are not used in Germany and that's the problem.

Festool should realize that, when they are selling tools in local markets, some adaptation to local usage would be good for their business.

Christian has known about thios requirement for many years and I believe that he even tried to obtain such support, but nothing has come of his efforts.

 

[Christian93117]

The discussion of Robertson (square drive) has come up plenty of times. Your wire detent Robertson bits will work perfectly fine in these bit holders.

But they don't work in pure Centronix chucks.  That's the support that I (and many others) have been asking for for many years.

Festool simply is not listening.  [dead horse]

I get the impression that Festool thinks they know better than many of their customers.

Festool doesn't think they know better than many of their customers. And I think we are listening.

We have tried with numerous suppliers of bits to get a square drive bit in Centrotec format. We have tried on our own, and we enlisted the help of
McFeely's. It was not possible to get a Centrotec square drive bit in Festool quality at an acceptable price. We are well aware of the issue and we would love
to offer Centrotec square drive bits.

Christian

 

[Skylar]

This set would be great for me. Being a mechanic for a living, the cost of this set is quite reasonable if the tools are German made (Wera?). I have a Snap-On imperial set almost identical to this, (minus the Centrotec handle of course) that cost me over $200 WITHOUT a case. That was another $26 I think! As many on here know, quality comes at a price. Anyway, I vote yes, love to have one for my woodworking projects! Great discussion guys, keep it going!

                                      Skylar

 

[Kevin D.]

The discussion of Robertson (square drive) has come up plenty of times. Your wire detent Robertson bits will work perfectly fine in these bit holders.

But they don't work in pure Centronix chucks.  That's the support that I (and many others) have been asking for for many years.

Festool simply is not listening.  [dead horse]

I get the impression that Festool thinks they know better than many of their customers.

Festool doesn't think they know better than many of their customers. And I think we are listening.

We have tried with numerous suppliers of bits to get a square drive bit in Centrotec format. We have tried on our own, and we enlisted the help of
McFeely's. It was not possible to get a Centrotec square drive bit in Festool quality at an acceptable price. We are well aware of the issue and we would love
to offer Centrotec square drive bits.

Christian

And that's a shame, because like most Canadians surrounded by Robertson everywhere, I would not be buying as a result.  [sad]

 

[peter halle]

Just a reminder that there is a way to use standard bits - including square drive - as part of the centrotec system.

[attachimg=#]

I learned about this a year ago and it is my most used accessory.

 

[Frank Pellow]

Festool doesn't think they know better than many of their customers. And I think we are listening.

We have tried with numerous suppliers of bits to get a square drive bit in Centrotec format. We have tried on our own, and we enlisted the help of
McFeely's. It was not possible to get a Centrotec square drive bit in Festool quality at an acceptable price. We are well aware of the issue and we would love
to offer Centrotec square drive bits.

Christian

Christian I know that you yourself tried to get these made a few years ago and that you reported that lack of success here about three years ago.  So, I apologize for what I said about Festool knowing better than us.  You, as a representative of Festool, did take this requirement seriously.

But, that was three years ago (I just checked out datebase at this web site and you reported this on October the 10th, 2007).   Surely, if Festool Germany was serious about this requirement, with three years plus lead time they could have gotten one of the companies that does produce other bits that meet your standards to produce Robertson bits as well.  How hard can it be?

 

[Frank Pellow]

Just a reminder that there is a way to use standard bits - including square drive - as part of the centrotec system.

I learned about this a year ago and it is my most used accessory.

Peter, I am aware of this and I used to own one.  But, I lost it.  While I still had the bit holder, I did use it quite a lot.  But, it was not as convenient as having a real Centronec bit, and I found myself missplacing it from time to time.  The current misplacement has lasted for a couple of years.  [embarassed]

 

[Wood_Junkie]

I'm conflicted about the Centro-Tec hand driver....  I got this at Home Depot for $9.99.  I normally avoid yellow tinged tools..  So, for the price it's fine.

[attachthumb=#]

I do like this quick release mechanism.  It is self-ejecting, and doesn't require any retracting/pulling to insert a bit.  You just push it in and it locks into place.  

To release, you retract the sleeve and it auto-unlocks, but a magnet keeps it from taking off.  In other words, you could change bits one-handed, on a ladder, easily.
It fits standard ball-detente driver bits.

On the other hand, regarding Centro-tec sets... I would love to have a hand driver, as included in the C-Tec 2010 drilling/driver *set*.

But, just on its own I wouldn't have much use for it, as I use the Bhs65 in my drill to hold driver bits, which are almost all 1/4" generics.
Almost all the things I own that are actual Centro-tec shanks are drill bits... not much use in a hand tool.

 

[Corwin]

Well, lots of interesting replies.  As for me, I have the Centrotec '07 kit (I think that the '07 is the one I have) and would LOVE to be able to get the Centrotec-Driver to go with that kit.  While it would be nice to see this driver come with some kits, I want to see it available as a separate item so that I can add it to the kit I already have without having to buy yet another kit just to get this driver.

As to the square drive bits, I also would like to see Festool offer some that are Centrotec rather than have to use the standard square drive bits in the bit holder.  Until that happens, I guess we will have to modify our own bits to fit.

 

[Brice Burrell]

I say the next guy that mentions the Robertson Centrotec bits issue gets this [ban]
[poke] [big grin]

 

[Corwin]

I say the next guy that mentions the Robertson Centrotec bits issue gets this [ban]
[poke] [big grin]

Or, why don't you just start a poll, Brice?  Simply list the name of the top offenders that have suggested Festool offer square drive bits, and let the voting begin.    [tongue]