Question about festool bits

[MahalaHomecraft]

So I recently purchased one of the European installer bit sets from Axminster.  It's an impressive set, but I don't understand some of the options (or lack thereof) in festool's bit selection.  Having complete faith in festool, I chalk this up to a lack of imagination on my part instead of a lack of ingenuity on festool's.  So maybe you guys can help me out.

Your average set of countersinks comes with at least 3 pieces.  Why does festool offer only one countersink on a drill bit with a stop? 

Same for the self-centering hinge bit.  Also, any idea why none of the American bit sets include this (extremely useful) bit?  The lack of smaller sizes here is particularly annoying.  If you want to use this bit for a piano hinge, or anything using screws even close to that small, forget it.

Hook driver?  Seriously?

There are a few other glaring omissions, like a small enough slotted bit to use on the guide rail screws, and any square bits at all.  Don't get me wrong, I like this set, but for how much it costs it kind of sucks that I have to go out and buy several more bits to fill in the gaps.  Shipping from England just so I could get a set with regular (not brad point) drill bits for which festool offers individual replacements was no picnic either.  I get that festool's whole product line isn't available in the US, but when it comes to something like a bit set, I can't help but wonder why.

I would also like to add that this is probably the only time you'll ever hear me complain about a festool product, and in spite of my (minor) complaints I think it's great having an already put together set in a systainer like this.

 

[AlexThePalex]

Your average set of countersinks comes with at least 3 pieces.  Why does festool offer only one countersink on a drill bit with a stop? 

The countersinks are very expensive. Here they cost €60 a piece. Festool puts one in the centrotec set to make the set look more sexy. Adding the other two would make the entire set cost another €100.

Same for the self-centering hinge bit.  Also, any idea why none of the American bit sets include this (extremely useful) bit?  The lack of smaller sizes here is particularly annoying.  If you want to use this bit for a piano hinge, or anything using screws even close to that small, forget it.

Same as what I said above. The self centering bit is also very expensive, costing also €60. I completely agree with your disappointment in the lack of sizes. I would like to see more of them, as I would like to see more different centrotec items in general.

Hook driver?  Seriously?

I don't get why a lot of people can't appreciate the hook driver. I don't use it often, but occasionally it does come in handy. The day I bought it I had to drive hundreds of hooks. Paid itself back in half an hour. Unlike the bits mentioned above, the hook driver is cheap at €10. So it's easy for Festool to include it without driving the price of the total set up too much.

There are a few other glaring omissions, like a small enough slotted bit to use on the guide rail screws, and any square bits at all.  Don't get me wrong, I like this set, but for how much it costs it kind of sucks that I have to go out and buy several more bits to fill in the gaps.  Shipping from England just so I could get a set with regular (not brad point) drill bits for which festool offers individual replacements was no picnic either.  I get that festool's whole product line isn't available in the US, but when it comes to something like a bit set, I can't help but wonder why.

As said above, too many omissions indeed. There are so many bits I'd like to see added to the centrotec system. I really love the centrotec system, drillling has never been easeir and more fun, but it's just too darn restricted.

I would also like to add that this is probably the only time you'll ever hear me complain about a festool product

Seriously? I'm sure you'll think up a couple more along the way.  [wink]

By the way, if you ordered from Axminster, why didn't you take the more expensive set? That set has more of the bits you say you want, but as expected, costs over 100 pounds more.

 

[peter halle]

Alex has given great answers.  I will only address the square drive bit question.  Festool doesn't make a square drive bit.  They aren't popular in Europe.  There are now manufacturers in North America who make Centrotec square drive bits.

Peter

 

[MahalaHomecraft]

I did get the more expensive set.  The issues are more about what festool offers and less about what they put in the kit.  Festool doesn't make smaller countersink bits with stops or self centering bits, and that's what I'm curious about.

 

[Sparktrician]

Same for the self-centering hinge bit.  Also, any idea why none of the American bit sets include this (extremely useful) bit?  The lack of smaller sizes here is particularly annoying.  If you want to use this bit for a piano hinge, or anything using screws even close to that small, forget it.

That set is largely intended for installers of cabinets.  Most cabinets use 5mm screws for door hinges and the like, and the Festool self-centering bit is perfect for this purpose.  If you want other sizes, take a look at Vix Bits. 

 

[MahalaHomecraft]

I have a set like that made by snappy.  I like them, but obviously they aren't centrotec (although snappy does make a centrotec set), and I've been less than thrilled with the spring retraction on them.  I had some of snappy's countersink bits and I wasn't crazy about them either.  I had a lot of problems with bit breakage and the pilot are all odd sizes.  I recently switched to a Dewalt set from Home Depot.  The dewalts are tapered where the snappys were straight, and they're much sturdier bits.  They were way cheaper too.

 

[leakyroof]

Alex has given great answers.  I will only address the square drive bit question.  Festool doesn't make a square drive bit.  They aren't popular in Europe.  There are now manufacturers in North America who make Centrotec square drive bits.

Peter

I would like a slightly smaller drill bit in the counter sink bit as an option. The two choices, of which I own both , are just a bit bit for small screws or screw heads. I agree with Akex about the hook installer bit, you love it when you need it.
Square Bit ala Robertson Bit driver, well that's a long discussed subject , now isn't it.... [wink]