Reason no slotted bits are included in any Festool Centrotec sets?

[RHymc4qH6sg7]

Tried searching but couldn't find any results, and am looking at all the available bit sets that Festool has available and I can't seem to find any Centrotec slotted bits (standard/flathead) included in any of the sets?

Just curious if there is a specific reason Festool doesn't make/create a bit for this type of screw?

 

[gharel]

They also don't make hex bits, probably just not enough demand for these and the type of work people use their festool drivers for. The bit holders have been a good enough substitute for me

Sent from my Pixel 7 using Tapatalk

 

[Packard]

All the other bits in that set were created to resolve the issue of using a slotted screw with a powered driver. 

The first was the Phillips head, then the square drive and the star bit.  All in an effort to make driving screws compatible with screw guns.

I think they are telling you, “Don’t use a power driver with slotted head screws”.

My house was built in 1953.  All the fasteners original to the house are slotted.  Removing them with a power screw gun is a pain.  Installing them is ever more painful. 

I guess it is kind of why manufactures stopped making photographic film.  It is not very good for production.  (A problem now because forensics labs are switching back to film photography).

 

[Crazyraceguy]

I always feel like people are being "cheated" by the companies that sell the slotted bits as part of the sets.
It's a way to provide more, while it's not actually more, kind of like cheap router bit sets. Some of them are never used, but the set looks bigger.

 

[PaulMarcel]

I always feel like people are being "cheated" by the companies that sell the slotted bits as part of the sets.
It's a way to provide more, while it's not actually more, kind of like cheap router bit sets. Some of them are never used, but the set looks bigger.

Exactly my thought. And I have some driver bits and router bits that fit that category that still have shipping oil on them.

Sometimes I have a long-azz 32 tpi #10 slotted screw to drive for a light fixture. I bought this DeWalt sliding driver extension just for these cases. Slide the outer shell over the driver bit (slotted in this case) and you can trap the screw inside so you don't slide off the screw head, mar the ceiling, or cuss profusely.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

Paul, I have one very similar, for the rare occasion (thankfully) but it does come in handy
I hate slotted screws almost as much as Phillips. Those give you the illusion of being drivable with power, but it's a lie.
Robertson forever!

 

[guybo]

Tried searching but couldn't find any results, and am looking at all the available bit sets that Festool has available and I can't seem to find any Centrotec slotted bits (standard/flathead) included in any of the sets?

Just curious if there is a specific reason Festool doesn't make/create a bit for this type of screw?

Hi, they used to I have several twin boxes(when they had two sides) they had a slotted bit, the ce sort 15 has 2 100mm slotted blades. use them all the time to remove switch covers.btw they are decorative screws. Most impact driver sets contain a slotted bit,many old steeldoors used them in the hinges, they were threaded. they made these for the new guy [big grin] impact driver used with a hammer

 

[PaulMarcel]

Paul, I have one very similar, for the rare occasion (thankfully) but it does come in handy
I hate slotted screws almost as much as Phillips. Those give you the illusion of being drivable with power, but it's a lie.
Robertson forever!

I love Robertson-drive and Torx-drive screws. I don't mind the Quadrex (Philips/Square) drive since I can punt with a square driver, but someone else can use a Philips if they don't have one (the only complaint I get from using non-Philips).

So the rumor was always that Philips were designed to cam-out to avoid over-torquing, but that was only added to the revised patent in the 40's since they realized they could claim it was a design decision. The original patent never mentions it. The original patent predates power drivers though.

 

[Cheese]

Like guybo mentioned, a slotted SZ bit was always included in the TwinBox holders. Festool offered both short and long versions until around 2016/2017. After that, only the long 100 mm versions were available.

[attachimg=1]

[attachimg=2]

Speaking of TwinBox holders, here's something that may be of interest. I put an extra PZ 1 bit in a lathe and turned it down to produce an awl for when it's used in a Festool bit handle. It really has come in handy on several occasions. The TwinBox holder is important because that allows the awl bit to be installed upside down to prevent personal injury. This thing has a point like a needle.

[attachimg=3]

[attachimg=4]

 

[six-point socket II]

I don't know what is available through Festool USA and I really don't feel like doing the research.

However, generally speaking, Festool currently offers:

#769138 31 pieces 25mm bit set includes 3 slotted and 3 hex bits.

#205825 16 pieces 25mm bit set includes 2 slotted bits.

#496936 is the mentioned 25mm bits TwinBox includes 1 slotted bit.

#576804 is the current installer's set and includes the TwinBox (1 slotted bit) and 2 100mm slotted Centrotec bits.

Kind regards,
Oliver

 

[Coen]

They invented the crowbar to deal with slotted screws.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

I really think they only ever existed because of simplicity. The were the easiest to manufacture.
Sadly though, when better came along, they were carried along as some legacy thing?
Power driving has nearly eliminated them, to bad it's not totally.

 

[woodferret]

I blame electricians.

 

[mino]

Like guybo mentioned, a slotted SZ bit was always included in the TwinBox holders. Festool offered both short and long versions until around 2016/2017. After that, only the long 100 mm versions were available.

Still included in the #496935 TwinBOX set available in Europe.

Presumably a lot more slotted screws around in Europe than in the US ... and the square heads not really a thing, spare space can be used for a slotted bit or two.

 

[Coen]

I blame electricians.

Yeah. I boycot the brands that use slotted screws. So no Attema flush mount boxes for me, but the ABB ones with Torx(/slot combo) screws.

I really think they only ever existed because of simplicity. The were the easiest to manufacture.
Sadly though, when better came along, they were carried along as some legacy thing?
Power driving has nearly eliminated them, to bad it's not totally.

When renovating 90 year old buildings, I find a lot of panhead slotted screws that were apparently hammered in, mostly closing the slot.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

I blame electricians.

Yeah, the oval-headed ones on cover plates are everywhere.
They use the as chisels, scrapers, and to drive the ring nuts onto EMT fittings too [big grin]

The Twinbox holders have gotten a bit hard to find lately. I had one in the old CXS Systainer, but haven't been able to replace it.

 

[rst]

As commercial glazer and locksmith, I often need slotted tips, tiny ones for mortise cylinder trapping screws and other sizes for older hardware.  I buy Wera bits as they make probably more variety than any other manufacturer and have I’m fairly certain they make Festools bits and holders.  I have both and they are identical

 

[Don_hoosier_handmade]

I believe there aren’t very many cases where you would want to power drive a slotted screw as well, not usually a good outcome. I use slotted brass screws in window restoration work and at first didn’t like working with them as I grew up with my dad always using the next best screw head. While I use torx and square head for mainly everything, I have come to really appreciate and enjoy using slotted brass screws for anything that will be visible in the interior of the home. There is just something  beautiful and simple about a slotted screw. I have tried all other head types in restoration work and it just never looks “right”.  Just my opinion, but I thought I’d share since I used to hate slotted as well.

 

[usernumber1]

I think the slotted screws have become specialized, aka fancy. They make the work look like it was done manually not with power tools. supposed to show skill, patience, attention to detail, etc.

- for example there's this -
Parallel-Tip or parallel ground screwdrivers  - i think gunsmiths started this?
and electricians also have split tip screwdrivers or slotted screw-holding screwdrivers

not sure if there's room for festool there

 

[luvmytoolz]

I've just spent the entire day today ripping out wall units and cupboards, all slotted screws, not a single phillips head anywhere!

Which reminds me, when I was hanging doors, I almost never came across doors that had been hung with anything but slotted screws. The only saving grace as far as I was concerned with slotted screws, is that when they were seized, they were far easier to drive out than Phillips heads.