Short review of countersinks.

[Rob-GB]

During my recent holiday I had the chance to call into Axminster?s  Nuneaton  store, they claim to have the biggest Festool display in the UK and I can well believe it. It was [jawdrop] ing.

While there I just had to buy some accessories for my growing collection. ;D
I needed to get a replacement 4mm bit for the one that comes with the T15 kit as I snapped the last one when it hit a hidden snapped off screw! [mad]
They just happened to be out of stock of the spares so I got the HSS4CE/MSET (493423)

This is okay as I have installed a brad point bit in the other one already. [big grin]

Then my eye caught the countersinks. Now when perusing the on-line catalogue they all look the same size and all look to be on the expensive side, leading one to stick to what is in use already.
I was pleasantly surprised at the size of the drill/countersink with depth stop. BSTA HS3.5mmCE (492523) The AA size battery is for scale purposes, as these are the same size worldwide, (it does not require a battery to use [laughing]).

A closer look revealed the thought gone into them and some nice engineering.The drill bit is adjustable, by using the supplied allen key and releasing it via the grub screw in the countersink part. This is accessed through one of the two holes in the moulded plastic depth stop. The Festool Blue depth stop rotates freely but stays in a fixed position on the shaft. Adjustment of the countersink is via the grub screw above the depthstop. There are lats milled onto both countersink and drill bit parts for the grubscrew, this negates the need to overtighten them and possibly damage the grub screw or allen wrench or both ( I think we've all been there!  [wink] )

I also got both snail type countersinks to replace my existing countersinks (though I'll hang on to them for the odd occasion I need to adjust hinges), so I can save on changing chucks over all the time, I know with the system on the chucks it?s not that arduous to do, it?s more the tightening and untightening of the chuck to fit each bit that takes time.

A test piece with each tool in front of the relevant hole.

You can hopefully see how the non-Festool ones tend to chatter, and to be fair and balanced in my remarks , I used to have a snail type by another company that was as good as the QLS ones and that cost as much as them, it was removed from my care some time ago. [sad]  However, it would not have fitted the centrotec chuck , and that is the point of my purchases.

I will be getting the 4.5mm BSTA next paycheck, I?ve promised myself that and will probably add a few more of the drill bits to the order. I am really impressed with the quality of these often overlooked bits of kit.

What I?d like to see are a couple of larger sizes of the BSTA range, say a 5.5mm and 6.5mm version with longer drill bits for window and door frame construction.

Thanks for looking in.

Rob.

 

[speed]

nice review, just looked at the price [eek] not much change from 100 gbp?

if you are going for more bits it maybe worth looking for a 07/08 centrotec sys set, they sometimes pop up on ebay for

 

[Rob-GB]

Thanks, Speed.
Oh, I spent more than that  [big grin] I also got a new blade for the TS55 and some other non-festool odds and ends I wanted. [laughing] ;D
The problem with the centrotec kit is the amount of stuff included that I will never use.
Buyng the drill bits in the packets means you get two spare drill bits, not so when you buy the boxed set or the systainer with the boxed set.
I did the math and think it's worth buying them this way, along with any driver bits that I will use.

The answer of course would be a Pick & Mix Centrotec systainer [laughing] so we could get what best suits our work.
Rob.

 

[Brice Burrell]

Another fan of the BSTA HS here.  Nice review, it's certainly obvious from the pictures but it's worth mentioning the other brand counter sinks were used and the Festool ones were new.  That can account for some of the difference in results.  How sharp are the use count sinks?

 

[Rob-GB]

Brice, the two silver ones are little used, just the cutter pattern is (in my view) wrong for solid wood, they work better in MDF or Brass [wink] the one at the end is well used but honestly always performed less than I'd hoped (and I had a whole set of the beggars, thinking they were a good idea! These were the ones I used most, due to drilling the clearance hole and countersink in one operation.)
I know better now [big grin]
Rob.

 

[EcoFurniture]

Thank you very much for your review! I was thinking about getting one for quite some time.... Yes, they are very expensive, but when it comes to quality work, it just looks way better when all the countersunk holes look the same.

Cheers,
Andreas

 

[richard.selwyn]

I use the Festool countersink almost daily.  It is excellent - my only criticism is that even the smaller one of the two has a drill bit which is a little on the large side for some jobs. (Ditto their hinge centring drill which is just too big for me)
Richard

 

[woodguy7]

I really want to get the combined drill/countersink but just cant get over the high price.  Is it worth it ?

Woodguy

 

[justinmcf]

i am currently in the process of installing a hardwood deck around a pool area.

i am using 75mm stainless steel batten screws.

the generic brand countersink only comes in 6mm and is leaving the batten screw loose until it starts screwing into the pine joist.

i think the festool bsta hs d5 would be perfect for this application. (i think the d5 stands for 5mm diameter drill bit.)

has anyone used the festool countersinks for 75mm batten screws in decking?

are the drill bits easily replaced with any non festool drill bits, or will i have to buy festool only?

cheers, justin.

 

[josephgewing]

Another vote for the 2 Festool BSTA counter sinks.  The small one is ideal for #6 screws and the large one works well for #8 screws, altho the pilot hole does not fit as snugly.  Chatter is nil and I have made 100's of counter sink holes without noticing any degradation of sharpness.

Joe Ewing
Las Cruces, NM

 

[Wood_Junkie]

I really want to get the combined drill/countersink but just cant get over the high price.  Is it worth it ?

Woodguy

Maybe... barely... probably.

I like it a lot.  Saves a lot of time versus changing bits.  I used to use a Snappy combo countersink/tapered pilot bit.  But there's no depth stop.  I have used the tape-on-the-bit method before, but it's not truly a precision method.  I have an aftermarket stop collar that fits it, but then it won't fit back into its case holder.  Ergo, attaching and removing the stop collar.

The BSTA really is the ultimate:  one step, precision depth, fantastic results.  I only got it about 3 months ago, and I've used it a lot in cedar, and also in red and white oak, black walnut, and hard maple.  Nothing but excellent, chatter free holes.

As is usual, I grimaced a bit when I bought it.  But, its the first one I reach for when I know the screw will be visible and I want quality results.
Based on recommendations from here, I got the 3.5mm to use with #8 screws (most common choice when using screws).  The screws fit snugly, but I haven't had any splitting occur.

Frankly, if you're burying the screw and are going to cover it with a plug or false tenon (so depth is not a main consideration), or some such, I'd recommend the Snappy or Lee Valley sets.

 

[Frank-Jan]

Justin,
You are correct in your assumption of the 5mm drill. I can't see why another drill bit wouldn't fit, and there are no flat spots like on the replacements for the centrotec hss bits (because you can change the depth.

I have the the 5 mm version because it was part of the 2008 centrotec systainer, I haven't used it for decking because when we install decking (which we rarely do), we use screws that don't require predrilling (they have a self-drilling tip, and the head has ribs underneath so it also countersinks, if I recall correctly it also has some colored stuff on the tip that acts as lubricant)

But I really liked how it worked so I ordered the 3.5mm version aswell, which I use regularly and like a lot. I also have the "snail" type countersinks, but I get mixed results with those, I think they are only meant for bare wood.

 

[Rob-GB]

Justin, the 5mm counter sink bit is not a standard bit it a short series tungsten tipped bit ( from what I saw) for drilling stopped holes for fixing Euro hinge carcase plates and soft close fittings that use those short, almost grub screw like, screws that need a 5mm pilot hole.

You may be able to use a longer standard drill bit in the main body by creating a flat for the grub screw with a Dremel and an appropriate die grinder bit.
A flat is preferable as otherwise the risk of slippage or damage to the fixing screw/allen wrench is very real, and flippin annoying [wink].

Rob.

 

[Frank-Jan]

Rob, Justin was asking about the BSTA HS D5 CE, which is the 5 mm version of the drill/countersink with depth stop from your opening post.

 

[Rob-GB]

Yes, undertood that, but the one I saw in Axminster Nuneaton did not have a drill bit like the 3.5 or 4.5 mm BSTA countersinks, it was similar to a TCT brad point bit. I thought it a bit strange at the time as it had a depth stop but no countersink part, there were the 5mm spring loaded self centering bits further along the display.
Please tell me I am not going prematurely senile, I'd ask Suzy, but she was busy checking out the Domino ( may be an early Xmas pressie  [drooling] )

Rob.

 

[Frank-Jan]

Rob, you are right aswell. I just looked it up on the Dutch festool site... (because I thought the drill/countersink depthstop thing only existed in 3.5 and 5, not in 4.5). The current versions are indeed 3.5 and 4.5, and the accessory you describe is called BTA HW D5 CE link

I couldn't navigate to the 5mm version anymore by means of the consumable list of a cordless drill, (only 3.5 and 4.5mm) but if I searched the site for the productname it still showed up : link and the productnumber of the 5 mm version is  496451

 

[justinmcf]

thanks rob and frank jan.

the countersink i have seen on the australian festool site is 496451.

i assume that it is still available here, otherwise they would not advertise it.

hopefully i can pick one up this morning.

thanks for the link to the other 5mm countersink for kitchen carcasses.

i need that one too!!

justin.

 

[AlexThePalex]

Yes, they are very expensive, but when it comes to quality work, it just looks way better when all the countersunk holes look the same.

I agree. I have the 3.5 and 4.5 mm countersinks now and they are the best I've ever used. You get such a nice, perfectly round hole, it's amazing.

my only criticism is that even the smaller one of the two has a drill bit which is a little on the large side for some jobs. (Ditto their hinge centring drill which is just too big for me)

I agree also ...... I want a 2.5 mm countersink as well. I use 3 mm and 3.5 mm screws a lot.

I just got the hinge centering bit and I found it's exactly the right size for doing window hinges. Only think the drill bit itself was a bit short. It only goes like 2.5 cm / 1 inch deep.

 

[Rob-GB]

Frank-Jan, Thanks I'm not going doo-lally then [laughing] [laughing].

The 5mm with countersink does not show on the Festool UK site  [sad]

Alex, I believe the self centering bit you called the hinge centreing bit is actually designed for cabinet work where the fittings drawer runners, hinges etc. are fixed with those stubby (short) screws, so the drill bit does not need to be all that long. It would be nice if Festool made one for ordinary door hinges, say for 3" and 4" butts, the ones available over here have too much slop in them and when the wood swarth gets packed into them(due to poor design) the bit snaps!

Rob.

 

[neeleman]

Hi Rob-GB

But the 5 mm with depth-stop and countersink does excist in the UK BSTA HW D5 (496451).

Look at Miles Tool Shop.

Strange enough there is also and only a D5 drill with depth-stop but without countersink BTA HW D5 (492522).