Snappy for Centrotec Quick Review

[mikey2]

Snappy now makes driver bits, drill/countersink bits, and self-centering bits that fit Centrotec chucks.

I picked up a couple driver bits, #1 and #2 square drive.  They are 3 inches long, and the tips are hardened.  They fit well in the Centrotec chuck, and seem to run true.  They also fit directly into the shaft of my T18, with the usual small amount of play like Festool's own driver bits.  I wish they would make a 6 inch long driver for use with a Kreg jig.

They also make drill/countersink bits, individually and in a set, that feature replaceable drill bits.
Also a set of drill bit adapters, and a set with drill/countersink, self-centering, and driver bits.

 

[Brice Burrell]

Do you have a link?

 

[mikey2]

Search "snappy" on woodcraft.com.  Rockler does not show them, but then they have their own "Insty-Bit" line, so may not carry Snappy.  I do not see them on woodworker.com yet either.  I would assume most places that carry Snappy, especially those that also carry Festool, will carry them.

 

[VictorL]

How good they are?

 

[Scott in San Diego]

Couldn't find the centrotec bits on snappytools.com.  So, where did you purchase them?

 

[ScotF]

Here is a link from Woodcraft

http://www.woodcraft.com/Search2/Search.aspx?query=snappy

Scot

 

[sw1211]

Looks like they figured out how to produce a square drive bit to fit centrotec. 

 

[bopperontbay]

Does anyone know if these are available in the uk would love a few bits that FESTOOL do not make.

 

[Dogwood]

Can those who ordered them let us all know what you think?

I'd really like to have the full set of drill bits snappy makes only in Centrotec. They have a very reasonably priced kit with imperial twist bits, countersink bits, self-centering bits etc.

 

[Dogwood]

Wow the regular 7 piece drill bit set is $35( on sale for $25) and the Centrotec 5 piece set is $65... Well at least they're not gouging us!

 

[Ken Nagrod]

It's funny how this recently appeared.  I saw the pictures on the Woodcraft website, but when I clicked on the actual product, it brought me to the home page.

I had actually been talking with the owners of Vix bits, trying to get them to have the Centrotec shaft machined on their bits.  Father and son team and they don't do everything in house.  There would have been a lot of cost involved that would have to have been passed onto the consumer and great enough demand.  I haven't heard anything, so I'm not sure they're interested, but I think the quality of their product is better than Trend's and that's why I contacted them originally.

 

[Dogwood]

Snappy is made by trend then?

Are vix that much better? I'm still thinking of getting some snappy ones just irritated that they are more than twice the price for 5 bits instead of 7. Thats a bit much IMO.

 

[Ken Nagrod]

Snappy is made by trend then?

Are vix that much better? I'm still thinking of getting some snappy ones just irritated that they are more than twice the price for 5 bits instead of 7. Thats a bit much IMO.

In my opinion they are.  I've been using the same Vix bits since 1999 and have used them a lot.  I do own one Snappy bit that came with a shelf pin jig and I can tell the difference in materials and quality.  Others might not care or notice.

 

[Alan m]

i have a few snappy bits and bobs. none of it is special . quality is good enough. i have a set of vix(or whatever the generic name is) .  i mostly use the smallest one for hindges etc  and it is still going good after a few years

 

[GhostFist]

snappy make decent cheap "beater" bits. might look into their twist bit set. as for Robbie's I'd stick with atlas.

 

[mikey2]

I have used the driver bits for a few days now, and am happy with them.  As I said, I hope they make a six inch #2 square drive for use with a Kreg jig.

I also picked up a 1/8" drill/countersink for #8 screws and it works fine.  The original Snappy 3/8" stop collar fits.  The only difference is the shank for Centrotec.  Since the Centrotec versions cost almost double what the regular 1/4" hex shank units, I will not rush to replace any existing countersinks.

I also have some original Vix bits, and like them better than the Snappy versions, but wish they were hex shanks (mine are round shank, had them since the early 80s.)

 

[semenza]

I received an order of these bits today.  I have the Handyman set and one additional countersink.  All of them have a good fit in the Centrotec chuck, and run smoothly. I drilled few test holes and they do just fine. I especially like having the selfcentering bit. The Snappy quality seems good. I am guessing it will be just the same as any other Snappy bit. Between the Snappy offerings , Festool, Atlas and some homemade I now have the core of what I use  all in Centrotec. Which makes it really worth using the Centrotec.

Seth

 

[ericbuggeln]

Seth, do they have the tapered countersinks? I use those to join cabs and i always have to jacobs chuck it, Eric

 

[mikey2]

They do not make tapered countersinks in Centrotec.  They make replacement tapered drill bits, and you could replace the straight drill bit with a tapered bit, but the cost would be prohibitive.

 

[ericbuggeln]

Interesting Mikey, I did not know that was an option. I only use one of the three, not sure of the size, Eric