Source for Centrotec compatible drill bits?

[ear3]

Between the imperial brad point set and the stubby bit set that comes with the Centrotec Installer's set, I'm pretty well covered on standard drill bit sizes.  But one place that I'm still short is on sizes less than 1/8".  I looked over at Woodcraft/Snappy, but the small bits they have (7/64 and 3/32) are both countersink bits.  These will work in some applications, but ideally I'd like the option of a regular bit with no countersink.

Does anyone know of a manufacturer that makes regular, non-countersink small size centrotec drill bits? 

 

[itasor]

I recently got the Installers Set from the Tool Nut sale and was surprised Festool doesn't include any

 

[GregB-OH]

I just purchased a new Festool 18V Drill with the Centrotec chuck but I am now realizing there are no bits that fit in that chuck.  Does Festool make any type of drill bit kit for the Centrotec?  If so, where does one find this? I have looked on Festool's website without any success.  [sad]

Any help is much appreciated.

 

[Svar]

I just purchased a new Festool 18V Drill with the Centrotec chuck but I am now realizing there are no bits that fit in that chuck.  Does Festool make any type of drill bit kit for the Centrotec?  If so, where does one find this? I have looked on Festool's website without any success.  [sad]
Any help is much appreciated.

These sets (prod. # 495128, 769093, etc.) pop up on e-bay sometimes.

 

[semenza]

I just purchased a new Festool 18V Drill with the Centrotec chuck but I am now realizing there are no bits that fit in that chuck.  Does Festool make any type of drill bit kit for the Centrotec?  If so, where does one find this? I have looked on Festool's website without any success.  [sad]

Any help is much appreciated.

Hi,

  Welcome to the forum!  [smile]

    Snappy brand makes quite a few Centrotec compatible bits. Four countersinks, several drill bits a couple self centering etc. A google search for 'Snappy Centrotec' will get you several places that sell them.

    I have them and they work well.

    As for smaller sizes of straight drill bits I have not found a source.

Seth

 

[Cheese]

These sets (prod. # 495128, 769093, etc.) pop up on e-bay sometimes.

Unfortunately, if you're looking for drill bits under 1/8", the 495128 set only goes down to 3mm & the 769093 set only goes down to 4mm.  [sad]

The 498981 set goes from 1-10mm in .5mm increments, however, they are not Centrotec equipped. [sad] [sad]
https://www.festool.com/Products/Ac...adrive-HSS-twist-drill-bit-HSS-D-1-10-Sort-19

 

[mrboult]

Hi Greg,

To possibly answer you're question a little more accurately. . . Yes festool make and sell lots of bit sets for their centrotec system. And as mentioned above snappy make a few bits too.
I can't help you out with where to buy as I'm over here in the UK, and I know the whole range isn't always available in the US.

Typically festool sell a few small sets of drills, as well as some larger kits inside systainer tool boxes.
Hopefully someone else will be along to give you websites or part numbers for US.

 

[otis04]

This has been one of my main complaints with the Festool drills.  I like the drill, I just think the proprietary, and very expensive, Centrotech system is too much.  The rest of the industry uses a standard size, but Festool is different.  No real need for this foolishness.

 

[Mort]

Cool thing is, you don't have to use it. You can use 1/4" hex bits either without the chuck or in the Jacobs chuck. It would be nice, though, if Festool made a chuck for the 1/4" hex shank that locked the bits in, like an impact driver does.

 

[Cheese]

I just think the proprietary, and very expensive, Centrotech system is too much.

I really don't have a problem with the pricey Centrotec system components, rather I have a problem with Festool's failure to support the commonly used Centrotec drill sizes that are needed on a daily basis.
Festool offers NOTHING in wood drill bits under 3mm in the Centrotec format. What's with that? The majority of the pilot holes I drill are for #6, #8 and #10 screws...all of which need a smaller drill bit than 3mm. What happened to the goofy puzzle piece marketing ploy...something about we offer a system approach...really? So, they don't use small screws in Germany, is that right?
Is there some DIN stipulation that all wood screws used in Germany must be 6mm or larger? Come on Festool and plug that puzzle piece back in and support Centrotec drill bits in the smaller sizes.

 

[Euclid]

I’ve become quite a fan of Centrotec; it has a couple of advantages that are not so immediately obvious - compactness and lightness, I find the CSX a delight to use with the Centrotec chuck - and the bit being held and driven by the output shaft of the motor rather than clamped in the jaws of a regular chuck.

I, too, find the lack of small sizes a disappointment; even just 2 and 2.5mm would be welcome.

As for the more general lack of bits mentioned above, I think this is a matter of Festool’s website than them not being made. All the regular-length brad-point wood bits seems to available individually - albeit only in whole-millimetre sizes 3-10 (?) - although the lovely and very useful stubby ones I have only seen as a set (3-8).

I probably have more use for the HSS bits; again they start at 3mm (and again that’s an annoyance) but I’ve seen them then in half-millimetre sizes up to, I think, 7 or 8mm, and then 9 and 10. 

As for the cost… whilst the HSS are perhaps not the absolute best (or by any means most expensive) bits I’ve seen they are very good and may be somewhat better value than they first appear: with each one, you get the Centrotec holder and three replaceable bits. You can get packs of extra bits without the holder. (The bits have a little flat ground on the shank to bear the locking setscrew. You could perhaps get away with any other bit and grind your own flat, but I’ve not tried that).

In addition to Snappy (mentioned above), Axminster carry a number of Fisch’s Centrotec-compatible bits as well as their own branded augers, forstners and hinge (centering) bits - also fitting Centrotec as well as the more common quick-fit format . I’ve seen others say that Axminster have their export sales well-sorted, so that might be an option. I note that FFX seem to carry a fuller range of Festool’s own bits than many others - I’m sure others may have them too, I just happened to notice theirs.

Sorry - that was bit long-winded…

- - - -
I’ve always assumed that Festool didn’t actually manufacture their own drill bits (I mean, why on earth would they bother with such a specialist process?). I noted that some of mine bore the legend ‘Made in Austria’ on the packaging, so I wondered if they might be Fisch or Alpen; anybody know?

 

[bertv]

Thin bits are prone to break. Having these in Centrotec would be a hassle (look for that small Allen key, the replacement bit, find a good light source, hold your breath, etcetera).
Just use regular bits in the Jacobs chuck. Even buy an extra chuck. Changing is a breeze, they connect like… guess what… Centrotec chucks.

 

[Euclid]

That's a fair point, Bert.
After using the Centrotec though, the Jacobs does feel a touch clumsy with very small bits (just as with any other drill really), though I do have the older 8mm chuck which is, I think, a touch lighter.

And I already have so many non-Centrotec drill bits, small, large, stubby, cobalt etc, I really shouldn't be looking for reasons to spend more money!

 

[goyya76]

hi all, maybe already mentioned -axminster.co.uk has some Fisch/Axcaliber drilling bits (single and sets) which are Centrotec compatible (essentially they have two slots, one of which for Centrotec) - also they have compatible screwing bits!

Ciao,

Francesco

 

[Svar]

Festool offers NOTHING in wood drill bits under 3mm in the Centrotec format. What's with that? The majority of the pilot holes I drill are for #6, #8 and #10 screws...all of which need a smaller drill bit than 3mm.

Not to justify Festool strategy here, but you could place smaller bit into adapter bushing and stick it into larger Centrotec holder, grinding a flat for the set screw. These small steel capillary tubes are available in variety of sizes. For example, 3mm OD and 2mm ID:http://www.ebay.com/itm/5pcs-304-St...Length-0-5m-/271600933336?hash=item3f3cad59d8:g:NsYAAOSwd4tTvEfy

 

[Cheese]

Well I got so tired of listening to myself complain that I decided to rectify the situation. I took a set of Milwaukee 1/4" hex drill bits, pulled 16 bits out of the set that run from 1/16" to 19/64". Put them on a lathe and reduced the OD by .010"-.012". They now all fit in the Centrotec chuck.  [big grin]

Photo 1 is 1/16" bit installed.
Photo 2 is 19/64" bit installed.

 

[Svar]

Put them on a lathe and reduced the OD by .010"-.012". They now all fit in the Centrotec chuck.  [big grin]

I'm confused. What part of the bit you've reduced?

 

[mrboult]

There are two reasons why more standard hex drills, like those pictured in Cheese' post above, won't work with the centrotec chucks.

1)  The corners of the hex shank on Centrotec Bits is a more rounded. Hence the 'sharper' edges of normal bits prevent the profile from fitting into the Centrotec chuck. I believe cheese has taken off the corners/edges to allow the standard bits to slid into the Centrotec chuck.

2) The detent (dip in the drill shank) is too low in normal hex bits to engage with the locking mechanism in the centrotec chuck. This means that while the drill bits Cheese has altered (above post) will slot into the Centrotec chuck, there isn't anything other than friction keeping them there. The problem with this is that the drill bit can now slip forwards and disengage from the drive shaft of the drill. This could potentially damage the drill bit / centrotec chuck/

On top of what cheese has done it is possible to put a second detent into the bit so that full Centrotec functionality is achieved. Much like the "universal quick change" bit sold in the UK by Axminster.

[attachimg=1]

 

[Cheese]

I'm confused. What part of the bit you've reduced?

The dimension across the flats of the hex are within .002"-.003" of each other, that's the reason they're swappable between systems. However, the dimension across the points of the hex is approximately .012" smaller on Centrotec bits, that's one reason standard 1/4" hex bits will not install into a Centrotec chuck.

 

[bertv]

Yep, and it is all down to patent laws, where one can claim even the smallest of changes or 'innovations' for 17 years or even longer. Thank G there is no Disney in the world of chucks and bits who'd lobby this to extend to 70 years… (Sorry about this rant, I am kind of passionate about copyrights gone awry.)