Square drive bits for Centrotec

[Les]

Those holders aren't really the perfect solution. In my experience, at least with Robertson heads, the bits will often enough pull out, remaining stuck in the screw once you've driven it into the wood.

Use this holder and the driver bits won't pull loose.

Personally, I use torx drive screws from Screw Products. Hell of a screw. Rarely is pre-drilling required. Especially if you lube with bees wax.

 

[KorDes]

Over here in New Zealand I've been using square drives since I left school. About 13 years ago now. And thats all we use in the furniture trade apart from small pozi screws for metal runners/hinges.

I don't see what the big deal is, just buy the adapter Les Spencer has recommended and you can use any bit you want without them pulling loose.

As for torx screws, they are alot darer than square screws over here so its more economical to use square screws.

 

[HowardH]

I recently got a T15 and it is indeed aggravating not to have a centrotec square drive bit.  I hate phillips  :'( :'( :'( screws.  They always strip out when you least need them to.  It's difficult to find PZ screws in the US so that leaves Torx if you want to go the Centrotec route.  They also are hard to find.  The big box stores still only carry phillips or slotted screws for the most part.  I ordered quite a few different sizes from McFeeley's a couple of years back in the square drive and they worked fine.  If I can get my hands on a good selection of Torx, I'll order em get a Centrotec bit to match.   

 

[sw1211]

  If I can get my hands on a good selection of Torx, I'll order em get a Centrotec bit to match.     

Rockler carries a variety of Torx screws, http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=21415

 

[Martin Johnson]

If you already have your favorite square drive bits...this might work.

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

GRK, best screws out there.  All Torx head.  Torx is the only way to go.  Personally, I hate #1 and #2 square drive screws, with a passion.

GRK, they are made overseas, do you people not get out much?

 

[danrush]

Hey Warner,

I made the jump to square drive a few years ago.  I now hate Phillips with a passion.  Is the jump from square  to Torx the same leap?  Keep in mind I install cabinets, so I don't need heavy torque, but I'm thinking of moving up, so any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks, Dan

 

[Jimhart]

I wonder if Festool would be unhappy with McFeeleys if they had a bunch of Centrotec compatible square drive bits custom ground.
Seems like a marriage made in heaven, considering they probably sell as many square drive screws as anybody in the US, and they're a Festool dealer as well.

Bundle them with the screw filled systainer packages.

Jim

 

[Les]

Jim,

Good thought and was discussed by Jim McNeeley when he was a member of this forum. At that time he couldn't get Festools blessing. He has since sold the business and nothing more has been mentioned. Not sure if it ever will be. It would be nice if someone from Festool would chime in.

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

Hey Warner,

I made the jump to square drive a few years ago.  I now hate Phillips with a passion.  Is the jump from square  to Torx the same leap?  Keep in mind I install cabinets, so I don't need heavy torque, but I'm thinking of moving up, so any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks, Dan

http://www.grkfasteners.com/en/CAB_1_information.htm

All I use for cabinets.  Actually, they are the only screw I use besides drywall screws for drywall.

Find some, try them, never look back.

 

[b_m_hart]

Why are the GRK fasteners better than square?

 

[ForumMFG]

Check out this Tip Magnet from Fast cap.  It's a like cylinder that you slide on your bit.  You slide it all the way down to the chuck or where ever you want and it turns your bit into a magnet.  It's so strong that it transfers into the bit and holds the screw on.  It's really nice.  I figured since we are talking about bits this would be a good place to post this.

Click here for the link

or 

http://www.fastcap.com/tip-magnet.aspx

-Dave

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

You guys need to look at Wera's stuff.

The thing with the GRK's is they can be used anywhere in any material.

 

[ForumMFG]

Stainless steel screw drivers and bits, Nice..

 

[ForumMFG]

Warner,  I just checked out their site.  Looks like some good stuff.  Do you use them? What do you think?

-Dave

Update:  Who sells them?  I couldn't find pricing on the stainless steel ones.

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

I tend to stay away from stainless steel screws, they seem very soft, at least the ones that come with all the hidden fasteners for decking.

Never used the GRK stainless.  Never had the need since their other screws can be used with any material.

You are in ohio so lets see:

http://www.grkfasteners.ca/grk/servlet/GRKFindRetailer?imstate_prov=Ohio

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

As for Wera, I have a dealer for them I know in Michigan, Wera's stuff can be hard to get ahold of.  One of thier diamond dust #2 phillips tips has lasted me over a year.  I promise it is the same one I have not lost it (C12 bit storage works wonders huh?)

 

[stvrowe]

And all this time (thread started 2-1/2 years ago with no responses until the last week), I thought I was the only one that wanted square drive bits for the Centrotec. 

Since Festool obviously has no interest in providing bits that work for screws commonly available in NA, I went out and found my own solution.  It is the Makita 18v Impact Driver and it accepts all the bits that I need or can ever see wanting.  It also works great.  I also prefer the APEX bits.  Now, I seldom use my Festool drill/driver.

 

[Neill]

And all this time (thread started 2-1/2 years ago with no responses until the last week), I thought I was the only one that wanted square drive bits for the Centrotec. 

Since Festool obviously has no interest in providing bits that work for screws commonly available in NA, I went out and found my own solution.  It is the Makita 18v Impact Driver and it accepts all the bits that I need or can ever see wanting.  It also works great.  I also prefer the APEX bits.  Now, I seldom use my Festool drill/driver.

Steve,

This may be a bit off topic and maybe a bit argumentative.  Don't get me wrong, I love my Festools and Customer Service goes above and beyond to assist us users.

It does seem that Festool often times wants to tell us what we want rather than providing what we need.  The philosophy seems to be, if we don't make it, you don't need it.  The square drive bits for the Centrotec seems to be indicative of this.  I have actually read where a poster to this Forum made a comment about how Festool has done us a favor by selling their tools in North America.
Oh, please!

I have used the square drive bits with the Jacobsen chuck in my kit and with the Festool bit holders but it is just not the same.  I wonder if a supplier like McFeeley's who champions the square drive screw and also sells Festool would be interested in developing a compatible bit.  They may be hesitant because of their relationship with Festool.  They don't seem to have any difficulty with selling their square drive screws packaged in a systainer or sortainer.

I am a hobbyist, so I can manage without a square drive Centrotec bit, but I sure would like to have one.

Neill

 

[peter halle]

I wouldn't be surprised to find out that the Centronic shaft is patented and that is why nobody else will develop for it.

Peter