square drive centrotec bits

BTW, if people want a centrotec square drive bit, why not make one yourself by taking a BH 60 magnetic bitholder and glue a square bit in it? Use a cyanoacrylate based superglue and it won't ever come loose again so you have the same functionality as if it were one of the 100 mm golden centrotec bits.
 
GhostFist said:
you have to understand, the industry I work in, film and tv, are supplying the hardware we use to build. They go with robertson square drive screws.  in order for me to do my job I need those bits. would love to use torx or spax or what have you but it's not my choice
Click to expand...
GF,

I'm pretty sure you're aware of these options, but I wrote a post awhile back (with pics) about all the ways I've used different bits in my C12: http://festoolownersgroup.com/ask-festool/please-enlighten-me-re-festool-drills/msg100025/#msg100025

One thing I don't understand is the why there is an issue with using a square drive bit in a BHS65 (http://www.festoolusa.com/products/cordless-drills/centrotec-drill-bits/pilot-bit-with-depth-stop/centrotec-bit-holder-bhs-65mm-492648.html ).  This seems to be a hot issue with some folks, but I don't understand why.  Yes, I understand that it would be nicer to have a square drive CentroTec bit, but what's wrong with using the BHS65?

Regards,

Dan.
 
Dan  although I understand the noise or need for this square drive, I have been using the BHS65 for a year now with my square drive bits and  have no issue at all. Sometimes ( I will get struck by lightening ) you just don't always have to use a Festool Bit to get thing done.

Sal
 
Dan Clark said:
.....One thing I don't understand is the why there is an issue with using a square drive bit in a BHS65 (http://www.festoolusa.com/products/cordless-drills/centrotec-drill-bits/pilot-bit-with-depth-stop/centrotec-bit-holder-bhs-65mm-492648.html ).  This seems to be a hot issue with some folks, but I don't understand why.  Yes, I understand that it would be nicer to have a square drive CentroTec bit, but what's wrong with using the BHS65?

Regards,

Dan.
Click to expand...

Dan, I can't help but think some (or maybe even most) people who argue for the Centrotec square drive bits don't know what they are asking for.  It's a square drive version of this 100mm one piece bit.
bs_hiqph_492530_z_01a.jpg

Personally I've never used one of these types of bit nor do I have any interest.  They are pricey at $18 (I think that's for two bits but I'm not sure).  I see little advantage to these bits for the extra cost.  Are they even magnetic?  With professional use driver bits ware out too quickly to spend $9 apiece on a bit.  I use the regular BHS or BH bit holder since I use so many different types and sizes of driver bits for my collection of screws.  It's far more convenient for me to have all the wire detent drivers bits I need right on the drill than a collection of one piece Centrotec bits.      

So here's a related question, how many of you guys use the Centrotec bits often and do you buy replacements regularly?    
 
This is the freakin wish list forum and I made a wish.

Just because I'm not paying 18 bucks for a torx bit for screws that I don't have doesnt mean I wouldn't pay 18 bucks for a square drive bit.  Since when did price become an obstacle when talking about Festool's?

 
Again, it's more of a nag for me. I use the BH65 with wire detent robertsons daily. No real problem. If I need to use a longer ball detent bit, which is far less frequent I slap it on one of my keyless chucks, CXS or T-15, no real biggie. For square drive screws I use Robertson brand bits only, best fit and you get a lot of use out of them before they're no good. In fact i tend to lose them before they wear out. I can see the point of Festool brand bits being way over priced, I think the BH65 is way over priced and of lesser quality than what some competitors offer. I guess the annoyance was agitated with the release of the bit set at the start of the month, while the package of bradpoints and countersinks and all was great, the rest of those bits are pretty much useless to me. Yes I do use phillips and pozi drives doing installations when the film season is off, it's faaaar less frequent than my use of Robbies.

THat's all [smile]
 
Shane Holland said:
I'm pretty sure the bits are not patented, only the chuck mechanism. But, I could be wrong.
Click to expand...

I would expect both the chuck and the Centrotec connection design to be separate patents. The Centrotec system is a design for how a bit would fit into a chuck and the specifications on the design of the bit connection. It's common to patent such designs. (For example, the iPod connector is patented.)

The question is, does Festool let other manufacturers make bits? So for instance, GhostFist likes the Robinson made bit. Would Festool allow them to make bits with Centrotec connectors?
 
Brice

I bought the various 100mm Centrotec bits and use them occassionally, modified some 100mm and 150mm Robertson bits to work with the Centrotec chuck and use those everyday. I use the BHS65 if I have to use Torx 10, Pozidrive or any other wire bit. Out of the Centrotec bits I use the #2 Phillips the most, mainly for disassembling or when replacing a Phillips screw for a Robertson. The main problem I find with the BHS65 Holder and wire bits comes when you have to sink screws below the bit depth,

John
 
Zapdafish, I think it is a good wish.  I too wish for a centrotec square drive bit. Nothing like a complete and uniform system. I have never had a bit holder that I really liked. Much prefer a one piece straight bit in the chuck.

Like many other things in the tool world it depends on how you work and personal preferance.

Seth
 
Shane Holland said:
I'm pretty sure the bits are not patented, only the chuck mechanism. But, I could be wrong.
Click to expand...

I would think that, as part of the entire centrotec system, this part of the bit would also be patented.

[attachimg=1]

EWTHeckman said:
The question is, does Festool let other manufacturers make bits? So for instance, GhostFist likes the Robinson made bit. Would Festool allow them to make bits with Centrotec connectors?
Click to expand...

In this thread Christian Oltzscher replied that they explored the posibilities.

"We have tried with numerous suppliers of bits to get a square drive bit in Centrotec format. We have tried on our own, and we enlisted the help of
McFeely's. It was not possible to get a Centrotec square drive bit in Festool quality at an acceptable price. We are well aware of the issue and we would love
to offer Centrotec square drive bits."

 
I see Jim (previous owner of McFeely's) is looking at the thread. I worked for McFeely's when they were approached by Festool about making a square drive Centrotec bit. We don't make it a habit of ignoring our customers.

As far as I know, there is nothing that would prevent another manufacturer from making such a bit.  But, I would suggest that any company thinking of doing so verify that rather than taking my word for it. While I try to be well versed in all things Festool, there's a lot to know. I admittedly don't know it all.
 
That's it, I am buying some new machinery to make some.

I think I will charge 50 bucks each for them. 
 
Does anyone have a source for pocket hole screws that have a torx head on them? I don't remember ever seeing one that wasn't a square drive, and pocket holes are so nice to use in conjunction with dominos for alignment... [popcorn]
 
fritter63 said:
Does anyone have a source for pocket hole screws that have a torx head on them? I don't remember ever seeing one that wasn't a square drive, and pocket holes are so nice to use in conjunction with dominos for alignment... [popcorn]
Click to expand...

Other than the fact that Kreg screws are fairly decent in quality, how are they actually different from any other self-tapping wood screw of the same size?
 
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