Zobo difference

[beeckie]

There are 2 kinds of Zobo bits available from Festool.
One is with the centrotec shaft. The other is with a cylindrical shaft that has internal treads so you can lengthen them.
The cylindrical ones are almost twice as expensive from most European dealers. Is there a downside to the centrotec ones? Except for the fact you can't lengthen them. Because so far I like all the centrotec I have bought.

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[beeckie]

Nobody that can help me out here?

 

[Shane Holland]

A link or SKU #?

The only ZOBOs I know of are these.
http://www.festoolproducts.com/Festool-500173-5-Piece-ZOBO-Forstner-Style-Bit-Set-p/500173.htm

 

[matte]

The cheaper zobo kit that i know is ce-d 15-35 with sku 496390.

Link to the cheaper set : https://www.festool.com/Products/Accessories/Pages/Detail.aspx?pid=496390&name=CENTROTEC-Forstner-drill-bit-system-ZOBO-FB-Set-D-15-35-CE-Zobo

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[Shane Holland]

496390 is a VERY old set and long since discontinued. You likely won't be able to find it.

Even the set I linked to was a limited edition item and no longer available from most dealers.

I think the main difference is the MINI Systainer.

 

[Phil Beckley]

Hi
ZOBO  [smile]
Still available in Europe  [wink]768096 and 768124 have the ability to be extended.
The 496472 - 6 are the Centrotec versions and again still available
rg
Phil

 

[Frank-Jan]

I can't find anything about the non centrotec zobo drills on the festool site anymore, ( not even by searching with the article numbers Phil mentioned).

When they were branded protool they had a very wide range. The reason I was interested years ago was that they come in 1 mm increments, and there were no centrotec zobo's in size 18 mm and 22 mm, which I use a lot. The depth stop which mounted to the drill bit looked like a nice feature too. There were multiple versions (system1, 2 and 3), of which the last one had hardmetal inserts like on routerbits. It's a pity if they're discontinued.

I did a google search, and found a video:

And a webshop which still shows the drills: link (Just for details, website hasn't been updated since 2012, so I doubt they still sell them)
/edit: added comment

 

[Rip Van Winkle]

The other non-centrotec Zobo bit system seems to be available from Timber Tools. They list a System 2 and System 3.
http://www.timbertools.com/Products/Drill-bits-Zobo-central-drilling-systems.html

Are the Zobo bits actually an exclusive Festool/Protool system, manufactured for Festool in Switzerland by an outside manufacturer as the above video mentions, or was the bit system developed by someone else, and Festool/Protool simply sold the bits rebranded?

 

[Cheese]

The only Zobo bits I own are the System 3 Series. They have removable pilot drills, centering points and pilot guide pins. You also have a choice of chrome steel or carbide cutters, they are available in 1mm increments but are not available in Centrotec style.
http://www.timbertools.com/Products/Drill-bits-Zobo-central-drilling-system3.html

Whoops...looks like i was 4 minutes late on this one. [tongue]

 

[rvieceli]

If you don't need the centrotec or want additional sizes. You should take a look at FAMAG.
http://www.famag.com/EN/Home

they make a bunch of very nice bits and accessories. A limited selection is available in the US from these folks:
http://www.traditionalwoodworker.com/Forstner-Bits/departments/270/

The full line is available overseas form lots of people, here's one good one:
http://www.fine-tools.com/forstnerbohrer.html

Ron

 

[yetihunter]

The other non-centrotec Zobo bit system seems to be available from Timber Tools. They list a System 2 and System 3.
http://www.timbertools.com/Products/Drill-bits-Zobo-central-drilling-systems.html

Are the Zobo bits actually an exclusive Festool/Protool system, manufactured for Festool in Switzerland by an outside manufacturer as the above video mentions, or was the bit system developed by someone else, and Festool/Protool simply sold the bits rebranded?

No and Yes and Yes and No. 
http://www.tts-zobo.ch/de/

 

[Roadkilled]

I have some of each and I think the non centotec ones feel a better quality. I also have the depth stop and the quality of that is stunning.

 

[Woodwork Wizard]

I have a set of Zobo drills - code 496390 - which cost about £100, which is the cheaper set that Festool do.
They make beautiful holes and can do lots of things really nicely such as drilling at angles etc.
I find the Centrotec system really good and worth the money, but it's like everything Festool - the more you have the more you appreciate the system approach.