FESTOOL centrotec bits and bit driver compatibility. How proprietary is it?

[@vadamantium]

I'm so glad I recently stumbled onto your channel. You have opened my mind to tools and brands and ways to order tools. Thank you!

[@homerj1640]

Thanks for doing this comparison. I am curious what other bits will fit in a Festool Centrotec drill chuck (Which is much different than the driver handle). I was hoping the Vessel ones would, but it doesn't appear that they will. If you are so inclined, take a look at a Festool CXS drill. You will see why the hex bits have the corners removed. You will also see a bit connection with no wobble, (which I know you will appreciate).

[@Sol-hl2rj]

I really appreciate your insight and videos about this subject. Agree with you on the Wiha handles.. I have two in my Festool Centrotec kits - Festool branded, and have added another 3 Wiha (two ESD and one regular) later on. I’m going to buy and test the Hazet one too.

[@IanSmithKSP]

Very intelligent of Festool to make bits that only work with their own products - they'll get plenty of sales that way I'm sure...

[@aaltamiranor]

Not at all, history has told us many times that proprietary formats have always turned out to be a failure. Festool's decision is very unwise. Personally, I would never buy something like that, it is a Wera product, but with a stupid proprietary format that can only be used with Festool (which is not even a brand that I consider excellent, in its price segment Hilti is far superior)

[@elfshadowx]

@@aaltamiranor "Nothing goes over my head! My reflexes are too fast, I would catch it." - Drax the Destroyer - Guardians of the Galaxy

[@flannel7977]

@@aaltamiranor elipsis can show sarcasm. (That’s the three periods)

[@Aethid]

The Festool bits aren't really designed for hand screwdrivers. It is designed as wobble-free quick release for drill bits. As drills are often used as drivers, too, they make both drill and driver bits for their drills. These bits aren't locked to Festool and will fit into any standard Jacobs chuck found on other brand drill drivers. The screwdriver bit holder is a bit of an afterthought, and the bits not locking in most Wera bit holder's isn't so much intentional "vendor lock-in" and more an unfortunate coincidence.

[@lesslighter]

I found out it isnt exactly proprietary its imperial/metric issue, most people will use the imperial quarter hex drivers, Festool and some Wiha stuff use metric (right now its their electrician slim line bits that are 6mm).... -_- 6mm over 6.35mm (1/4 hex) so thats the reason why the bits will fit into a 1/4 driver but its a very loose fit but not in reverse

[@gf2e]

Thank you! I keep wanting to have low wobble hex bits but, well, it doesn’t look like I’m gonna go the Festool route unfortunately.

[@robbiewilliamson357]

Obviously i noticed the similarities in the festool and wera and started digging on the bit fitment… exact info i was looking for.. thank you sir 🫡

[@IanSmithKSP]

Bzeug I'm curious if you have any preference on chucks and modifying chucks for drills?

[@musimusihada]

The yellow ESD Wiha centrofit bit holder 38701 depth is same as red one? it looks thinner and almost same as 816R as well. Please let me know if you know it. Thanks!

[@bzeug]

The Centrofix bit holder on the Wiha ESD handle is identical to the Centrofix bit holder on the full size red/black handle.

[@gentleimpact3580]

I tested a Festool (Wera) handle in the shop, and it also did NOT lock the Centrotec bits, which I found strange. Maybe quality control? Still agree on the issue with the size. The Wera is too tiny.

[@bzeug]

Your FESTOOL branded Wera handle did not lock a centrotec bit! What is going on?

[@gentleimpact3580]

@@bzeug I‘d say it held firmly, but I could pull it out with force. I sent the Wera-Festool back. I‘m still using the first-gen Wiha-Festool handles that actually take the Centrotec chuck (..and the other drill chucks as well, giving you a full-manual mode for any drill chuck, 90° etc.).

[@michaelmazzen]

If you havent worked professionally with the Festool system for installation or woodworking you probably miss the point. Centrotec is a gamechanger when combined with Festool fastfix. The ability to quickly change from drill driving with a jacobs to angle attachement to direct drive of long bits that are hold tight and precise with the Centrotec chuck just works so so SO well! Fein and Milwaukee and Bosch and prob others have copied that concept but in everyday use fastfix/ centrotec outclasses everything else in terms of productivity and quality. Its not about fitting bits into bitholders with handles...

[@schwartzmatthewe]

Exactly. I used to rail on festool until I tried their system. It’s superior to pretty much everyone else. They also treat their employees very well. It’s like woodpecker, people whine about the price etc until they try the tools and see how they are made. Ignorance is bliss, I guess 🤷.

[@Size15s]

Interesting... Surely the goal is to ensure that the best bits (1) fit into the best handled (2) bit holder with the least wobble (3)? Or is it a case of pick any two of those features?

[@DOGMA1138]

Pestool doesn't care about that, what they care about is that they are the only supplier of bits for their tools, they always take existing designs and modify them enough that they offer no advantages or disadvantages as far as the form goes but they are not compatible with anything else on the market.

[@aussiehardwood6196]

Dogma is dead right about Festool. If you want a bit holder that holds the most bit types, the MOST securely...the Wiha CentroFix is the ticket IMO. Hazet 810bh next not sure who is 3rd, maybe Wera or even the Japanese bit holders by Anex or Vessel.

[@edwardtan1354]

Interesting to note that the wera extension bit holder on the bicycle set 2 also doesnt work with their own bits... -_- super bummer

[@piotrkamycki8523]

Can you lock this golden PH2 (PH3) long bit in festool?

[@maxwelld5832]

May I ask you what your favorite bit for the wiha is that is compatible with USA impact drills such as Dewalt and Milwaukee, if any?

[@bzeug]

Japanese VESSEL Prokon Sakisubo (Cross Type), then PBSwiss (for Torx especially), then Wera are my top picks.

[@maxwelld5832]

@@bzeug SUBBED

[@maxwelld5832]

@@bzeug do those picks apply for an electricians application?

[@bzeug]

@@maxwelld5832 Not really. I use screwdrivers for that application. VDE slimline by Wiha or Wera or even Bahco. It depends on what handle style you like. Check out Wiha Xeno, I made a video about those. For ECX on conduit I use Milwaukee and have some Kleintools ECX bits, but never use because I go for the screwdrivers in those applications.

[@bzeug]

@HTR You're right I do like Felo Ergonic better than Wiha. I just don't happen to own any Felo VDE....yet.

[@dienowplease3565]

I have festool csx 12 for installation, I was wondering about centrotec and need some sturdy way to hold bits. Found solution in aliexpress for that. 😂

[@jameshastings6538]

What bit holder screwdriver would you recommend for a precision style screwdriver?

[@bzeug]

Easy. This one. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rHinmGVtds-EiJY

[@jameshastings6538]

I just watched that video. Which was an awesome presentation of all the different bit holders. I am going to buy that Wiha one. I was wondering if there was one with a spin cap? What brand of longer bits do you recommend for Philips #0 & #00 / Slotted 1/8 & 3/32?

[@jameshastings6538]

@@bzeug I have one last question. Have you used the Hazet ratcheting screwdriver? I’m looking to get a ratcheting screwdriver as well and narrowed it down to a few. Do you have a recommendation on this? MegaPro Automotive Ratcheting screwdriver Williams Ratcheting screwdriver Rolgear Ratcheting screwdriver (power bits) Hazet 810R-4

[@bzeug]

@@jameshastings6538 yes this hazet is the best in my opinion because there is so little back drag friction. kzbin.info/www/bejne/b3Oqhn6Cibl1h7c also inbus and gedore have products with this rolgear style "ratchet".

[@aussiehardwood6196]

Great channel, BZEUG has corrupted me into buying Wiha CentroFix, 2 Hazet 810bh & a Wera ratcheting bit holder. I think he would like the Japanese Anex No.397 Quick Ball 72, its a 72tooth ratcheting ball grip hex driver. I do like it very much.

[@bzeug]

Thank you for the very nice compliment. I have been looking at more ANEX items including that one.

[@histguy101]

Will centrotec bits fit into my Japanese impact driver? It would be nice to get some quality compatible bits without having to import them

[@bzeug]

No. I made a video about that here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r4GwcmmIrK6qkKc

[@histguy101]

@@bzeug appreciate it!

[@CrookedSkew]

Thanks. I'm looking at getting Festool and making use of their Centrotec technology and this video is helpful!

[@davidkierzkowski]

Why?

[@iL_Sol]

Thanks for very intresting video.

[@lesslighter]

I finally got this issue with Wiha... their SLIMLINE bits are 6mm so there is no way that quarter hex drivers WILL FIT as quarter hexes are 6.35mm YEESH so there is a chance that wiha's slim line drivers will fit the Festool bits

[@bzeug]

Oh that is interesting. Thank you.

[@johndoecake]

Festool looks like custom wera comfort grip handle with a custom mechanismus

[@dominiquech.3367]

Festool is perfect but you need Festool bits when you have it. Festool centrotec have a kind of bearings in the connector so the bit is locked in. I have the T18+3 with a centrotec bit holder , and my Bosch bits fit in perfect. Because the bit holder can have other brands bits in it.

[@TheSir2005]

Flextool bits are made for their centrotec chucks and for nothing else really. Something they have had for over 20 years and they cant switch away from it anymore even if they wanted.

[@Michelle-Eden]

One would imagine that a world standard for bit design would be superior to this confusion. So is this multiplicity supposed to make us brand-loyal or something? I don't get it.

[@josephKEOarthur]

this is why i DONT like the festool table saw (its only Battery powerd.. no Mains / AC/dc option). i returned it after 12 hours.

[@md-fq9ye]

Simply , they built only for their line of product and that is all ...

[@SachsVDE]

I think that Festools has a smaller bearing Ball detent thats why lock only on their bits.Their bits have smaller grooves than others like Wera ,Wiha or other Brands..🌟👍

[@nils1953]

Good god, what a horrible assortment of proprietary company standards. We should really at least try to enforce some kind of DIN Standard, because this is just madness

[@AugustKling]

never festool

[@DOGMA1138]

Pestool....