Introducing the Festool Centrotec standard

[@leecherlarry]

beautiful presentation, still relevant in as late as 2022, thank you for it!

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Glad it was helpful!

[@BrenticusMaximus1]

I could not understand the purpose behind the Centrotec system, I do now thanks to this video. Thanks for taking the time to share this information :)

[@NewBritWorkshop]

BrenticusMaximus1 I was in the same position a while ago but now I realise how clever it is. Many thanks. Peter

[@pironi2405]

Very nice and detailed explanation, all these details tell why Festool is more expensive than others.

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@BernardK]

Your website is a great resource. I appreciate your effort.

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@davidm2645]

Oh my...once again I am drooling over another excellent Festool product. I will simply add this one to my already growing list. To be clear, that is a "must have" list and not a "want" list. Thanks Peter for another excellent presentation as usual.

[@NewBritWorkshop]

David M Hi David, I re-check my wish list every month - many thanks for the kind words. Peter

[@ronh9384]

Good video Peter. I was already subscribed to your channel at the time I watched this video. When I watched it the first time I hit the like button and left a comment and thought good product and some interesting accessories.... but to pricey. And even though I have a Festool CSX drill with the offset attachment as well as several other attachments and I understood your explanation of the benefits of the centrotec system.... I remember thinking I’m not going to give up my drills, drivers, impact drivers and my accessories especially given how expensive everything is. Then this morning around 2 a.m. I watched a Willis construction KZbin video about how he sold his various Dewalt drills and was now using nothing but Festool drills and accessories ( and he had a lot of them! At least one of every kind they make!!! ). He said he bought5 or 6 extra centrotec chucks and keeps various bits, drivers etc in them. He then pointed out that the Festool system is much stable then his various brands of tools. He said Festool was more stable because of the larger amount/length of metal in the centrotec system kept the bits or what ever you put into the Festool a better tool. He explained that other brands supported very little of the accessories metal so the driver bit or drill bit had more runout at the tip making it harder to drill an accurate hole or drive a screw accurately. So then I watched your video again and I decided I am going to replace my other brand drills, etc, with Festool brand drills and drivers when I can thank to you and Willis Construction! 😊 Thanks Peter. And sorry for rambling. I have been awake for almost 48 hours. I think I will try to get some sleep now. Cheers. Ron

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Hi Ron, No wonder you are tired. If you are going to buy new drills as well then look for my Festool drill/driver lineup: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y2TQqJ1njrmaqsk I do recommend that you try the C18 and TXS - I love them both and have no problem with the CXS and C18 design but others prefer the PDC and TXS format. Rest now my friend. Cheers. Peter

[@ronh9384]

New Brit Workshop Thanks Peter.. 😊 I got about 6 hours of sleep so I am good now. 😊. Yes I will be going to the Festool drills. I am impressed with how well the Festool drills bits and drivers are supported and how much less run out you get on the end of a Festool drill bit or driver bit compared to the other brands. Cheers Ron

[@HarveyJohnWillmott]

Great video mate. Thank you.

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@antonoat]

Thanks Peter for the clear demonstration. To be honest I wasn't sure what the difference was with this system, now it's easy to understand why their is a real improvement with accuracy when using this product. Tony

[@NewBritWorkshop]

antonoat Hi Tony, I was in the exact same position as you about a year ago and knew I had to do some research to understand the system. Many thanks for the kind comments. Peter

[@tiurling]

Very nice rewiev. Keep making them 👍🏼👍🏼

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Hi Domantas, Many thanks. Peter

[@meanders9221]

Thanks for the clarification, Peter. I have the TI-15 drill along with a few other Festo tools but did not understand the Centrotec concept. Now if they'd just put the brushless motor into the CXS...

[@callum5691]

I’m a professional cabinet maker and use battery drills extensively everyday, additionally I’m a massive fan of fed tool. I own a reasonably large range of their tools and some are complete game changers. I want offer some food for thought about their drills. 1. Fast fix isn’t as useful as it sounds and there is nothing fast about it. You can buy a reasonably good quality combo kit (drill and driver) eliminating the need to switch between a Jacobs chuck and a driving chuck. The idea idea of switching chucks makes me cringe, especially in delicate situations where one screw needs to be driven before the next hole is drilled which may occur when you want dead perfect alignment. The advantage I see is the right angle attachment but I do this 40+ hrs a week and it’s not common you need that ability. When you do a $50 adapter will work fine anyway. The offset chuck is very neat and I wish I had one but I’m reality I know I’ve never had a situation where I’ve needed one. 2. The criticism of legacy bits being unsupported is true but irrelevant. The “legacy” or hex bits in a impact driver driving screws don’t require support. Your holes are predrilled, the screw will follow that path regardless of support. 3. When drilling holes you will 98% chance be using a Jacobs chuck. The jaws of a Jacobs chuck offer ample support for drilling clean holes with minimal run out. I’ve seen depth stops for drill bits from various makers including festool, another trick is simply set the bit the right depth inside the chuck. You can’t drill through your board if you don’t allow enough bit to protrude from the chuck. If your bit is too long to do this then chances are simply wrapping masking tape around the bit at your depth will work fine and be fast. I would however recommend a tct (not steel) counter sinking bit with a depth stop, it will keep your work looking professional and ensure you are getting the maximum amount of board to bite into without the risk of having screws chip out when removed. Finally, a tip for everyone. You don’t need to predrill the screws for your drawer runners and slides. Simply drive the screw, you only need small gauge 16mm screws. Honestly, I’d love to have two or three festool tool drills like I have with my DeWalts. They are better drills after all. But for the vast majority of people there’s at least $20,000 worth of equipment that’s more useful than upgrading from makita/DeWalt/etc to festool drills. But what ever you do, don’t resort to swapping bits and chucks just to swap between drilling and driving, it’s not civilised.

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Hi Callum, Many thanks for that detailed comment which people will find very useful. The professionals that I know will have a drill for each task to speed things up and sometimes it is better to go cheap and cheerful in order to get the range. Cheers. Peter

[@thehighwaychild]

I know you wrote this years ago but I just stumbled upon this video. Thanks for your comments. I agree that although Festool have a lot of great ideas, and I have quite a few Fes tools, I’m not convinced this is worth the money they are asking. Keep up the good work!

[@KenChan123]

Amazing Tools and Accessories !!

[@dusttilldawn123]

thanks peter great set got mine last christmas love it

[@josephKEOarthur]

If ya can. Do an entire series on Zobo bits and the special festool countersink bit.

[@manuoceans]

Thank you for this very informative video. Regards

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Emanuele Di Lorenzo Many thanks Emanuele. Peter

[@stephenoneill2253]

Hi Peter I've been. Using Centritec bits for a few years and had no idea about any of this information I always just thought it was a range unique to Festool to encourage you to buy them to suit the drills Best regards Stephen

[@NewBritWorkshop]

I Stephen, Festool's Centrotec design is excellent and, as should be expected for such a good system, other manufacturers are taking it up. I think that it will increase in popularity very quickly. Peter

[@markcopple2870]

at 9:34 that small case you are holding: will that fit into a sortainer drawer cavity? (nice video)

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Hi Mark, Yes, it will fit in either the left or right area but not in the narrower middle section. Peter

[@matthewwysocki5019]

Thanks for the review. Now that you have had this kit in your FT arsenal, would you say it’s still worth the cost or would recommend another route for the woodworking hobbyist.

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Hi Matthew, The Centrotec standard has been adopted by many manufacturers and I have a number of excellent drills and countersinks from Axminster who also use it for the Parf Guide System drills and cutters. I am sure that other suppliers are producing their own Centrotec kit. Centrotec is brilliant because the drill or bit is held more securely than the old hex design.

[@matthewwysocki5019]

Peter, thanks! BTW: I’m an old Army Chaplain Retiree who lives in Texas (USA) and picked up woodworking only recently. I find your channel to be inspirational. Thanks!

[@josephKEOarthur]

The ZOBO bits are the best tech Festool has by far and its still good in 2024.😊

[@Joe55darter]

I'm new to the Festool Fever and am impressed by their "system", but just couldn't see the benefit of their drill motors. I'd already convinced myself that I'd never buy one of them when I already own a multitude of motors and bits. Well you just flushed my logic down the toilet. Now I've gotta have one of them. Well maybe a couple...or three... Looks like I'll be having a literal "garage sale" to get rid of my others to get some of these!

[@NewBritWorkshop]

CypressJim Hi Jim, I felt exactly like you until I began trying them out at shows and then used one in my friend's workshop. The CXS is an amazing drill and certainly should be at the top of anyone's list. Peter

[@HeinoRanda]

You can put a legacy bit direct in the drive with out the centrotech. If you need to be shorter, I used quite often.

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Heino Poulsen Yes, that is important to note. Peter

[@Cisco8484]

@@NewBritWorkshop Doesn't this contradict what you said in the video?

[@mentche]

@@Cisco8484 Not really. You can put legacy hex straight into the hex from the drive, making for shortest of lengths, which could sometimes be nice (imagine the short length of a C 18 with a old style bit sitting directly in the drive). But you can't put legacy hex into the Centrotec for the reasons Peter explained.

[@barbaraaires9855]

Hello Peter. I have enjoyed and learned from your video on the Centrotec system. But I have a question which I do not think was addressed in your video. If I wanted to use a legacy screwdriver bit, say a stubby PZD bit with a short (15mm long) hex shaft, why would I bother to fit the Centrotec chuck to the drill and then fit the legacy bit holder to hold the bit? Why not just shove the PZD bit directly into the CXS drill drive spindle, which accepts and holds legacy hex shafted bits equally well, I would think? Both the spindle and the legacy bit holder have a magnet to keep the bit from falling out. And both seem to offer about the same amount of lateral support. But the spindle-mounted bit is more compact. Thanks. Mark Moorhouse.

[@barbaraaires9855]

Oops! Sorry! I see now that this point has already been made in an earlier comment, by Heino Poulsen. Mark.

[@Harmik2]

Great video thanks.

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Hi Harmik, many thanks. Peter

[@eugeneeugene8252]

Centrotec is great,but one drawback is you need both hands to change bits which is ok in workshop.On site I have to use Trend Snappy developed for Centrotec.More wobbly but lighting quick to change.Trade off between precision and speed

[@scottvisser8671]

does the CXS have hammer drill and impact drill functions?

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Hi Scott, No, it just has drilling and an adjustable clutch for screws. It is 2 speed. Peter

[@nippychippy]

Dam it Peter another great review I have been looking at this set for while have a guess what I'll have to get next ha ha your a nightmare you will be on commission soon thanks for the review Cheers robert

[@NewBritWorkshop]

nippychippy Hi Robert, In a sense it is easy me as I only look at tools that I really like. I think that is important to explain to everyone why Centrotec is better than legacy bit holders - I hope I have managed to get that across. Cheers. Peter

[@nippychippy]

You sure have basically it takes the wobble out of the bits and drill bit which can be a pain

[@Hulteke]

Hi Peter! Ricard from Sweden is checking in. Is that Systainer with all the bits an old outdated product? It looks realy interesting to me. Love your work! Very insispiering! Best regards! /Ricard

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Hi Ricard, It seems to be offered from time to time. Check with a Festool dealer to see when it will be available in your area. Cheers. Peter

[@harryslutter3450]

Great Job

[@andyfann01]

Hi Peter, does it mean legacy bit can not fit in centrotec chunk, have to use the bit without chunk?

[@NewBritWorkshop]

+Andy Fan Hi Andy, No, normal hex bits will not fit but they do fit in the end of the drill if you remove the Centrotec chuck. Also, Festool supply a Centrotec holder for normal hex bits - it is in my CXS all the time. Peter

[@andyfann01]

+New Brit Workshop (Peter) Thank you Peter, now I know more about centrotec.

[@joebloggs7231]

Unfortunately the holder supplied with the CXS is only magnetic, which is fine for legacy driver bits, but less good for hex drills - in fact it is no better than putting the bit directly in the drill shank . They do produce a holder which locks the standard bits and drills in place (492648) - it's a shame that one doesn't come as standard. Axminster Power Tools now make a number of bits and accessories which fit the centrotec standard.

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Geoff Sheppard Hi Geoff, I have just got hold of an Axminster adapter and it works perfectly. Peter

[@joebloggs7231]

Yes, they do a number of Centrotec compatible bits and drills under their 'Universal quick change system' and/or 'Trade Bitz' names. I got the long bit set, which includes the legacy bit holder and tried the Fisch drill bit set, all of which work well in a centrotec chuck.

[@Soundwave857]

Looking at centrotec stuff recently but if only festool is using it its not really a standard. never had wooble with hex or a regular chuck. also making it imcompatible with regular hex is just a middle finger to everyone since getting the "lost" bit out of it only requires to remove the adapter.

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Axminster sell lots of different makes of Centrotec kit as well as manufacturing some of their own. Peter

[@BeaulieuTodd]

Good video. Centrotec is a solution to a non problem IMO. I had never once thought that a standard driver bit was unstable and wished someone could come out with a competing “standard”so that I could rebuild my bit arsenal from scratch for ten times the cost. I don’t understand why all the other brands continue to use Jacobs on all drivers but impact, which have convenient quick change “chucks”. I have a lot of Festool,including the compact driver, so I’m not a sideline hater. I too am new to their drivers. Been using dewalt for years and have no complaints other than wanting a driver with the quick connect. I don’t buy into the theory that Festool is helping from losing a short bit into the chuck by changing the standard. Take a look at the dewalt impact driver. It’s got a beautifully simple and compact chuck. Let call out the truth here... Festool is great at creating a proprietary ecosystem with their own “standards”. Smart business but don’t try to spin it as a benefit to the customer.

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Hi Todd, There are a number of competitors to Festool in the Centrotec market. The real advantage of Centrotec is the Centrotec chuck and the stability when you use a Centrotec ended drill bit. Peter

[@nicolasmasset]

Hi Peter, with the pdc18/4, are you able to use the percussion function to drill in concrete with the centrotec adapter and the centrotec stone drills? Or do you have to use the normal bigger Chuck? If so, I assume you'll be able to fasten those centrotec drills in the normal Chuck aswell? Maybe the centrotec stone drills are just for modern light weight bulding blocks. Nicolas

[@NewBritWorkshop]

+Nicolas Masset Hi Nicolas, I am not aware of any Centrotec stone drills. The only ones that I have seen have the SDS connection which is universal and not Festool specific. I I have tried straight shafted stone drills in the PDC which work very well indeed. Peter

[@nicolasmasset]

+New Brit Workshop (Peter) Thanks Peter. I think these ones are centrotec right? www.nonpaintstore.nl/nl/festool-online/boren-en-schroeven-1/boorgereedschap-1/centrotec-steenboren-met-hardmetalen-snijvlak-1/FESTOOL-769096-festool-steenboren-db-stone-ce-set-tl-6x.html These would be awesome to have but if the pdc 18/4 only hammers with a normal chuck then they'd be pretty useless for anything except really soft stone I assume?

[@NewBritWorkshop]

+Nicolas Masset Hi Nicolas, I did not realise that such a product existed. There is no mechanism that would stop the hammer action when using a Centrotec chuck so they will work. Peter

[@Slayer66642]

I've bought Dewalt and bosch drills, always got a bith suspiciously about Festool After a couple of years Dewalt or Bosch batteries were broke Ok, you cant put a 'normal' bit in a Festool, but damn, those things really rocks Never would want anything else anymore

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Once people try a Festool drill/driver they seldom want to go back to another brand. It is the same with their routers as well. Peter

[@joncoxhead4624]

Hello Peter, I am, like you, a long time user and fan of Festool tools. Currently I own 12 Festool tools and they are all first class, I often have 2 or 3 Fastfix chucks on the bench with different normal bits in them. However the Centrotec system, with 5 brad point drill bits costing £50.00, is so absurdly over priced that I will not even consider it. Festool really do need to wake up and smell the coffee, as they say, on this one. Fortunately 3rd party after market suppliers are now making suitable bits so lets wait and and see.

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Hi Mike, Yes, I know that Axminster have a huge range of Centrotec compatible kit. Cheers. Peter

[@masonjordan968]

If you are looking for a drill driver this size, get a Hilti SF 2A or 2HA , i have the 2HA , second to none quality and plenty of power/ torque for workshop work or ironmongery work goes well with my dewalt 18v drill and Impact

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Hi Mason, I did not realise that Hilti were into Centrotec. Peter

[@madventure2318]

Great, that’s more Festool I really need to buy. 😂

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Go for it!

[@madventure2318]

@@NewBritWorkshop great thanks. I have emailed Festool and said I will take a set and please charge it to Peter’s account. 👍

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Haha - I just wish my credit was good enough to have an account with them. Cheers. Peter

[@garyp.7501]

This is interesting, but like Sony Beta max format for VHS, a standard is no good if no one else follows it. Festool needs to open the license to any company to make the bits/drills etc. or this will be a "great idea" that no one uses.

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Hi Gary, There are loads of companies making Centrotec compatible bits and pieces. Axminster have a very wide range. Peter

[@garyp.7501]

@@NewBritWorkshop Thanks for the info. What is interesting is that Milwaukee is coming out with a tool that looks identical to the installation driver from Festool. Did Milwaukee license the patents? Or they owned by the same parent company now?

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Hi Gary I do not know anything about patent rights for this but there are many companies offering Centrotec compatible solutions - no need to worry about the license side of things. Peter

[@tinman7781]

One bit missing: 5/16 tek driver with Centrotec adaptation. Need short ones and long ones. Pass it on to the powers that be. Just bought Quadrive drill ( I'm a roofer and stability is everything) and there are no driver bits available. I made my own in about ten minutes but I was surprised that a Festool have forgotten the entire roofing industry.

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Point noted and Festool will see this I am sure. Peter

[@Terry8238]

I have know swopall my power tool to Festool , then only tool I need now is the kapex

[@NewBritWorkshop]

The Kapex was my first Festool purchase. Peter

[@maciej12345678]

it just sds

[@deankenneth7479]

Calling standard bit system, supported out of the box by every single drill manufacturer, including Festool, legacy bit system was taken straight out of Festool's propaganda material. There are several hundred if not thousand different drill models on the market from various manufacturers, and the only non-Festool drill I managed to find that supports centrotec "standard" out of the box is ONE model from Metabo. Perhaps you should wait for wider acceptance of Festool's proprietary system before you relegate standard system, supported by everyone, to history.

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Hi Dean, The key thing about Centrotec is that the bit (whether a drill or screwdriver bit) is supported more securely and there is almost no lateral movement at all. My point about it becoming more widespread is not about the machines that will support it out of the box but the availability of the Centrotec compatible drills and screwdriver bits that are now being made by many other manufacturers. Cheers. Peter