Festool Centrotec Installers Set(s) - Reference Thread

[six-point socket II]

Hi!

A recent thread of @Naildrivingman asking about the Festool Centrotec Installers Set made me realize that there are quite a couple of different sets "out there" and it ultimately made me skip answering the initial question because my opinion is only valid for the set I own - not for the others.

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So what I would like to do is ask everyone (as long as your version isn't already covered in this thread, of course ) who has a Festool Centrotec Installers Set - to take a picture of it's original content and post it here with Order/Part#, availability (discontinued: yes/no ; NAINA (or NAIROW, as I know for example that the US installers set is not available here): yes/no ; Price ) and list of content.

This would provide a great overview and single posts can be linked for reference whenever needed.

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It would be great if you would participate!

Thank you very much for your effort in advance!

Kind regards,
Oliver

[six-point socket II]

Festool Centrotec Installers Set / Assembly package / Montage Paket SYS 1 CE-SORT

Order#: 497628










Availability:
 - Discontinued: No
 - NotAvailableInNorthAmerica: Yes
 - Price: 419,20 EUR (excl. VAT) /498,85 EUR (incl. Vat) - Germany. USD conversion (10.08.2017 -> 493,73 USD / 587,54 USD)

List of content:

•   CENTROTEC-DRIVE screwdriver handle
•   CENTROTEC tool chuck
•   CENTROTEC magnetic bit fastener BH 60 CE
•   extra-long CENTROTEC magnetic bit holder BV 150 CE
•   CENTROTEC drill adapter BA-CE
•   deburring countersink QLS D2-8 CE
•   deburring countersink QLS D5-15 CE
•   BTA HW D5 CE drill bit with depth stop
•   drill countersink with depth stop, BSTA HS D3.5 CE
•   centering bit ZB HS D5 EURO CE
•   hook driver HD D18 CE
•   twinBOX BB-MIX range of bits
•   drill bit case HSS D3-10 CE/10
•   drill bit case BKS D3-8 CE/W-K
•   12x long CENTROTEC bits PZ/PH/TX
•   bit assortment 25 mm, 50 pieces
•   in SYSTAINER SYS 1 T-LOC

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Kind regards,
Oliver

[magellan]

Hello Oliver

I agree with you with regards to chiming in on the other post now in progress.  Installers Kit conversations tend to get a bit confusing because of the number of different kits Festool has released thru the yrs. 

I have the same kit as you have (Assembly Kit).  When researching I found this kit has the item I wanted and it was a better value in my opinion.

This Installers Kit (Assembly Kit) is no longer available in the USA.   Actually neither is the other Installers Kit but there are a few new, old stock available if someone looks hard enough. Since Axminster and other European vendors are no longer allowed to sell to US customers it has really become hard to find. 

That is what I know about these kits.  I really like the Assembly Kit and I've added the Attic lid to make available some added storage

Best regards

[Bob D.]

Why is it we do not have one or both of the kits for sale in NA.

Are we not worthy.

Last time I checked my money was green like everyone elses.

[RKA]

Honest question, do they really have a data field in their system called NotAvailableInNorthAmerica? 

[six-point socket II]

Hi Raj,

I hope not 

This was just added by me since it is a very common term here used for products/accessories that are not off the shelf/readily available in North America.

It was my try at keeping confusion to a minimum if someone is looking through these (hopefully there will be some sets added) sets and wondering that he/she has never seen them for sale.

Kind regards,
Oliver

[Naildrivingman]

Thanks for this thread, Oliver.

It looks to me that the Metric and imperial versions are not that dissimilar.  Your kit has one more of each following item:  chamfer bit, vix (self-center) bit, stubby bits, hook driver and counter sink.  The only other difference is configuration within the SYS. Of the extra items you have, the only one I truly wish were included in mine is the set of stubby bits. Near as I can tell these are only offered in metric. If I find an imperial version, I will buy it.

Best,
Chris

[RKA]

@six-point socket II
Oliver, ya got me!     I was convinced that was a copy and paste.

[six-point socket II]

Hi Raj,

 

Only the list of content is copy & paste 

Kind regards,
Oliver

[Cheese]

Hey Oliver, here's the SYS-CE 2015 USA kit, 201312.  I don't know if it was available elsewhere, but it was a limited edition in the US. Price I think was around $300.

[six-point socket II]

Hi!

Thank you very much @Cheese

Kind regards,
Oliver

[thudchkr]

I have the same installer set as Cheese. At least I think it's the same one. I don't have the large countersink in my set though. Cheese, did the large countersink come in your set?

I also installed an attic lid on mine. Nice for carrying a few items that didn't come with the set, like Vix bits.

Clint

[Cheese]

I don't have the large countersink in my set though. Cheese, did the large countersink come in your set?

I also installed an attic lid on mine.

Ya Clint, I added the large c'sink along with a couple of other items.

I also added the attic lid because it holds so many small items. The 3rd photo shows how many additional items can be stored.

[ear3]

Mine is the same as that of @Cheese except for that my drill bits come in their own case -- they are imperial.  In the lower portion the 5mm hinge boring bit was added by me and did not come with the kit.  Model number on the front is 498796, though I'm unclear whether this simply references the Sys-1 sort.  I paid $299, and if I recall it was discounted from $425.  This was sometime in late 2015.

[Cheese]

Hey @ear3 , your kit is different. You have Posidrive & flat blade drivers while mine are square drive. Also you've got a hook driver and a 5mm self centering bit.

Are your brad point bits metric or imperial? Mine are imperial...

The thing I really like about your kit is the extra storage space on the bottom level. You have a single bottom level and 2 individual top levels.

I have a single bottom level that's also part of the LH top level. Only the RH top level is removeable. Thus, the LH section that holds the drivers is all air underneath and there is no storage.    That issue has irritated me since the first day of purchase. 

Part number for my kit is 201312.

[ear3]

Huh, I guess I didn't look closely enough.  I've corrected the post to indicate that the drill bits were imperial (the stubby bots are metric, though).  The 5mm hinge boring bit I added myself, but the cup hook bit, which is actually incredibly useful, came with the kit.

Hey @ear3 , your kit is different. You have Posidrive & flat blade drivers while mine are square drive. Also you've got a hook driver and a 5mm self centering bit.

Are your brad point bits metric or imperial? Mine are imperial...

The thing I really like about your kit is the extra storage space on the bottom level. You have a single bottom level and 2 individual top levels.

I have a single bottom level that's also part of the LH top level. Only the RH top level is removeable. Thus, the LH section that holds the drivers is all air underneath and there is no storage.    That issue has irritated me since the first day of purchase. 

Part number for my kit is 201312.

[T. Ernsberger]

Many Woodcraft's still have them in stock.   If you go to your local Woodcraft they can do a search and locate a store that has one in stock.   You then can purchase from that store and they will ship to you.  Woodcraft is not good at showing store inventories bc the stores are privately owned but all stores share the same computer system.  Just a tip for anyone looking for one.   @JessicaDouglas

[tjbnwi]

Mine is the same as that of @Cheese except for that my drill bits come in their own case -- they are imperial.  In the lower portion the 5mm hinge boring bit was added by me and did not come with the kit.  Model number on the front is 498796, though I'm unclear whether this simply references the Sys-1 sort.  I paid $299, and if I recall it was discounted from $425.  This was sometime in late 2015.

I have this kit. I store my Vix bits in the recess under the 6" driver bits.

My drill bits are the same, Imperial and metric.

Tom

[Naildrivingman]

@Cheese I see you have my favorite all around pencil, the draftmatic .5mm mechanical. I have carried those for almost twenty years.  They are a fantastic pencil.

[VW MICK]

@six-point socket II

These are my sets

And this one

Mick

[Cheese]

@Cheese I see you have my favorite all around pencil, the draftmatic .5mm mechanical. I have carried those for almost twenty years.  They are a fantastic pencil.

Ya @Naildrivingman , the Alvins are really nice. The blue one shown is a .7mm, I also usually use .9mm Alvins. I really like the .7mm and .9mm versions as they still work with Woodpeckers saddle squares, yet the points don't break as often as the .5mm versions. I've kind of given up on the .5mm pencils.

The lead advancing mechanism in the Alvin is also a lot more robust than the Pentel mechanism. The Pentels tend to lock up and quit functioning after a while.

[six-point socket II]

Hi!

Thanks everyone for the contributions so far!

Kind regards,
Oliver

[LDBecker]

I don't have the large countersink in my set though. Cheese, did the large countersink come in your set?

I also installed an attic lid on mine.

Ya Clint, I added the large c'sink along with a couple of other items.

I also added the attic lid because it holds so many small items. The 3rd photo shows how many additional items can be stored.

Where did you get the sys1 with an attic lid? I see on Amazon a sys2 with lid- I think that would be a bit big.

I just last week had my local Woodcraft order a 2015 Assembly Package, 201312. I paid $299. It has the imperial brad point bits (which I had from before but needed to replace a few from breakage and a friend's abuse), a slotted bit (rare, but I had one still), and square bits (also rare?). Try to get centrotec imperial bits anywhere... or, from another thread, the bench unit for the 850 planer...

I agree about the wasted space on the left side.

Larry

[Cheese]

Where did you get the sys1 with an attic lid? I see on Amazon a sys2 with lid- I think that would be a bit big.

I agree about the wasted space on the left side.

Hey @LDBecker , I ordered just the attic lid from the Tool Nut @Shane Holland . They are usually in stock.

I also have an attic lid on my Carvex, it works well in that application. However for these installer sets, a Sys 2 is rather bulky.

[LDBecker]

Where did you get the sys1 with an attic lid? I see on Amazon a sys2 with lid- I think that would be a bit big.

I agree about the wasted space on the left side.

Hey @LDBecker , I ordered just the attic lid from the Tool Nut @Shane Holland . They are usually in stock.

I also have an attic lid on my Carvex, it works well in that application. However for these installer sets, a Sys 2 is rather bulky.

Thanks- ordering a couple of lids attic lids today- I think it's a great idea.

Larry
Edit- ordered 2 from Toolnut- thanks for the recommendation!

[Naildrivingman]

I just bought the centrotec stubby drill bits yesterday. I don't have an immediate use for them, but I know when I do they will be invaluable. For now they reside in my installers case and I will simply admire them for their cuteness!

SIDE NOTE:  What is the rationale behind a $90 USD FT centering  bit?  For that price I hope it not only drill centered holes, but also mortises the hinges and installs them!  I have 3 Vix (#5,7,9) bits that cover all my needs and I think they were $10-15 each.  Just curious.

[six-point socket II]

Hi,

86 USD, that's about 10 bucks more than it's German list price incl. Tax. (When converted to EUR) I honestly don't think I would buy it for that price as single unit - as good as it is, I don't use it that often. Given we are talking about: ZB HS D 5 EURO CE (492525) - this can be had for half of the list price incl. Tax here. I think I paid 30 bucks for my single unit purchase during an accessory close-out sale from one of my dealers. The other came with the installers set.

Kind regards,
Oliver

[Euclid]

You can find that item here in the UK for the equivalent of under 55 US dollars. That still sounds a bit pricey to me - though I haven't used one, so can't make a judgement on its quality - and it only in comes in one size (geared, I assume to the usual Euro cabinetry hinges?).

Trouble is, some of the seemingly-good-value alternatives have quality issues or serious design flaws. For example, the very nicely-made Axminster Centrotec compatible ones have a smaller size bit using the much-too-bulky sliding housing size from the larger ones with a hopelessly small chamfer that renders it wholly useless for the size of hinge usually associated with that size of screw… (i.e. the chamfered sleeve is way too big for the csk in the hinge).

[Steve-Carpenter]

I have the same set as six-point socket purchased a couple of months ago here in the UK.

The hinge bit is expensive (like anything Festool related) but the wood debris clears more effectively. I have had other Vix style bits including Trend where I have to constantly remove the outer sleeve as the drill bit becomes so clogged with wood chips it no longer retracts.

The attic case is a brilliant idea. Some of my work involves maintenance and I often have to deal with up to 20 small jobs in one day. This means my constant companion is the CXS Drill, Screwbox and Installer Set. Invariable I'll have to make my way back to the van for something or other. This will save me a few trips.

Off to look for one now.   

[Naildrivingman]

I used the 1/2" drill bit from the kit.  Man, what a bit!  The spoils from the hole looked more like those from a Forstener bit.  I'm impressed.

[tjbnwi]

I just bought the centrotec stubby drill bits yesterday. I don't have an immediate use for them, but I know when I do they will be invaluable. For now they reside in my installers case and I will simply admire them for their cuteness!

SIDE NOTE:  What is the rationale behind a $90 USD FT centering  bit?  For that price I hope it not only drill centered holes, but also mortises the hinges and installs them!  I have 3 Vix (#5,7,9) bits that cover all my needs and I think they were $10-15 each.  Just curious.

The self center from Festool is a 5mm. I use mine for the occasional draw slide into a case that does not have holes.

It's also great for drilling near door and drawer edges for stem bumpers.

Tom

[jobsworth]

I have the 2013 Installers set. It didnt come with the countersinks or 5 mm self centering bits and the standard (flat tip) screw driver bits. All that i had buy extra.It did come with the stubby drill bits.

I use the 5mm but for installing drawer slides. I like useing the blum hinges. So it comes in handy.

[Alanbach]

I am curious as to approximate price of these sets. I realize that they are all a little different and some of them where purchased in 2013 or before. I just saw something on Amazon that almost $1,000. Is that about right?

[Samo]

No 

[Alanbach]

What should they cost?

[MrToolJunkie]

What should they cost?

1/2 that price

[Alanbach]

Thanks!

[Ben63]

I think this is the first centrotec set. Bought it for about 15-20 years ago.

[six-point socket II]

Thanks for sharing!

Kind regards,
Oliver

[Luzzy]

Anyone know where I can get a replacement centotec 1/8" bit for my installer kit?

[Rupert199]

I have the same assembly set as six point socket II Order#: 497628.

In the set and also shown in the post are two empty trays and a longer thinner one. Any idea if there are specific items that are accessories to fit into these gaps or did Festool just leave them to our imagination to fill?

I cannot believe Festool missed an marketing opportunity to sell us makers something else. They must know a space in a set with nothing in would bug the heck out of Festool owners and know we would have to fill it 

[vkumar]

Anyone know where I can get a replacement centotec 1/8" bit for my installer kit?

I dont think you can.  That is the main issue with these Centrotecs.  That and the fact they are limited time offerings, similar to the Woodpeckers one time tools.  Too esoteric for me.  And I am a Festool Kool Aid drinker !!!

[SRSemenza]

Anyone know where I can get a replacement centotec 1/8" bit for my installer kit?

I dont think you can.  That is the main issue with these Centrotecs.  That and the fact they are limited time offerings, similar to the Woodpeckers one time tools.  Too esoteric for me.  And I am a Festool Kool Aid drinker !!!

Is this a brad point bit?

Seth