Moderator Note -  Though this topic was started by TinyShop due to a problem with a Festool bit holder it has become a great source for info on what works with what, etc. Due a to a great contribution in testing and pictures from sixpointsocket. So it has been stickied and renamed.

If anyone has similar info to contribute and expand what is already posted on Festool bit holders, please add it to this topic.

Seth

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I purchased one of these locking bit holders with the understanding (from the available product literature and from reading elsewhere on the FOG) that it would lock any wire detent bit. Well, either mine is not functioning properly or maybe I need to use Festool-branded bits (?). But aren't all wire detent bits the same? Any user experiences out there that can shed some light on this issue of compatibility? I was really looking forward to being able to keep bits from sticking to the heads of certain fasteners (galvie roofing screws, for instance). What gives?

@six-point socket II - thanks for the feedback. I'm particularly bummed that the:

SHOCKWAVE™ Insert Magnetic Nut Driver Set

...set that arrived in the mail won't lock into the bit holder. I followed the recommendation found elsewhere on this forum (that this paeticular make and model of nut driver would indeed lock into the holder) only to find that they in fact do not. All of my other nut drivers are ball detent and I got sick of them sticking to roofing screw heads. I'm no better off with the wire detent Mileaukee versions. For what it's worth, none of the wire detent driver bits that I've collected over the years are held fast by the Festool holder. Maybe someone from Festool can pipe in with some guidance?

Hi!

Ok, so I grabbed a bunch of different bits and the Festool BHS 65 CE. (I have more bits if necessary ...          )



Left to right:

DeWalt Extreme Impact Torsion (China); Festool (?); GRK fasteners brand (USA?); Athlet T-Star (Germany); Snap-On ACR, (USA); Snap-On (Czech) (prob. Wera); Wera Classic (Czech); PB Swiss (Switzerland); Festool (?); Spax T-Star (prob. Wera) (Czech), Athlet (Germany), Wiha Y-Bit (?), Würth AW (Germany?), PB Swiss (Switzerland).

DeWalt Extreme Impact Torsion (China) - Festool BHS 65 CE does not engage properly.



Festool (?) - Festool BHS 65 CE does not engage properly.



GRK fasteners brand (USA?) - Festool BHS 65 CE engages properly.



Athlet T-Star (Germany) - Festool BHS 65 CE engages properly.



Snap-On ACR, (USA) - Festool BHS 65 CE does not engage properly. (At all, doesn't even fit all the way down ...)



Snap-On (Czech) (prob. Wera) - Festool BHS 65 CE does not engage properly.



Wera Classic (Czech) - Festool BHS 65 CE engages properly.



PB Swiss C6 (Switzerland) - Festool BHS 65 CE does not engage properly, but well enough to hold bit.



Festool (?) - Festool BHS 65 CE engages properly.



Spax T-Star (prob. Wera) (Czech) - Festool BHS 65 CE engages properly.



Athlet (Germany) - Festool BHS 65 CE engages properly.



Wiha Y-Bit (?) - Festool BHS 65 CE engages properly.



Würth AW (Germany?) - Festool BHS 65 CE engages properly, but does not hold bit.



PB Swiss E6 (Switzerland) - Festool BHS 65 CE engages properly.



Grouped.



So I took some measurements and my observation is that it's really all about the dents (position and deepness). In case of the Snap-On ACR bit, it's simply too thick, I will have to re-check with another one. That it will lock the PB Swiss E6 but not the Würth E6 is interesting, too.

That it locks the PB Swiss C6 but doesn't engage all the way, that baffles me the most. I will check with another one.

Using mostly T-Star, the BHS 65 CE doesn't give me any more trouble than other bit holders.

Anyway, I will take it - and some bits - to the next Roadshow event if I can attend and see what Festool's thoughts on this are.

Kind regards,
Oliver

Yes, thank you Oliver for taking the time to try all those combinations and document your findings.

This isn't unique to Festool's holder. Every bit holder/bit combination I've ever used has some hit or miss combinations.

Thanks @six-point socket II! Seems to me that given the locking mechanism utilized by the BHS 65 is so "unique", shall we say, that Festool must have had a series of makes and models of bits in mind when it designed it (or licensed it, or whatever). Therefore, it should be a simple matter for Festool to supply us with the list of compatible bits. I paid over US$20 for a bit holder (that doesn't do what it says it's supposed to do) and what I'm not willing to do is spend an unknown additional amount (time and money) shooting in the dark trying to determine which brand (and models and model-years therein) of bit inserts are compatible. I don't have the time or patience to fuss with the absurd position I have been put in. So, @Festool USA, what say you?

As an aside, at the bare minimum, descriptions the BHS 65 should include a warning/disclaimer about this compatability problem. Had I known in advance that I would encounter this issue I would have steered clear of this tool. I'll say it - I feel duped.

@Festool USA and @Shane Holland - are you going to leave me hanging?

@Shane Holland - thanks for your reply. Sadly, no and no is the answer to your two questions. I'll have to wait for @Festool USA to respond. FWIW none of the wire detent bits I own (a random collection acquired over the years) are able to be locked by the bit holder. Bad luck on my part. That said, I really want to replace everything with BHS65-compatible bits so that I can benefit from why it was I purchased the bit holder in the first place - locking bits!

That said, if you can direct me to a make (and models) of bits that are compatible, I'm all ears.

So the word is out now.     

Yes, that will pretty much solve the issue overall, as it uses the afore mentioned one-point locking mechanism - as it's pretty much a Centrotec rapidaptor.

Seems Festool is leaning towards Wera for their Bits 'n stuff now.

Sadly that still doesn't immediately help anyone who's in the same boat as @TinyShop - but the BHS 60 CE will be absolutely worth getting!

Thanks for sharing @neeleman !


Kind regards,
Oliver

Centrotec rapidaptor.

Now that's a cool fusion! 

@Shane Holland - yeah, a little birdy told me about the forthcoming bit holder update before it was officially announced. Thanks for trying re: seeking clarification on what's different between the existing and soon-to-be holders. I'm still waiting for guidance on what bits are compatible with the existing holder so I'm not holding my breath.

FWIW I reached out via email to both Festool USA and Festool Germany and will report back with the results of that effort.

That's a neat idea for sure!

Kind regards,
Oliver

Oliver,

    Does the Centrotec Rapidapter stay in the unlocked / forward position?  Or do you have to hold it forward to insert / remove bits?

Seth

The Wera Rapidaptor is my absolute favorite bit holder and I especially like how the chuck stays pulled forward until a new bit is inserted and the chuck snaps back to lock it.  I'm hoping the new Centrotec version operates the same way.

I have noticed a subtle but definite operational difference between the Wera Rapidaptor and the new Festool BHS-60-CE. 

When inserting a bit into the Wera Rapidaptor with the locking collar pulled forward, it takes a very small push of the bit to snap the lock collar back.  On the Festool, when inserting the bit, the magnet pulls the bit back all the way without the push and the lock collar snaps into position.  Also the force to open or close the lock collar is slightly higher on the Wera Rapidaptor than on the Festool.  This is the case with three Rapidaptors in my collection.  Otherwise they seem like the same animal with different shanks and finishes.

I'm sure the new Festool branded unit will be a much improved bit holder compared to previous Centrotec offerings.



With the locking collars pulled forward, there is also a difference between the Centrotec shank and the typical hex shank where the circlip is not needed on the Festool.