Midweek 114
- petermillard
- Feb 8, 2023
- 1 min read
Direct link - https://youtu.be/8UUD1Hrt4As
Hi all. Just a quick midweek chat about the Centrotec chuck system found on the Festool drills and drivers; what it's for, how it works, and why you should give it a try if you're new to Festool drills.
Edited to add; vid's been stuck 'processing' for about an hour - you'll be able to watch, but it may show in a less than ideal resolution until it's all done. Sorry about that - sometimes it's lightning fast, others not so much... đ¤ˇââď¸
Enjoy! P
I bought my CXS four years ago and have been very impressed with this little drill driver. It is very light weight and the batteries seem to last for ages. Furthermore, it is very powerful and only today I was extracting 4 inch screws from an old bench and the CXS did not miss a beat. I have a selection of Centrotec bits and drills which are interchangeable with my PDC 18/4. A wonderful piece of engineering and worth every penny, IMHO.
From what I gather the Metabo quick change drivers are compatible with the Centrotec chucks, so that would be a way to benefit from that system without spending Festool money. The Powermaxx BS Quick starts at 110⏠in Germany, including batteries!
I bought my CCD12 (12v) in 2003 and still use it regularly. One of the NiCad batteries died but the other is still working and I bought a NiMH version for the extra staying power. The switch broke (only giving reverse) last year but Festool supplied a spare and so maybe it's good for another 20 years.
When the switch went I decided to get the C18 (18v) just in case the C12 died. I make use of the metal right-angle drive quite frequently and the offset drive attachment and these fit the C18. It also has the advantage of being shorter than the CXS.
Centrotec has another advantage in that the chuck provides additional support and reduces bit wobble.âŚ
Well that was a convincing sales pitch. I've just bid & won on a CXS on Ebay :) My first Festool tool - I'm guessing it won't be the last!
Like you, Peter I have been through a few battery powered tools and it has usually been the batteries that have died first and it has not been worth replacing them. I did try a couple of "compatible" batteries - without much success. The little 10.8 volt Festool kit was on offer so I took the plunge. It was much lighter and more versatile than the 14.4 volt DeWalt it replaced and, amazingly has more torque - love it!
The Centrotec system is super. I bought the screwdriver handle and it is great. The bits feel as if they are welded in - no wobble. Makes the Trend Snappy handle that I have seem a bit amateurish.
You can getâŚ