A few thoughts on the RO90

[GPowers]

Brice ,

So when doing "wet" sanding like that , you just leave the DC hoss off? Any problems with grounding/ shocks?

No vac hose and we used a liquid cleaner, you know the stuff that's fairly thick.  I didn't add much water at all so there wasn't any issue with shock.   

Was there any shine left on the tub or tiles?

 

[Wood_Junkie]

5) The dust port connector is a FAR superior design now, compared to "current" designs, and especially the older oval designs.  It is a lot easier to get the hose on without having to mash it on there.  And it holds very snugly.
I attribute it to the extended "nipple" shown here.  I hope this is a design change we'll see on future machines.  A retro-fit type part would be awesome (for the Domino in particular).

I have to recant this a bit.  I hadn't previously noticed or recognized, but the RO150FEQ has this same dust port with the extended 'nipple'.  I went through all my other Festool and it was the only other one I found that had it.  I was kind of dumbfounded that I hadn't had the same "A-ha" with that machine, as with the RO90. 

So, kudos to Festool for the better design, apparently implemented on the Rotex 150, and for including it on subsequent tools (the RO90). 

 

[Brice Burrell]

Brice ,

So when doing "wet" sanding like that , you just leave the DC hoss off? Any problems with grounding/ shocks?

No vac hose and we used a liquid cleaner, you know the stuff that's fairly thick.  I didn't add much water at all so there wasn't any issue with shock.   

Was there any shine left on the tub or tiles?

Yes, the product was soft scrub so it's save on the tub and tiles.  I'll be using this at my house form now on, I figure it'll save my a little time and I'll be be able to see you guys that much more.  [tongue] [big grin]

 

[Brice Burrell]

5) The dust port connector is a FAR superior design now, compared to "current" designs, and especially the older oval designs.  It is a lot easier to get the hose on without having to mash it on there.  And it holds very snugly.
I attribute it to the extended "nipple" shown here.  I hope this is a design change we'll see on future machines.  A retro-fit type part would be awesome (for the Domino in particular).

I have to recant this a bit.  I hadn't previously noticed or recognized, but the RO150FEQ has this same dust port with the extended 'nipple'.  I went through all my other Festool and it was the only other one I found that had it.  I was kind of dumbfounded that I hadn't had the same "A-ha" with that machine, as with the RO90. 

So, kudos to Festool for the better design, apparently implemented on the Rotex 150, and for including it on subsequent tools (the RO90). 

Might be a Rotex thing, the RO125 is that way too.

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

Another thing... The RO 90 has a 400 watt motor, the Deltex has a 150 watt motor if I remember the specs correctly. So, it's more powerful.

In theory yes, but is all that power directly transported to the pad? That's why I'm hoping somebody who actually used both can compare them for me.

The dust collection on the RO90 is not as good as the DX93.

I find that I wear out the pad faster on the RO90 then the DX93.

 

[nehardwoodfloors]

So, to anybody who knows both sanders, how does the Delta action of the RO90 compare to the Deltex?

I sold my deltex to get the ro90.
As a tool junkie wannabe.    [wink]
I will say I could not have made a better decision.

I do hardwood floors and was hoping for the dx93 to help me out in the scraping department, but to my dismay I still needed the scraper prior to the deltex.

Since buying the ro90 I haven't touched the scraper! Seriously its that powerful.
Many times I find that the more a floor gets refinished the deeper the digs in the corner get. This baby rips the finish off and then levels the digs out!

More than happy with the sander. The grant availability.....not so much.  [tongue]

 

[nehardwoodfloors]

Forgot to mention....
Brice.      Next time use some oven cleaner! You won't believe how new looking you can get an old tub and shower!

 

[GPowers]

Are dealers getting any deliveries on the RO90 sand paper yet?

 

[honeydoman]

i used it today to clean up some cabinet doors I made and it was a breeze and light weight to hold etc.  I am very pleased with it.  have not used the delta yet but will soon and will let ya all know.

 

[Brice Burrell]

Are dealers getting any deliveries on the RO90 sand paper yet?

I talked with Shane about this, he said Festool is pretty well caught up on shipments but he'd check into it more.  I've still haven't gotten a shipping notice for my remaining Granat.  Not a problem yet, but once I can get out of the tub and start sanding wood..... 

 

[nclemmons]

Was in a woodcraft in Chicagoland this weekend and they had a very good assortment of papers.

Curious what others are finding with Granat and how it compares to the other papers.  I have typically used Rubin on most of the woodwork I have had to sand. 

Does Granat offer any advantage on wood?

Also, if I wanted to sand out some stone with super fine paper, would you recommend Granat?  I have a limestone counter that has a few stains on it.

neil

 

[BobKovacs]

Are dealers getting any deliveries on the RO90 sand paper yet?

I was in Highland Hardware in Atlanta today and they seemed to be fully stocked on the 90mm paper. I didn't see any Granat delta paper, but they had plenty of Rubin.

 

[Ken Nagrod]

Neil, I don't recall all the little tricks for stains, but I seem to recall making a paste out of baking soda and letting that sit on the stain for a day.  It absorbs the stain.

 

[tbellemare]

Are dealers getting any deliveries on the RO90 sand paper yet?

I have most of it but still waiting on Granat 90mm in the mid grits.

Tom

 

[AlexThePalex]

Does Granat offer any advantage on wood?

No, Rubin is still better.

 

[Holzhacker]

So I've had my RO90 for about a week now I guess. Been sanding 4-5 layers of old paint off of vintage Oak. The 90 kicks _ss.  [thumbs up]
The handle and configuration are very comfortable for extended hard work. No aching hands or fatigue. Control is also very easy. Changing paper is a no brainer. Changing the delta pad is a little cumbersome but overall ok.
This really is that sander that CAN DO. For general restoration, removal purposes or trim work I would highly recommend this sander. I don't see it replacing a 5" or 6" sander for various purposes. However, it is two sanders in one. You can remove stock in RO mode and then smooth everything up in regular mode. Really a great combo to have in a small package.
Granat paper - Worked great in removing multiple layers of old paint, lasted a good amount of time. Paint seemed to build up around the outside perimeter while the inside of the paper remained clean and available. Not sure if this is 'fling' from rotation or my inexperience with the sander. The Granat absolutely did NOT handle the old varnish and stain well at all. Once paint was gone, new paper deteriorated fast from trying to sand off old varnish and stain. I don't know what that means but that's the way it went.
Once clean I used Rubin on the raw wood. I tried the Granat but didn't like it at all. Dug in to the wood too hard.
Hope that helps, Markus

 

[asmirnov]

Folks,

Very interesting thoughts I am hearing here !

Can you share another one please - would you think that to sand a 100 sq feet wood floor the RO90 would be too small and I need to go into 125 or 150 range?

I am shopping for the sander for my home projects (book case, piano box, etc...) and was thinking about RO90 but then remembered I will have to do this sanding job (one more time) in one of my rooms. But I am afraid it will require something bigger then RO90. What do you think?

Thank you

Anatoliy

 

[GPowers]

I would NOT use the RO90 to sand a 100 sq feet of wood flooring. It is way too small.

 

[PaulMarcel]

For both power and surface area, the RO-150 is far better suited to sanding a floor.  Some guys who do floors will hopefully chime in with other options.

Vs the RO-90, the RO-150 has 2.8x the surface area and nearly double the power (at least US versions).

Granted, the RO-90's delta pad will work wonders in the corners, but if you had to get one sander, I'd opt for the RO-150.

 

[AlexThePalex]

A Ro90 is not the sander of choice for a 100 sq ft floor. It would take ages. A Ro150 would be more suitable for this size. But if the floor gets bigger than this, even a 150 is no fun anymore.