I work mainly as a carpenter but also do refurbishment. So a project might involve built in joinery, decorating, fitting wood worktops, sanding old floors- you name it. I want to buy a festool sander, mainly because of the dust extraction. I already have a TS55 which is great for this and clients love. From reading on here the Rotex RO 125 seems like a good choice?
All round sander for refurbishment?
- Thread starter Alpinist
- Start date
Best all round sander? That would be the RO150, IMO. That goes double for larger surfaces like floors and work tops.
If working overhead, the RO125 might be the better choice. Otherwise the RO150 is the better general purpose sander.
I have an RO150, an LS130 and a RTS400. My next sander will probably be the RO90 for small areas and tight spots. And maybe an ETS150/3 for finishing, either before or after the RO90.
If I was just starting out again and assuming the RO90 was available on our side of the pond, I would get (in order based on my needs):
1) RO 150
2) ETS 150/3
3) RO 90
4) RAS 115
5) LS130
6) Other sanders (maybe RTS400, or RS2 E)
Regards,
Dan.
If working overhead, the RO125 might be the better choice. Otherwise the RO150 is the better general purpose sander.
I have an RO150, an LS130 and a RTS400. My next sander will probably be the RO90 for small areas and tight spots. And maybe an ETS150/3 for finishing, either before or after the RO90.
If I was just starting out again and assuming the RO90 was available on our side of the pond, I would get (in order based on my needs):
1) RO 150
2) ETS 150/3
3) RO 90
4) RAS 115
5) LS130
6) Other sanders (maybe RTS400, or RS2 E)
Regards,
Dan.
Thanks, last week I had to fill and sand some ceilings which was no fun without dust extraction, other current jobs include refinishing an oak worktop. What I like about the TS55 is how versatile it is, and as someone who works mainly domestic houses and flats in Central london- think about all those stairs! I am always looking for kit that is both versatile and lightweight. I am concerned with the RO150 that it will be heavy, although I can see that for many uses bigger is better.
Alpinist,
I think the key issue is what you will be using it for - the balance of your needs. The RO150 is heavier than the RO125 and may be bit more aggressive. The RO125 has a 3,6mm stroke and weighs 1,9kg. The RO150 has a 5mm stroke and weighs 2,3kg. Only you can decide which is more important to you.
There are few more subtleties...
The RO150 has a pad "protector"; the RO125 does not. The RO150 has removable dust collection; the RO125 does not. (This is handy for polishing where you don't use dust collection.)
I hope this helps.
Regards,
Dan.
I think the key issue is what you will be using it for - the balance of your needs. The RO150 is heavier than the RO125 and may be bit more aggressive. The RO125 has a 3,6mm stroke and weighs 1,9kg. The RO150 has a 5mm stroke and weighs 2,3kg. Only you can decide which is more important to you.
There are few more subtleties...
The RO150 has a pad "protector"; the RO125 does not. The RO150 has removable dust collection; the RO125 does not. (This is handy for polishing where you don't use dust collection.)
I hope this helps.
Regards,
Dan.
Brice Burrell
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Dan Clark said:
Dan, the RO125 has had the pad protector for a few years now. As the for the removable dust collection chute, I see little or no advantage of that feature.
I'd recommend the RO150 since there is almost no learning curve to getting great results with compared to the RO125.
mouppe
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If you have decided on a rotex, I would hop over to your local Festool retailer to see which one feels best in your hand. I remember going to buy a 150 but when I tried them both, the 125 felt more comfortable in my hand, so I opted for the 125 in the end.
Richard.
Richard.
Brice Burrell said:
Brice,
I don't have an RO 125, so I can't speak from experience. Regarding the protector, I didn't see it on the UK site here: http://www.festool.co.uk/Products/Pages/Product-Competence.aspx?foc=ol_rotex_1600. Removing the dust chute gets the handle farther away from the finished surface (for the paranoid amongst us - me). In any case, I labeled them "subtleties". [smile]
Regards,
Dan.
Brice Burrell
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Dan Clark said:
Dan, that seems odd because the US version has the pad protector.
AlexThePalex
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Dan Clark said:
You must have had a rogue link because it's not working anymore. I sees 'em just fine on the UK site. But it's true there first was a version of the 125 without a protector.
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With regard to the dust post on the 125, I have some experience with the Ro125 now because I recently helped my nephew acquiring one, but I was unpleasantly surprised by how close the dust port is to the plug it connector. The first time I had to put the plug it cord in I really had a hard time doing it because the dust port was so close to it that I couldn't wrap my hand around it to get a full grip. I never had this problem on my Ro150.
I find the removable dust port on the 150 mm a very useful feature, I used it all the time. I said 'used' because it doesn't work anymore, the lip is stuck now, and it won come off unless I pry a screwdriver in it to release the catch. Tsk tsk. [unsure]
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