Been waiting for an RAS 115? The wait is almost over.

[Administrator_JSVN]

As many of you know, we had a remarkable increase in demand for the RAS 115 sander to the point that it created a back order situation.  Well, the wait is nearly over as we begin to receive units from Germany and ship them out to dealers in the next week or so.  If you're interested in picking up one of these gems, I'd recommend that you act quickly or even pre-order from your dealer of choice.  Quantities will remain limited for the short term but we have regular shipments coming now to help with the increased demand.  Check with your dealer for availability.

Just a heads up for those who have this one on their wish list.  [wink]

 

[Bob Marino]

Whoa, boy, that was a long wait, Shane. Glad we are finally getting them in.

Bob

 

[Brice Burrell]

Whoa, boy, that was a long wait, Shane. Glad we are finally getting them in.

Bob

Yeah, and long wait was all Shane's fault too. [tongue]

 

[tbellemare]

I've had these on backorder so long the temperature has changed almost 100 degrees.

Tom

 

[Bob Marino]

Yeah, and long wait was all Shane's fault too. [tongue]

Yes, it's his fault - he's our Festool man on the FOG - who else can we blame? ;D [laughing]

PS - Shane - thanks for the update.

Bob

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

I'm glad I got mine over a year ago.

 

[Bob Marino]

I'm glad I got mine over a year ago.

Darcy,

But the new RAS's have plug it cords, come with a free systainer full of 200 sheets of various abrasives, has much better dust collection and are being offered at a "Promotional Price" of $200.00 complete.....JUST KIDDING ;D [laughing] ;D

Bob

 

[Brice Burrell]

Darcy,

But the new RAS's have plug it cords, come with a free systainer full of 200 sheets of various abrasives, has much better dust collection and are being offered at a "Promotional Price" of $200.00 complete.....JUST KIDDING ;D [laughing] ;D

Bob

You better be careful Bob, you're going to create another 5-6 month long backorder. [wink]

 

[Bob Marino]

You better be careful Bob, you're going to create another 5-6 month long backorder. [wink]

Wheh Brice, you could be right. [eek] Just made the NO KIDDING a bit larger.

Bob

 

[Wood_Junkie]

As many of you know, we had a remarkable increase in demand for the RAS 115 sander to the point that it created a back order situation.  Well, the wait is nearly over as we begin to receive units from Germany and ship them out to dealers in the next week or so.  If you're interested in picking up one of these gems, I'd recommend that you act quickly or even pre-order from your dealer of choice.  Quantities will remain limited for the short term but we have regular shipments coming now to help with the increased demand.  Check with your dealer for availability.

Just a heads up for those who have this one on their wish list.  [wink]

You guys have any theories or data about what is/was behind the spike in demand? 

Just curious.  Everyone raves about the RAS115.  Although I don't foresee it in my hobbyist arsenal anytime soon, it definitely seems to be the cat's meow at hogging off material at an alarming and efficient rate.

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Junkie, the RAS is just one of the unsung heroes in the Festool line up.  Some video was posted of it in use and it was given particular attention at some of the end-user training events which brought it into the limelight and gave it the attention it deserved.  Darcy (WarnerConstCo) use this thing for things you would never imagine.  It's like a hybrid grinder/sander with phenomenal dust extraction.

While we're talking about hogging off material... Let me just say that I'm embarrassed to say that I haven't taken the opportunity to use all of our abrasives first hand (but I'm getting close to using them all).  My wife bought an old milk can, you know those big ones that farmers used to transport milk to market.  It was in bag shape and she wanted me to strip it down and refinish it.  I hit that thing with some Saphir and that stuff is amazing.  If you want an abrasive that can take some serious abuse and not lose its cutting ability, check out Saphir.  Incredible.  After sanding away on that steel, the sheet still looked brand new.  No noticeable degradation of the grit. 

Wow!  This Festool stuff is pretty good.  [wink]

It's like Stride gum, it may last forever.  Eventually some big dude will show up at your door and demand that you hand it over and that you buy another sheet of it.

 

[Sean7a]

Thanks for the update Shane.  It's funny because today one of my very good Fes customers was bs'ing with me in the shop (in our fancy new Fes demo area) and he says screw it, I want an RAS and the midi vac.  No patience to wait for a ct26 and figured if he gets a tool with the midi he can take advantage of the discount.

Let'em know they've been on backorder since 1958 but figured I'd call good ol' Julie Purple (Fes cust. serv. desk for those who don't know).  To my surprise she said end of this week beginning of next!  Heck yeah.  I can't wait to get one on the demo floor and chew some wood to bits to see how powerful this baby really is.

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

It is the backing of the saphir paper that makes it hold up so well.

The 24 grit is kind of like #73 crushed limestone glued to the backer!! [big grin]

The only caveat of the RAS is you will go through backing pads faster then you are used to, or it just could be me.

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

The only caveat of the RAS is you will go through backing pads faster then you are used to, or it just could be me.

It may be that Titanium pipe you were grinding away on.  [poke]

 

[Bob Marino]

The only caveat of the RAS is you will go through backing pads faster then you are used to, or it just could be me.

I think that may occur more frequently because there is a (natural) tendency to bear down pretty hard on the RAS, keeping a constant pressure as opposed to using a more standard ros and keeping minimal pressure.

Bob

 

[tbellemare]

Big grit Saphir is awesome!

I use it on limestone and really decrepit, weathered wood a lot and it goes to town and "keeps on ticking". It's almost impossible to wear it out.

I have to agree, Bob, that one has a tendency to heat up the pad but not only on a RAS, any sander that can grind. Those include, at least, the Rotex(es) in gear driven mode, and the Deltex.

You have to consider how hot the pads are getting.

Tom

 

[chrisrosenb]

The only caveat of the RAS is you will go through backing pads faster then you are used to, or it just could be me.

I think that may occur more frequently because there is a (natural) tendency to bear down pretty hard on the RAS, keeping a constant pressure as opposed to using a more standard ros and keeping minimal pressure.

Bob

Another reason the RAS pads do not last as long as the other Festool sanders is because the RAS pads are solid. The RAS pads run hotter because they are not cooled by the air from the dust extractor.

 

[Bob Marino]

Big grit Saphir is awesome!

I use it on limestone and really decrepit, weathered wood a lot and it goes to town and "keeps on ticking". It's almost impossible to wear it out.

I have to agree, Bob, that one has a tendency to heat up the pad but not only on a RAS, any sander that can grind. Those include, at least, the Rotex(es) in gear driven mode, and the Deltex.

You have to consider how hot the pads are getting.

Tom

When I used my ROTEX 150 to smooth out some cement edging in my basement floor, I used the Saphir24 grit and the Rotary mode, bore down pretty hard, but the pad was usable afterward. Did the same with the RAS and (possibly bearing down harder) and ended up melting the pad. The Rotex has a larger pad and dc holes, the RAS doesn't so that may contribute also. The Deltex is another tough tool (one of Festool's hidden gems) but with such a small pad and powerful motor, it's an easy pad to fry - haven't done that yet though.

Bob

 

[Wonderwino]

I've got to say we were really impressed with the RAS115 in both Festool training classes I attended.  I think Brian had to spend a few hours repainting all the siding we stripped with the RAS in a few minutes.  Chris Hughes was the main operator and we had to pry it away from him to get our turn.  [big grin]  [drooling] 

The RAS takes a few seconds to get used to with the rotating DC shroud, but it does the job faster and with less excess than any other sander.  ALL the fines are collected; only a few big chips get away which are easily collected with a vac.  This is the unit you will have to have for exterior RRP work.  Interior it will be a standout, too.  I can see a great future for this tool with the new EPA regs...  [scared]

 

[Bob Marino]

Okay, Festool has gotten some of the RAS's and is shipping to dealers next week.
Wheh, long time comin'.

Bob