Belt sander vs. Rotex

I would buy one in a heartbeat. I saw a 240 volt model which was brought over by the fellow from whom I bought my Precisio (240V also). He had his shop wired for 240 and 110 at adjacent outlets so that he could use his array of UK Festools along with 110 tools bought here in the States. The sander was an impressive piece, the best use of a Maxi-systainer yet. The fellow said he could flatten a tabletop in 10 to 15 minutes, and he was a very accomplished craftsman and designer, no hack for sure. I believe he considered it his favorite Festool but, of course, he loved them all anyway.

I love my Rotex but there is no doubt this machine could do many things a Rotex could not. Perhaps we are shooting ourselves in the foot when we tell questioners that you don't need a belt sander when you have a Rotex. Festool may feel that as long as that is the sentiment there is no use adapting the BS to our market. I would buy a 240 volt machine if I could find one since I already have the Precisio at 240. In fact, if I ever decide to build my dream workshop I think it would make sense to do a dual voltage layout just to get around the issue.
 
Thanks for the info Greg.  I value your opinion, so maybe I would change my find about them if I tried a Festool belt sander in a sanding frame. 

I do have both 120 and 240 volt ourlets throughout my woodworking shed, so a 240 volt model would pose no problems.
 
I have an RO 125 and have used it a lot on new and previously finished wooden doors and inside wooden trim and plaster painted with latex and oil based paints.  It was my first Festool purchase and I now have >15 Systainers.  But it is no match for my Bosch 4" x 24" belt sander when I need to remove catalyzed lacquer / varnish from old cabinet doors or anywhere seriously rapid material removal is desired, even when I tried 40 and 60 grit Cristal, Rubin and Saphir abrasives against 60 and 80 grit aluminum oxide belts.  My Bosch sander has a rather high fps belt speed.

Dave R.
 
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