Belt sander vs. Rotex

[lindsayp]

Hi, I have just purchased a Rotex 150 and from my brief experience with it, I think it could do all
that I currently do with a belt sander.  I would be interested to hear from other Rotex users if
they ever find a need for a belt sander.  Thanks, Phillip

 

[harry_]

I just got a Rotex 125 and am wondering the same thing.

Admittedly, my belt sander is a bit on the wimpy side, but I no longer see it's need other than to maybe do some scribing.

 

[mbcabinetmaker]

I used to think that I could not live without a Porta Cable 504 belt sander. Now that I have my Rotex 125 it just sets on the shelf collecting dust.

 

[peter halle]

I have the Rotex 150 as well as the RAS 115.  I don't use a full size belt sander for my work since.  I do have the small Porter Cable belt sander which can be used with one hand.  I don't use it much, but I do use it when scribing sometimes.

Peter

 

[Frank Pellow]

A week after I purchased my Rotex about 5 years ago, I donated my Makita Belt sander to Habitat for Humanity.  I certainly do not miss the belt sander.  The Rotex gives me control over aggressive sanding that I was never able to obtain with a belt sander.

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

I thought my RO125 was pretty good, untill I bought the RAS.  The ras 115 replaces a belt sander.

 

[sw1211]

A week after I purchased my Rotex about 5 years ago, I donated my Makita Belt sander to Habitat for Humanity.  I certainly do not miss the belt sander.  The Rotex gives me control over aggressive sanding that I was never able to obtain with a belt sander.

Not to mention how about that dust control?

 

[tbellemare]

The RAS has great dust control also. Festool just excels in that department.

Tom

 

[EcoFurniture]

Can't afford a rotex... Therefore have to stick with my belt sander. Ct-Mini hook up is no problem on a bosch sander. http://twitpic.com/tvw9q

 

[harry_]

Can't afford a rotex... Therefore have to stick with my belt sander. Ct-Mini hook up is no problem on a bosch sander. http://twitpic.com/tvw9q

Now that I own one, I can rapidly see how I can't afford not to have it

 

[Frank Pellow]

Can't afford a rotex... Therefore have to stick with my belt sander. Ct-Mini hook up is no problem on a bosch sander. http://twitpic.com/tvw9q

\]
Frankly, I don't see how you can aford not to have one.

 

[EcoFurniture]

Can't afford a rotex... Therefore have to stick with my belt sander. Ct-Mini hook up is no problem on a bosch sander. http://twitpic.com/tvw9q

\]
Frankly, I don't see how you can aford not to have one.

I don't have to do any rough sanding, I have two ETS125 they are plenty for what we are doing... The only time I need the belt sander is for sanding off the saw cut on bamboo plywood. A $600 sander is a bit over the top for that task... I think I would rather buy a big stationary edge sander.

 

[Frank Pellow]

Can't afford a rotex... Therefore have to stick with my belt sander. Ct-Mini hook up is no problem on a bosch sander. http://twitpic.com/tvw9q

\]
Frankly, I don't see how you can aford not to have one.

I don't have to do any rough sanding, I have two ETS125 they are plenty for what we are doing... The only time I need the belt sander is for sanding off the saw cut on bamboo plywood. A $600 sander is a bit over the top for that task... I think I would rather buy a big stationary edge sander.

OK, I understand.  I use my Rotex so much that it is hard to imaging that others would not find it equally useful.

 

[AlexThePalex]

I use my Rotex so much that it is hard to imaging that others would not find it equally useful.

Same for me. I grew up using random orbit sanders for about every task imaginable. I can use it on the smallest of pieces, and if you want to do fine, non-aggressive sanding, slap on a higher grit from 320 and up, and you'll be just fine without danger of going through anything.

On the other hand, if you want aggressive sanding, slap on a low grit from 50 to 24 and you'll eat material as fast as a belt sander when you use rotary mode. 

The Rotex won't replace a stationary belt sander though, at least not for certain tasks. One thing the Rotex can't do is work exactly square. You'll always be rounding over the corners and that's less desirable in certain applications.

 

[tp1]

I have the Rotex 6" and although it removes wood quicker than an ROS, it still isn't as quick as a belt sander. I haven't seen the excellent Festool belt sanders listed in any USA outlets and was wondering why this is so.

Festools belt sanders have excellent dust removal and very fine adjustments for depth. It comes with a frame that will prevent over sanding- the curse of many belt sanders.

 

[Martin S]

I made an end grain maple counter top a few weeks ago, and used 60 grit Crystal on my 6" rotex, it removed stock about like sanding a block of steel.  I ended up using a low angle toothed jack plane and my Dads *OLD* Stanley belt sander.  I do not see the need for a belt sander very often, but sure wish Festool would bring theirs to the US.  I saw it at Ligna a bunch of years ago, and it was very nice; at the time they said they had no plans to bring it to the US.

martin

 

[AlexThePalex]

but sure wish Festool would bring theirs to the US.  I saw it at Ligna a bunch of years ago, and it was very nice; at the time they said they had no plans to bring it to the US.

I think it has something to do with the voltage. They don't offer a 110 volt model in the UK either, only the 240 volt models.

 

[Michael Kellough]

Over 15 years I bought an AEG 110 volt belt sander with sanding frame. It's great but getting old.

I found out that Festool bought the factory that made those sanders and was producing them again. That info was a big reason I jumped on the Festool bandwagon. My biggest disappointment with Festool is that the belt sanders still aren't available here.

I think the problem is they (Festool) don't expect much market for belt sanders. Few WWs understand the value of the sanding frame and having had terrible results with belt sanders (lacking the frame) they wouldn't be interested in an expensive belt sander.

So, I bought two more AEGs via ebay.

 

[family]

I ask Mr. Shane the same question about the Festool Belt Sander a couple months back and his response was they felt the market would not be enough in the states to add it to the line. I'm in agreement with the others for wanting it in my Festool arsenal. The dust collection that Festool is noted for would warrant the purchase and I think personally would edge out the others in competition with them. Just my view on it.

 

[tp1]

The reason they are not released in the USA must be due to  technical reasons which may or may not be voltage related. After all , all their other tools are 110V,
I don't think there is any question about their uptake in the USA - I live in Australia where the market is a fraction of the size of the USA and they sell heaps of them.