boat building - sanders

[leakyroof]

Good advice all.

Scott, is the DTS400 better at extraction than the 90 and 93?    That is one of my primary issues.    I am not currently sensitized to the epoxy dust, and would rather stay that way.

I think that many of you folks strive for a finish that is above and beyond what I looking for, as my final finish will be covered with a high build primer followed by paint.

The RO150 sounds like the basic starting place.

Yes, the DTS400 is off the charts better than the 90 and 93 in extraction. However, it is not as aggressive, so the work will be slower. It is also larger.

I may add the DTS400 to my tools simply because of it's size and it uses the same abrasives as the RO90 delta pads.  It is typical to invest greater than the price of the sander in the abrasives for it, sharing abrasives between machines eases that pain a bit.
The other plus for the DTS400 is it's short 2mm orbital stroke for very fine finishing.

Ron, the DTS paper is unique in size- The Delta pad of the RO90 and the DX93 share the same delta pad-The DTS400 is larger and not an equal triangle in shape-

 

[RONWEN]

Good advice all.

Scott, is the DTS400 better at extraction than the 90 and 93?    That is one of my primary issues.    I am not currently sensitized to the epoxy dust, and would rather stay that way.

I think that many of you folks strive for a finish that is above and beyond what I looking for, as my final finish will be covered with a high build primer followed by paint.

The RO150 sounds like the basic starting place.

Yes, the DTS400 is off the charts better than the 90 and 93 in extraction. However, it is not as aggressive, so the work will be slower. It is also larger.

I may add the DTS400 to my tools simply because of it's size and it uses the same abrasives as the RO90 delta pads.  It is typical to invest greater than the price of the sander in the abrasives for it, sharing abrasives between machines eases that pain a bit.
The other plus for the DTS400 is it's short 2mm orbital stroke for very fine finishing.

Ron, the DTS paper is unique in size- The Delta pad of the RO90 and the DX93 share the same delta pad-The DTS400 is larger and not an equal triangle in shape-

Well, I guess I won't be adding the DTS400 -- If the pads were the same size it would be a handy addition but buying more abrasives in more grits just wouldn't be worth it to me.
Sorry for the misinformation.

 

[Kev]

Good advice all.

Scott, is the DTS400 better at extraction than the 90 and 93?    That is one of my primary issues.    I am not currently sensitized to the epoxy dust, and would rather stay that way.

I think that many of you folks strive for a finish that is above and beyond what I looking for, as my final finish will be covered with a high build primer followed by paint.

The RO150 sounds like the basic starting place.

Yes, the DTS400 is off the charts better than the 90 and 93 in extraction. However, it is not as aggressive, so the work will be slower. It is also larger.

I may add the DTS400 to my tools simply because of it's size and it uses the same abrasives as the RO90 delta pads.  It is typical to invest greater than the price of the sander in the abrasives for it, sharing abrasives between machines eases that pain a bit.
The other plus for the DTS400 is it's short 2mm orbital stroke for very fine finishing.

Ron, the DTS paper is unique in size- The Delta pad of the RO90 and the DX93 share the same delta pad-The DTS400 is larger and not an equal triangle in shape-

Well, I guess I won't be adding the DTS400 -- If the pads were the same size it would be a handy addition but buying more abrasives in more grits just wouldn't be worth it to me.
Sorry for the misinformation.

I thought that way - but then I thought I'm consuming paper regardless, so does it really matter if I have more sizes and grades? It's not like you need more paper in the fullness of time - just initially as you get set up.

All said though, if you're carting gear about, it's a hassle to carry more.

 

[leakyroof]

Good advice all.

Scott, is the DTS400 better at extraction than the 90 and 93?    That is one of my primary issues.    I am not currently sensitized to the epoxy dust, and would rather stay that way.

I think that many of you folks strive for a finish that is above and beyond what I looking for, as my final finish will be covered with a high build primer followed by paint.

The RO150 sounds like the basic starting place.

Yes, the DTS400 is off the charts better than the 90 and 93 in extraction. However, it is not as aggressive, so the work will be slower. It is also larger.

I may add the DTS400 to my tools simply because of it's size and it uses the same abrasives as the RO90 delta pads.  It is typical to invest greater than the price of the sander in the abrasives for it, sharing abrasives between machines eases that pain a bit.
The other plus for the DTS400 is it's short 2mm orbital stroke for very fine finishing.

Ron, the DTS paper is unique in size- The Delta pad of the RO90 and the DX93 share the same delta pad-The DTS400 is larger and not an equal triangle in shape-

Well, I guess I won't be adding the DTS400 -- If the pads were the same size it would be a handy addition but buying more abrasives in more grits just wouldn't be worth it to me.
Sorry for the misinformation.

  No problem Ron, I made EXACTLY the same mistake and confusion when I first heard about the RO90 when it was coming to the US. I also didn't want to buy the DTS for the same reason you listed, one more abrasive size to stock, that doesn't fit any other sander in my line-up. But, since I don't own a 6 inch/150mm Rotex, then I'm already buying 'special' paper for my ETS150/5 that DOESN'T fit any other sander I have either.  Once I thought about THAT, getting the DTS to try wasn't a big deal. Kev put it better than I did, but our combined point is the same, try the darn thing under Festool's 30 day ......, and return it if you don't really like it..and don't mind another paper size/config. to stock up on if you DO decide to keep it.... [wink]

 

[greg mann]

The DTS is such a nice sander for the sweet spot it covers that I believe it justifies its existence in any arsenal of sanders. Look at it another way: this is essentially a finish sander for places you cannot get with the round sanders so how many paper grits do you really need to stock? I doubt I have more than three, and if you feel you need some coarse grits just in case, buy the small quantity pack. My guess is you will hardly ever feel the need for anything under 150.

 

[RONWEN]

I take your points.  The abrasives are consumables so how much does it matter what shape is being consumed?  Also Greg, I was thinking the same -- with that machine (DTS) probably ~150 grit and up maybe 3 or 4 grits would be all I would ever practically use.
It's just more to keep track of.

 

[greg mann]

I take your points.  The abrasives are consumables so how much does it matter what shape is being consumed?  Also Greg, I was thinking the same -- with that machine (DTS) probably ~150 grit and up maybe 3 or 4 grits would be all I would ever practically use.
It's just more to keep track of.

Oh, how true. They have a systainer for that, don't they. [big grin]

 

[tedzap]

OK, made my first Festool purchases.    A CT36 and an ETS150/3.   Thanks for the advice.

I picked up a box of rubin2/100 sanding pads, but what would be the recommended pad for epoxy/fiberglass? 

I have to finish up some small projects before I can kick off the boat project, what would be the best sanding pad for drywall?

I like the boom, but it seems that the unit becomes sorta stationary once the boom is installed.    They also had a caddy that looks like it might be pretty useful.    Any links to people who ahve built their own caddy's for the vacuums?

 

[stevep]

I picked up a box of rubin2/100 sanding pads, but what would be the recommended pad for epoxy/fiberglass?

I use Abranet discs from Mirka on my RO125. They work well on epoxy - very little clogging and good extraction as they are a mesh construction. It might depend to some extent what sort of filler you use in the epoxy mix. When we do epoxy sheathing we don't sand the epoxy/woven glass layer as you don't want to weaken the reinforcement provided by the glass cloth. We only sand the subsequent filling and fairing coats, which are usually done with a straight epoxy mix thickened with colloidal silica, or sometimes microfibres. Usually two epoxy filling and fairing coats, then a paint primer, followed by International Interfill on any remaining imperfections before the undercoat and topcoat.