Bought a RO125 today

[ApgarConstruction]

Hi guys

I love my new Rotex RO125 sander.  I had to sand down some large 3x12 stair treads for exterior steps on a log cabin.  I installed them a week or so ago but the customer told me they had a thin spot of water directly in the middle, not a lot but just enough to notice.  I knew some had cupped a very slight bit but thought the pitch of my new stringers would make up for that.  I had to cut through two layers of oil primer and then take off about 1/16th of an inch of wood on the front half of 4 of the 6 stringers.
(two sets of setps, three treads per set).

The rotex was hooked up to my rigid 4 gallon smaller shopvac because I was outside and the anti static hose works with it.  I barely went through two pieces of rubin 50 grit and only used 1/ 100 grit rubin which is still in great shape.  I completed the job and re-primed the treads I had to sand.  I knew my older PC 333 wasn't going to cut this job.  I did have to use my power planer on a few just to save myself some time, but the Rotex really did a great job.  I was on the fence about buying this, and had planed on just buying the ETS 125, which I may do anyways in the fall. 

I have one question /comment about it.  I used aggressive mode for the big hogging, but the finished them off with 100 on fine mode.  I noticed that once and a while this thing wanted to skate around or hop a little bit making it harder to hold onto and control. 

Can anyone offer me some tips on what might be causing this.  I love the barrel grip and wasn't sure I would but I do.  I have large hands, so it worked great.  I am not sure how anyone with small hands can grip this thing and have a good control on it. 

The paper stayed so clean even when cutting through the primer/stain that was on there.  I would have gone through a dozen PC discs trying to do it with a normal sander and the planer. 

Any planer marks quickly disappeared with the rotex.

two thumbs up for this great tool!  another systainer added to the truck/trailer!

-Dan
;D ;D

 

[Neill]

Dan,

Your problem regarding the Rotex 125 is a common one and has been addressed in many threads.  You might want to do a search for greater detail.

One of the problems could be that your vac suction is turned up too high.  This might cause it to intermittently grab and release.  It also does not allow the pad to "float" over the surface so dust collection is not as good.

The other problem is balance on the machine.  I am not sure if he was the first, but I know Brice discovered that if you hold the sander at the back, near the junction of the vac hose and cord, it will allow the pad to sit flatter on your workpiece.  If it does not sit flat it may cause the jumping around you have been experiencing.

One other thing I have found is that these Rotex sanders are powerful.  You seldom need to exert any additional pressure to them.  Just guide them and let them do their work.  They will do it well.

Neill

 

[ApgarConstruction]

So are you saying the 6" is a better choice.  I could always take this one back if the 5" are prone to being bouncy. 

I did find towards the end of my time using it today which was only a few hours, that the farther back my hand on the barrel, the easier it was to control.    It wasn't like it jumped so much I said forget this tool,    only a few random times during all the sanding I did.

I'll look for some threads about the issues others have had.  I felt the 6" would be too big for some of my tasks that I have to do.

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

I will dispute the vac suction on the Rotex sanders.

I really believe they are too powerful to be affected by too much suction.

Plus, he didn't use his CT.

I think it was Mike in Lebanon that told me the vac suction really made no difference on the rotex sanders.

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

You will get used to it Dan, just takes some sander time.  It is not like any sander you have ever used before.

I can run mine with one hand for the most part, unless I am doing some real aggressive work.

Big thing is let the sander do the work.

 

[ApgarConstruction]

one more question.  I was in woodcraft last weekend and the guy there told me the new rotex  have more suction holes in the pad/paper.  I noticed the 6" has more holes than their older floor model had, but I don't notice the 5" having any additional holes.  A they going to change it at some point?

 

[mouppe]

Dan, the ro125 was my first Festool too. I use the aggressive mode up to 120, and then the fine mode from 180 upwards. I found that control of the sander is easier if you let it float from side to side- imagine a slow-motion tennis backhand followed by a forehand and so on.

I was using the Rotex today to finish a piece of red oak- wood doesn't get much tougher than oak and it was like a sheet of glass by the time I got to 320 grit.

Enjoy the sanding
Richard.

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

one more question.  I was in woodcraft last weekend and the guy there told me the new rotex  have more suction holes in the pad/paper.  I noticed the 6" has more holes than their older floor model had, but I don't notice the 5" having any additional holes.   A they going to change it at some point?

The extra holes, jet stream, would not make any difference in the 5" sanders.

They are all ready at maximum dust extraction.

 

[mouppe]

The 5" is fine for my needs. I tried both before opting for the Ro125. I liked its lighter weight and I found it less tiring. Yes, it did bounce a little at first, but it was just part of the learning curve and after a few passes I got the hang of it. It was bouncing because I was leaning on it too much. Let the sander do the work and it won't bounce.

Richard.

 

[mouppe]

The 125 isn't going to have more holes because it doesn't need any more. Festool tested the extra holes and it was not found to show any improvement in dust extraction for the 5" Rotex so it will remain as is.

Richard.

 

[ApgarConstruction]

thanks guys.

This wasn't my first festool purchase.  I already have the ct22 (but chose to use the rigid as it was outdoors and the antistatic hose works with it just fine.)  I also have the TS75 saw and two rails i can put together. 

I'm looking forward to a Carvex and a C15 drill by the fall.  Shhhh don't tell my wife.  she would rather spend that money on a new dining room table and chairs.  I'll just have to tell her I can build it all with the festool lineup. 

 

[Wood_Junkie]

A few points related to various replies..

The CT would make a difference, as a normal shop vac has fixed suction, usually at "max".  So it would / could cause the "grabbing" problem with the sander.

The 125mm discs do not have a multi-Jetstream configuration.  According to Festool on high it didn't make any difference with dust collection.  The 150mm (6") it does, so there ya go...

I have the same problem with my RO125 bouncing around somtimes and it drives me crazy.  It goes nuts a lot more often when the entire pad is *not* supported, like sanding half on an edge or a narrow workpiece.

I have an old RO150E, and I can control that thing all day long one handed by holding the head, or with virtually zero effort using two hands--- one on the head or handle, and one on the end of the barrel...  I have nowhere near as smooth control with the RO125.  I use both with my shop vac and my CT and find the behavior similar  Just a point of mention...

Ironically, I find the RO125 is very easy to handle and control on vertical surfaces.  I think the weight of the dust hose helps to align it or something.

"...wood doesn't get much tougher than oak "
Not really true ...  Red oak is in the lower third on this Janka hardness chart.  Certainly harder than
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janka_hardness_test

Here's a shortened visual chart, for fun.
http://tinytimbers.com/pdf/chart_janka.pdf

 

[Neill]

So are you saying the 6" is a better choice.  I could always take this one back if the 5" are prone to being bouncy. 

I did find towards the end of my time using it today which was only a few hours, that the farther back my hand on the barrel, the easier it was to control.    It wasn't like it jumped so much I said forget this tool,     only a few random times during all the sanding I did.

I'll look for some threads about the issues others have had.   I felt the 6" would be too big for some of my tasks that I have to do.

Dan,

I did not say that the 6" is a better choice. I have both.  I bought the 125 because I thought the 150 looked too big for me to handle.  I finally relented and bought the 150 because of all the praise here.  It is a matter of personal choice but the 150, I believe, IS easier to control.  I would not want to be using either one over my head or vertically for any length of time.

As far as the vac suction, I know that Warner has held this position in numerous threads and I respect their opinion.  I also think that if you read through the threads most of them will mention that the vac's suction is important.  Again, a matter of personal preference.

I believe that Festool has stated here that they will not be making a 5" multi-jetstream pad.  Of course that could change if they decide they want to sell some more accessories.  Many a  125 owner will want to upgrade.

Neill

 

[ApgarConstruction]

I'll try it with my CT22 next time and see if i find it any easier.  I think having the vac turned up high would be better to keep the dust down and the grit cleaner.

It didn't bounce around enough for me to be unhappy with it.  and didn't bounce at all under the fine mode.  I think that the jumpy behavior won't be a problem and the more I use it the better off I'll be.

thanks for all the replies.

 

[tbellemare]

First, congrat's. The Rotex sanders are excellent for all sorts of sanding/polishing tasks.

In my opinion, the 150mm diameter sanders can handle a full bore CT 22 or CT 33 just fine without grabbing. Anything smaller tends to get sucked into the work piece and that causes the equivalent of pushing on the sander.

I also think you are going to sand much more efficiently using suction. By efficiency, I include cooler, cleaner (& therefore, faster), plus longer lasting abrasives & pads.

I hold a Rotex in RO mode back by the hose connection. It will float and one hand works best for me. In gear driven mode, I hold it by the horn and may use another hand on the cylindrical handle. It also works great. In gear driven mode, you can bear down on the sander if you want it to cut faster.

Tom

 

[johnnyinnb]

I find turning down the speed to 4.5 helps, it still peels off a lot of material with less wobble.

 

[ApgarConstruction]

what is 4.5.  my CT22 only has a turtle or rabbit on the speed adjuster,  is that around half way?    you must have a newer CT.  mine is about  4 years old.

 

[mouppe]

what is 4.5.  my CT22 only has a turtle or rabbit on the speed adjuster,   is that around half way?    you must have a newer CT.  mine is about  4 years old.

I think he is referring to the speed on the rotex.

Richard.

 

[ApgarConstruction]

ugh.  sorry, i should have known that.

  I didn't mess with that too much today.  I read some comments about vac suction and thought he meant that. 
makes more sense.    I'll try that next time. 

 

[jvsteenb]

I have a Rotex 150 and absolutely love it, great sander. And while I know that the Rotex easily pulls through the maximum suction my CT22 can administer, that doesn't necessarily make it the smartest thing to do.
Especially in the finer grits, I would recommend turning down the suction. It's better for the paper, better for the finish and the sander handles better.
With a piece of broken-in 320 grit brilliant and the CT on manual full suction, you can almost hang the Rotex on a flat vertical surface by suction alone.... Powering through that is like driving with your parking brake still on.
( The effect may be a lot less with the newer multi-jetstream pads - I'm still on the "old" one though )
Just experiment a bit, you'll find out the best setting for your particular situation.

Just my 2 eurocents, backed by some experience.

Regards,

Job