Christian, I'm massively confused...

[Dan Clark]

about the Festool RO15O FEQ polishing pads. 

When I bought my new RO150, I got three 6" Polishing Pads.  According to the Festool catalog, they are:

Tool-free FastFix Polishing pad D6", RO 150 FEQ
Item # 493914  

Since I've been hammering (literally) away on my bathroom remodel, I haven't had a chance to use them.  Today, I took them out of the systainer and measured them.  They are 5" pads!   

On the back of the pad, it says "146064>PA6-GF50/PUR

 

[Ned]

From the Festool USA Knowledge base:

Q: Why does the polishing pad for the RO 150 FEQ (493914) only measure 130mm?

A: The polishing pad on the RO 150 FEQ provides for a 10mm or 3/8” overlap when using the felts, sponges or sheepskin to prevent the possibility of marring the surface with the edge of the pad. Best results are achieved by keeping the pad flat.

You get to the knowledge base by choosing a Question of the Week--any Question of the Week--from the News on the Festool USA homepage.  Once on the Question page, there's a Browse the Festool knowledge base link.

Ned

 

[Dan Clark]

Ned,

Thanks.  Unfortunately, that answers my question.  I say unfortunately, because I bought three of the things and can't use them.  Below is a pic of the pad in the 7.5 inch "sponge" that I use.  It requires a 6" pad.  The 5" Festool pad doesn't fit!

What bothers me is that the pad says ...D6".  But they are not six inches, they are five inches!  Here's the link to the pad on the Festool USA:http://www.festoolusa.com/ProductDetails.aspx?ProdID=493914&ID=7.  Christian, Festool needs to mark these correctly!

The regular sanding pads are a smidge large but should work fine.  But now I'm stuck with three of these 5" pads that I can't use.  D@mn!

Regarding the knowledge base...  I've heard of the knowledge base, but I only went looking a couple of times and couldn't find it.  It's virtually impossible to find.  Christian, you need to put the Knowledge Base in "Applications & Tips" or some other obvious place.   That would prevent some of these buying errors.

Thanks again,

Dan.

 

[Ned]

I've heard of the knowledge base, but I ... couldn't find it.  It's virtually impossible to find.  Christian, you need to put the Knowledge Base in "Applications & Tips" or some other obvious place.

I agree.  It's sheer luck that I remembered how to get to it.

  That would prevent some of these buying errors.

Even better would be to have links on the product description page to relevant knowledge base entries.  Or enhanced product descriptions.  Or both.

Ned

 

[Christian93117]

Dan,

Thanks for the question.

The polishing pads are indeed smaller than 6" for the reason that is mentioned in the  knowledge database.
They are called D6 to make clear that those pads are not for use with the 5" sanders. This pad has the
fastfix pad connector and the RO150FEQ is the only sander for those pads. This is why this sander is
mentioned on the packaging. We will work on a better descriptions to make sure we avoid the confusion in the future. As for the 3 pads you have and cannot use, I will get in touch with you directly.

Regarding the Festool knowledge base. There is a link on the main page, top left corner, that says "Questions?" and is linked directly to the knowledge base.

Since it is not a problem to put links all over the place, please
let me know where you think a link should be placed to make sure people find the database. There are a lot of Q&A already in there and we are hoping that you all put your questions in there so the database grows.

Regards,

Christian

 

[Dan Clark]

Christian,

First, I think my language in my second post was a bit inflamatory.  I apologize for that.

Thanks for the PM.  As I mentioned in my response, Bob Marino also contacted me by PM offering to help too.  It's this kind of support that keeps Festool Number One and keeps me buying! 

Regarding the pads, I have to do some research and determine what other people use for paint polishing.  The last time I researched this, I thought most people were using the green-backed polishing pad.  I'm pretty sure I was wrong.

Please understand that very few newbies will purchase a Festool sander for detailing their car.  The ones that do already have a bunch of sponges (called "pads" in the detailing industry).  I use Lake Country 7.5" pads. 

Below pics of my "sponges" and two racks of detailing supplies (it's a modest collection).  Yes, I do mean MODEST.  Most detailing advanced amateurs have a MUCH bigger supply of stuff. 

The car is my Audi A4 after detailing.  Take a look at the left front door.  What you see is the reflection of the storage racks 12 feet away.  In the detailing world, this is considered "good".  Not great.  Not excellent.  Just "good".

Regarding the web site, the next reply contains a full sized screen shot from my computer monitor at 1600X1200 pixels.  As you can see, "Questions?" is not too obvious.  I never found the Knowledge Base and Ned found it by going through the News page.    In any case, the word "Questions" to me translates to "If you have questions, here's how to contact us."  I.e., it's just another "Contact Us" link.

The best place to put a link to the Knowledge Base?  I would include it in the "Applications & Tips" menu.  I'd call it something like "Festool FAQ" or maybe better would be "Festool Knowledge Base - FAQ".  I'm not sure of the exact name, but the first place I went looking for more info was the "Application & Tips" menu.  For me, that's the obvious place.

Again, thanks for the great support.

Dan.

 

[Dan Clark]

Screen shot of the Festool USA site at at 1600 X1200

Thanks,

Dan.