Compacter Deltex with better on/off switch

[AlexThePalex]

I was working on this today, using the Rotex and the Deltex:

Did the rough stuff with the Rotex, albeit that I was finished quickly with that since there wasn't much wood I could reach. Did the rest with the Deltex, and it sure came in handy. But to be honest, while I was laying on my back to get under the board and with the hose of the vac attached I found the Deltex was still a bit too big for this job to be comfortable.

At that moment, I wished I had a smaller Deltex, with a smaller body length.

So not like this:

but like this:

Please notice that I left out the switch. I don't like the switch at all. It's easy to operate, but to be honest, a bit too easy to my displeasure. It's too big and badly placed as I constantly turn it of by accident when reaching out or bending into the strange positions needed to get into the tiniest of corners.

I much more would like to see a type of switch that my old Metabo DS170E had, it was also easy to operate but had a really low profile so you could not turn it off by accident.

Oh yeah, the power of the Deltex is great. It's stronger than my old Metabo while that one was rated at 170 watts and the Deltex at 150. And compared to the Metabo, the dust collection actually works. The Metabo was a disaster with that.

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

Now, I like the switches on the Deltex and the RAS.  Easy on, easy off.

 

[AlexThePalex]

A bit TOO easy for my taste. :

The spring action makes sure it jumps back at the slightest touch. By the looks of it, this motor body has been reused from the old RO150 E  and the RAS 115. You use those two sanders mostly while standing in an upright position while you work close within your own gravity center. Because they are also heavier machines than the Deltex, you probably hold them mostly with two hands, one on the front and one on the back. The switch is not in the way then.

But the way I use the Deltex, as a one hand sander that will let me reach into places from all kinds of angles in all kinds of awkward positions (like laying on my back as stated above, or on a ladder), the switch hits either my arm or some of the wood I am sanding because it sticks out so much, and because of the spring action, it jumps back at the slightest touch.

 

[Anthony]

For a shorter (but taller) delta sander, the DTS400 is great.

 

[AlexThePalex]

You're basically right Anthony. The RTS400 is on top of my list and I'll probably get one very soon (I choose for the RTS because I already got a detail sander for the corners and the RTS' sanding paper is much cheaper).

However, I don't think the DTS or RTS would have been handy in this case because I don't think it would have fit under the roof edge I was working on. I think the RTS or DTS would be a great addition to the Rotex and the Deltex I already got, but not a replacement for the Deltex. The Deltex' low profile is better fit for tight work. And that's why I suggested this feature here and placed it in the 'Wish List' category, to make it fit even better for work in tight places.

I know Proxxon and Flex both have smaller detail sanders already, so maybe in the future when Festool wants to expand its already excellent line of sanders, they might consider something like that too. I would get one if it was available.
 

 

[Anthony]

You're basically right Anthony. The RTS400 is on top of my list and I'll probably get one very soon (I choose for the RTS because I already got a detail sander for the corners and the RTS' sanding paper is much cheaper).

However, I don't think the DTS or RTS would have been handy in this case because I don't think it would have fit under the roof edge I was working on. I think the RTS or DTS would be a great addition to the Rotex and the Deltex I already got, but not a replacement for the Deltex. The Deltex' low profile is better fit for tight work. And that's why I suggested this feature here and placed it in the 'Wish List' category, to make it fit even better for work in tight places.

I know Proxxon and Flex both have smaller detail sanders already, so maybe in the future when Festool wants to expand its already excellent line of sanders, they might consider something like that too. I would get one if it was available.

Yeah, the Deltex could do with a shorten. It's design and introduction was some time back, and we know by some of the other tools (ROTEX for example) that have gone through a more recent upgrade, that Festool can produce equally powerful and even more powerful motors in more compact bodies. So maybe sometime in the (hopefully) near future the Deltex will get the same sort of upgrade and make it more compact but perform as good at is currently does or even better. And a plug-it cable!