Converting an RTS400 to a DTS400

[vteknical]

Yes it can be done.  I know it voids the warranty.  Buying them seperately just did not seem right since they are exactly the same and Festool is supposedly all about a system.  I prefer the RTS setup up better for my needs.

How would Festool Service know you swaped the pads out anyway? 

 

[nickao]

Yes I agree,  I always thought that should be one sander offered with two bases not two separate sanders.

Nickao

 

[Les]

;D

 

[Brice Burrell]

Thanks for posting, you want to post the part members here so other members can try this it they dare. If I remember you need a mounting plate and sanding pad to make the change, is that right? I can't see why this should void the warranty (I'm almost 100% certain it does).

 

[John Langevin]

Vt,
I too have always wondered the same thing. However the local Woodcraft Store told me that they were not interchangeable. This didn't make any sense to me. I think they should make one sander with a quick change pad system. The fact that they don't has prevented me from buying either one.

 

[Dave Ronyak]

vteknical,

How much time does it take you to convert your sander from one pad configuration to the other?  On many jobs both a delta shaped pad and a rectangular shaped pad are needed to be most efficient.

Dave R.

 

[soggycrow]

I just received the RTS today.  It's very light.  When I picked up the box I thought they had forgotten to pack something.  But everything was there.  The DTS is probably just a matter of time.  But my next priority is atable and plunging saw.

 

[soggycrow]

Vt,
I too have always wondered the same thing. However the local Woodcraft Store told me that they were not interchangeable. This didn't make any sense to me. I think they should make one sander with a quick change pad system. The fact that they don't has prevented me from buying either one.

Festool wants you to buy and use their tools, but not muck around with them.  They don't want you to be mad at them if you make a mistake.  And people do make mistakes.  As for the guy at Woodcraft, I find most of those guys not too knowledgeable.  They seem to have a high turnover rate.  If he was knowledgeable what he should have said was that he couldn't guarantee that the pads were interchangeable and that the company provides no help.

 

[Mike_Chrest]

Voids the warranty

Oops. I switched my DTS to a RTS a couple years ago. No problems yet. I still have the triangle pad but find the rectangle more useful. Takes about five minutes to switch back and forth.

Mike

 

[AlexThePalex]

I am planning on buying the RTS too and then possibly get the DTS pad and convert it when needed. I was wondering if this was possible as they seem to be the exact same sander. This thread has exactly the information I was looking for and I'm glad it's confirmed it is possible.

However, I got one question when I look at the photos, it seems that the holes for the bolts on both pads are on different places, the DTS's hind holes are placed farther apart than on the RTS pad.

Can anyone tell me how they still connect to the sander motor house?

 

[score0matic]

Alex

The 4 screws that mount the pad to the Housing are the silver  Torx screws not the brass threaded inserts you were identifying.

Thanks Craig

 

[AlexThePalex]

Ah I see now, how silly of me to have missed that, thanks for clearing that up score0matic.

 

[jonny round boy]

Just found this thread - I've got a DTS400, and took the base off the other day to try to see if it was possible to convert it to the RTS.

vtek -

I don't know if your sander is slightly older, or if it's different because it's a USA machine, but on mine the black plastic moulding that is the 'base' of the sander (as opposed to the 'pad') is different to the one in the pics.

Basically, there are 4x black machine screws which release the 'pad' section from the base. Then, there are 4x silver screws which hold the base onto the sander. Removing these doesn't release the base. it appears that the base on mine goes up inside the rubber 'skirt'. I can't see this on yours.

To remove the base on mine it appears that you'd need to remove/release the bottom one of the two metal bands, and I can't see a way of doing that without either a) damaging the band or b) damaging myself in the process...

Can you confirm if yours came off without removing the clamp?

Edit: Looking at the pics again, it's clear that mine is a different design to yours - the 4x silver screws that hold the base on are 45 degrees rotated in relation to yours - yours are at 12 o'clock, 3 o'clock, 6 o'clock, and 9 o'clock. Mine are at 1:30, 4:30, 7:30 and 10:30 (if that makes sense?).

Also, on yours the lower section of the case that incorporates the dust port appears to be an aluminium casting - mine is the same moulded plastic as the top section.

I agree that the bases should be easily interchangeable though, as you say it's supposed to be a system...

 

[AlexThePalex]

This thread should be called Converting an RS400 to a DS400, since the model displayed in the pictures is the older RS / DS Version. The part with the dust collection port on it is grey whereas with the newer RTS / DTS models it is black.

But that would really suck if you can't exchange the pads anymore. Who oh why would Festool do such a thing while they're constantly hammering on their "SYSTEM" approach and telling us their machines save money? It would be so easy to design a Fastfix interchangeable pad.

 

[John Langevin]

Alex, See my original post above, right on!

 

[Notorious T.O.D.]

I heard from a Festool rep a couple weeks ago that the two are becoming one machine with interchangeable pads...which makes a lot of sense.  I guess we will see if it comes true or not...

Best,
Todd

 

[NVA_WW]

Any more news on whether the RTS and DTS will become one and the same with interchangeable pads?  Or whether you really can convert an RTS 400 to a DTS 400 or vice versa?  I am ready to take the plunge on the RTS or RS, but wanted to double check before I pull the plug.  TIA

 

[Wonderwino]

That would be the R&D400S, due for release when the metric system is adopted in the US.    [poke] [scratch chin]

 

[Wood_Junkie]

Proceed with your own cautions about opening up your tool!

I was too curious, and I love taking stuff apart... 

Before:
Standard, weeks old DTS400.  Hellooooo beautiful!

[attachimg=#]

Oh my!  What happened!?!
[attachthumb=#]

The *bottom* retaining ring must be removed.  I used a pair of needle nose pliers and great patience and care.  The factory installed band is press-clamped into place and the retaining tabs must be basically twisted off to release the band.  An alternative would be to Dremel through the rentangular "bump".

The Frankenstein surgery continues.  Here I've taken the DTS pad and DTS plate off, and show the new parts in the back.  On the left is the old retaining band, and on the right is part #453-707 ("Clamping strap") item #24 on the Festool part diagram.
[attachthumb=#]

Reassembly requires putting the clamping strap in place first, then fitting the plate, and ensuring there are no folds or bumps on the rubber boot.  Once the plate is secured I tightened down the clamping strap, making sure it didn't pinch anywhere.  Finally, attaching the pad.

Here my little friend has gone all rectangular and $^!#, and one might suspect it is a mis-labeled RTS400.  Abra cadabra!
[attachthumb=#]

The initial process took me about 25 minutes.  The most time consuming process was the careful removal of the stock strap.  I used only hand tools to make sure I didn't over-tighten anything.  It requires a T40 Torx bit, and a very small phillips for the replacement Clamping Strap (I used a computer-kit screwdriver).

I plugged it in and ran it for a bit as a RTS to make sure it was sanding, orbiting and not doing anything untoward.

For the sake of the curious I then did the reverso-chango and timed it.  4 minutes, 30 seconds flat to switch back to the DTS configuration.  I already had my drivers handy, soo.. YMMV.
Since my Systainer is configured for the DTS, and it doesn't fit in RTS 'mode', I'll let it sleep as a DTS.  RTS will only awaken when I specifically need it.

 

[AlexThePalex]

Nice work wood junkie. I never had a clue the replacement strip would come with a screw and just assumed Festool repairmen had a special tool to clamp it in place. If it only took you 4 minutes to change it is certainly worth doing it.

But it does look like you've just sacrificed your warranty on your brand new sander.