Converting an RTS400 to a DTS400

[harry_]

Well it is possible that Festool told me that just keep my grubby little fingers out of the insieds of the sander for my own protection. 

Or,....... nothing to do with fingers & sanders and more to do with fingers & wallets? [2cents] [popcorn]

 

[wow]

Brought this back from the dead because there seem to be fairly frequent "should I buy a DTS400 or RTS400" posts. Any chance they will soon become one sander with multiple bases, which would seem infinitely wise for some of us?

No, I wouldn't mind owning a second sander or systainer, but if they aren't going to be merged as a single model why not offer them as a set?

 

[jbasen]

This has been a very timely discussion for me.  I own an ETS 150/5 and an RTS 400.  I was considering purchasing a delta pad sander and was about to ask the question whether people would recommend a DTS 400 or whether it was worth the extra money (given the sanders I own) to purchase an RO 90.  Given the above discussion, now there are more options.

I'm not sure I feel like tearing apart my DTS 400 as I just bought it a few months ago and the warranty would be out the window.  I'm wondering if I should sell it while it has a lot of value and hope for a combo RTS/DTS model.  Or, wondering if the combined RTS/DTS model will use the base unit of the existing sander simply adding an extra interface layer to make the pads interchangeable.  If that is true then I'm wondering if this interface could be retrofit onto an existing RTS 400.  If that were the case it might be worth tearing the sander apart to essentially upgrade it to a new model.

Jay

 

[peter halle]

I wouldn't put on hold any plans for a sander to wait for a combo or retrofit DTS/ RTS sander.

Peter

 

[w802h]

When I was considering my initial purchase, I swapped out the pads between the two models at my dealer and they fit... that said I live life on the straight and narrow so I bought the RTS.  If memory serves, the ETS fits too.  I thought the RTS shape was more useful for my needs and it felt like I'd be able to keep it flatter where I might bear on the point of the DTS or roll the edge of a round pad.  I considered buying a different pad without the dealer/festool endorsement, but I didn't want to stock two different profile papers for very similar machines.  If push comes to shove I've got a Multimaster for my delta needs - although I don't like it for sanding and rarely use it. 

 

[jbasen]

Thanks.  So given I have an ETS 150/5 and the RTS 400, is there something the RO 90 is going to offer me that justifies the higher cost compared to the DTS 400?  If I didn't have the ETS 150/5 it would be a no brainier and I would get the RO 90.  Given I have the ETS 150/5 I'm just not sure what the other features of the RO 90 are going to offer me other than the opportunity to buy even more sandpaper  [smile]

Thanks.

Jay

 

[Scott B.]

Thanks.  So given I have an ETS 150/5 and the RTS 400, is there something the RO 90 is going to offer me that justifies the higher cost compared to the DTS 400?  If I didn't have the ETS 150/5 it would be a no brainier and I would get the RO 90.  Given I have the ETS 150/5 I'm just not sure what the other features of the RO 90 are going to offer me other than the opportunity to buy even more sandpaper  [smile]

Thanks.

Jay

Depends entirely upon what you do for work. Not all delta are created equal or for the same purpose, in my opinion. The DTS is a great and well balanced orbital that happens to have 3 points, nice curves and a beautiful beveled edge all of which ideally suit it for fine work. Cabinet grade sanding, drywall patch sanding etc. The 90 in delta (to me) is a low grit crevice tool. It will rarely find its way into cabinet corners or patched corners with me. Flip side, the DTS will rarely find its way into low grit crevice sanding for me.

The stroke of the tool is often the best indicator of its best uses.

 

[AlexThePalex]

Thanks.  So given I have an ETS 150/5 and the RTS 400, is there something the RO 90 is going to offer me that justifies the higher cost compared to the DTS 400?  If I didn't have the ETS 150/5 it would be a no brainier and I would get the RO 90.  Given I have the ETS 150/5 I'm just not sure what the other features of the RO 90 are going to offer me other than the opportunity to buy even more sandpaper  [smile]

You talk sort of casual about how the 3 sanders you mention are almost identical, but that certainly isn't the case. All 3 sanders are very different and have their own strengths.

Especially the DTS400 and the RO90 are very different sanders, the DTS is a very gentle sander for the finer finish work while the RO 90 is a very powerfull sander, like all Rotex sanders, and is best used for fast material removal.

So in short, the RO 90 is going to offer you a lot the DTS won't offer you, but the other way around is also true. You should not compare them on the simple fact they both have a pad with a pointy shape.  

I have both sanders and I do a lot of paint work on houses. The DTS400 is my most used sander, because it works best for preparing the surface for paint work. The RO 90 is also used often, but more for stripping bad spots down to wood. On larger areas I break out the RO 150 or the RAS 115 for that. But the DTS does most of the work because it leaves the best surface for finish work. The RO 90 is not so suited for finish work, it's very agressive and the pad is too small, so it's easy to make dimples if you don't watch out.

 

[jbasen]

Thanks Alex and Scott.  That was exactly the kind of detailed info I was looking for.  I am a hobbyist building Craftsman furniture so it sounds like the DTS 400 makes much more sense.  In delta sanding mode it wasn't clear to me that there was still a significant power difference between the 2 sanders.

Thanks again for your help

Jay

 

[Scott B.]

Thanks Alex and Scott.  That was exactly the kind of detailed info I was looking for.  I am a hobbyist building Craftsman furniture so it sounds like the DTS 400 makes much more sense.  In delta sanding mode it wasn't clear to me that there was still a significant power difference between the 2 sanders.

Thanks again for your help

Jay

You're welcome. In that type of work, the DTS will be the more useful sander. Design and balance are much better. As well, the dust extraction will be superior.

 

[ben_r_]

Bumping an old thread here, wondering if anyone has figured out how to do the same with the new RTS/DTS 400 REQ models.