CTM MIDI paired with a Rotex 90

[MDC250]

Evening all. My first post having just dipped my toe into Festool. I bought the above for domestic use in my home.

I‘m not sure if I’m going to regret getting the M over the L, whether I’ve got an issue with the extractor or maybe the sander…or even both and hoping you knowledgable guys might give me a steer please. I’ve got no reference to go against, as it is my first Festool purchase.

Set up for a trial this afternoon and yup as you’ve likely guessed, the extractor is beeping. A lot. It’s driving me nuts and I can hear it in my head,  hours after packing away [emoji23]

Obviously with it being a brand new extractor the filter bag, filter and hose etc are new so I don’t think they are the issue.

I’m not 100% clear if the hose supplied in the UK with the MIDI has the chip that the extractor reads that sets the initial speed or not? Seems when initially switching on it was set to 3, sound right? Either way when set on the middle of the 5 settings it will beep when hooked up to the Rotex 90, sometimes before the Rotex is set against anything/in use. Not all the time but as regularly as not. When in use even when set at 4 or even max it will regularly beep when set against the skirting board. Again as above, not all the time but as regularly as not. I’ve tried both the regular supplied sanding pad, a spare I bought as well as the Delta attachment. It will beep with any of them on. No kinks in the hose and as above the filter, bag and hose are brand new. I’ve swapped the filter bag to another new one to rule that out as well.

The suction on the hose when not attached to the Rotex is good. When hooked up to the Rotex it’s definitely got some suction on the face of the pad but not as much as I guess I thought it would. How strong should the suction at the pad face be on a Rotex 90? When I’ve had the pad off, swapping over, there is some fine sawdust around the groove that surrounds the spindle. I’m guessing that is normal, but not sure if that’s a sign the suction through the Rotex itself isn’t as it should be?

I either figure out what I’m doing wrong, what I can change up or I need to somehow get the M sent back and swapped to an L, as I can’t live with the beeping [emoji2955]

Not sure if this is specific to me pairing with a Rotex 90 even?

Hoping there’s something obvious I’ve missed.

TIA.

 

[bobtskutter]

Hello, sorry I can't help with your vacuum problems.  But my reply will bump your question back to the top of the list, so that might help

Regards
Bob

 

[MDC250]

Thanks, just had a really helpful chat with Festool and a few things to try. I’m more than happy to say it’s likely a user issue rather than an issue with the kit itself.

Will have a further play around in the week and I’m reasonably confident the issues will be solved. I’ll post up the outcome when I know for sure in the hope it may assist others.

 

[MDC250]

Appreciate most on here are either trade or as good as but for any DIYers new to all of this a few bits which may help.

Wasn’t sure if the supplied hose has the chip which the extractor detects the hose size. Well apparently it does underneath the sticker.

The default power setting was therefore the middle and unbeknownst to me the hose size is actually next to the power display albeit you have to look close up.

Now it’s been pointed out it makes sense, dropping the power setting instead of increasing stopped the sensor kicking in.

Cracking the port on the extractor hose midway was advised and also helped.

As for the Rotex, in standard sanding mode backing off the pressure and just letting the pad float on the surface was all that was needed.

Elementary stuff to you guys no doubt but may be of help to somebody at some point and we all have to start somewhere.

I’m enjoying (much as anyone can enjoy sanding) the kit. Tidying away is much quicker, cleaner and less moaning from my wife. Less not none.

I think I’ll add an RTS400 and then possibly an RO150 or the Bosch equivalent and save a few £s as that would be the least used sander for what I’m working on in my home.

 

[bobtskutter]

I'm glad you got it sorted.
I have an RO125 and DTS400, they're great sanders.  I've had to teach myself not to apply pressure to make it work faster.

Happy sanding

Bob

 

[Crazyraceguy]

The RTS400 is the newest one I have and it has been great. It's the first sander I have ever owned that does not spin, with the minor exception of the delta pad on the RO90. Even though I bought it because of that added ability, I don't use it that way often.
The RTS400 is great when sanding on parts with holes/slots or openings of any kind, simply because it doesn't spin. That keeps the paper from catching the edges, plus the ability to sand into square corners.