Deltex vs. RO 90 with delta pad?

[Rob Z]

For those members who have both, my question is: "do you find that the Deltex at times is a better choice than the R0 90 with the Deltex pad?"

We bought the RO 90 not even thinking about the Delta pad, and really just to get a smaller version of the RO 150 (which we use all the time).  We recently started using the delta attachment, and Eddy said the other day "hey, maybe you can sell the Deltex-I don't think we'll need it any more".

I normally don't sell tools, and instead just hold on to them and continue to use them, even if it's only infrequently.  But this started me thinking, and I wonder if there are times when you use the Deltex instead of the RO 90?  Are there times when the Deltex seems easier to control, fits in the workspace more easily, or any other reason which you prefer the Deltex?

Just curious, thanks for any opinions.

PS  Fatroman, if you see this post:  this work is going on  near your house.

 

[Julian Tracy]

We are totally different then, I sell tools immediately when they have been replaced or upgraded with new tools.

I can't stand having unused or duplicate-use tools sitting around..

It's a win-win -- get some cash and gain the space.

Of course, I've bought most of my tools (Festool's included) used, so I'm not loosing any money on any tool sale.  If I bought new, perhaps I'd be less inclined to sell at a loss.  Buying used means your tools never loose value.

I'll probably buy the Ro90 in a bit here with the 10% deal though...

Julian

 

[Scarpia]

(off topic)!!  Rob is that job on Queen St?

                      -Domenic

 

[ccarrolladams]

I know I have owned my Deltex 93 a long time. It serves me very well.

When the RO 90 DX was introduced I did not think there would be a reason to change it from round pad to delta.

Well, the fact is that the RO 90 DX has a 400 watt motor, while the DX 93 has a 150 watt motor. I do very little aggressive sanding, especially in corners. Still, I have found tasks where the extra power of the RO 90 DX very handy. Then I can and do use the DX 93 for finishing. By now I find it handles like an old friend. Best of all, they use the same abrasives, which simplifies my inventory.

 

[Rob Z]

Hi Domenic, it sounds like you know Old Town well.  Are you working there? Send a PM to me if you are....

 

[Rob Z]

Carroll, thanks, that was the kind of advice I was waiting to hear.  It sounds as if you find that both are useful, at times, depending on the surface you're sanding.

I'm not really pressed for space, and don't need the money that I would get from selling it, so if there's a chance that both are handy then I'll probably hang onto the Deltex.

(edit to fix typo)

 

[ccarrolladams]

Before the RO 90 DX was available for sale in the USA I had tried them during trips to Europe and also used them in Festool classes with Steve Bace and Brian Sedgeley in Henderson, NV. So I pre-ordered one for my shop.

All the cabinet makers working for me liked the RO 90 DX, so I bought 5 more, with several pads, the shields and extended Delta pad. One we keep looking like new in a Systainer, along with an abrasive storage Systainer that also holds additional pads and shields. Those are always ready to go for installs.

In the shop one of the RO 90 DX is usually set up with the extended Delta pad. All the others usually have the hard pad, since those do not round over edges when we want to keep those crisp.

On the sander rack between our two most used hand sanding tables my veteran DX 93 usually has 120 grit Rubin on its pad. But in the smaller delta style we stock a wide range of abrasives in Rubin, Brilliant 2 and Granit.

Something to consider is the cost of time changing the set-up of a tool. Also it is important to have spares. Sure Festools last a long time, but there can always be a dropped-tool accident. Several of my cabinet makers have bought their own RO 90 DX, so when they install they have at least one spare with them. My own DX 93 has not left my shop since early 2010.

 

[VictorL]

If you are going to use it, keep both. You won't make fortune selling DX-93, but you have to pay premium buying replacement.  Pads and abrasives are compatible, so you won't overstock yourself.

VictorL

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

As of now I have both.  There have been a few times where the DX93 would not fit somewhere and the RO90 did and times when the RO90 didn't and the DX93 did.

Only had the Delta pad on the RO90 a handful of times.

 

[BMH]

I have both. The DX 93 has a little better dust collection. I have the RO 90 and the DTS 400 and really have not pulled out the DX 93 since then and will be selling it. With the money I will be looking at the ls130.

Bruce

 

[joinery45]

I bought the Delta DTS400EQ first instaed of the Fein Multitool to sand some details. It work really well except I ran through a lot of paper until I figured out how to rotate it and still have the holes align. I ended up getting the RTS 400 EQ because I already had the paper from the Linear sander.

I used the Duplex LS130 EQ on a curved hand rail that I laid up in place. Sanding it was a task but the Duplex just chugged away and it faired out perfectly.