Do I need a Rotex RO 125?

[JCLP]

I'm thinking of purchasing the RO 125 sander to add to my collection. I presently have a DTS400 and the ETS 125, and a lot of sandpaper for the ETS 125, and was wondering if it would be advantages to own the RO 125. I need to make that decision before the end of the month before the price goes up. I also will be purchasing a Kapex next week. Do I skip the RO 125 and spend the money on accessories for the Kapex/ Your thoughts.
thx,
JC

 

[Bob Marino]

JC,

The best answer is the one you have to ask yourself - what are my applications - now and in the reasonable future that warrants getting the RO 125.
Will you make use of the RO 125's rotary/aggressive mode or are the 2 sanders you currently own suiting your needs? If you find a need for the RO 125's aggressiveness, then go for it. If not, spend your money on the Kapex and/or accessories. If you don't need (as opposed to want) it, you are not saving anything, price increase or not.

Bob

 

[JCLP]

JC,

The best answer is the one you have to ask yourself - what are my applications - now and in the reasonable future that warrants getting the RO 125.
Will you make use of the RO 125's rotary/aggressive mode or are the 2 sanders you currently own suiting your needs? If you find a need for the RO 125's aggressiveness, then go for it. If not, spend your money on the Kapex and/or accessories. If you don't need (as opposed to want) it, you are not saving anything, price increase or not.

Bob

Hi Bob. Thanks for your input. What has me in a dilemma is that their are more accessories for the RO 125 then the ETS 125. As the majority of my work in cabinetry, both my sanders work well for me. If Festool had polishing accessories for the ETS 125 then my decision would be easy and I would spend the money on Kapex accessories. I find that as I get older that all my wants becomes needs. Very dangerous for the pocket book.
On another note, any thoughts on opening a place in the Greater Toronto area? We could use your expertise and dedication to the Festool line up.

 

[Bob Marino]

Yep, your sander are not polishers, but if its purely for polishing, perhaps there are way less costly brands available for you to choose from. And again, always watch the "wants into needs" thoughts/feelings. It's a trap.
Set up in Canada? I'm barely set up in NJ ;D ;D but thanks for the kind words!

Bob

 

[Frank Pellow]

I already own five Festool sanders and thought that I did not need another one.  But, since my purchase of the RO 125 last summer, it has become my most used sander and the one that I take on small jobs when I am not certain whether a sander even will be needed.  Almost always, it is used somewhere on such jobs.

 

[batcave]

You will love the kapex. You may want to use the sander money for a midi vac to dedicate to the kapex. It gets old switching hoses for a cut.

The rotex sanders are great, but I find them to be a bit loud for long sanding sessions. I only use my rotex for 80 grit and below or polishing the cars. Please note I have the six inch set. Maybe the five is quieter.

Kevin

 

[Bigchasbroon]

To answer your question Yes 

 

[currentsupply]

JC,

I own all three the DTS400 (corner sander), the ETS 125 (5" orbital) and the RO125. My dad also has the ETS 150 so I am familiar with that on as well.  I started off with the ETS 125 and it is still by far my go to sander to this day 10 years later.  I much prefer it over the 150.  The 150 is to heavy and even though it is better for sanding large flat surfaces, I don't see the advantage for working on edges where most sanding needs to be done.

The RO125 is my second favorite sander and it actually gets used quite a bit for what I refer to as "chewing" rather than "smoothing".  The RO will remove material a a pretty good rate.  It's not as fast as a belt sander, and nothing like a planer, but the RO does good at removing material where a belt sander isn't appropriate.  I chose the RO 125 because it takes the same paper as my ETS 125. 

Do you have a belt sander?

I would probably buy a belt sander before the RO.  Then I would buy the RO if you still need it.  The RO is for work that needs more horsepower than the ETS 125 can do, and it does it by larger orbitals and actually spinning. It's not really all that good for fine finish work.  More like a belt sander for flattening things.  I do use it more than my DTS sander.  I rarely use that one, but it's nice to have I guess. 

Basically I would say buy the damn thing, but I would do it after getting a belt sander, and after the Kapex if you need a saw.