DTS 400 EQ vs RTS 400 EQ Sanders

[Chris Billman]

My next Fe$tool purchase will be either the DTS400EQ or the RTS400EQ orbital sander and I'm having a hard time deciding between them.  I've demo'd both, had sales reps recommend both, and I've read thru search results here and on other forums.  My intended use will be to replace my 1/4 sheet sander for tasks like final finish sanding prior to finishing and fine sanding between coats of finish.

If anyone has comments about why you'd choose one vs the other I'd love to hear them.  I'll probably eventually end up with both (or the parts to change them over), but it may be a while till I can do another sander and all its papers.

Also, Festool USA's website lists the two sanders with different orbits - 2mm on the DTS and 3mm on the RTS (link).  Is that correct, and if so does it make one more suited for my uses than the other?

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[mwhafner]

I own the RTS, and like you, it was a replacement for a 1/4 sheet sander that died.  I have to rely on the specs put forth on the Festool website, so I assume that the orbits are correct.

I tried both at my local Festool dealer, and could not sense a significant difference between the two.  I felt that the RTS has slightly (very slightly) better dust collection and vibration.  I did find the RTS a little more sensitive to the speed of the dust extractor.  I seldom reduce the speed of the vac on my Rotex or ETS, but almost have to with the RTS.

I based my decision on the work that I do, and the places where I intended to use the sander.  For most of my projects, the rectangular pad of the RTS works quite well.  I have a Fein Multimaster and an old PC detail sander for the occasional odd space, so this purchase was specifically about replacing a well worn Makita.  If I was looking for an all-around finish sander, the DTS would have probably been my choice.

 

[GaryLaroff]

The German website lists 2mm orbits for both products, but that is not an answer necessarily correct for the U.S.  The glossy American "Festool Finishing Sanders" data sheet lists 2mm for the orbit on both sanders.

I too am replacing my older sanders with Festool variants.  For the record, the sandpaper I use the most is from 100 to 220 grit with rare use of 80 grit and 320 grit, so my use is for medium and finish sanding of wood.  My most used sander, the PC 330 Speed-Bloc will be replaced with the RTS 400 as they are both square and I have to assume that by changing the sanding pad it will match and exceed the PC-330 at all things the PC-330 has done so well for 20 years.  And, of course, the RTS 400 will have dust extraction!  For me, I can't see the DTS-400 covering the areas or otherwise matching the PC-330 as the pad is essentially triangular.  I also would not expect the DTS 400 to remain flat on the surface and would expect it to want to tip or roll if used as a surface sander.  But, I have not used it.

Would I buy a triangular pad for the RTS 400?  Unless I plan to buy the DTS 400 shortly after the RTS 400, I would definately buy the conversion pad, if it is available.

For the application strength I see for the DTS 400, fine sanding of angular surfaces and corners, I have the original single speed Fein sander of the early 1990s and a newer variable speed unit.  For the sanding jobs for which they were designed, they work well.  I would expect the DTS 400 to perform more (sanding) applications than the Fein triangular sander, but can't conceive of it competing with the PC 330.

These are just my views as I do not as yet have either of the two sanders you list, although I have thought about them quite a bit.

Gary

 

[chrisrosenb]

I have both sanders. I started out with the DTS first. I later got the RTS. I like both very much, but I use the RTS the most.

 

[Forrest Anderson]

Also, Festool USA's website lists the two sanders with different orbits - 2mm on the DTS and 3mm on the RTS (link).  Is that correct, and if so does it make one more suited for my uses than the other?

No, that isn't correct. As Gary has said, the Festool Germany website says 2mm for each, as does the UK website. If you have a look at page 195 of the Festool USA 2008/09 on=line catalogue (this is a large 10MB file), then you'll see the following specifications.

In addition, the Festool USA manual for the RTS has the following specifications:

Forrest

 

[Chris Billman]

Looks like they need to update the page I've linked to.  It seems like they have specs for another sander (possibly the 150/3) under the RTS.

 

[tbellemare]

Chris:

The RTS 400 and the DTS 400 are essentially the same sander. The RTS is rectagular and the DTS is delta-shaped.

Tom

 

[GaryLaroff]

Tom,

If I were to buy the RTS, would the replacement pad for the DTS fit it and would the pad swapping be reasonably easy and efficient?

Gary

 

[tbellemare]

Good question, Chris...

You have to change both the pad and the plate.

For the RTS, the plate is 493720.
For the DTS, the plate is 493722.

It's kind of a hassle, so it you use them a lot and time is money, it would probably be more cost-efficient to have one of each.

Tom

 

[Forrest Anderson]

If I were to buy the RTS, would the replacement pad for the DTS fit it and would the pad swapping be reasonably easy and efficient?

For those considering adapting the sanders, there are some photos by FOG member vteknical athttp://festoolownersgroup.com/index.php?topic=5170.0

Costs are:

Rectangular plate (493720) - $13.00
Rectangular Pad (489252) - $20.00

Triangular plate (493722) - $13.00
Triangular pad (493723) - $22.85

Assuming these items are all you need to change from one to the other, it would appear to be slightly more economic to purchase the DTS with its $57.50 Systainer 2, rather than the RTS with its $52.50 Systainer 1. Indeed, you probably can't fit the RTS sander into its Systainer 1 after it has been converted into a DTS, due to the wider triangular pad.

Having said that, you may find that there are still problems trying to fit a DTS sander into the black plastic RTS Systainer insert, or the RTS sander into the DTS insert.

Forrest

 

[micke]

I've got the DTS 400 sander which is smooth and great getting into tight corners.

My (obvious?) experience is that the DTS can do stuff the RTS can't (getting into corners) but not the other way round?

However, since you can't really make up your mind - buy either! If you later realize that you bought the wrong one just buy the replacement plate & Pad to get the "right" one. If you even later find yourself changing plate frequently that's the obvious sign that reads "Time to visit your local Festool dealer" .

(Btw - its Festool so how can you buy a machine that's "wrong" ;D)

 

[Toolpig]

I have both (the older version of each which they replaced last year I think).

Most of what I do is renovation and remodeling work.

Looking back, I'd go with the rectangular one for general sanding and paint prep and spring for the DX93 detail sander for those tight corners.

Jason

My next Fe$tool purchase will be either the DTS400EQ or the RTS400EQ orbital sander and I'm having a hard time deciding between them.  I've demo'd both, had sales reps recommend both, and I've read thru search results here and on other forums.  My intended use will be to replace my 1/4 sheet sander for tasks like final finish sanding prior to finishing and fine sanding between coats of finish.

If anyone has comments about why you'd choose one vs the other I'd love to hear them.  I'll probably eventually end up with both (or the parts to change them over), but it may be a while till I can do another sander and all its papers.

Also, Festool USA's website lists the two sanders with different orbits - 2mm on the DTS and 3mm on the RTS (link).  Is that correct, and if so does it make one more suited for my uses than the other?

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[gkeas]

For anyone interested, I had the DTS, and ordered the rectangular pad, but neglected to order the plate (to make it an RTS).  After further research (and a good month), I ordered the RTS, too.  I now have a pad for the RTS (but no plate) that was $20 (plate is another $13?), that I do not need.  I would ship it for $20, which is not a savings, unless you want it, but don't have a $150 order to make freight from an actual dealer...

First interested PM gets it.

Thanks.