DTS and RTS predecessor?

[friedchicken]

What was the predecessor for the DTS and RTS sanders? The one with the swappable bases?

 

[onocoffee]

Your comment got me wondering too and I found this thread that may shed some light. Seems that before there was the ETS/DTS/RTS line, there was an ES/DS/RS line and that might have been simpler to swap the bases.

Thread 'Converting an RTS400 to a DTS400 '

Sep 5, 2008

Yes it can be done.  I know it voids the warranty.  Buying them seperately just did not seem right since they are exactly the same and Festool is supposedly all about a system.  I prefer the RTS setup up better for my needs.

How would Festool Service know you swaped the pads out anyway? 

• vteknical
• Replies: 50
• Forum: Festool Jigs & Tool Enhancements

 

[Coen]

What was the predecessor for the DTS and RTS sanders? The one with the swappable bases?

Define 'swappable'

But before the DTS and RTS there was DS and RS, just as there was an ET instead of an ETS. I have forgotten what changed but the summary is here;

F

Post in thread 'New versions of the RS400 and DS400'

Jun 27, 2007

The catalog shows the new versions of the RS400 and the DS400, I think they are the RTS and DTS.  They are in the paper catalog, but not online at Festool  USA site.  The main change I see is the removeable cords but I think I read somewhere that there were more changes.  Does anyone have any more info?...joe

This is covered nicely in the FAQ section of the Festool USA website.

Go to www.festoolusa.com
Click on FAQ Database at the top left
Leave --All Topics-- in the Search box
Enter RTS in the For box
Click the green arrow

Click on the question which reads:

What are the...

• Forrest Anderson

 

[friedchicken]

Define 'swappable'

But before the DTS and RTS there was DS and RS, just as there was an ET instead of an ETS. I have forgotten what changed but the summary is here;

F

Post in thread 'New versions of the RS400 and DS400'

Jun 27, 2007

The catalog shows the new versions of the RS400 and the DS400, I think they are the RTS and DTS.  They are in the paper catalog, but not online at Festool  USA site.  The main change I see is the removeable cords but I think I read somewhere that there were more changes.  Does anyone have any more info?...joe

This is covered nicely in the FAQ section of the Festool USA website.

Go to www.festoolusa.com
Click on FAQ Database at the top left
Leave --All Topics-- in the Search box
Enter RTS in the For box
Click the green arrow

Click on the question which reads:

What are the...

• Forrest Anderson

where you could put the delta or square pads on without buying two separate sanders

 

[Hawkeye0001]

where you could put the delta or square pads on without buying two separate sanders

There never was a swappable option per sé but more of a user modification that required you to loosen several screws to remove the base, remove the rubber seal, change the base and then put the seal on again - but now with zip ties, because the metal band is single use. That way you could turn a DTS into a RTS and v.v. for cheap, it just wasn't something you'd do on a regular basis.

The earliest version I know of btw was the old Festo RS 4 (old as in: Festo in blue letters!) with the tiny square suction port and fixed cable. My coworker still owns and uses one, fixed a cord for him once. That thing must be 30+ years old by now, still going strong.

 

[friedchicken]

Interesting.
I could have sworn there was one where you could very simply swap out the pads.

Bosch has one; I actually bought it (and the DTS to compare), but the decision to put the vacuum hose out to the side of the sander was so idiotic I returned it (Bosch wanted the battery off the back). I kept the DTS, but I'm still pissy that they deliberately engineered it so I can't simply swap in an RTS pad AFAIK (am I wrong?)