DTSC 400 Vibration

[CHDinCT]

Hello FOG community - first post here.  Bought my first Festool a bit over a year ago; an ETSC 125 sander just to see what the fuss was all about.  Now I own that sander, an ETSC 125/3, a DF500, two OF 1400s, an MTF/3, a CT26e and a CMS-GE that I bought used which included the 2nd OF1400.  Yes, I've been bitten!!  Most recent purchase is the DTSC 400, which is still in the 30-day return period.

My issue is that it transfers a lot more vibration to my hands vs my other two Festool sanders.  I'm wondering if that's just the nature of the beast given it's a delta sander and not a true orbital-type sander?  Before purchasing it, I was debating between the DTSC 400 and the RO 90 that also comes with a delta sanding pad.  I decided on the DTSC 400 since I already have the Bosch 6" version of and RO sander for extreme sanding so didn't think I'd use the RO feature of the 90 that much.  For anyone with an RO 90, can you tell me if it develops a lot of vibration when delta sanding?  Is added vibration normal with the DTSC 400?  Thanks in advance.

 

[Michael Kellough]

The 400 is an orbital sander. Look at the swirls made by coarse grit. They’re small diameter because the pad is just following the movement of the eccentric orbiting spindle.

The 125 is a random orbit sander. The swirls are long arcs because the pad is spinning around the eccentric orbiting spindle.

The difference makes the 400 much more sensitive to suction force than the 125.

You simply need to turn the suction way down when using the 400. For confirmation try using it with just the dust bag.

 

[grbmds]

I own the original corded version of the DTS400. I don't find significant vibration but I almost always turn the suction down on my CT when using Festool's random orbit sanders (ETS125, ETS150). I don't get noticeable vibration with mine. It's a great sander for certain jobs and gives great results for me.

If you're unsure about whether there is something amiss, I'd just send it back and get a different one.

 

[Cheese]

I fired them both up and used them on some maple. The ETSC vibrates just a tiny bit less than the DTSC. The bigger thing to notice is that the DTSC wants to lead a bit more than the ETSC.

Neither issue is a big deal and you really have to compare them side by side at the same time to come to any firm conclusion. The comparisons were done using the dust bags.

 

[CHDinCT]

Thanks for the responses.  It's not an issue of turning the suction down, I already did that on my CT26 per reading other threads here on Festool sanders.  The vibration starts as soon as I start it up no matter the suction setting. 

I'm leaning towards taking it back but the store I bought it from,  Woodcraft,  is doing call-in orders only due to the Covid-19 crisis with the store closed to walk-in customers.  Suppose I could call and set up a return and meet them outside the storefront. 

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

 

[CHDinCT]

I fired them both up and used them on some maple. The ETSC vibrates just a tiny bit less than the DTSC. The bigger thing to notice is that the DTSC wants to lead a bit more than the ETSC.

Neither issue is a big deal and you really have to compare them side by side at the same time to come to any firm conclusion. The comparisons were done using the dust bags.

Thanks for the feedback.  I will try them both again with the dust canister tomorrow  before making any decisions.  Don't think I've ever used either one without a vac attached.  Just still wonder how the DTSC compares to the RO 90. 

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

 

[Cheese]

Just still wonder how the DTSC compares to the RO 90. 

I was going to answer that for you also and then I realized I never purchased a triangular sanding pad for the RO 90.  [eek]

Ya try them both with a bag only and that will fill in the blanks. If there’s a major difference then return it and get another. They’re very very close in feel.

 

[grbmds]

Thanks for the responses.  It's not an issue of turning the suction down, I already did that on my CT26 per reading other threads here on Festool sanders.  The vibration starts as soon as I start it up no matter the suction setting. 

I'm leaning towards taking it back but the store I bought it from,  Woodcraft,  is doing call-in orders only due to the Covid-19 crisis with the store closed to walk-in customers.  Suppose I could call and set up a return and meet them outside the storefront. 

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

I would guess that the Woodcraft store will work something out. It's part of their responsibility as a Festool dealer to take these returns. If not, call Festool. there most likely is a way they can encourage them to work with you or take of it yourself. I think it's a good choice to return it for the vibration because I don't get noticeable vibration from my corded model. It's very smooth.

 

[lf]

Before purchasing it, I was debating between the DTSC 400 and the RO 90 that also comes with a delta sanding pad.  I decided on the DTSC 400 since I already have the Bosch 6" version of and RO sander for extreme sanding so didn't think I'd use the RO feature of the 90 that much.  For anyone with an RO 90, can you tell me if it develops a lot of vibration when delta sanding?  Is added vibration normal with the DTSC 400?  Thanks in advance.

It is a totally different tool, mostly because it's bigger. I have one and would like to add a DTSC 400 as a lighter tool to work in smaller corners, above your head etcetera. Where the RO 90 shines is its versatility. You can fully strip paint quickly and finish to really fine including all corners. So if you have one sander it's the best.

 

[CHDinCT]

Just still wonder how the DTSC compares to the RO 90. 

I was going to answer that for you also and then I realized I never purchased a triangular sanding pad for the RO 90.  [eek]

Ya try them both with a bag only and that will fill in the blanks. If there’s a major difference then return it and get another. They’re very very close in feel.

OK, tried the ETSC and DTSC yesterday using just the dust bag and I did note less vibration than with a dust collector.  Problem is, I just about always sand with a vac attached.  Nevertheless, I think I'm going to keep it since it's a bit of a niche sander and I don't anticipate using it for hours on end where the vibration would become intolerable.  Thanks for all the feedback.  Now, can I resist picking up an RO 90 down the road anyway  [scared]