Dumb question RE: Orbital sanders

[Wood_Junkie]

I'm thinking about a DTS400 or RTS400... the dumb question is:  What size Systainer does each come in?

Looking at the Festool USA site, it says the DTS comes in a Sys 2, however other retailer sites say Systainer 1.
All of them seem to agree the RTS comes in a Sys 1.

Secondary question, I'm alternatively thinking about taking advantage of the closeout on the RS400 or DS400... same question about the Systainer sizes.  Also, anyone have a compelling argument for or against the xS versus the xTS?  I know the counterbalance was changed, but does that make a substantive difference for the price difference of $43.50?

Thanks

 

[Brice Burrell]

I'm thinking about a DTS400 or RTS400... the dumb question is:  What size Systainer does each come in?

Looking at the Festool USA site, it says the DTS comes in a Sys 2, however other retailer sites say Systainer 1.
All of them seem to agree the RTS comes in a Sys 1.

Secondary question, I'm alternatively thinking about taking advantage of the closeout on the RS400 or DS400... same question about the Systainer sizes.  Also, anyone have a compelling argument for or against the xS versus the xTS?  I know the counterbalance was changed, but does that make a substantive difference for the price difference of $43.50?

Thanks

I don't know about the older models but for sure the RTS comes Sys1 and DTS the Sys2. If your looking to save a few bucks getting the older models isn't a bad idea. From what I understand the difference is minimal but I only had very little hands on experience with them.

 

[AlexThePalex]

Wood Junkie, the RTS400 comes in a sys1 and the DTS400 in a sys2 like Brice already said. What probably added to your confusion (and mine too before I got the story) is that the DS400 used to come in a sys1 too but was later changed to a sys2. I think probably because of the tight fit. The same goes for the DX93 which originally also came with a sys1 and now with a sys2.

So on some sites you'll see the older one in a sys1 because dealers still have them in stock, while others will sell the later type.

As for the difference between the xS and the xTS, there's not really much of a noticeable difference. I have a RTS400 and I shortly owned a DS400 before I sold it off. The RTS felt a bit sturdier than the DS and it made less noise. On the other hand, the DS seemed to be a bit more aggressive. But maybe that's just an impression I got because of the sound. All in all, I'd say there's little difference.

Only thing that makes the xS perhaps more attractive is the fact that you can changed the pads of the RS and the DS amongst each other. So if you get one sander, you can buy the pad and accompanying base plate for the other separately and change them out. On the xTS models, this is, unfortunately, not possible anymore.
 

 

[Wood_Junkie]

Only thing that makes the xS perhaps more attractive is the fact that you can changed the pads of the RS and the DS amongst each other. So if you get one sander, you can buy the pad and accompanying base plate for the other separately and change them out. On the xTS models, this is, unfortunately, not possible anymore.
 

Doh, is this a confirmed fact?  This was definitely an idea in my planning and considering the xTS models. 

 

[AlexThePalex]

Doh, is this a confirmed fact?  This was definitely an idea in my planning and considering the xTS models. 

Well, it depends on what you accept as 'confirmed'. There's a thread on this board about the pads on a xS model, pics included. So it works with the xS models.

And there's my personal experience: I took off the pad of my DS400 with great ease. I have tried to do the same with my RTS400 but it wouldn't come off. After checking the parts diagrams of both sanders it became clear why: the xTS' base plate has a protrusion the older xS' base plate doesn't have. This protrusion is thoroughly clamped under the motor housing and prevents it from coming off like with the xS.

 

[Forrest Anderson]

Also, anyone have a compelling argument for or against the xS versus the xTS?  I know the counterbalance was changed, but does that make a substantive difference for the price difference of $43.50?

The very interesting Festool USA Support Knowledgebase has the following Question and Answer:

Q: What are the differences between the new palm sanders: RTS400, DTS400 and ETS125; compared to the older models: RS400, DS400 and ES125?

A: The improvements made to the new palm sanders, ETS125, RTS400, DTS400 are mainly internal; you may not notice any difference in how they look. The counterweight has been reshaped to provide better balance and stability. The cooling fan housing is now made of metal and the new fan is less likely to come in contact with the housing. This lessens the tendency for the sander to hop around, and will result in fewer swirl marks. On the ETS125, the rubber pad brake now has holes around the periphery. This prevents vacuum lock when connected to a vacuum, which allows for better pad rotation, making the sander easier to move across the work piece. This will also results in fewer swirl marks. Some have felt that these new sanders are not as aggressive as the older models. What you are actually noticing is improved performance and less vibration due to the improvements

Forrest

 

[Pyotr]

I wish the RTS400 came in a systainer2 as well. It's always a pain to stow the cable in way that the lid will close