Dust collection for the RO 125 Rotex

[waljayshine]

I'm participating in a furniture making class with a high end furniture designer/maker.  I want to use my Rotex RO 125 but it has no duct collection (Festool does not provide a dust bag for this unit.) and the instructor will not allow its use in his studio.  I do not want to buy a cheapie sander that has a dust bag just to take this class unless there is no alternative.  Can anyone suggest something that might work?  Thank you in advance.

 

[AlexThePalex]

The RO125 is designed to be used with a dust collector, as Festool calls their vacs. The Rotex does not have an on-board fan, so putting a dust bag on it is useless because there is nothing that blows the dust in it.

A Festool CT Mini is the best way to get perfect dust collection with your Rotex, with the vac connected you'll have much better dust collection than any dust bag can ever provide. But probably not what you want to hear, because it is lots of extra $$. The CT-SYS vac is an even smaller vac in systainer format, and slightly cheaper than the Mini, but also less useful.

 

[Svar]

Can you bring a dust collector along with your Rotex? Does not have to be Festool. You can get a cheap compact one for the price of Festool dust bag.

 

[Sparktrician]

Can you bring a dust collector along with your Rotex? Does not have to be Festool, just get a small compact one.

If you CAN bring your own, be sure to bring one that has adjustable suction.  This is most important for fine finishing! 

 

[Peter_C]

Does the shop you will be working in have dust collection running? They might have something already set up, and all you would need to do is bring your own hose. Would be low suction, but as mentioned above there are times you want to turn the suction down anyhow.

 

[Sanderxpander]

I feel bad for you if you have been working with the RO 125 without dust collection so far. Your paper will last longer and your finishes will be better if you use it, regardless of these class requirements. Also ironic that your RO 125 probably has way better dust collection than most of the "bagged" models that are allowed in this class. You just need a dust collector.

 

[Koamolly]

Can you bring a dust collector along with your Rotex? Does not have to be Festool, just get a small compact one.

If you CAN bring your own, be sure to bring one that has adjustable suction.  This is most important for fine finishing!

If you need to, you can make your own to fit any size vac and hose from pvc pipe and a hot air gun.