DX93 or RO90

[Lucky Dave]

Need a detail sander.

Yes, I know the RO 90 is versatile; it can slice bread and cool beer at the same time.

However:

1. I already have an RO 125 and an ETS 125

2. For me the RO 125 requires two hands and a clamped down work piece. Also my 70 yr +  hands get tired fairly quickly.

Is the  RO 90 tame enough for one hand? no clamps?  Does it wear out the hands like its bigger brothers?

Given my existing sanders, which one best complements them?

This is for a hobbyist shop.

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Not that I'm trying to talk you out of a more expensive tool, but...  [blink]

Have you considered the DTS 400? It's a sweet little sander, lightweight, easy on the hands with a 2mm stroke and it can get into corners. The bigger pad size will let you cover more area than the RO 90 or DX 93.

Shane

 

[jacko9]

Dave,  I'm close to your age and I just spent a few hours at my local Festool dealer trying the ETS 125, ETS 150/3 and the RO 90.

I purchased the ETS 125 and I'm most likely going to purchase the RO 90.  To answer your question, the RO 90 was easy to control in all modes and the weight and balance was not a problem when I used it to edge sand a 1 inch wide board.

 

[semenza]

The DTS400 would certainly be a good possibilty  to compliment what you already have. If  it is really between the RO90 and DX93, the RO90 has a more comfortable , better shaped grip. Which is probably important for your use.

Seth

 

[Lucky Dave]

Jacko, Shane, Seth

Thanks for your inputs. 

Shane, Yes, I should consider the DTS 400.

Seth, If we just consider the RO and the DTS, which would have the most comfortable grip?

Jacko, did you use just one hand with the RO or two?

 

[builderbob]

Jacko, Shane, Seth

Thanks for your inputs. 

Shane, Yes, I should consider the DTS 400.

Seth, If we just consider the RO and the DTS, which would have the most comfortable grip?

The DTS is definitely going to have a more balanced comfortable grip IMHO!  Especially with one hand.

Bob

 

[semenza]

+

Jacko, Shane, Seth

Thanks for your inputs.  

Shane, Yes, I should consider the DTS 400.

Seth, If we just consider the RO and the DTS, which would have the most comfortable grip?

The DTS is definitely going to have a more balanced comfortable grip IMHO!  Especially with one hand.
Bob

Yup.    

Do you have a dealer where you can compare them?  Don't forget the 30 day deal.

Also you might want to think about bench cookies (or clones) to help keep stuff from moving around.

Seth

 

[Holzhacker]

As far as Festool sanders go, right now I have an ETS 125, DTS400 and the RO90. Typically I'll use the 125 and 400 in conjunction with each other. The RO90 tends to be a stand along machine for me. Switch the pads/paper and it does whatever I need. Based on what you have and without knowing what type of sanding you do, I would agree with others that the 400 should be a strong consideration. The RO90 is awesome but the 400 might suit you better. Good luck. You'll be thrilled with either one.
As far as the DX93, I was going to buy one until I heard the RO90 was coming out. I waited for the 90 and am glad I did. The 93 seemed like a great little sander having played with it at my dealer. However, it also is more of a one trick pony, whereas the 90 is a super jock.

 

[MrToolJunkie]

The DTS400 is one of my favorites and it is a real gem of a sander.  The RO90 is easy to control, though, and it does not jerk around like the other Rotex sanders can.  However, I find that it does require two hands to get the proper balance, otherwise it can tilt pretty easily.  The DTS400 is very comfortable and smooth.  I like them all, bu the DTS might fit your needs a little better based on what you have.

Scot

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

I have both.  I use both.  The RO90 does not get the deltex pad on it too often, unless it fits into where I need it better then the DX93.

 

[Scott B.]

Dave

I use all three professionally: RO90, DX93, and DTS400. All three are wildly effective and popular with my paint crew. For your needs, I do think the DTS might be the best call, as long as you don't run into tiny crevices frequently that would be better suited for the smaller (90/93) triangular shape.

Out of the 3 sanders, the DTS is most likely to be a comfortable and well balanced one hand operator for you, and the dust extraction on it is quite a bit superior to either the DX93 or the RO90 with the delta attachment.

That said, the one thing I will emphasize is that if you get the DTS400, play around with the speed control on the tool and the suction on the extractor to find the balance that is best suited to you ergonomically. Once you find the sweet spot, its a dandy tool, and a great complement to your current fleet.

 

[MrToolJunkie]

One thing on the DTS -- you cannot change the paper around when you wear out the tip whereas the the two other sanders allow you to rotate the paper to get a fresh edge on the tip.  Something to consider too.

Scot

 

[jacko9]

Jacko, Shane, Seth

Thanks for your inputs.  

Shane, Yes, I should consider the DTS 400.

Seth, If we just consider the RO and the DTS, which would have the most comfortable grip?

Jacko, did you use just one hand with the RO or two?

Dave,  I did use the RO 90 one handed and it in the random orbit mode it was fine but, in the more aggressive mode I had to use two hands.

Edit> moved reply outside quote box

 

[truck90278]

I'm very close to 70 myself, I have the DTS 400 and the ETS125 (also the RO 125) the 400 and the 125 are very easy on the hands.  My 10 year old granddaughter works in the shop a lot.  she is learning how to use these sanders and the 400 and ETS 125 work great for her smaller hands and her learning how to control them - kind of the other end of the spectrum, but our older hands have learned how to control, just a little harder on us at our age.

 

[jacko9]

Dave - I bought the RO90 today and used it in my shop and I can tell you that I'm very pleased with my purchase!  If you need more info, let me know.