Essential starters for a Rotex 90?

[sprior]

I've already got an ETS 125 and the Pro 5 sanders and just ordered the Rotex 90 with the 15% ebay discount code.  My favorite grits with the 125mm sanders are 180, 220, 320, and 400 and I'm wondering what could be considered the essential sandpapers/accessories for the RO90.  The initial usecase I've got in mind for the RO90 is a yearly sanding of a cedar Adirondack chair which the 125mm sanders can't get to all the spots on, but I'm also open to suggestions on the RO90's abilities that I might not appreciate yet.  I've already got Mini and CT26 dust extractors so I'm covered on that end.

 

[Sanderxpander]

It depends wholly on what you want to do but obviously USPs of the Rotex are the delta mode and the rotary mode. So get some delta paper for the grits you need, and if applicable get some low grit paper to strip paint/finish using the rotary mode. And I think it doesn't come with a hard (blue) 90mm pad, that's useful to have.

 

[ear3]

Extra delta pads! 

Especially if you do a lot of corner/joint sanding, it's really easy to burn through the velcro on those pads around the corners, and quickly make it unusable for that application.  Propoer sanding technique can extend the life of the pad (like not digging into corners/edges), but sometimes it's unavoidable when you are working in a really tight spot.

I would definitely get a few interface pads as well, as the R90 is a fantastic contour sander/shaper.

 

[RJNeal]

Enjoy the 90, it’s one of my favorites.
You might want to also pick up the extended reach delta attachment, you fine on the standard one that comes with the 90 won’t reach far enough.
Rick.

 

[Mario Turcot]

Since your ETS 125 covers most regular shapes, I suggest you get the random mode 40-60-80 grit and the same grit you use on the ETS 125 for delta mode.

Like ear3 said get some extra pads and interfaces.

Rotary Mode Tip: to get used of the small foot print, I hold the sander one hand basically where the plug it-cord and hose adapter are.

 

[semenza]

Extra delta pads, maybe the extended delta pad, hard pad, round interface pads. Lower grits in delta and round.  And some 150 in delta and round.

Seth

 

[Cheese]

I'm also open to suggestions on the RO90's abilities that I might not appreciate yet.

Works really well for removing the haze from and polishing plastic headlight covers.

 

[sprior]

Thanks all for the info.

I remember a while back some dealer in the US was selling Festool sandpaper assortments, I bought one for the ETS125, can't remember who it was - might be time to order another assortment for both the delta and round heads of the RO90.

 

[GoingMyWay]

I bought my sandpaper assortment from Festool Nirvana:https://www.festoolnirvana.com/collections/sander-accessories-abrasives-assortments.

 

[sprior]

I bought my sandpaper assortment from Festool Nirvana:https://www.festoolnirvana.com/collections/sander-accessories-abrasives-assortments.

Thanks, will check them out.

 

[grobkuschelig]

... the extended delta pad, hard pad...

Seth

Part of what Seth said is most helpful for me.

There are a lot of optional extras.
Interface pad is also helpful, if sanding non flat surfaces.

Pick your poison...

 

[sancho57]

You can use the delta mode with the round pad giving you a 3rd option for sanding

 

[ScotF]

Basically you get every head and pad combination and you will be all set.  ;D

 

[sprior]

The mention of headlight covers above did remind me that my fiberglass bathtub has a scratch in it.  Does anyone know what you'd use to fill the scratch and how far off the instructions for the headlight covers would the procedure for fiberglass be?  I would assume this would be very similar to fixing a scratch on a boat.

 

[sprior]

The Rotex 90 got delivered today.  I'm a little surprised that there were only two sample pieces of sandpaper included, 80 grit in two shapes.  Seemed a little stingy to me, with the Pro5 I got an envelope with a sampling of maybe 5 grits.  Good thing I didn't have something I needed to do with it this weekend.

 

[Goz]

I had to do more extensive patching in a fiberglass tub... Don't ask...  As the last step, I used Evercoat Marine Gel Coat Scratch Repair Kit.  They sell a couple colors (white, buff, and clear) or a large kit with primary colors to mix a custom color.  I bought from Amazon, but I'm sure it's available other places as well.

Make sure the area is super clean. Apply a little at a time, wait for it to dry, then apply more if necessary. Once the scratch is completely filled, you can sand and polish to make the repair virtually invisible.  I think I started with 220 grit and worked my way up. 

 

[sprior]

Just a week after I got my RO90 I decided that since almost everything in my workshop is on wheels I should clear it out and redo the concrete stain floor.  So the RO90 got called into duty with 40 grit paper to sand down any rough spots in the concrete or places where I had drips of stuff like polyurethane.  That thing's a beast.
The before picture:
View attachment 1

An hour later cleaning almost everything out all by myself:
View attachment 2

My new weapon:
View attachment 3

 

[semenza]

Nice. So you like the RO90?  [big grin]

Seth

 

[sprior]

It was good on concrete.  When I was goofing around sanding a rough board with the 80 grit paper it came with I felt like I was in a rodeo.  I guess it takes some practice.

 

[Michael Kellough]

Which paper works on concrete?