Festool 400 eq vs Mirks deros

[dunerunner]

Hi Im a newbie and I worked in the building Industry all my life . I have been a Painter /Decorator now for over 20 years and am fed up with the rigors of sanding with my dusty Makita and wearing out my shoulder and my Lungs. My latest sore throat episode afer hand sanding a previously varnished Ballustrade , yes with a mask ,  I want to get into a dustless situation using either the festool 400 or the Mirka derios. I mostly need it for flattening out previously glossed doors/frames/architraves  and sash windows /panels etc I have seen the forum here on this issue and I now hear the word ABRANET which I have never heard of, well I am in Cornwall and still in the dark ages ha , I understand the Abramet can be used with the Festool and seems to give better dust relief issues given the mesh properties. I do hope someone can help me with my decision cheers 

 

[shed9]

Hi dunerunner

You can use Abranet on Festool sanders, indeed any sanders with hook & loop however I've heard a few instances where the hook & loop has prematurely deteriorated on non Mirka sanders because it protrudes through the Abranet media.

The few people I know who run Abranet and Mirka setups swear by them and they will certainly deal with your dust requirements (or lack of).

That said one of the key reasons people invest in Festool is the dust extraction capabilities (it was top of my list). Remember that whatever solution you go for you will need suitable extraction as well. Mirka sell a sander and vac package, but as far as I can see their vac is just a rebadged Nilfisk whereas the Festool vac's are key to the whole Festool system.

I'm not sure the 400 EQ is a direct competitor to the Deros, a fairer comparison would be something like an Ro125 and an ETS125 combo (or the 150 option).

Can I ask why the 400 EQ made your list?

 

[JeromeM]

Hi dunerunner

You can use Abranet on Festool sanders, indeed any sanders with hook & loop however I've heard a few instances where the hook & loop has prematurely deteriorated on non Mirka sanders because it protrudes through the Abranet media.

Their is an interface pad that you must use with Abranet on Festool sanders if you don't want to kill your backing pad.

That said with the Festool sanders  I've got the dust collection is as good with the Festool paper as Abranet and the Festool paper lasts much longer. So I won't be buying more Abranet when my small stock runs out

 

[jools]

Hi dune runner
I use the deros with abranet and a midi extractor. It is a joy to use and at 55 my lungs have never been so pleased. Virtually nothing escapes the sander and the only problem I have had is with the deros cable lock which is a flexible plastic tab that deforms so it now gets taped in position. For smaller work I use the RO90 and with the range of papers and delta option it has consigned the fein back to its box. On woodwork a quick vacum and tack cloth is all you need prior to paint. Time saved in prep and cleanup more than pays it's way
Regards jools

 

[shed9]

Hi dunerunner

You can use Abranet on Festool sanders, indeed any sanders with hook & loop however I've heard a few instances where the hook & loop has prematurely deteriorated on non Mirka sanders because it protrudes through the Abranet media.

Their is an interface pad that you must use with Abranet on Festool sanders if you don't want to kill your backing pad.

I'd heard that as well, but also heard that the interface pads wore down just as quickly which made them consumables. Good to hear the Festool discs are just as good - I nearly went the Mirka route recently because of the Abranet options but eventually got a few Festool units.

 

[dunerunner]

Cool thanks for all your kind replies. I have taken the plunge and ordered a festool from Axminster and their midi vacuum. I chose this because it looks better for more detailed work and the Deros 125mm and 150 mm look abit large to be just flattening out previously glossed doors and door frames. I do a lot of Georgian windows as well so Im hoping this will suit my needs. I can see the Deros being better for larger jobs and Steve at Axminster agreed and he seemed quite Knowledable. As I said Ive been in the business a long time and at the age of 57 I feel a bit of a novice never hearing of Abranet , I guess I am old school but should have invested in a vacuum system a long time ago Im hoping I will be happy with it all . I will hope to receive tomorrow or Wednesday and I will post an update soon to let everyone know how it goes Thanks again for your help all of you.

 

[dunerunner]

OMG Got my Sander yesterday and had it on the job today. Great service from Axminster by the way. Anyway first job was a repaired scar on the stairs wall that had been plastered I thought it would be ideal to start. First thing the lead kept coming out of the tool, I thought bloody useless this is but then realised you have to insert and give it a quarter turn oops! At first found it a bit skittish and had a mind of its own but I think the different texture between the plaster and painted area could be why. Messed around with the power of the vacuum and I was so impressed ! where is the dust. I was using the festool paper as I haven't got the interface pad for the Abramet yet but how can you improve on this ?  The old boy that's the chippy , ha listen to me Im 58 and hes bout 64, said ya it wont take all the dust away and he was thinking bout getting one but didn't want to spend that much money but Boy am I glad I did. 2nd test was in the Bathroom where a total repaint is needed. Flattened out the woodwork and wall a treat and I didn't need to have the Vacuum turned up too high at all. So pleased I opted for this model as it goes right into the corners and absolutely perfect for what I do most of the time. Im getting to the time of life where pleasures are getting few and far between ha, wouldn't say using this tool is better than sex but my God it comes close HA !!

 

[dunerunner]

Also Im getting problems finding the interface pads so that I can use the Abramet on my sander without damaging the hook and loop any ideas anyone ?

 

[Roseland]

Try Axminster:  http://www.axminster.co.uk/festool-interface-pad-ip-stf-d120-90-8

Andrew

 

[dunerunner]

Thanks  Andrew but mine is the RTS 400 its a rectangle shape. I bought the sander off Axminster and I rang them this morning and they don't think they stock them and they were going to ring me back but haven't heard from em yet

 

[oldie]

Congratulations Dunerunner & welcome to FOG.
Maybe worth contacting Mirka to check out their Abranet products / distributors.
(01908) 375 533.
I've spoken to them a couple of times and found them very helpful.

You know what works for you - wondering if you've also considered the
Festool DTS400 (Delta shaped pad.)  I use it much more than the RTS.

Maybe, one day, even consider the LS130 linear sander (which uses same size
abrasive as the RTS.) Depends on whether could justify cost of course - but
very useful for some situations.

Lots of info' on FOG about these sanders - if you've got the time to search and
browse.  [unsure]

Don't forget to turn dust extractor up when sanding over edges to maximise
dust collection.

Richard.

 

[JeromeM]

Also Im getting problems finding the interface pads so that I can use the Abramet on my sander without damaging the hook and loop any ideas anyone ?

Have you got any of the Festool paper? As I posted I find it better, longer lasting, and at least as good at dust collection as Abranet.

If not then my advice would be to give the Festool paper a try. You may find that you ditch the Abranet, I did.

 

[dunerunner]

Hey Jerome ya I was using the festool grit and you are right it works fine . Its just that Axminster sent a couple of free packs with the kit of Abramet so thought I would give em ago but didn't want to mess up my hook and loop like Ive been told it can. You might be right just use the Festool paper Cheers.Also Ive read that this interface pad is good for sanding more intricate areas like Ballustrades etc I see how it goes

 

[dunerunner]

Just in case anyone is interested I managed to get a pad from Decorating direct cheers