Festool RAS 115

[AndrewG]

Hi all,

I'm planning to buy a RAS 115 in the next day or so. I notice on the Australian festool website that it has been discontinued. I've phoned around the local festool dealers and they all seem to have one or two still in stock.

Now my question is, will I be able to buy abrasives  in the long term? At this stage I'm wanting to buy saphir 26 grit but will be looking to get grits around 80 also.

One of the festool dealers reckons festool keeps spare parts for 10 years after they discontinue a tool. Is this the same with abrasives and accessories for discontinued tools?

Thanks for your help!

 

[Poindexter]

The RAP 150 (https://www.festoolusa.com/power-tools/polishers/SHINEX-rap-150-fe-polisher-570779) has also been discontinued leaving the RO sanders as the only polishing machines in the US.  Is Festool on the verge of updating some stuff or do they think the RO sanders are worthy of covering so many different jobs? 

Apologies for the thread tangent, but your same question has been on my mind around the polisher.

 

[Holmz]

The RAS and the BS105 are two that have been eying up.
If you see any close out deals on the RAS, then feel free to post the details or PM.

It may be possible that Rupes or someone else does sanding media for the 115... Which could be useful if it was strong enough. Maybe any 125/5" would work??

 

[AlexThePalex]

One of the festool dealers reckons festool keeps spare parts for 10 years after they discontinue a tool. Is this the same with abrasives and accessories for discontinued tools?

No, that does not count for abrasives and accessories.

I don't know about availability in Australia, but over here 115 mm abrasives from other brands are very easy to get in many different grits and types because it is a common size used with angle grinders.

The RAP 150 (https://www.festoolusa.com/power-tools/polishers/SHINEX-rap-150-fe-polisher-570779) has also been discontinued leaving the RO sanders as the only polishing machines in the US.  Is Festool on the verge of updating some stuff or do they think the RO sanders are worthy of covering so many different jobs? 

The reason is probably that nobody bought them, that's all to it.

 

[Jim Metzger]

The RAS 115 has an adapter (bolt and large washer) that allows you to use sandpaper common to right angle grinders. I do not use the hook and loop pad that comes with the machine. This sander (light duty grinder) handles heavy duty removal better than the RO 90 or 150.

 

[rmwarren]

Total tangent but I have been wondering if I could use the RAS with common wheels for angle grinders. Pretty sure they have 7/8" arbors. In particular I want to use some of the new carving wheels if possible.

Anyone have any experience with this?

Thanks,

RMW

The RAS 115 has an adapter (bolt and large washer) that allows you to use sandpaper common to right angle grinders. I do not use the hook and loop pad that comes with the machine. This sander (light duty grinder) handles heavy duty removal better than the RO 90 or 150.

 

[Shane Holland]

The RAP 150 (https://www.festoolusa.com/power-tools/polishers/SHINEX-rap-150-fe-polisher-570779) has also been discontinued leaving the RO sanders as the only polishing machines in the US.  Is Festool on the verge of updating some stuff or do they think the RO sanders are worthy of covering so many different jobs? 

Apologies for the thread tangent, but your same question has been on my mind around the polisher.

[member=63345]Poindexter[/member], the Shinex is still available in the U.S. They changed part numbers.

 

[greg mann]

Total tangent but I have been wondering if I could use the RAS with common wheels for angle grinders. Pretty sure they have 7/8" arbors. In particular I want to use some of the new carving wheels if possible.

Anyone have any experience with this?

Thanks,

RMW

The RAS 115 has an adapter (bolt and large washer) that allows you to use sandpaper common to right angle grinders. I do not use the hook and loop pad that comes with the machine. This sander (light duty grinder) handles heavy duty removal better than the RO 90 or 150.

The thread on the RAS is 14mm so some sort of adapter would be necessary to the 5/8-11 thread on the A/G wheels. Considering how cheap even some very good angle grinders are I don't see a lot of utility using 4.5 inch grinding wheels on the RAS unless you really want to slow the wheel down and/or take advantage of the dust collection.

 

[Richard A.]

  I use the Milwaukee 2783-22 w/ an Arbortech carving wheel and it works great. The Milwaukee 2283 spins at 8500 RPMs and has a 5/8" - 11 spindle. And, it is an 18V battery tool.

Total tangent but I have been wondering if I could use the RAS with common wheels for angle grinders. Pretty sure they have 7/8" arbors. In particular I want to use some of the new carving wheels if possible.

Anyone have any experience with this?

Thanks,

RMW

 

[AndrewG]

One of the festool dealers reckons festool keeps spare parts for 10 years after they discontinue a tool. Is this the same with abrasives and accessories for discontinued tools?

No, that does not count for abrasives and accessories.

I don't know about availability in Australia, but over here 115 mm abrasives from other brands are very easy to get in many different grits and types because it is a common size used with angle grinders.

The RAP 150 (https://www.festoolusa.com/power-tools/polishers/SHINEX-rap-150-fe-polisher-570779) has also been discontinued leaving the RO sanders as the only polishing machines in the US.  Is Festool on the verge of updating some stuff or do they think the RO sanders are worthy of covering so many different jobs? 

The reason is probably that nobody bought them, that's all to it.

Thanks Alex.

What brands would you recommend as a replacement for saphir 24 grit?

It looks like the range of abrasives here in Australia for the RAS is limited. I think I'll just do a bulk order from overseas (probably U.K.) as the US Festool dealers don't post to Australia.

I'm using the RAS for sculpting chairs. I initially started with the holey galahad discs but they create such a mess in the workshop. They are very good discs and I'll still use them for the seat but the RAS seems like the way to go for the rest of the chairs. Has anyone fitted a galahad wheel to a RAS?

 

[rmwarren]

Total tangent but I have been wondering if I could use the RAS with common wheels for angle grinders. Pretty sure they have 7/8" arbors. In particular I want to use some of the new carving wheels if possible.

Anyone have any experience with this?

Thanks,

RMW

The RAS 115 has an adapter (bolt and large washer) that allows you to use sandpaper common to right angle grinders. I do not use the hook and loop pad that comes with the machine. This sander (light duty grinder) handles heavy duty removal better than the RO 90 or 150.

The thread on the RAS is 14mm so some sort of adapter would be necessary to the 5/8-11 thread on the A/G wheels. Considering how cheap even some very good angle grinders are I don't see a lot of utility using 4.5 inch grinding wheels on the RAS unless you really want to slow the wheel down and/or take advantage of the dust collection.

Greg it was D/C that had me interested, I have a 4-1/2" DeWalt angle grinder but was hoping to use the RAS to take advantage of my CT extractor.

Thanks,

RMW

 

[AlexThePalex]

What brands would you recommend as a replacement for saphir 24 grit?

I have no idea which brands are available in Australia, but if available, Flexovit is a good choice.

But any tool store should have a selection of 115 mm abrasives, just check at your local store.

Has anyone fitted a galahad wheel to a RAS?

I doubt you will see any benefit using the RAS with this wheel. The RAS' dust collection works only so-so, and only with flat sandpaper. The galahad wheel is so big in comparison, you won't catch any of the dust with the RAS.

 

[Poindexter]

[member=63345]Poindexter[/member], the Shinex is still available in the U.S. They changed part numbers.

Thanks!  Is 571011 the current model (http://www.festoolproducts.com/festool-571011-shinex-rap-150-polisher.html)?

 

[Rip Van Winkle]

 

[leakyroof]

The RAP 150 (https://www.festoolusa.com/power-tools/polishers/SHINEX-rap-150-fe-polisher-570779) has also been discontinued leaving the RO sanders as the only polishing machines in the US.  Is Festool on the verge of updating some stuff or do they think the RO sanders are worthy of covering so many different jobs? 

Apologies for the thread tangent, but your same question has been on my mind around the polisher.

. As far as I know, the Shinex/ RAP 150 was superseded by newer models, not discontinued.  Update, Shane beat me to it... [wink]

 

[AndrewG]

I ended up buying the RAS 115 today. I got $100 off the RRP which is quite rare for Festool products.

Everything below is what came with the RAS. Is the extra pad supposed to come with it (fiber backing pad) ? I thought this was an optional accessory.

I must say I'm happy they include a variety of discs to sample. I really wish they did this with the RO150 (and other sanders). I also purchased a box of 24 grit saphir and the optional hard pad.

Thanks

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Stephen B]

[member=5277]Alex[/member]
[member=16995]AndrewG[/member]

Flexivit is available in Aus at the big Green Shed place. The following link will take you to the 115mm product list. I do not have a RAS, but putting aside the cutting discs and the rolls,  I am still not sure all will be compatible with the RAS. Only you can judge.
https://www.bunnings.com.au/search/products?q=Flexivit 115mm

 

[AlexThePalex]

[member=5277]Alex[/member]
[member=16995]AndrewG[/member]

Flexivit is available in Aus at the big Green Shed place. The following link will take you to the 115mm product list. I do not have a RAS, but putting aside the cutting discs and the rolls,  I am still not sure all will be compatible with the RAS. Only you can judge.
https://www.bunnings.com.au/search/products?q=Flexivit 115mm

The proper discs aren't in that list.

The 115 mm discs with holes could be used, but I prefer not to because of the holes, so you could damage the hook & loop pad of the sander. The 115 mm fiber discs do work of course, as the RAS comes with the proper backing pad. Not sure how effective it is though, I've never used these with my RAS.

 

[Stephen B]

Thanks for the reply [member=5277]Alex[/member]. As I hinted I am not intimately knowledgeable with the RAS, but thought some of the Flexivit range available in Aus might have been useful. Obviously there is more Flexivit available in Europe than down here.

 

[Holmz]

I ended up buying the RAS 115 today.
...

I noticed on the FT site that there were adapters for grinding disks as well as some wire wheels and wire cups... So I am doing a bit of chin scratching.

I often like using cheap grinding wheels as well as wire wheels when I do metal. If anyone has insight into how these work on a RAS it would be great to hear. And whether a slow RPM driven wire wheel works good for paint coming off wood would be useful knowledge to glean from.

For instance I am not sure if the slower RPM would better, or if it would make it bouncy? And if there is not a great advantage to a slower RPM compared to the old daggy makita, then that would also be useful to understand.