Festool Rotex 90 DX FEQ Sander Poor Dust Collection

[aporter09]

I have just purchased a Rotex 90 DX FEQ sander and connected this to my CTM 26 E AC dust extractor.  I have had my eye on the sander for a while as I have the Long Reach sander LHS 2 255 EQI Plus.  When I connect the Long Reach Sander to my Dust Extractor I get more or less no dust escaping as it all gets sucked away.  This is the reason I went for the Rotex 90 hoping for the same level of dust extraction.  The problem i have is that quite a significant amount of dust comes from the machine.  I have read a similar post on this from 2017, see below, but overall not very happy, seeing it cost over £500, and will be sending it back if a solution cant be found.  I have cleaned both the sander and dust extract (inc bag and filters), but in less than 5 mins, the issue starts again

I see that an issue was raised back in 2017 and it mentions about a Festool providing a fix, but I have just brought the device (2023), so presume that this fix has not been done - Here is the 2017 post -https://www.festoolownersgroup.com/ask-festool/rotex-ro-90-dust-collection/

I'm currently using a a £40 Makita palm sander and connecting that to the dust extractor and it does an excellent job.  So I must be missing something here

Any ideas will be most welcome

Thank you all

 

[Crazyraceguy]

I have had an RO90 since 2015 and never experienced this problem. For the first few years I didn't even have a Festool extractor. I used a cheap Shop-Vac and an I-Vac switch. The lack of a static control system was the main reason I upgraded.
Most of the time when people have poor dust control is when they are sanding over the edge, but that's not overly likely with a small sander like the RO90. Tipping the unit, rather than keeping it fully in contact with the work surface, can also cause it, but again not likely with the RO90. (at least in Rotex mode)
I wish I could help, unless I already have...  [big grin]

 

[ultane]

I have used compressed air to blow out my RO90, from the holes on the bottom, and from the location where the hose attaches.

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[aporter09]

Thank you Ultane and Crazeyraceguy for the replies.  I'm going to spend a bit of time over the weekend having a bit of play around.  I was sometimes holding with one hand, as used to the Makita palm sander, and see that this maybe an issue.  What I do love about the Rotex 90 is that it is so powerful for such a small machine

Crazeyraceguy - Looks like you have a great setup, very jealous

 

[xedos]

From a practical perspective:

1. Remove the pad an see if the silver metal ring has a bunch of holes in it , or one single slot.  That'll tell if Festool made the change.

2. I'd suggest returning it under the no questions asked return policy, as I'm guessing you'll never be happy with it.

3. Expecting a RO90 to have the same level of extraction as a planex is kind of daft.  First, two vastly different size sanders aren't likely to have the same capability in any regard.  Second, the planex's head is totally enclosed in a shroud that seals against the work surface while the rotexes head is totally exposed.

 

[rvieceli]

I love my RO 90 but I don’t view it as a general purpose sander rather a specialized one. I don’t think you will get the same level of dust extraction as one of the more general purpose sanders like the ETS EC 125/150 series Especially if you are using it in Rotex Mode.

I use my RO90 almost exclusively to refine a lot of sculptural curves and dips in the surface and edges of my pieces but I don’t use it to sand mostly flat stuff.

You may need to ratchet back your expectations on dust collection or return it and try out one of the other sanders

Ron

 

[peter halle]

A someone who has spent considerable time in the past sanding drywall with my Rotex 150 and also had a helper who did exactly the same with the same tools, I offer some thoughts (although we weren't using a 90) based on experiences.

I found that sanding slower (movement across the surface at a slower pad speed) resulted in better dust collection.  Frequently picking up the sander to rub a hand on the surface to test smoothness resulted in drifting down little streams of dust.  Also, pay attention to the direction of travel.  Right to left and left to right as well as clockwise and counterclockwise definitely resulted in better of worse dust collection.

Something to try at no cost.  I also use one hand on my Rotex.

Peter

 

[ultane]

I think the RO90 (and the others) blows air out the center hole, and sucks air and dust into the outer holes.

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