Festool RTS 400 lose pad

[AndrewG]

Hi all,
I picked up an almost new RTS 400 REQ a few months ago and have just started using it. I noticed that the pad seems to be lose, to the point where I can rotate it with my hand quite easily. I've taken it apart, ensured all the screws are tight which they were, but it's still lose. Any ideas?

Many thanks for your assistance,
Andy

 

[ear3]

Any pictures?  That's obviously not normal.

 

[AlexThePalex]

You should not be able to rotate the pad at all. It is held in place not by screws, but by the two clamped metal bands right above it which also secure the skirt between the pad and the upper body. Something in there must be loose. Detailed pictures would help.

You can order the metal bands as a replacement part yourself and install them, they come with a screw. But since your sander is within warranty, you should let Festool sort this out.

 

[AndrewG]

Thanks for the replies, here are some more detailed photos. The bottom ring seems to be looser than the top ring. Is there meant to be a screw or something to tighten these?

I purchased the sander second hand, but it was hardly used so I wouldn’t expect much wear and tear. Not sure if it’s still under warranty.

Many thanks

 

[Bob D.]

I have a RTS400. It is about 8 years old. I've never had it apart but my pad is solid, I can't move it by hand.

So without knowing what the innards look like this appears to be some form of damage. Maybe from a drop or someone prying with a lever of some sort, but doesn't to me appear to me to be a normal condition.

 

[Cheese]

The bottom ring seems to be looser than the top ring. Is there meant to be a screw or something to tighten these?

Those rings are Oetiker band clamps and are tightened using a special pliers. You can probably gin up something that will work using a modified water pump pliers or a modified diagonal cutter.
https://www.oetiker.com/-/media/Fil...8_499_Compound_Action_Pincers_EN_Feb2019.ashx

 

[Bob D.]

Never tried them but it looks like these might work.

KNIPEX 8-3/4 in. Ear Clamp Pliers with Front Crimp Jaws.

They are ~$18 at HD.

 

[Cheese]

Well, there's your problem right there. That band's not only loose, but in the wrong place. It should be tight against the pad, and right now it is not clamping down anything.

Good eyeball Alex... [not worthy]

 

[AlexThePalex]

Thanks for the replies, here are some more detailed photos. The bottom ring seems to be looser than the top ring. Is there meant to be a screw or something to tighten these?

Well, there's your problem right there. That band's not only loose, but in the wrong place. It should be tight against the pad, and right now it is not clamping down anything.

You can order new ones from Festool for just a few bucks. They come with a screw instead of being clamped.

As Bob already pointed out, from the photos you can see your sander got a bit of damage there.

Here's my DS with the screw bands. My DS' rubber skirt tore right through the middle and I had to replace it. I could also rotate the pad in every direction. I wouldn't bother trying to clamp your old one back again, once it is out of shape it will not work anymore as it should.

[attachimg=1]

 

[AndrewG]

Awesome, thanks for that. So you reckon order two replacements clamps from Festool and I should be good to go? No need for a new rubber skirt?

Cheers

 

[AlexThePalex]

Awesome, thanks for that. So you reckon order two replacements clamps from Festool and I should be good to go? No need for a new rubber skirt?

You get two clamps as a set, it's one order number. So that's all you need.

As for the skirt, I can't see that from here. I would suggest you examine it closely to see if you can find any tears. But if you can't find any, no need to replace it.

I would also examine the entire sander to see if I can find any other parts that have damage. It seems your sander has been dropped or had some other accident.

 

[AndrewG]

Awesome, thanks for that. So you reckon order two replacements clamps from Festool and I should be good to go? No need for a new rubber skirt?

You get two clamps as a set, it's one order number. So that's all you need.

As for the skirt, I can't see that from here. I would suggest you examine it closely to see if you can find any tears. But if you can't find any, no need to replace it.

I would also examine the entire sander to see if I can find any other parts that have damage. It seems your sander has been dropped or had some other accident.

Thanks mate