For all you new Rotex users.....A public service announcement

[mastercabman]

I think that most of you who think that the sander needs a "break-in" are just not used to the sander
There's no need for a break in.
Brushes/break pad or anything.

 

[Paul G]

Paul G.....sorry, I did take your question seriously.  I just forgot to answer it.   My guess would be YES.   This may be a good reason why our RO90 is a little squirrelly  in random mode.  What do you got to loose?  Hang it safely from something for a few hours and test it out after the fact.  But my guess would be it will work better for you after the break in period.

Eric

Thanks, yes I'll try it, my wrists will appreciate a little smoother operation if it helps. I'll report back results.

[thumbs up]    Man I hope it works for you.....how big of a chump will I look like if it doesn't work out for you and you  send me hate mail?   

[scared]  [big grin]

Eric

So I did the process on my RO90 and I can say that in random mode it is now less squirrely and more controllable. Rotex mode is still the same. It may be debatable what exactly is going on, maybe my gears aren't happier but I am.  [thumbs up] Thanks man.

 

[semenza]

Paul, I don't remember  from other posting, but if this is your first Rotex you will find that it takes some practice in Rotex (aggressive ) mode to get the hang of it.

Seth

 

[Paul G]

Paul, I don't remember  from other posting, but if this is your first Rotex you will find that it takes some practice in Rotex (aggressive ) mode to get the hang of it.

Seth

Yes, it's my first rotex, but the rotex mode is as I expected. Kinda like using an angle grinder, it will pull according to which side of the disk gets the pressure.

 

[John Stevens]

I decided to email Festool USA support to see what they had to say about sander "break in"

James, thanks for emailing Festool and sharing the response here--good to get the other side of the story, if for no other reason than to weigh one narrative against another.  Woulda been nice if the OP had gotten this info beforehand and included it in the video, but at least it made the second page of this thread.

I'll be using my RO90 to strip paint off around 100 feet of base board this weekend and if it hasn't already logged 4 hours each in rotary and random modes, it'll surpass that by noon on Saturday, so I guess I'll be able to judge for myself.  Hard to imagine I could love this li'l sander more than I already do, but it is a Festool.

 

[Jmaichel]

I decided to email Festool USA support to see what they had to say about sander "break in"

James, thanks for emailing Festool and sharing the response here--good to get the other side of the story, if for no other reason than to weigh one narrative against another.  Woulda been nice if the OP had gotten this info beforehand and included it in the video, but at least it made the second page of this thread.

I'll be using my RO90 to strip paint off around 100 feet of base board this weekend and if it hasn't already logged 4 hours each in rotary and random modes, it'll surpass that by noon on Saturday, so I guess I'll be able to judge for myself.  Hard to imagine I could love this li'l sander more than I already do, but it is a Festool.

No problem! Have fun with the RO90.

 

[overanalyze]

You want to learn how to use a Rotex....sand rough sawn hard maple and then stain it black. It will show all swirl marks! After a little use, a little break in time, turning down the vac, and proper grit sequence...I am finally getting the hang of this sander!

 

[Richard D.]

I decided to email Festool USA support to see what they had to say about sander "break in" and here is the response that I received from Lester at Festool:

"Most complex mechanical products, such as power tools, have a break in period.  The question is whether they require a special break in procedure upon initial use. Festool products do not require users to perform a break in procedure, they are ready to use out of the box."

Hope this clears a few things up, I know it does for me at least!

James

If anything, this lends credence to the OP's assertion of the need for a break in. Lester is saying that yes it needs a break in but that it will happen with normal use. The other thing the response brings up is do you think his friends call him Lestool? [big grin]

 

[Stone Message]

I have had the RO 90 for about 2 years and the RO 150 for about 6 months. Neither needed a run-in period, both performed as they should straight out of the box and both perform the same now as they did when they were new. I am not a mega user but have probably used up about 100 round sheets and 60 delta sheets with the RO 90 and 20 sheets with the RO 150 - having said that they are really economic with the sanding sheets and they last 10 times longer than other sanders that I have owned.

Oh, and I can control the RO150 with one finger in random orbit mode.

Peter

 

[Paul G]

Erock, every time I use my now much better behaved RO90 I think of this thread, thanks again for tip.

 

[jacko9]

Eric,

Thanks for the tip.  However some of us just to it the old fashioned way, we use it until it's tame ;-)

Jack

 

[Stephen B]

Eric,

Thanks for the tip.  However some of us just to it the old fashioned way, we use it until it's tame ;-)

Jack

And get another ten hours useful life from our Rotex!

 

[WastedP]

Amazing.  This notion of a "break-in period" must be subjective.  The first Rotex sanders I used were well "broken-in" before I ever touched them, and I definitely had to adapt to the tool.  Since then, I have been the first user of a new RO125, a new RO150, and a recon RO125, with no noticeable "break-in" period for any of them.

The only adjustment I had to make was with myself when using the new RO150 after using a 125 for a few years.  It is definitely a brawnier machine, but when properly balanced, it is smooth as a sander well in to its "break-in" period.

I have noticed that brand new backup pads seem to have an edge to them that breaks down after a few hops (or a cove backsplash).  But this is a process that just happens naturally through regular use, not from being turned on and hung up like a skun muskrat.