Functional differences between the RO150 and RO125 Sanders

[VictorL]

Victor,
I didn't receive an edge guard with my RO 125, and I don't see it listed as an accessory on the Festool USA site.  Also, when I look at my RO 125, I don't see the track that would accept the edge guard.

Is there perhaps an updated model of this sander?

Just to be clear, here's the part we're talking about:

Curious,
Matthew

Yes, we are taliking about the same part. I checked festoolUSA web site and found this part as a spare part #493912. Unfortunately this part's listed w/o price.

 

[VictorL]

Is there perhaps an updated model of this sander?

Just read your "Floor sanding project" and noticed that you own RO-125 FSQ the new one is RO-125FEQ

Regards,
Victor

 

[ScooterX]

I went with the RO125 instead of the RO150 because of the way I hold and use sanders. I'm a sign painter and I tend to use a sander to rough-shape the edges of projects (easing the corners and edges before painting, for instance) as well as for finish sanding between paint coats. I don't normally do a lot of sanding at any one time, but I wanted something that felt like it could do pretty much everything I needed to. I liked the fact that the RO125 was a bit lighter and easier to use vertically and at odd angles. The 150 just felt "heavy" and awkward to me (partly because of the gyroscopic effect when used at a 45 degree angle).

If I was doing a lot of flat surface areas, horizonally, I'd probably have gone with the faster/larger 150 instead. So its a matter of how you want to use it. I'd  recommend going to a store and trying both in _your_ hands.

 

[Matthew Schenker]

Just read your "Floor sanding project" and noticed that you own RO-125 FSQ the new one is RO-125FEQ

I still don't see an edge guard on the RO 125 FEQ.  Here's the listing on the Festool USA Web site:
http://www.festoolusa.com/ProductDetails.aspx?id=7&prodid=571536

If it does come with an edge guard, that's really good, because it is a nice feature.

Thanks,
Matthew

 

[ROb McGilp]

Hi Victor and Matthew,

If there's no price on it, maybe it's free to good home!!

For what it's worth, this is from Festool Australia O/L cattledog.

Protector FESTOOL PROTECTOR/150FX 

Order number: 493913     for RO 150 FEQ   
Price (incl. GST)$24,97 AUD   

There is a protector that comes with the RO125, but it is not listed under accessories.

If you want to have a look, tryhttp://www.festool.com.au

Regards,

Albert

 

[VictorL]

Just read your "Floor sanding project" and noticed that you own RO-125 FSQ the new one is RO-125FEQ

I still don't see an edge guard on the RO 125 FEQ.  Here's the listing on the Festool USA Web site:
http://www.festoolusa.com/ProductDetails.aspx?id=7&prodid=571536

If it does come with an edge guard, that's really good, because it is a nice feature.

Thanks,
Matthew

Matthew,

Go tohttp://www.festoolusa.com/parts_diagrams.aspx then click on "browse our online parts catalog with diagrams" hyperlink it will transfer you to Festool's parent site with US pricing.  Go to "Sanding" -> "Eccentric Sanders" -> Select RO-125 EQ or FEQ and find part# 52

Good Luck!
Victor 

 

[woodwrights_corner]

Matthew,

The original Rotex 125 came with a housing that would not accept the edge guard.  An updated version is with a housing that will accept an edge guard is currently being shipped.  The updated version comes with the edge guard.  If you order the edge guard as a part for the older housing it will not fit. 

The newer version is also being shipped with an assortment of abrasives instead of one sheet of P 120 Brilliant.  The assortment contains various grits of Brilliant 2, Rubin, Titan 2, Saphir, Cristal, and Platin. 

 

[Matthew Schenker]

Victor,
You're right...I see it right there in part #52 -- "FESTOOL PROTECTOR 125FX."

But I'm still a bit confused: why isn't it shown on the main order page on the Festool Web site?

Matthew

 

[Matthew Schenker]

Matthew,

The original Rotex 125 came with a housing that would not accept the edge guard.  An updated version is with a housing that will accept an edge guard is currently being shipped.  The updated version comes with the edge guard.  If you order the edge guard as a part for the older housing it will not fit. 

The newer version is also being shipped with an assortment of abrasives instead of one sheet of P 120 Brilliant.  The assortment contains various grits of Brilliant 2, Rubin, Titan 2, Saphir, Cristal, and Platin. 

OK, that helps to explain it.

I'm glad we had this discussion, so prospective customers know that the new RO 125 comes with an edge guard (aka "Protector").

Thanks,
Matthew

 

[woodwrights_corner]

Matthew,

My second sentence should read -- Being shipped now, is an updated version of the Rotex 125.  It has a housing that will accept an edge guard. 

 

[Dave Ronyak]

Victor,
I didn't receive an edge guard with my RO 125, and I don't see it listed as an accessory on the Festool USA site.  Also, when I look at my RO 125, I don't see the track that would accept the edge guard.

Curious,
Matthew

Yes, we are taliking about the same part. I checked festoolUSA web site and found this part as a spare part #493912. Unfortunately this part's listed w/o price.

Gents,  I don't know if your RO125 is a different model than mine which I purchased in USA in October 2005.  Mine did not come with the edge guard, and when I saw a unit at Ideal Tool's site in summer 2006 I wanted one, too.  I spoke with a Festool factory representative who confirmed my early production RO125 had a different outer housing and that the edge guard would not work with it.  I thereafter contacted Festool USA's technical support line who confirmed the same.  But Festool offered me a replacement housing and the guard if I wanted.  However, changing it myself would void the factory warranty.shield.  Alternatively, they offered to change it if I would send them the tool.  I opted to take the parts and change it myself after the warranty expires.

Dave R.

 

[LaserGecko]

I bought the RO125 and returned it for the RO150. The removable dust collector, detachable handle, and single availability of the polishing accessories were the reasons. The RO150 actually seems easier to use in a vertical or over head situation to me because of the detachable handle. Plus, it was nice to get an assortment of sanding abrasives instead of a single sheet. (Possibly a moot point now, but still.) Nothing is going to be comfortable to use when you're holding it in front of your face on a ladder, but I found the handle to be much easier to use than holding onto the head of the 125.

Someone told me that some dealers sell singles of the sheepskin and felt pads for the RO125, but they're not available as a factory part. You can pay $10 for a single 6" sheepskin or $50 for a box of five 5" skins. (Prices are approximate, but you get the picture.) Also, my local dealer just has a larger stock of 6" discs than 5" because that's what the solid surface guys use.

Functionally, I don't have the knowledge to offer an opinion, but for practical use the RO150 fit my situation much better.

 

[Matthew Schenker]

LaserGecko,
Good opinions about the RO 150 versus the RO 125.  As I said earlier, it is a very close call!  I like both of these sanders a lot, and bring one or the other out for lots of different projects, sometimes contradicting myself in my general rules about which one is better for which kind of job!

Again, it's a close call.  If we polled people who own these sanders, we would probably have a great variety of opinions on general uses and advantages of each sander.

But Wayne wanted an answer to an innocent query.  If I had to answer the straightforward question, "If I buy just one of these sanders, which should it be?" my answer, I suppose, without too much delay or hesitation or difficulty, without taking too long to think about it...would have to be, get the RO 150.

Stay in touch,
Matthew

 

[ScooterX]

I bought an RO125 last week, and it included the edge bumperguard.