Get your RS2 E ON!

[Brian Livingstone]

Hi,

I love my RS2 !  Here is a photo of a tabletop I finished last month.  You couldn't slip a piece of paper under the straightedge once I flattened it with that big old Caddy of a sander floating on the tabletop.

Brian

 

[Nat X]

It is absolutely great at keeping things flat, but even with its diminutive stroke, it leaves pigtails for days. I also find it to be extremely sensitive to travel direction--even more so than the Rotex models people always complain are too "jumpy."

I do love the thing, but I always alternate between it and other sanders unless I'm painting over the workpiece as it just doesn't perform as a true finish sander for me. Also hate the fact that the hole punch for regular abrasive sheets is $40, but I knew the risks when I put on the uniform.

Oh, right... Pics or it didn't happen...

End grain cherry butcher block in progress:

 

[greg mann]

[member=41196]Nat X[/member], I think the sander needs quicker movement across the workpiece to minimize the pigtails. I recall 5 inches per second as a recommendation and that seems to work for me.

 

[butzla]

I used mine on my Roubo bench build.  But I really love it for flattening face frames.  It makes it hard to round over an edge with it like an ETS which is nice.  I installed a plug-it pigtail on mine.  Never understood why they don't come with one 

 

[leakyroof]

It is absolutely great at keeping things flat, but even with its diminutive stroke, it leaves pigtails for days. I also find it to be extremely sensitive to travel direction--even more so than the Rotex models people always complain are too "jumpy."

I do love the thing, but I always alternate between it and other sanders unless I'm painting over the workpiece as it just doesn't perform as a true finish sander for me. Also hate the fact that the hole punch for regular abrasive sheets is $40, but I knew the risks when I put on the uniform.

Oh, right... Pics or it didn't happen...

End grain cherry butcher block in progress:

  I agree. I've heard others swear that there is a similar sander, maybe by Rupes?, that puts the RS2 to shame by not having the 'jumpy' operation that you described while still having power and good dust collection.

 

[rvieceli]

This plate also works on the RS2
http://www.ereplacementparts.com/sandpaper-punch-plate-p-69543.html

For $20 plus about $6 for shipping.

 

[rvieceli]

Although you could always make your own with some scrap and some dowels as the premade ones don't make a very big holes.

 

[Cheese]

I installed a plug-it pigtail on mine.  Never understood why they don't come with one 

Great idea...I need to install those on the RS 2 & DX 93.

 

[Holmz]

...
I agree. I've heard others swear that there is a similar sander, maybe by Rupes?, that puts the RS2 to shame by not having the 'jumpy' operation that you described while still having power and good dust collection.

The uva115e seems similar.
I am happy to see I am not the only one to appreciate having flat surfaces with sharp edges that are OT rounded over.

 

[bobfog]

It is absolutely great at keeping things flat, but even with its diminutive stroke, it leaves pigtails for days. I also find it to be extremely sensitive to travel direction--even more so than the Rotex models people always complain are too "jumpy."

I do love the thing, but I always alternate between it and other sanders unless I'm painting over the workpiece as it just doesn't perform as a true finish sander for me. Also hate the fact that the hole punch for regular abrasive sheets is $40, but I knew the risks when I put on the uniform.

Oh, right... Pics or it didn't happen...

End grain cherry butcher block in progress:

This is a little worrying. My half sheet sander is a 30 year old piece of cr[member=58670]P[/member] that I rarely use, but I've got a lot of work coming up using veneered sheet goods so I am looking for a new one and had the RS2 firmly in my sights.

I'd heard this sander described as the "Rolls Royce" of sanders, but this pigtail issue when working with thin veneers is worrying.

Has anyone got any experience with the Bosch GES 280 AVE?:

 

[thedude306]

This is a little worrying. My half sheet sander is a 30 year old piece of cr[member=58670]P[/member] that I rarely use, but I've got a lot of work coming up using veneered sheet goods so I am looking for a new one and had the RS2 firmly in my sights.

I'd heard this sander described as the "Rolls Royce" of sanders, but this pigtail issue when working with thin veneers is worrying.

Has anyone got any experience with the Bosch GES 280 AVE?:

I've got the NA version and it's brilliant.  A little unruly if you don't have vac control.  And I think like all the units, you need to watch your direction and speed to avoid any unwanted pigtails.  Used mine on maple this weekend and it was perfect.  (sorry projects gone so no pics)

but here's the sander just cuz I haven't put it away yet:

IMG_3396 by Brad Taylor, on Flickr

 

[Holmz]

[member=60286]bobfog[/member]
Not with the Bosch, but it looks like it is a 2-stroke with expansion chamber in the back. [big grin]
The Mirka Velcro'ed half sheets are handy, but I am not sure if those 1/2 sheet sanders (FT & Bosch) have a Velcro pad?

I some times see pigtails, but usually there is a splinter wedged somewhere, or I am

 

[bobfog]

This is a little worrying. My half sheet sander is a 30 year old piece of cr[member=58670]P[/member] that I rarely use, but I've got a lot of work coming up using veneered sheet goods so I am looking for a new one and had the RS2 firmly in my sights.

I'd heard this sander described as the "Rolls Royce" of sanders, but this pigtail issue when working with thin veneers is worrying.

Has anyone got any experience with the Bosch GES 280 AVE?:

I've got the NA version and it's brilliant.  A little unruly if you don't have vac control.  And I think like all the units, you need to watch your direction and speed to avoid any unwanted pigtails.  Used mine on maple this weekend and it was perfect.  (sorry projects gone so no pics)

but here's the sander just cuz I haven't put it away yet:

IMG_3396 by Brad Taylor, on Flickr

Thanks for info. I have the Bosch GES 125-150 AVE random orbit in the same anti-vibe product line up. Likewise is unruly unless I turn my extractor all the way down and open the valve at the end of the hose to stop it sucking to the work. But even then it's dust free with Mirka Abranet paper and a joy to use.

Maybe the Bosch 280 is the way to go, I've had good luck with Bosch and the RO model is a joy to use with lack of vibration transmitted to the hand and arms.

 

[rvieceli]

Bobfog _ I really don't think that you need to worry about any of these 1/2 sheet sanders from the Makita through the Bosch, Festool and up to the Mafell. I have a Makita that I have been using for about 4 years. It is a solid performer and a joy to use. It takes Festool paper and with a small adapter ring fits the 27mm Festool hose like a champ.

Plus you can buy two of them and still be cheaper than the RS2.

Do I never get squiggles? No! But it's not usually the sander's fault and can be traced to my technique. Lately, I'm convinced that the biggest problem is with a bit of lower grit getting embedded in the pores of the wood and then being popped out when using a higher grit and gouging the heck out of the piece.

I have become very diligent about cleaning the piece and the surface its on by blowing it off with a nozzle on the air compressor and that has helped significantly.

The half sheets generally require a bit different technique than the random orbitals. A faster speed across the surface seems to work best for me.

Should you decide on the Festool, there is still the use it return it in 30 days (in the US) should it not prove to your liking.

 

[rvieceli]

[member=42010]thedude306[/member]

Does that Bosch have a hook and loop pad and will it take the RS2 paper?

Thanks

ron

 

[thedude306]

[member=3192]rvieceli[/member]

Nope.  Not on mine but I just looked at the UK website and it does say it takes hook and loop.  Which would be nice as I run abranet on everything else.

No idea on the RS2 paper.  It is exactly a 1/2 sheet of all standard paper that I have ever used (norton and klingspor) and it comes with a hole maker to punch any paper. 

 

[bobfog]

Just checked the Bosch UK website, a Bosch video and a Youtube review and in the UK at least it does come with a hook and loop base.

 

[rvieceli]

[member=42010]thedude306[/member] thanks for the quick reply. I have been looking at that sander. The big selling point from Bosch's point of view at least seems to be the vibration reduction system. Reviews on line seemed mixed. Do you have one do you think that it is a step up in terms of vibration reduction/

 

[thedude306]

[member=42010]thedude306[/member] thanks for the quick reply. I have been looking at that sander. The big selling point from Bosch's point of view at least seems to be the vibration reduction system. Reviews on line seemed mixed. Do you have one do you think that it is a step up in terms of vibration reduction/

It's top notch as far as I'm concerned..  Same for the Bosch ROS65VC-6.  The vibration control is what got me on both of these sanders.  The rest of the bosch sander line is pretty mediocre IMO. 

 

[sae]

I have the same half sheet Bosch. Very nicely made, made in their Switzerland factory. Vibration is well controlled, and great to use all day.

It's top notch as far as I'm concerned..  Same for the Bosch ROS65VC-6.  The vibration control is what got me on both of these sanders.  The rest of the bosch sander line is pretty mediocre IMO. 

I have their delta sander, which replaced my RO90. Also Swiss made, the form factor is just so much better as a detail sander. Festool made a similar sander in the past in the DX93, but discontinued it to boost RO90 sales it seems.