Getting a sander on a tight budget

[lpand]

This is being offered locally, http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/tls/2836162649.html.  An RTS400 for $125.  Maybe he would ship to Canada.

Good shopping!

Lpand

 

[jacko9]

Matt, I forgot to mention in my first post that every sander Festool makes will be recommended.  That's because we all have different first experiences, other  tools and sanders,  and differing uses. You will really need to sort out the recommendations based on comparing your needs with the advice given in this thread. Have fun  ???  

Also remember you have 30 days to see if it does the job for you.

You mentioned possibly getting two. One combo you are thinking about is the RO90 and ETS125. If you going that route , I suggest  the RO90 is better paired with  an ETS150 for your furniture needs. That gives you small and large instead of small and medium. Throw in the RO90s versatility (delta pad) and you will be able to pretty much everything easily.  Since you would only need the RO90 for the beds, you could get that one first and spread the spending over a bit of time.

Seth

Matt - I agree with Seth and the only reason that I didn't get that combo of sanders is at my age (almost 70) my shoulders start to ache sanding vertical side pieces so I got the lighter ETS 125 but for efficiency the EST 150 seemed like a much nicer tool and it might be my third purchase for horizontal surfaces (after I buy the RO 90).

Edit> moved reply out of quote box

 

[mouppe]

MAtt what is your budget?

Its hard to give you advice with out knowing what you got going on.

Sadly located in Canada, we have no REAL Festool dealers who know or understand the product near me.  I am looking to figure out what makes the Festool sanding solution the best.  Why do you need a ETS if you have a Rotex?  Or what does the ETS do that the Rotex can't?    From a consumer point, I need the understanding on why I'm spending the $1300+ on buying two sanders and what it gives me, over a $300 option.

Matt

Whereabouts are you in Canada? There are some excellent dealers around- in Montreal I can highly recommend Gentmantel. They know their Festools.

A rotex is usually the first sander people buy because it can be agressive and it has a random orbit mode. Then an ETS usually follows because people are happy with their first festool sander experience but they want a finer finish sander. It is also lighter and can be used one-handed. At least this was my way of thinking.

As well as posing questions on the FOG, you can also take advantage of the 30 day return policy and see for yourself whether the sanders work for you.

 

[jacko9]

Matt - I purchased the RO 90 Rotex today and brought it to the shop and I was amazed at the efficiency of this little tool.  The first task was to level a butterfly patch in a wide black walnut board.  The dovetail butterfly patch protruded 3/8" after I epoxied it in place and leveling it with the RO90 with 40 grit took less than a minute in rotary mode and the finish was pretty nice.  I think I'm going to love this sander!