Headed in the right direction?

[MRP]

Hello FOG,

New user here and I just need some guidance on some new purchases I plan to make. 
I plan to buy a CT 36 and DTS 400 for sanding interior walls and trim for paint prep.  Is this the right sander for the job?  I plan on using 120-180 grit sand paper and possibly later on, buy a RTS 400.

 

[dsweetser]

I would suggest you look at the RO90. It should be able to do the job of both sanders you are considering.

;D Welcome to FOG.

 

[AlexThePalex]

With paint prep on trim the DTS is the best choice. As for walls, what kind of walls do you mean? Wood, stone, drywall? The DTS is very good with drywall too. But for wood or stone walls I'd go with a bigger sander like a RO 150.

 

[MRP]

The walls are drywall.

I own several rental properties and I was hoping the DTS and RTS with an extractor would dramatically cut down my prep time for paint.

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

The DTS is a very good choice for paint prep. The CT 36 is going to be a bit overkill in my opinion. You could use the CT MIDI and have better portability. You don't necessarily need the capacity of the CT 36 with such a fine dust being created.

As a second sander, I think you may be better off with the ETS 125 than the RTS. The RTS isn't going to give you a lot of additional functionality over the DTS. But the ETS would give you a nice round pad sander to cover more area in a shorter period of time.

Regardless, remember you've got our 30-day return policy to return or exchange a tool if it doesn't meet your expectations.

Just my 2 cents.  [wink]

Shane

 

[MRP]

Thank you all for you recommendations!!  I really appreciate [thanks] it

 

[skids]

Hello FOG,

New user here and I just need some guidance on some new purchases I plan to make. 
I plan to buy a CT 36 and DTS 400 for sanding interior walls and trim for paint prep.  Is this the right sander for the job?  I plan on using 120-180 grit sand paper and possibly later on, buy a RTS 400.

Dts is a gem. If its material removal only them the ro90 is better but the dts is a better sander for finish and can dabble with material removal with the right grit. I have used mine in drywall and it works wonderfully.

 

[Peterm]

As a second sander, I think you may be better off with the ETS 125 than the RTS...

+1; my 'everyday carry' sanders are a DTS400 and an ETS 125 - I can cover an awful lot of ground with just those two and a Midi.

Pete

 

[AlexThePalex]

Yeah, I agree with what Shane said about the ETS 125 and the Midi (or Mini), much better choice than the RTS/CT36 combo you're thinking of.

There isn't much difference between the DTS and the RTS whereas the ETS would add quite a bit of extra functionality for you. The CT36 is so big, if you only sand it could take over a year to fill it up. A Midi is really a lot better, giving you more portability.

 

[MRP]

Yea I think I will get an ETS 125 and DTS400.  As for the extractor, my reasoning for choosing a CT36 is I figured it would cost me less in the long run on buying bags. 

 

[AlexThePalex]

As for the extractor, my reasoning for choosing a CT36 is I figured it would cost me less in the long run on buying bags. 

Do you plan to use the extractor with other tools like a saw, a router or a plane? In that case a CT36 would be a good choice.

But if you only want to use it with sanders, the CT36 is less desireable. Dust from sanding paint is a lot more compact and heavier than wood dust. I think a 36 filled to the brim with sand dust can easily weigh 90 to 100 LBS. A vac that heavy is no fun hauling around. And it will be heavy like that for a long time, because with sanding you don't fill a bag very quickly.

As for the cost of the bags, I did a calculation once, and using a Mini/Midi over a CT26/36 is only 12% more expensive. I wouldn't worry about cost, I would focus on practicality.

 

[MRP]

As for the extractor, my reasoning for choosing a CT36 is I figured it would cost me less in the long run on buying bags. 

Do you plan to use the extractor with other tools like a saw, a router or a plane? In that case a CT36 would be a good choice.

But if you only want to use it with sanders, the CT36 is less desireable. Dust from sanding paint is a lot more compact and heavier than wood dust. I think a 36 filled to the brim with sand dust can easily weigh 90 to 100 LBS. A vac that heavy is no fun hauling around. And it will be heavy like that for a long time, because with sanding you don't fill a bag very quickly.

As for the cost of the bags, I did a calculation once, and using a Mini/Midi over a CT26/36 is only 12% more expensive. I wouldn't worry about cost, I would focus on practicality.

Oh wow, I didn't realize that it would get so heavy!  Thank you for that key bit of information.  Yea I will only be using the extractor for wall sanding.  Maybe the midi is the one for me then.

 

[Kev]

I got a Mini for sanding inside the house (a Midi would have been a better choice). My CT36 stays either in the garage or gets wheeled outside to use the KAPEX - never carried. (it goes outside for space - not because of mess).

[welcome]

Kev.

 

[Bikeboy80]

As for the extractor, my reasoning for choosing a CT36 is I figured it would cost me less in the long run on buying bags. 

Do you plan to use the extractor with other tools like a saw, a router or a plane? In that case a CT36 would be a good choice.

But if you only want to use it with sanders, the CT36 is less desireable. Dust from sanding paint is a lot more compact and heavier than wood dust. I think a 36 filled to the brim with sand dust can easily weigh 90 to 100 LBS. A vac that heavy is no fun hauling around. And it will be heavy like that for a long time, because with sanding you don't fill a bag very quickly.

As for the cost of the bags, I did a calculation once, and using a Mini/Midi over a CT26/36 is only 12% more expensive. I wouldn't worry about cost, I would focus on practicality.

I only let the bag in my 36ac get about 3/4 full with drywall dust before I empty it because of the weight. If It has to go up stairs even less [tongue]

 

[b_m_hart]

Get the smallest vac that has a reusable bag. It will take you a while to break even on the cost, but you will be immediately glad you did.  Yes, you have to deal with the mess of emptying it, but you never have to worry about lugging around spare bags, or running out (which will invariably happen at a terrible time).