Heads up - RAS 115 and Sysports Discontinued (US)

[Rob Z]

When I closed my business I sold a lot of tools.  One of the few that I regret selling is the RAS.  I’m working on a project now with a friend and could use a RAS !  Too bad they are on the way out. If Shane reports that the pads will still be available I would track down one that’s still for sale.

For the poster above who is on the fence:  the RAS is a fantastic tool for grinding away material quickly. We used it for scribing trim and cabinets,  fitting counters into place, roughing up the edge of stone, and many other uses. Dust collection is decent considering how much material it removes.

 

[DeformedTree]

So was the RAS just an angle grinder with dust collection?

 

[ScotF]

A slow-speed orbital sander - a real gem - great for sculpting too. I would buy one before they are gone if you have any interest in this type of work.

 

[Bob D.]

I'm not really concerned about sandpaper, but what about backing pads. Are they considered consumables if not how long will they be available. Would really suck to buy the sander and need a pad a year later and find out there not available.

I just received my RAS from ToolNut yesterday, went looking this morning for accessories and the RAS isn't even in the list anymore. I'm gonna be ticked if I just bought a tool that they drop all the accessories/wear parts immediately and leave me(us) hanging with a tool of limited functionality (as in no accessories). Why don't those accessories remain available, at least until they sell out on current inventory. If I buy a RAS today and decide I need a different pad next month (or in this case the next day) I am SOL it seems. I might find some inventory sitting on the shelf at a local retail store (of which the closest for me is 35 miles away), but other than that it appears I can't even research what is available on the Festool website.

The RAS 115 is still listed in the comparison chart of the various Festool sanders [https://www.festoolusa.com/power-tools/sanders#Comparison ], maybe that is an oversight on the part of the web design team and it should have been removed. But when you go to the accessories page nothing for the RAS 115 is listed at all [https://www.festoolusa.com/power-tools/sanders/accessories ].

 

[peter halle]

[member=60461]Bob D.[/member]  They are still listed on the website.  Just hard to find.  Link to RAS pads

Peter

 

[Bob D.]

Thanks Peter. Found what I was looking for thanks to you.

 

[peter halle]

Regarding the RAS:  If you are on the fence - get one.  I reached out and have been told that there is not a direct replacement in the works.  Solid tool but lack of demand across the world is the reason.  (Sidenote:  Way back in 2009 during a visit to Festool a discussion was held with attendees and we were told that Germany wanted to know how we used our MFT's and RAS.  The sales numbers for those were significantly higher here in the US than in the rest of the world.  Also, while visiting the Festool connect event held in Lebanon back in 2017 there were pallet upon pallet upon pallet of RAS in the warehouse - and that is a whole lot of RAS based on the fact that they come in a Sys - 1 I believe.  That will account of the older production dates on the tools.)

I have reached out for info on the backing pads and when and if I hear something back I will edit this post.

Peter

 

[SoonerFan]

Peter,
Thanks for the additional context and for reaching out on the backing pads.

I have reached out for info on the backing pads and when and if I hear something back I will edit this post.

Peter

 

[Cheese]

1. I reached out and have been told that there is not a direct replacement in the works.  Solid tool but lack of demand across the world is the reason. 

2. Also, while visiting the Festool connect event held in Lebanon back in 2017 there were pallet upon pallet upon pallet of RAS in the warehouse - and that is a whole lot of RAS based on the fact that they come in a Sys - 1 I believe.  That will account of the older production dates on the tools.)

1. Thanks for the post Peter...that's kind of what I thought and also what I was hoping for.  [big grin]  Maybe Festool thinks their new AGC 18 will kind of fill the void?

2. My new RAS was probably in that pallet load of tools.  [scratch chin]  [cool]  Sys 1 it is.

 

[peter halle]

I can’t even remember how many years ago I bought mine.  It was honestly the only Festool that I have bought that I really anticipated trying and possibly returning.

My wife laughed.  I have used mine for stripping paints and stains off of decks, scribing trim, and just grinding away wood.  Yes, I need to order new backing pads due to age, but I sure am glad I bought it.

Peter

 

[Rollin22Petes]

Regarding the RAS:  If you are on the fence - get one.  I reached out and have been told that there is not a direct replacement in the works.  Solid tool but lack of demand across the world is the reason.  (Sidenote:  Way back in 2009 during a visit to Festool a discussion was held with attendees and we were told that Germany wanted to know how we used our MFT's and RAS.  The sales numbers for those were significantly higher here in the US than in the rest of the world.  Also, while visiting the Festool connect event held in Lebanon back in 2017 there were pallet upon pallet upon pallet of RAS in the warehouse - and that is a whole lot of RAS based on the fact that they come in a Sys - 1 I believe.  That will account of the older production dates on the tools.)

I have reached out for info on the backing pads and when and if I hear something back I will edit this post.

Peter

  Thanks Peter & Shane hopefully we'll hear something soon. The availability of the pads would be my only reason for me not buying one. 

 

[Shane Holland]

[member=101]Festool USA[/member], can we get an official word on the availability of pads moving forward? Thanks.

 

[leakyroof]

[member=101]Festool USA[/member], can we get an official word on the availability of pads moving forward? Thanks.

  Thanks for pushing this Shane, as I noted in another RAS post, the pads are sort of the weak link of this tool if you're hard on them. So, it would be great if Festool is keeping them around another 5 years or so in support of the tool.[ longer would be even better... [wink]]

 

[Bob D.]

Well, I don't know about 5 years, the info that came with my RAS (just purchased last week) says 10 years for parts availability. I would take it that accessories are treated as parts and therefore available for 10 years after production stops. I'm guessing that June 2019 is being marked as the end of production/sales so the 10 year clock has started tricking.

 

[ear3]

Yeah, I'll probably just buy a couple of pads now to have in my back pocket.  The velcro on mind is melted around the outer rim, though so far this hasn't really affected performance.
.

[member=101]Festool USA[/member], can we get an official word on the availability of pads moving forward? Thanks.

  Thanks for pushing this Shane, as I noted in another RAS post, the pads are sort of the weak link of this tool if you're hard on them. So, it would be great if Festool is keeping them around another 5 years or so in support of the tool.[ longer would be even better... [wink]]

 

[Shane Holland]

So I reached out to Festool on this topic and the response was...

We are planning for long-term support of the pads and abrasives for the RAS 115 for the foreseeable future and as long as there is reasonable demand.

 

[leakyroof]

Yeah, I'll probably just buy a couple of pads now to have in my back pocket.  The velcro on mind is melted around the outer rim, though so far this hasn't really affected performance.
.

[member=101]Festool USA[/member], can we get an official word on the availability of pads moving forward? Thanks.

  Thanks for pushing this Shane, as I noted in another RAS post, the pads are sort of the weak link of this tool if you're hard on them. So, it would be great if Festool is keeping them around another 5 years or so in support of the tool.[ longer would be even better... [wink]]

X2...... [cool]

 

[AlexThePalex]

as I noted in another RAS post, the pads are sort of the weak link of this tool if you're hard on them. So, it would be great if Festool is keeping them around another 5 years or so in support of the tool.[ longer would be even better... [wink]]

Even if Festool won't sell them anymore you should not have to worry, they are readily available here in Europe as it's a standard and there are plenty of European tool websites who will ship to north America.

 

[Bob D.]

So I reached out to Festool on this topic and the response was...

We are planning for long-term support of the pads and abrasives for the RAS 115 for the foreseeable future and as long as there is reasonable demand.

That's good to know, thanks Shane.

 

[AndrewG]

I’m also interested to know why the sysports are being discontinued? Maybe because the new systainers are coming out with different sizes etc, they’ll release a newer version?