I have two hands...thus...I need two sanders.

Cheese

Member
Joined
Jan 16, 2015
Messages
12,503
Now here's a yearly maintenance regimen that I would be more than happy to do without. It's nice to have friends over and to serve cocktails and food on a beautiful surface as opposed to something dragged up from the bottom of the swamp.

So, every year the drill remains the same...refinish the teak table on the patio. I've done this so many times that I can't count the times. I've done this with a different Festool sander every year, first the original underpowered ETS 125, tried it with the RS 2, used the Rotex 125, used the early original DTS 125, the next year the ETS EC 125 using both a 125 pad and a 150 pad, even tried the LS 130 for both the sanding of the flat surfaces and sanding of the rounded edge profile. At every juncture, the sanding process was a huge time waster.

This year I decided that if I had two useful arms, I could employ two sanders at the same time...as bimbo boy says, what do you have to lose?

So this year I decided the ETSC and the DTSC would be my sanders of choice. I was mightly impressed as these brought the sanding time down to at least half of what I usually need.

I did notice that the ETSC was easier to manage because it is symmetrical and better balanced. If you let go of it it stays upright and just slowly shuttles across the table in a fairly tight orbital circle. The DTSC however, if left on its own will simply topple over and fall on its side.

So the sanding is helter skelter with both sanders traversing different paths but towards the end of the sanding session, most of the surface has been traversed and I then touched up specific areas with the ETSC.  Sweet...this is exactly the approach I will take next year but maybe I'll substitute a second ETSC instead of the DTSC.

[attachimg=1]

[attachimg=2]

[attachimg=3]

[attachimg=4]

[attachimg=5]

[attachimg=6]
 

Attachments

  • 9074.JPG
    9074.JPG
    1.1 MB · Views: 819
  • 9075.JPG
    9075.JPG
    1 MB · Views: 825
  • 9076.jpg
    9076.jpg
    529.7 KB · Views: 816
  • 9077.JPG
    9077.JPG
    1.1 MB · Views: 761
  • 9078.JPG
    9078.JPG
    1.1 MB · Views: 705
  • 9079.JPG
    9079.JPG
    1.3 MB · Views: 771
Cheese,

We have a similar table with four benches, and it is also well overdue for the same level of work you've done.  How much longer can I procrastinate....  [crying]

Your results look great!
 
Rob - with four benches are you proposing to strap sanders to your feet as well and indulge in some break-dancing?!
 
Lovely job there Mr Cheese 👍🏻

You have also made my mind up, I have been thinking about buying the three hybrid sanders for a while, mainly for my own personal use. I will probably buy one with the full kit, BT batteries, charger and plug it lead and adaptor etc, and buy the other two bare tool.

Lovely table tool, you can’t beat teak for outside furniture  [thumbs up]
 
Just like you, doing this stuff every year again is not my favourite chore around the house. Since a couple of years I switched over from plain oil to using  Osmo UV protection oil (see this webpage). The look is not exactly the same as oil, but the durability is fantastic. I know Osmo recommends it for vertical surfaces and have another product for horizontal surfaces, but I went ahead and used it anyway. Mostly because the other product is too shiny for my taste. The result is great and I have to redo the garden table (which is exposed to the elements) only once every three years now. Maybe something for you to try?
 
Just a thought, take 2 sanders(say ro150’s) and tandem them with a piece of all thread and use them simultaneously? Thinkin outside the box?
 
Initially I started with just the ETSC, then I went inside the house to check on some food and I noticed the DTSC and thought what the hey.  It seemed goofy at first but once I started it felt ok. More importantly, the results were achieved at a much faster rate. That entire half of the table was sanded in only about 15-20 minutes using 150/180 grit Granat while waiting for the charcoal to get hot. You can see that in the 5th photo versus the 6th photo the garden lights have turned on, so everything happened fairly quickly.

I'll finish the other half of the table today.
 
[member=44099]Cheese[/member], you're smarter than this!  Get out your Planex and have at it from your favorite lawn chair while sipping on a mint julep!  [big grin]
 
Perhaps we could integrate a sander with robot lawn mower or vacuum cleaner technology...?
 
Hey [member=44099]Cheese[/member] , very nice finish.  What do yo do about between the slats?  I have two garden benches that are long over due.  Do you oil just the top and pray or is there a trick to getting it between each slat ? 
 
Rick Herrick said:
Hey [member=44099]Cheese[/member] , very nice finish.  What do yo do about between the slats?  I have two garden benches that are long over due.  Do you oil just the top and pray or is there a trick to getting it between each slat ?

[member=72312]Rick Herrick[/member]  the space between the slats is very narrow, usually just enough room to take a putty knife to and clean out any leaves, bugs or other debris that has fallen in. Also when the table is in use, an umbrella is used on it 100% of the time so the space between the slats is always dark, nothing to see.

[member=37411]ear3[/member] ...+1 on your comment.  [not worthy]
 
hdv said:
Since a couple of years I switched over from plain oil to using  Osmo UV protection oil (see this webpage). The look is not exactly the same as oil, but the durability is fantastic. I know Osmo recommends it for vertical surfaces and have another product for horizontal surfaces, but I went ahead and used it anyway. Mostly because the other product is too shiny for my taste. The result is great and I have to redo the garden table (which is exposed to the elements) only once every three years now. Maybe something for you to try?

[member=66485]hdv[/member]  I've been investigating your Osmo approach and I have a few questions. Just like you mention, Osmo recommends their product for vertical surfaces.
So, you don't have any mold issues with horizontal surfaces?
How long has it been in use?
Does the Osmo you use contain biocides?
I was also under the assumption that to attain any amount of UV protection, any finish needed to contain some amount of pigment. The Osmo clear finish claims a UV protection value of 12x...I wonder how that works?

I've had some experience with Sikkens products that were specified for vertical use. When applied to a horizontal surface they became black, moldy and slimy, it was horrible.  Everything had to be stripped. [sad]
 
No issues at all! Here's a photo of the table.

[attachimg=1]

Sorry for the bad colour quality of the shot, but it should look like wet teak. Please remember that this is a "waxy" oil, so it will leave a smooth surface with a satin gloss. The original wood texture will not be kept after treating the wood with this product. I don't mind. As a matter of fact I like it, because it makes cleaning the table top much easier.

I haven't done anything to it for the last one and a half years. The table is outside from April 'til October and constantly exposed to the Dutch climate during that period. The teak had already degraded before I started using this product to protect it (this table is about 20 years old now), so don't pay too much attention to the wood itself. The spots you see are from before I started using the Osmo. But as you can see the oil has not cracked at all. To me that is impressive. It is the first product I used that managed to stand up to the sun and rain for so long.

As far as needing pigment to protect against UV, that might be true. I am no expert in that field. However, I use a special panel varnish from Finland for the wooden walls inside my house (made of shaved/planed logs). I like to keep them from yellowing as much as possible and this product was recommended for that. It contains no pigment, but it does contain titanium. Sadly, it is no longer available around here due to regulations. That stuff was great!

Here's what I use on the table:

[attachimg=2]

Seehttps://osmouk.com/sitechaptern.cfm?bookid=Products&chapter=82&page=262#UVProtectionOil for detailed English information.

At first I did use the stuff for horizontal surfaces, but that shines like a mirror, which I didn't like at all.

[attachimg=3]

Seehttps://osmouk.com/sitechaptern.cfm?bookid=Products&chapter=82&page=267 for detailed English information.

Their product for UV protection does contain biocides. Like most (all?) Osmo products once it is dry it is safe for humans.

If you need more information, just holler.

 

Attachments

  • osmo_decking_oil.jpg
    osmo_decking_oil.jpg
    510 KB · Views: 425
  • osmo_uv_protection.jpg
    osmo_uv_protection.jpg
    543.3 KB · Views: 451
  • table.jpg
    table.jpg
    1.1 MB · Views: 431
When I was coaching soccer/football I insisted that my players be able to play two footed so they did not need too do the three step to get the ball on their dominant foot...no reason woodbutchers should not be the same...often made them dribble with two balls
 
hdv said:
I haven't done anything to it for the last one and a half years. The table is outside from April 'til October and constantly exposed to the Dutch climate during that period. The teak had already degraded before I started using this product to protect it (this table is about 20 years old now), so don't pay too much attention to the wood itself. The spots you see are from before I started using the Osmo. But as you can see the oil has not cracked at all. To me that is impressive. It is the first product I used that managed to stand up to the sun and rain for so long.

As far as needing pigment to protect against UV, that might be true. I am no expert in that field. However, I use a special panel varnish from Finland for the wooden walls inside my house (made of shaved/planed logs). I like to keep them from yellowing as much as possible and this product was recommended for that. It contains no pigment, but it does contain titanium. Sadly, it is no longer available around here due to regulations. That stuff was great!

If you need more information, just holler.

[member=66485]hdv[/member]  Thanks for the info and the links, I need to do some further reading.  I did notice that the spec sheet for the 007 Osmo Decking Oil states "Clear: No UV resistance, the wood greys naturally."  So that probably wouldn't have been a good choice for either one of us.  [big grin]

Also the product information sheet for the 007 Osmo states "Osmo Teak-Oil is a clear finish and therefore offers
little protection against UV radiation (greying). As a clear top coat for screens, we recommend Osmo UV-Protection-Oil/UV-Protection-Oil Extra."
So there's some formulation differences between the Clear Osmo Teak Oil and the Clear Osmo UV-Protection products.
 
Ok, so this is where we left off. 1/2 of the table had been sanded and Surfix Outdoor had been applied.

[attachimg=1]

Yesterday I decided to finish the table but to include a couple of additional observations. Both batteries were fully charged over night for the sanders, fresh 180 grit sandpaper was installed and a stop watch  [eek]  was added to the mix.

[attachimg=2]

After 5 min & 9 sec of two-handed sanding the table surface looked like this.

[attachimg=3]

After 13 min & 53 sec of two-handed sanding the table looked like this.

[attachimg=4]

At this point the two-handed sanding approach was abandoned and only one sander was used at a time to finish up the remaining small touch-up areas. A total sanding time of 19 min & 10 sec.  [big grin]  That's a pretty good time saver compared to the single sander approach.

[attachimg=5]

There's also been a fairly deep dent (1/32") in the table surface for the last couple of years. It was when the OF 1400 slipped out of my hands and bounced on the table.  [mad] 

[attachimg=6]

A little fresh water, a wet cotton towel and a steam iron pulled out the dent, while some light sanding made the surface much better. The dent is still visible because the wood fibers were sheared however, it can barely be felt. Your fingernail will barely catch the edge so it's in the .004"-.005" range.

[attachimg=7]

A thorough cleaning with a soft bristled brush and some Surfix Outdoors completes the task.

[attachimg=8]

An interesting note is that after the 19 min & 10 sec sanding time, I checked both batteries and both were only down 1 LED. It could be hypothesized that there is 1 hour of run time with these sanders depending upon the situation.

[attachimg=9]
 

Attachments

  • 9098.JPG
    9098.JPG
    1.3 MB · Views: 330
  • 9096.jpg
    9096.jpg
    432.7 KB · Views: 337
  • 9095.JPG
    9095.JPG
    369 KB · Views: 290
  • 9093.jpg
    9093.jpg
    490.7 KB · Views: 263
  • 9092.jpg
    9092.jpg
    690.3 KB · Views: 304
  • 9091.JPG
    9091.JPG
    1.1 MB · Views: 301
  • 9090.JPG
    9090.JPG
    1.3 MB · Views: 350
  • 9079.JPG
    9079.JPG
    1.3 MB · Views: 333
  • 9101.jpg
    9101.jpg
    423.7 KB · Views: 302
Table looks great now!

About the test, are you saying the two sanders (ET&DT) are about equal in sanding efficiency?

Assuming you have corded versions of one of them how does the cordless compare?
 
Back
Top