Is Rotex for fine sanding?

[AlexThePalex]

You can buy a sys1 with inlay to store DTS sandpaper. I myself carry all my different types of sandpaper (for the DTS and my other sanders) in a sys3 with custom insert. I bring with me what I need and leave the rest at home.

 

[Kev]

I've got the DTS400 specific abrasive Systainer - but only got it recently (and haven't even opened it).

I've given up thinking that you could store all of your abrasives in just the machine specific Systainers. You need somewhere for bulk and odd stuff ... a cupboard, a spare Sys5 or something.

I believe the machine specifice abrasive Systainers are intended to support specific workflows and aren't for broad spectrum use handymen and hobbyists.

 

[RONWEN]

I've got the DTS400 specific abrasive Systainer - but only got it recently (and haven't even opened it).

I've given up thinking that you could store all of your abrasives in just the machine specific Systainers. You need somewhere for bulk and odd stuff ... a cupboard, a spare Sys5 or something.

I believe the machine specifice abrasive Systainers are intended to support specific workflows and aren't for broad spectrum use handymen and hobbyists.

Based on your posts ( [smile]) I broke down and ordered a DTS400, systainer, Granat grists 150 thru 400.  I'm sure it will be a great finish sander for my purposes.

 

[Kev]

I've got the DTS400 specific abrasive Systainer - but only got it recently (and haven't even opened it).

I've given up thinking that you could store all of your abrasives in just the machine specific Systainers. You need somewhere for bulk and odd stuff ... a cupboard, a spare Sys5 or something.

I believe the machine specifice abrasive Systainers are intended to support specific workflows and aren't for broad spectrum use handymen and hobbyists.

Based on your posts ( [smile]) I broke down and ordered a DTS400, systainer, Granat grists 150 thru 400.  I'm sure it will be a great finish sander for my purposes.

I have a fear that if I buy the 80mm x 133mm abrasives Systainier for the LS130, I'll end up getting an RTS400. Don't need it, but it'd be a real change to buy a Festool sander because it uses abrasive sizes I already have!
[big grin]

 

[hhh]

==> I'll end up getting an RTS400

it's a really decent piece of kit...  you can't go that far wrong if you decide to get one...

 

[leakyroof]

I've got the DTS400 specific abrasive Systainer - but only got it recently (and haven't even opened it).

I've given up thinking that you could store all of your abrasives in just the machine specific Systainers. You need somewhere for bulk and odd stuff ... a cupboard, a spare Sys5 or something.

I believe the machine specifice abrasive Systainers are intended to support specific workflows and aren't for broad spectrum use handymen and hobbyists.

Based on your posts ( [smile]) I broke down and ordered a DTS400, systainer, Granat grists 150 thru 400.  I'm sure it will be a great finish sander for my purposes.

  Ronnnnnnnnn, you joined the DTS400 CLUB!!!!!!!!!  WELCOME--- [wink] [wink]  You'll love it--  Who knows, at this rate, I MIGHT actually buy a 150mm ROTEX- although I don't REALLY have a need for one...  [embarassed] [embarassed] [embarassed]

 

[RONWEN]

I've got the DTS400 specific abrasive Systainer - but only got it recently (and haven't even opened it).

I've given up thinking that you could store all of your abrasives in just the machine specific Systainers. You need somewhere for bulk and odd stuff ... a cupboard, a spare Sys5 or something.

I believe the machine specifice abrasive Systainers are intended to support specific workflows and aren't for broad spectrum use handymen and hobbyists.

Based on your posts ( [smile]) I broke down and ordered a DTS400, systainer, Granat grists 150 thru 400.  I'm sure it will be a great finish sander for my purposes.

  Ronnnnnnnnn, you joined the DTS400 CLUB!!!!!!!!!  WELCOME--- [wink] [wink]  You'll love it--  Who knows, at this rate, I MIGHT actually buy a 150mm ROTEX- although I don't REALLY have a need for one...  [embarassed] [embarassed] [embarassed]

[big grin]  [big grin]  [big grin]  [big grin]

 

[MrToolJunkie]

Congrats on the purchase!  This little sander is great and it is surprisingly aggressive with coarser grits...I start at 100 and go to 400 and have used them all for various tasks.

Scot

 

[JimB1]

Well, as far as the finish between the 5mm and 3mm goes, I don't see much of a difference in the work I do. From a comfort standpoint, I reach for the ETS 150/3 far more often. The RO 150 is just too heavy, buzzy and loud for me too use for any length of time or on any sort of vertical surface. For a final finish to me it's awkward to use which effects the finish. The ETS is easier for final finish sanding. I'd say 120 grit and up.

The RO 150 is very quick to remove saw burns, planer marks and other surface roughness and I suspect it'd be great at paint removal though I haven't had a project to try it since I got it a couple of months back. It is a good complement to the ETS but I would hate to have it as my only sander. I'm sure it can do everything but to me it's just not great for doing everything.

YMMV
-Jim

 

[VesaS]

I have used DTS for awhile and same time it's good finish sander and I'm not 100% happy with it.
Main reason for unhappiness is vibration. It vibrates only little, but too much. This causes fatigue and tingle to my arms and fingers after longer sanding time. Other than that it performs well. Machine has been used (or run) for 2 - 3 hours, so the initial break-in has been done.

Here are some findings
Fine sanding
DTS is intended for this. Excellent results. DTS is for corners, edges, details and smaller areas. Random orbit sander for larger areas.
This easily removes machine marks with Granat 120 (for saw burns perhaps 80 is better).

Coarse sanding
DTS is capable to strip paint easily with Cristal, so it can be used for cornes or smaller areas. Of course 125 mm random orbit sander is more powerful and faster especially for large, flat surfaces. This is easy to use, fast enough in corners and fast on edges.
I tested Bosch GEX 125 with average quality 60 grit paper and DTS 400 with Cristal 60 on painted birch table top. GEX 125 was much faster and obvious choice, but DTS did well especially on edges or in smaller areas. Cristal last longer.

Learning curve. I found some odd scratches after sanding with lower grits (relative matter), they came easily when moving DTS across the grain.
Is this something what happens to you too?

Those marks shows under varnish/lacquer.
I sanded surface again, carefully with the grain, before going higher grit.
Also I couldn't make it float all the time, it just suddenly stops and creates some marks.

Suction. With CT at full, DTS stays in place on vertical plywood.
Use lowest setting. I found Festool adapter (for reducing suction) very practical. Except that adapter does have even surface and hose drops off easily. (DTS has those "rings".)

Dust control. Very good. Good even when sanding narrow pieces.

So, I need to use it more. To learn how it should be used and to decrease (hopefully) that vibration.
DTS is lightweight, easier handle than my GEX 125 which wobbles and wanders over surface.
Machine is intended for finishing. It can do some harder work too. In it's limits.

Vesa

 

[leakyroof]

I have used DTS for awhile and same time it's good finish sander and I'm not 100% happy with it.
Main reason for unhappiness is vibration. It vibrates only little, but too much. This causes fatigue and tingle to my arms and fingers after longer sanding time. Other than that it performs well. Machine has been used (or run) for 2 - 3 hours, so the initial break-in has been done.

Here are some findings
Fine sanding
DTS is intended for this. Excellent results. DTS is for corners, edges, details and smaller areas. Random orbit sander for larger areas.
This easily removes machine marks with Granat 120 (for saw burns perhaps 80 is better).

Coarse sanding
DTS is capable to strip paint easily with Cristal, so it can be used for cornes or smaller areas. Of course 125 mm random orbit sander is more powerful and faster especially for large, flat surfaces. This is easy to use, fast enough in corners and fast on edges.
I tested Bosch GEX 125 with average quality 60 grit paper and DTS 400 with Cristal 60 on painted birch table top. GEX 125 was much faster and obvious choice, but DTS did well especially on edges or in smaller areas. Cristal last longer.

Learning curve. I found some odd scratches after sanding with lower grits (relative matter), they came easily when moving DTS across the grain.
Is this something what happens to you too?

Those marks shows under varnish/lacquer.
I sanded surface again, carefully with the grain, before going higher grit.
Also I couldn't make it float all the time, it just suddenly stops and creates some marks.

Suction. With CT at full, DTS stays in place on vertical plywood.
Use lowest setting. I found Festool adapter (for reducing suction) very practical. Except that adapter does have even surface and hose drops off easily. (DTS has those "rings".)

Dust control. Very good. Good even when sanding narrow pieces.

So, I need to use it more. To learn how it should be used and to decrease (hopefully) that vibration.
DTS is lightweight, easier handle than my GEX 125 which wobbles and wanders over surface.
Machine is intended for finishing. It can do some harder work too. In it's limits.

Vesa

  When using my DTS, this is what works for me. Speed setting on 5, CT vacuum set to low. I also wear anti-vibration gloves for any sander that I'm using. The gloves have gel embedded in pockets on key areas to help stop any vibrations from getting through. You will find them for sale in lots of places, some with the finger tips cut off, and others intact fully. I prefer the cut-off tip versions.
I think 2-3 hours isn't enough break-in time for the little DTS, seemed like 10-12 hours for me, or I just got better at using mine... [embarassed]

 

[RONWEN]

I have used DTS for awhile and same time it's good finish sander and I'm not 100% happy with it.
Main reason for unhappiness is vibration. It vibrates only little, but too much. This causes fatigue and tingle to my arms and fingers after longer sanding time. Other than that it performs well. Machine has been used (or run) for 2 - 3 hours, so the initial break-in has been done.

Here are some findings
Fine sanding
DTS is intended for this. Excellent results. DTS is for corners, edges, details and smaller areas. Random orbit sander for larger areas.
This easily removes machine marks with Granat 120 (for saw burns perhaps 80 is better).

Coarse sanding
DTS is capable to strip paint easily with Cristal, so it can be used for cornes or smaller areas. Of course 125 mm random orbit sander is more powerful and faster especially for large, flat surfaces. This is easy to use, fast enough in corners and fast on edges.
I tested Bosch GEX 125 with average quality 60 grit paper and DTS 400 with Cristal 60 on painted birch table top. GEX 125 was much faster and obvious choice, but DTS did well especially on edges or in smaller areas. Cristal last longer.

Learning curve. I found some odd scratches after sanding with lower grits (relative matter), they came easily when moving DTS across the grain.
Is this something what happens to you too?

Those marks shows under varnish/lacquer.
I sanded surface again, carefully with the grain, before going higher grit.
Also I couldn't make it float all the time, it just suddenly stops and creates some marks.

Suction. With CT at full, DTS stays in place on vertical plywood.
Use lowest setting. I found Festool adapter (for reducing suction) very practical. Except that adapter does have even surface and hose drops off easily. (DTS has those "rings".)

Dust control. Very good. Good even when sanding narrow pieces.

So, I need to use it more. To learn how it should be used and to decrease (hopefully) that vibration.
DTS is lightweight, easier handle than my GEX 125 which wobbles and wanders over surface.
Machine is intended for finishing. It can do some harder work too. In it's limits.

Vesa

  When using my DTS, this is what works for me. Speed setting on 5, CT vacuum set to low. I also wear anti-vibration gloves for any sander that I'm using. The gloves have gel embedded in pockets on key areas to help stop any vibrations from getting through. You will find them for sale in lots of places, some with the finger tips cut off, and others intact fully. I prefer the cut-off tip versions.
I think 2-3 hours isn't enough break-in time for the little DTS, seemed like 10-12 hours for me, or I just got better at using mine... [embarassed]

I picked that up from either you or Brice -- those settings made DTS an instant delight to use.  I'll have to dig up my old gel cycling gloves to use, sounds like another good tip -- Thanks.