Is this normal? RO 125 dust

[DynaGlide]

A RO 125 from the recon sale isn't exactly living up to the dust extraction I've come to expect from my Pro 5 sander.

I already tried calling the service people and their response was underwhelming. First they said I should lower the suction on my CT 26 so the air can circulate better. Then when I wasn't satisfied with that answer, "Well it's a more powerful tool than your ETS 125 so it's going to create more dust."  [mad]

I noticed a fair amount of dust being left behind on a sheet of plywood I was sanding so I did a test. I cleaned off the tool with compressed air, inside and out, and ran it for maybe 45s in rotex mode with a sheet of 120 granat. It didn't overhang the edges and I kept it flat during the test with no real downward pressure. Is my CT 26 not doing its job? I looked and I just don't see how the RO 125 could create an issue. The dust port from the hose travels along a chute in the body straight to the pad holes. The rubber brake looks brand new and is engaged in the tabs that hold it in place.

Thanks

 

[semenza]

It should be collecting with no problem. I assume you checked the vac suction? Abrasive holes lined up? Holes and ports through pad all clear (try blowing air directly through the pad openings with pad removed from sander)?

Sorry for the stupid or obvious questions just trying to help find the solution.

Seth

 

[AlexThePalex]

I don't think this is anything out of the ordinary. You can't expect 100% collection, and dust is going to be trapped in some spots.

 

[Michael Kellough]

A RO 125 from the recon sale isn't exactly living up to the dust extraction I've come to expect from my Pro 5 sander.

I already tried calling the service people and their response was underwhelming. First they said I should lower the suction on my CT 26 so the air can circulate better. Then when I wasn't satisfied with that answer, "Well it's a more powerful tool than your ETS 125 so it's going to create more dust."  [mad]

I noticed a fair amount of dust being left behind on a sheet of plywood I was sanding so I did a test. I cleaned off the tool with compressed air, inside and out, and ran it for maybe 45s in rotex mode with a sheet of 120 granat. It didn't overhang the edges and I kept it flat during the test with no real downward pressure. Is my CT 26 not doing its job? I looked and I just don't see how the RO 125 could create an issue. The dust port from the hose travels along a chute in the body straight to the pad holes. The rubber brake looks brand new and is engaged in the tabs that hold it in place.

Thanks

Since the tool starts before the vac, rotex mode is more aggressive, 120 grit is effective, your results might not be unusual.

When I'm really concerned about dust I run the sander off the work for a few seconds to get the vac air flow  going then put the sander on the work and re-start so suction is happening before debris is made.

Also, make sure the vac is in good order and that the bag sufrface is not clogged with fines stuff. The bag can be shot and still be far less than full if you have been sanding something drywall compound or making other very fine dust.

 

[Sparktrician]

First they said I should lower the suction on my CT 26 so the air can circulate better. Then when I wasn't satisfied with that answer, "Well it's a more powerful tool than your ETS 125 so it's going to create more dust."  [mad]

 

Actually, he's right.  The powerful suction of a CT will pull the sander down into the material being sanded and prevent effective removal of material already abraded off the surface.  Suggest setting the vac power to no more than 1/3 for best results.  In some cases, no more than 1/4 vac power is best.  You just have to get a feel for the best results from experience. 

 

[DynaGlide]

Actually, he's right.  The powerful suction of a CT will pull the sander down into the material being sanded and prevent effective removal of material already abraded off the surface.  Suggest setting the vac power to no more than 1/3 for best results.  In some cases, no more than 1/4 vac power is best.  You just have to get a feel for the best results from experience.

I think I got in trouble there reading on the FOG several people run their Rotex at full suction in geared mode. I'll play around with it some more.

I don't think this is anything out of the ordinary. You can't expect 100% collection, and dust is going to be trapped in some spots.

It should be collecting with no problem. I assume you checked the vac suction? Abrasive holes lined up? Holes and ports through pad all clear (try blowing air directly through the pad openings with pad removed from sander)?

Sorry for the stupid or obvious questions just trying to help find the solution.

Seth

I've used it again since this time dropping down to 80 grit. It seems to be working regarding dust pickup off the workpiece. The buildup on the tool threw me off though. I think part of it is since this is a recon tool in my head I assumed something might be wrong with the tool. Thank you for your responses. I might change the bag out since I did do some drywall sanding with my Pro 5.

 

[Michael Kellough]

Rule of thumb for suction is that the tool should not be significantly "heavier" when lifting off the work surface when suction is on. If it is "stuck down" harder than that you'll end up swirls.

Full suction is good if you're using the sander as a shaper, going for an un-flat surface.

 

[semenza]

I think I got in trouble there reading on the FOG several people run their Rotex at full suction in geared mode. I'll play around with it some more.

I find that running the vac on full power works effectively with the RO150, but that has the power to overcome the suction (in aggressive mode). Especially with heavier backed abrasives and the hard pad. I do this because it helps pull in dust that may escape when the pad is not fully on the work piece.

This may be what you have read in other topics.

I have not used an RO125 but my understanding is that it is much less powerful in use than the RO150.

Seth

 

[AlexThePalex]

Knowing both the RO150 and 125 I think you only need to lower suction when sanding in fine mode with grits of 180+ on a perfectly flat surface. Only then will you create a vacuum strong enough to make the motor struggle a bit. In all other situations you can use the vac on full. At least that's my experience. The Rotex sanders have strong motors that are not as easily affected as the small sanders like RTS/DTS400 and ETS125. 

 

[MrToolJunkie]

I run mine at full suction with all the Rotex sanders - no real issues. These sanders are powerful enough to overcome the suction from the vacuum in my opinion. I only reduce it for the finish sanders.

Dust accumulates on mine in the same places. I have not found any issues with this.

 

[HarveyWildes]

I've used it again since this time dropping down to 80 grit. It seems to be working regarding dust pickup off the workpiece. The buildup on the tool threw me off though. I think part of it is since this is a recon tool in my head I assumed something might be wrong with the tool. Thank you for your responses. I might change the bag out since I did do some drywall sanding with my Pro 5.

Your sander looks a lot like mine, which I run at about 1/3.  I don't mind minor caking on surfaces as long as the airborne dust is sucked up, and it is with my Rotex running 60 or 80 Granat on wood.  When I'm ready to pack it up for the day, I blow it out outside and that cleans it up pretty well.

 

[DynaGlide]

I run mine at full suction with all the Rotex sanders - no real issues. These sanders are powerful enough to overcome the suction from the vacuum in my opinion. I only reduce it for the finish sanders.

Dust accumulates on mine in the same places. I have not found any issues with this.

I've used it again since this time dropping down to 80 grit. It seems to be working regarding dust pickup off the workpiece. The buildup on the tool threw me off though. I think part of it is since this is a recon tool in my head I assumed something might be wrong with the tool. Thank you for your responses. I might change the bag out since I did do some drywall sanding with my Pro 5.

Your sander looks a lot like mine, which I run at about 1/3.  I don't mind minor caking on surfaces as long as the airborne dust is sucked up, and it is with my Rotex running 60 or 80 Granat on wood.  When I'm ready to pack it up for the day, I blow it out outside and that cleans it up pretty well.

Thank you for the confirmation. I just didn't know what was considered normal.