looking for advise on which Rotex to pick up

M

Michdad

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Mar 3, 2015
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OK, i'm the new kid on the block so please excuse my ignorance on some of the Festool products. I have a few spotted green tools now and am patiently waiting for my kapex and CT36. I've been trying to limit myself and only buy the tools I need for any immediate projects.
I am about to do some repairs and sanding on a deck that has been stained then painted (previous owner of the house). I had issues with paint sticking to this deck, and was told the deck had to be sanded in order to get a stain to look acceptable.  I am assuming the Rotex would be a good choice, but I am unsure on what size sander to buy. I am leaning toward the 150 due to the fact that I currently have an ETS 150 and can share the sand paper between the two of them. But this seems like a large sander to be using on other projects. I was planning on getting a 90, but there is no way I am sanding down a 20 x 24 ft deck with an RO90. should I reconsider and look at the RO125? Any advice?
 
I'd go with your initial thinking. RO150 so you can share paper between the two sanders, plus it is the biggest RO and that is nice when you're doing such a large area.
 
I have an ETS 125 and a RO 125, it is great to have the same size paper.  Get the RO 150 and then the 90 later when you need to sand smaller items and into corners.
 
Welcome to the FOG!  I am also an advocate of having different sanders share papers if possible.  When I bought my Rotex 150 I spent more in sandpaper then I did on the sander.  Came in handy when I got my ETS150.

But that being said, hope you have kneepads and patience.  Sanding the deck with a Rotex can be done but as has been recommended many times here you might want to look at renting a floor sander and then using the Rotex in the smaller areas.  Much quicker and certainly easier on the body.

Peter
 
i also started with the ETS 150.  I have to say that if I had bought the RO 150 first I would probably not own the ETS.  I cannot think of a job that I have used the ETS on since getting the RO 150.  Sharing paper is smart.  I think the 150 and 125 are too close in size to justify the 125.  I recently bought the 90 and love it.

Bill
 
Welcome to the FOG!

I also started with the ETS150 and then I got the RO150 and an RO90.  Having those three is a good combination and I think you can do a lot with them.

If you need an assortment of papers, Tom at Tool-Home is a great source.  He is on the FOG and he will make up custom assortments for you.  Saves on having to buy full boxes of all the grits.

Have fun and good luck with your project.

Mike A.

 
Welcome to the FOG!

My first sander was the RO150.  I later added the RO90 and couldn't live without either.  When I refinish my deck this spring/summer, it will be with the RO150.
 
Certainly not trying to talk you out of a purchase but after you buy the Rotex go to Home Depot/Tool Rental and rent a hardwood floor sander for short money and stay off your knees... Again not discouraging just a suggestion. Used my 125 today onsite to clean up the seams in a Corian counter top and it worked perfectly!!
 
Dude cut to the chase........just buy them all.  You only live once.    [tongue]

No sense in buying anything other then the RO150 since you have the ETS150.

What you'll want is a short 36mm hose for the new Kapex headed your way.  The 36mm hose will give you better dust collection.

So get in touch with your preferred Festool dealer and order ALL the Festool sanders and a 36mm hose for the Kapex.  [tongue]

And post pictures of your projects!!!!    [wink]

Eric
 
"I am about to do some repairs and sanding on a deck that has been stained then painted (previous owner of the house). I had issues with paint sticking to this deck, and was told the deck had to be sanded in order to get a stain to look acceptable."

That's a tough one and you want it to look acceptable?

From past experience I'd throw everything away or re-purpose it and start over.

Or, practice on a small area and see if you like the results.

I've had better luck with the RAS115 and the Rotex150 in removing paint and or stain.
Sometimes the RAS works well and then sometimes the RO150 works well. In tandem
nothing could be better.

The tricky part is to make sure you like the results that's why I suggest you work on a small
area.

Watch out for fasteners messing up your sanding pads. :)
 
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